One Prayer Away

 Hey Friends,

This is Odie writing today. Thanks for dropping by for my Saturday post. It is a joy to have each of you here for a moment. I hope you are doing well!

I am writing to you with a nugget of encouragement that has been encouraging me lately. I hope it helps you too.

A couple weeks into this year, I had several things heavy on my heart. I had been taking them multiple times a day to God in prayer. Yet, answers to those prayers were not visible.

I chose to keep praying and believing. I knew God was in control of all things! Early one morning, I woke up with everything weighing me down. The questions and fears were endless.

I feel like God dropped a little phrase in my mind to give me the boost I needed. That phrase was, "one prayer away." I had the push I needed to keep praying for the answers!

In every aspect of life and any need we have, the answer to our prayers may be one prayer away. My heart hurts to think I could give up praying one prayer short of a miracle.

I have been clinging to this thought for many days! I have utilized my ability to bring my petitions before God in prayer! God is still answering prayer in 2023. I have already heard many testimonies this year!

Friend, your answered prayer could be just one prayer away! Keep praying for your lost family member, healing, or whatever is close to your heart! I believe with my whole heart God is working!

Thanks for reading. I will leave with a great scripture from the word of God that has been speaking to me. It is found in Luke 18:27.

And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

Odie

Odie's Week In Picture 2/10/23

Hey, Friends,

This is Odie reporting in from Ohio. I hope you have had a good week. My week at home has been fantastic. I enjoyed being in my house, family time, church, and more of the same activities. 

I did not pull out the camera a lot. I was just living in the moment and enjoying it. Below I have the handful of pictures I did snap this week.

Bro. Jacob Bishop preached Tuesday night at Dryden Road.

Seeing my Uncle Steve a couple of times this week made me happy! I love him so much! 

Monday, he surprised us by driving in from Kansas. He came to visit my grandparents. I was blessed to get in on his visit too. I took this picture right before he left yesterday.

Thursday church at Dryden Road Pentecostal Church.

Bro Jared Burris

Pastor Bennie Sutherland

Bro. Tony Stidham preached.

Odie and Gunner

 

Bro. Jared Burris, AKA California.

Odie and Tim

Miss Olivia

Odie and Grant

That wraps up my week. Check out the previous post from this week if you missed them. 

Monday

Tuesday 

Wednesday

Thursday

Thank you for reading! See you tomorrow.

Odie

A Fresh Smile

Hey Friends,

This is Odie reporting in from Ohio. I hope your Tuesday is off to a good start. It is great to have you here today.

A Fresh Smile

The other day I remembered I was due for a dentist visit. When I had an appointment last summer, I did not know when to schedule my next visit. This month was the six month point, but I planned on being away from home this month. Yet, here I am with a few unplanned weeks at home.

I called to see if they had any openings while I was in town. The receptionist said we have one space on Monday afternoon. I quickly scheduled the appointment. Then it was time to secure a ride to the appointment.

Backstory

I am not a fan of the dentist! I had put off going for a long time. Last summer, I decided to utilize my dental insurance. It was time for me to be a big girl. I was scared to try a new dentist. My previous dental practices did not accept my insurance.

 

Thanks to Google and the recommendation of my cousin, I made an appointment at Family Dental Care of Lebanon. Here are the reasons I chose this Dental practice: It is close to home, the reviews are great, and they accept my insurance.

When I first visited Family Dental Care, I soon knew why the reviews were so good. Dr. Travis Clark and the staff were excellent. They treated me with care and kindness! I had found my dentist.

February 2023

That brings us to yesterday's visit to the dentist. My sweet cousin Lisa was available to take me. Thanks, Lisa, for spending your afternoon off with me! The appointment was scheduled, and the ride was secured. Therefore, yesterday became dentist day for me.

This time around, I was not scared. I was not having any issues, but I wanted to check on things. I was ready for a fresh smile.

The whole appointment went smoothly. A nice dental hygienist cleaned my teeth. The pain was way less than last time. This cleaning was a lot easier on both the hygienist and me. There was not near as much scraping this time.

I snapped a selfie of my fresh smile while waiting for the doctor. Dr. Clark was very friendly and thorough with the exam of my mouth. I am happy to report that he said everything looks good!

A good report from any visit to a doctor makes me happy! I had something to smile about yesterday.

We celebrated with a trip to one of our favorite places, Penn Station! Dinner and the fellowship were great!

We finish out our day by visiting with family at Mamaw and Papaw's,

Thanks for reading!

Odie

Odie’s Weekend Dispatch 2/6/23

Hey Friends,

This is Odie here to report on my weekend. Friday was my first full day at home. I used the day to settle in and rest up from my travel day.

