Our May Mississippi Fun

 Hey Friends,

Thank you so much for your prayers! We arrived safely back at my Ohio beach cottage last night. 

Friday was another extremely smooth travel day. We did experience heavy traffic through Kentucky and Ohio. We are so thankful not to have any other hiccups. 

While in Mississippi, we had fun with family and friends. It was great to meet up with Uncle Steve, Deidre, Ben, Chloe Jean and Carson for lunch. The visits end too fast, but I love seeing these special people. 

It is always fun to hang out with our Morris family, too. We had a big meal one night prepared by Bro. Scott and Sis. Kim. The food and fellowship were both amazing. Saylor Brooke is so much fun. She loves playing with “Aunt Jo!”

Wednesday afternoon, we had an unplanned lunch meetup. We went to Cracker Barrel after Sis. McDonald's funeral and Bro. Tim, Sis. Ruthie Angel Cauley and Sis. Ginger Allen were eating there too. They invited us to join them. It was wonderful to see and visit with our precious friends. 

That is just a glimpse of our week in Mississippi. Thanks for stopping by to see us. 

Odie

Ellisville Mother's Day Banquet 2026

 Hey Friends,

Mom and I were invited to attend a Mother's Day banquet. It took place at First Assembly in Ellisville, Mississippi, on Saturday evening. 

The First Assembly Ladies put on a great banquet to honor mothers. We were thrilled to be there for this year's event. They had the hall decorated beautifully! The Theme was a spring tea party. The food was delicious, and the fellowship was sweet!

At the last minute, we were asked to sing a song as well. It was an adventure, but we had fun. We learned a new song, sang to a soundtrack, and I had trouble getting my part done. We tried the song again. It was a whole ordeal, but the ladies got a comedy act they will not forget. 

Sis. Tina Stringfellow gave a great devotion. She spoke to us about hearing God’s voice during chaos. It was a challenging but encouraging devotion. 

It was wonderful to spend time with my Mama and several precious friends. Ellisville friends, thank you for including us! We love y'all  

I will close with pictures from the evening. They had a photo booth set up. The lights made Mom’s hair look purple. 😂 My crazy friends were also trying to get me to smile. They were treating me like a baby/toddler. I think they were successful. I was cracking up!

See you tomorrow. 

Odie

Sunday Sanity 5/3/26

 Hey Friends,

Today finds us still in Mississippi. We are enjoying getting to spend a little extra unplanned time down here. We will get to be in church with our adopted Mississippi family, which is always a great blessing for us. 

Here is a little Sunday Sanity for you. Bro. Kenson Wilson made this statement recently. It reached out and grabbed my heart. 

“A family’s survival is revival!”
Reverend Kenson Wilson 

Apostolic Faith Church Trinity 

Sallisaw, Oklahoma 

Oh, God, we must have revival for our families to survive. Please make me an instrument of revival in my family!

Thank you for reading. 

Odie

Prayers For The Hurting Matter

 Hey Friends,

My heart is heavy for several precious people tonight. We have had 3 friends recently make their Heavenly crossing. 

No, we do not hurt for the men and women of God, who finished their courses. They were all fighters until the end. Their race is finished, and they won the ultimate victory!

They have now experienced complete healing and wholeness. Friends, you and I can only dream about the glory they are experiencing. No more pain, heartbreak or the burdens of life to bear. They have reunited with loved ones already gone on!

Most of all, they have met Jesus. They are worshipping Him face to face! Oh, Hallelujah, Heaven is wonderful. I can not wait to go!

We do hurt and grieve with the family members left here! Now they must figure out how to go on. I am certain they are asking questions. What now? How do I move forward?

I do not even pretend to have their answers! All I know is you make it one day at a time. You lean on the grace and promise of God! Thank the Lord that we can rest in Him! He will sustain them!

The prayers from fellow saints really do matter! No prayer is too big or too small. I know from experience that God strengthens us through others' prayers! I have a job to do! I must pray for the family and friends who are hurting!  

Please join me in praying for the families experiencing grief. I know you are thinking of some right now. Here are a few families I am praying for today. Their road of grief is fresh!

Every grieving family needs prayer!

The Tussey Family 

The McDonald Family 

The Roney/Morris Family. 

Here is a scripture that came to mind as I prayed for these precious families. 

Thank you stopping by to visit. 

Odie

Keep Your Eye On The Sky

 Hey Friends,

Yesterday was a high weather alert day that affected a lot of our friends. Storms spanned many states. 

In Ohio, overnight, we had strong winds and heavy thunderstorms. As far as I know, we did not sustain damage. We will see in the daylight today. 

Mom and I were busy doing our cyber storm chasing yesterday. Thankfully, we were safely in my house. Storms have been plum wild the last several days. 

I am grateful for the professionals who keep us informed. Ryan Hall is our preferred weather guy. He and his team are amazing. His motto is, “Be prepared, not scared.” We try to stay prepared. In case we have to go to the safe room. 

As I hear warnings about areas we are familiar with, I try to pray for my friends who could be affected. 

Yesterday, I kept thinking of this scripture.  

We must keep our eyes on the sky! Our Lord will soon return. No man knows the day nor the hour. We must keep our hearts and minds ready.

On high weather alert days, my eyes open and ears alert. Even so, I am reminded of my need to stay “prepared and not scared” for the coming of the Lord. Oh God, please help us all be ready!!

Just something I have been pondering. Thanks for pondering with me today. 

Odie

Thankful For Our Pastor

 Hey Friends,

Today is a special Sunday at our church, DRPC. We set aside this day to honor and show our appreciation for our Pastor and his wife. 

Bro Bennie and Sis. Jane Sutherland moved to Ohio from Indiana 48 years ago. They made the move in obedience to God and became the pastors of DRPC. 

The church was then small in number and had its struggles. They poured their life, blood, sweat and tears into the church. DRPC was their whole life. Their children grew up in the church, and now their great-grandchildren are growing up there as well. 

God has rewarded their dedication and labor. Drpc has been a flourishing church for decades. Countless lives have been changed because of the ministry of Bro. Bennie and Sis. Jane!

We love and appreciate them more than words can express. I know BFM would not exist today without our Pastor. His guidance and counsel changed my parents' lives. Which, in turn, changed the trajectory of my life’s course!

Thank you, Lord, for blessing us with a Pastor who cares for his congregation. Even at 83, he boldly declares God’s word to us. He prays for us, and he is concerned for his. people. We are a blessed congregation!

Here is a picture from December 2025. Please keep Bro. Bennie and Sis. Jane, in your prayers!

Friday night 

A few favorite’s from my BD Sutherland archives.

Thank you for reading. 

Odie