Generating Low Voltage

I mentioned our ongoing generator issue yesterday and that generated some questions. Pun intended.

Main question? What is the problem?

The problem is that our generator does not produce enough voltage sometimes. It does decently well for a few hours, but then the voltage level on both sides gets lower and lower until the inverters go into error and we have no Air Conditioning or electricity for anything else.

We ran the generator for 54 continuous hours while traveling last week and for most of that time, we had enough power for one AC and almost nothing else. We certainly had no power for cooking or for hot water.

Saturday night it would not produce enough voltage for any Air Conditioning and we spent a hot night in a rest area. I got almost no sleep. That is not gonna work all summer long. Our schedule this summer is going to take us to several places where we must use the generator for power.

I emailed the generator manufacturer and the owner suggested removing the generator and bringing it to them. They would diagnose it when they could get to it. Ugh!

Another guy, who came well recommended, is not familiar with this brand of generator and felt like the complicated electrical system on our bus conversion was above his pay grade. I really appreciate his honesty. 

He did think it may be a fuel issue, the same diagnosis as Jeff Rowe, and suggested a fuel pump. I will look into that.

I have the number of another well recommended generator guy that I will try today. It is not really a problem of money. We have money saved for new tires this year and we can easily dip into that to cover the expense. It is finding someone capable and available.

Would you ask God to guide us? This is important to us this summer. Thank you and we appreciate you stopping by.

Davy

Endurance For The Road Ahead!

The BoggsMobile is in the shop, The Boggs Family is in a hotel in Oak Ridge while we are in revival at Beechfork Holiness Church near Wartburg, Tennessee. The Lord was near us on the first night of revival and we are thankful.

Will you continue to pray for us? We have no complaints. The Lord has been very good to us. However, I am not nearly as strong as I need to be. Three or four days in a row with lots of driving or other activity is enough to prove to me that I need more strength to preach and travel.

I was honestly dragging all day Tuesday and Wednesday, although I had enough energy to preach the first night of revival Wednesday. I know that God is able to heal me completely and we are asking Him to do it.

I will be busy with bus stuff all next week, but I will not be preaching Monday through Friday. Maybe that will help. I would rather preach than deal with bus stuff, but it is part of staying on the road. It must be done.

Thank you for praying for us and for taking the time to drop by each day. May God bless you for your kindness toward us.

Davy

The Lord Has Been Mighty Good to Us!

We are receiving questions every day about my breathing and strength so I need to answer publicly. 

The Lord Has Been Mighty Good to Us!

Although my strength is not what I would like it to be, I am stronger than I was even last week. I need to be much stronger to comfortably be able to sing and preach seven times each week, keep the bus going, set up sound and all the rest, not to mention travel between revivals. 

To preach each night requires me to do almost absolutely nothing during the day. If I was having to work on a bus project every day, I would be in a pinch. I believe that more strength will come.

I have ministered every service (5) since Sunday morning without using supplemental oxygen while in the pulpit. Most days my O2 saturation has been good and only dropped a few times for a few minutes.

In full disclosure, I am still using a daily inhaler to help me breathe. I am not sure what happens when I quit taking it. As I get stronger, I will eliminate the inhaler over time and find out.

As I mentioned Monday, I am having some trouble with my hip and leg which seems like sciatica pain. I am calling it my psychotic nerve.😢😁 I would appreciate you helping me pray for relief in that area too.

I have rearranged much of our late spring and early summer schedule. We have removed the tent revivals and deleted some miles and we hope that helps. Shortly after we made those decisions, we received some invitations that were completely unexpected and we have been able to insert some of those meetings.

As I said, God has been good to us and we have no complaints at all. Thank you for praying for us sincerely and fervently over the last few months. May God bless you for pulling me through by prayer. We will never forget it.

Thank you for reading today.

Davy

Sunday Morning Sanity 2/26/23

After four weeks of trying to recover, we are beginning revival this morning in Ellisville, Mississippi. I honestly do not know if I am physically capable of preaching and singing every night, but that is OK. We are not trusting in our strength, we are trusting in the strength of God. He is able.

Will you pray for us and have others pray for us today and in the coming days?

Sunday Morning Sanity

David realizes that there is no security in 1.5 million soldiers. There will always be a bigger army, but there will never be a bigger God! Pastor Tim Dilena

I hope you have a super great Sunday.

Davy

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

Tunnel Vision Travel

I thought about skipping today's post and letting yesterday's Mile Marker remain as the top post in case some of you missed it. The post was lengthy but I wrote it from my heart and tried to answer all of the questions you might be asking.

It might explain things if you read it. You will find yesterday's post HERE.

We appreciate all of the calls, texts emails and comments letting us know you are praying for us. There are some calls I could not answer because driving, breathing and talking at the same time was a little beyond my skill set at times, but we appreciate your kindness much!

Among the encouraging communications we received Monday, were a few more invitations to park the BoggsMobile in a few more places while I heal. May God bless all of them for the offers of kindness and hospitality.

Travel

When we left Sweeny, Texas Thursday morning we expected to land at our next revival about 280 miles later. We drove 142 miles Thursday and thought we were halfway there.

After a very bad night and worse morning, we sought counsel and made the decision, after much deliberation, to slowly move toward the southeast. We drove Friday, Saturday and Monday, for a total of 660 miles since we left Sweeny.