I am thankful to have a Walmart close to my house. Walmart grocery delivery is a huge help to me! Before I even booked my flight home, I had started compiling a grocery order. Once I was on in Ohio, I completed my order.

Friday morning, the groceries were delivered to my front door. I snapped a quick picture before I put everything away

Later in the day, I baked some cookies for my grandparents. Here is a picture of the first tray of cookies.

Mamaw made it home from the hospital on Friday afternoon. Thank you for praying for her! She still has a long recovery ahead of her! We are so thankful that she is home!

Saturday, My cousin Lisa Isaacs and I visited our friends at Alcapulco Mexican restaurant. We enjoyed yummy food and fellowship.

Then we went to visit Mamaw and Papaw! It was good to see them! I also saw my Uncle Jay, Aunt Theresa, Luke and Uncle Tommy.

Sunday was spent at church. We had two excellent services. My pastor preached both times amazingly!

Between services, it was time to drink more salsa at Alcapulco with friends.

The first weekend of February is now in the history books. I was blessed to spend it with family and friends!

Thanks for dropping in today. See you next time.

Odie

Thankful For A Small Victory

 Hey Friends,

This is Odie reporting in for another Saturday post. I hope you are having a great day! I am doing good. 

I typed this post several days ago, but sadly It did not save right. When I returned to proof it a couple of days later, I found only a blank screen! What in the world? That is not what I expected to find! Here is my take two on writing this post.

Thank you all for always helping us pray for things when we ask! You all have helped us bear a lot of heavy burdens! Many of you have reached out to us this week to let us know that you are praying for my family! You will never know how much your prayers and encouraging words mean to us!

The Backstory

If you are new around here, let me give you some backstory. I was born premature and was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (CP) at 2 years old. `I will not rehash my entire life story. My life has been a series of miracles leading up to today. I have lived a fabulously blessed life!

Here is how CP affects me. My brain does not send the proper signals to my muscles. That is the reason I can not walk. My muscles are always tight. The tightness can cause me much pain and stiffness. I also have very little balance on my own.

We have been praying for my complete physical healing for 35 years. It has not been time for God to heal me yet. He has a purpose and plans for my life. I have tried to be content and trust His plan and timing.

God has been so faithful and helped me through my life. I will not retell the entire story today. God touched me miraculously in 2006. With God's help, I could relax some of my muscles some of the time. My pain went down 80 or 90 percent! It has been a fantastic blessing in my life.

Now I still have good, bad and occasionally horrible days. Thank God the good days have far outweighed the rest! Weather and other factors can contribute to my bad days. Other times they show up without warning. I push through and overcome. Soon it gets better.

Small Victory

I am here to share a testimony with you. I like to share answered prayers. I want to thank God for every victory, whether big or small!

Last month I had a horrible day physically that turned into weeks. This spell was almost three weeks of pain, stiffness, no balance, cramps and muscle spasms. I was miserable!

I usually do not share about the bad days. There was no hiding this one if you were around me. Changing positions was excruciating and difficult. My average speed of moving is much slower than most people's. During this time, I could not even move at my normal pace. Hurry was not even remotely possible. I would tell my brain to hurry. The correct message never was delivered to the proper channels, for my hurry speed to kick into gear.

At the two week mark, I was desperate for some help from God. I was not asking for my total healing at this point. I just wanted strength and relief. I would have moments of relief. I am so grateful!  

I reached out to a few close friends for extra prayer. They were gracious enough to come alongside me in my time of need. They bombarded Heaven on my behalf. Thank God for amazing friends!

During this period, I was pouring out my heart to God. There was a moment I felt my last thread of strength was breaking. I was at the end of my rope. 

The Lord gently reminded me of some of the times He touched me. He spoke to my heart and said, "I touched you, then I can touch you now." Oh, I rejoiced! I was thankful for the reminder. He was aware of my current situation!

Was I better right then? No, but I had peace. The bad days continued for another week. Then one moment, I transferred much easier from my bunk to my wheelchair. When I stood up, I felt strength back in my legs!

I rejoiced for a small victory! I may still have rough moments, but they have been getting less frequent! Thank God for coming to my rescue one more time!

Thanks for joining me today! I encourage you to thank God for small victories! Those small victories add up to big blessings!!

Odie

Odie’s Travel Day 2/2/23

Hey Friends,

This is Odie reporting from my Ohio Beach Cottage. Thanks for joining me for a moment of your day! It is a pleasure to have you in our corner of the world.

My rides across the sky went well yesterday. Thanks for the prayers and the comments and text checking on me. Our prayers were answered.

The travel day went off without a hitch. My flights arrived early at each location. There were not any delays! I did not even have a gate change! Praise God my wheelchair made it on each flight!

I had three smooth flights. The flights were not long, time wise. It did make for a long day, from start to finish and I was thrilled when the wheels touched down in Cincinnati!

Here are a handful of pictures from my travel day.

This is an early morning selfie with Mom before saying goodbye for now.

Ready for flight number two. Houston, Texas, was my next stop. I was ready for a nap here.

Houston was cold and raining. 

In Houston, I had time to grab a snack and prepare for the day's final flight. I was anxious to head home.

Then we took flight. Here are a few shots from the window. I love the views from the sky!
 




Cincinnati was in view!

An Apple AirTag helped give me peace of mind. I had one in my wheelchair. I could track its location and make sure it was traveling with me. I have heard too many stories of mobility devices being left behind! I always have a fear that mine will be lost in transit!

My Gran and Papaw met me at the airport! It is wonderful to see them! I thank them for spending their day coming to get me!

We grabbed a great meal on the way home!

Then it was time for home sweet home! Gran and Papaw helped me get settled. Then my bed was screaming my name!

That wraps up this travel report. Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow.

Odie

More Prayer Requests

 Hey Friends

This is Odie with a quick post. I am reporting from the sky, well almost. 

Prayer Request Number 1

I will be flying home to Ohio today. I have three flights ahead of me. I would appreciate your prayers for a smooth travel day. 

I am excited to be headed home. Hopefully tomorrow I will have a travel report for you tomorrow. Tune in for more info on my adventures.

Prayer request Number 2

My precious Mamaw, Martha Boggs, is in need of prayer. She fell Monday night. She broke her upper arm and gashed her leg. Currently, she is still in the hospital.

Please pray for everything to heal correctly and quickly. She needs God to give her extra strength right now. We all want Mamaw well again very soon! She is very special to all of us!

I do praise God for protecting my Mamaw. Her injuries could have been so much worse! That was not the news we were expecting to receive. I know that none of our current events surprised God! I am trusting God to help all of our family right now!

Thanks for visiting with me. I appreciate your prayers and friendship!

Odie

Heaven Is Sweeter A Tribute To Sis. Brenda Horton

Hey Friends,

Hello from Odie. The BoggsMobile is on the move. We are traveling today. Thanks for spending a brief moment of your day with me. I am honored when any of you drop in for a visit.

Heaven Gets Sweeter Each Day 

Before this year began, I knew we would have unforeseen surprises. There is no way that I could have imagined saying goodbye to several dear friends already in 2023.

We ended 2022 with a funeral for our precious Aunt Zora in Ohio.

Less than a week into the year, we lost our beloved friend Mark Capps.

I also learned of the sudden passing of my sweet friend Jolynn Evans from Wichita, Kansas.

A Tribute To Sis. Brenda Horton

Last week we were devasted to hear of yet another friend that was unexpectantly called home! We will forever miss Sis. Brenda Horton! It still seems impossible for this blessed saint of God to be gone! 

It was an honor to know Sis. Brenda Horton! It was a pleasure to be counted among her numerous friends! The Bible says to have friends, we must show ourselves friendly. Well, Sis. Brenda truly lived out that verse. She was a friend to everyone around her!

She was genuinely caring, kind, compassionate, loyal, loving, wise and so much more! She brought joy and happiness into any room she entered.

I loved listening to her conversations! She was always ready to tell a story about her life and adventures! Her family and church family were her favorite people! She was proud of them!

Sis. Brenda always had a song to sing. She was known to be a walking songbook. It was fun to sing with her during a long altar service. I would learn some "new to me" songs along the way. 

Sis. Brenda was known for her smile! She lit up a room with her happiness! Her life was lived to the fullest. She was devoted to always working for God! Her love for Christian education was astounding! 

That is just a small tribute to a wonderful friend! I am grateful to have been a tiny part of her life. I am thankful for the memories of our times with her! She will forever be one of my Holiness Heroes that impacted my life greatly! 

I encourage you to read her obituary here. It is a beautiful tribute to our wonderful friend. You can get a glimpse into the life she lived. 

Please join me in praying for all those connected to the Horton family and The Grace Tabernacle Church family in Bristol, Virginia. They will be trying to figure out their new normal for a while!

All of the people that I mentioned in this post are missed by many! Their families and friends need prayer right now. We will never understand why they had to leave this earth. I do know that Heaven gets sweeter each day! I am looking forward to a big reunion in Heaven!

Thanks for reading. See you next week.

Odie