I could not figure out why I was weak and weary Monday afternoon until I counted up the miles and hours. Duh! No wonder I felt like I was under the bus instead of in the bus.😍😎

Maybe I should have driven halfway and rested a week there. I guess my tunnel vision is showing. Once the decision was made, I could not see anything but reaching our goal, even though we were traveling slower than usual.

I suppose you live and learn. At least you should live and learn.

Thank you again for praying for us. We truly appreciate it. Thank you for reading today.

Davy

What To Say?

What to say? How much to say? 

These are questions we ask often and we are never really satisfied completely with the answer to our own questions. We post here daily and have for over thirteen years and less often for many years before that. To quote our own words right here on Mile Markers,

Mile Markers are a good way to describe our updates from the road. They keep track of our progress as we move across the country. We post about the grace of God, great churches, Pastors, people, revivals, music, family, food, fellowship, fun, our travels and who knows what else.

Yet, there are so many things we say little to nothing about. Although we are public about much, we are considerably private about much more of our lives, because they are ...well...private.

One of the many things I learned from these many years of meeting with you here is that we do have a good number of regular readers that will pray sincerely when they know there is a need. You proved it in 2020 and again in 2021 and 2022.

We average 600 to 1000 people stopping by here each day according to statistics we are given by Blogger/Google. Those numbers are not impressive in comparison to big corners of the internet, but we are not here to be impressive.

There is no competition between us versus anyone. Mile Markers describes a family ministry posting about ministry things along the road. Oh, and lots of pictures! We compile the pictures and information in one place for ourselves and for our friends. Several hundred of you have become our friends in the process.

We have come to understand profoundly that many of you are praying for us daily. That is pretty cool and comforting. Several hundred people praying for us every single day is encouraging.

We will take that! We believe God answers prayer and we need God to help us. That is why we have decided to say what I am going to say here today.

What To Say? This!

I posted a prayer request on January 20 and an update Friday and you responded by praying. Thank you for that from the bottom of my heart. I am asking you to continue to ask God to help. I need His help.

Without being overly dramatic, I must tell you that I was in severe distress with my lungs within 36 hours of finishing the strong round of medicine to help me breathe. By Thursday evening I was struggling mightily to breathe and that lasted into late Friday morning.

I have had absolutely no congestion in my lungs that I know of. I have pressure in my lungs, I struggle to get my breath and my oxygen level goes down too.

Later Friday, I took a dose of medicine and that helped. I have taken a little each day to keep from going into distress. I could take even more medicine, but it is literally killing me in other ways.

There is no way I could preach revival in Texas this week. I hated to do it, but I had to cancel. Pastor RC Betz was completely compassionate and understanding. He sincerely invited us to finish the trip to his church and park there as long as we needed to and allow them to help us in any way they could. May God bless him and his people!

At first, I was hoping we could take one week off and be good, but after consulting others, including Pastors, spiritual mentors, friends and medical professionals, we came to the conclusion the only chance I have of recovering is to take a few weeks off and rest my lungs.

A miracle could absolutely change that and we are seeking that every single moment. Until then, we have regretfully and sorrowfully cleared our schedule for four full weeks. I will not sing or preach for four weeks while we pray and my lungs heal.

Where to go? Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky or Ohio? 

At least nine Pastors and another friend invited us to park the BoggsMobile at their churches as long as necessary. Most of them offered to help in any way possible including help gaining access to whatever medical assistance I might need.

We were completely overwhelmed by these kind propositions within hours and we were at a loss for which way to go. In addition, we always have the option of going home.

Here is a glimpse into our reasoning and conclusion.

1. I had an aversion to going into the extreme cold if I could avoid it.

2. IF we are able to resume our schedule after four weeks, our next eight obligations are in the southeast so it made sense to us to be in that area.

3. I did not look forward to driving the bus at all. Why drive the BoggsMobile over 1000 miles home and then over 800 miles back into the south four weeks later, The 500 miles from Texas to the southeast seemed insurmountable Friday, so 1000 miles of bus driving was out of the question.

4. Some of the churches that extended invitations were 500 or fewer miles, but then we would have been a lot further from our next revivals.

5. Some of the invitations to park at churches came from the southeast, so that is the direction we have been slowly driving since Friday afternoon. 

We have a good handle on where we will park the bus, but we really have no firm grasp on what the next four weeks will look like. Odie may go home and KJo and I may get out of the bus for a few days or whatever.

We will definitely be attending church, maybe even visiting different churches, including some we do not normally get to attend. However, we will go with the understanding that we should not be put on the spot to sing or preach. I have to do my best to allow my lungs to heal.

Here is a question we are receiving. Do you have any needs? Yes, we need God to help us and we are counting on God's people to sincerely and fervently pray for us without ceasing. That is our desperate need and that is what we greatly desire. Please pray for my lungs or whatever the problem is.

The next question we receive is "what about finances?" The inquirer always acknowledges the personal nature of the question, but I understand the simple and authentic motive behind it. I have asked the question of others in similar situations. I do not want to see friends do without when I have the power to help.

Please understand that we are not asking for finances. Yes, we must absorb four weeks with no regular income, but we have an emergency fund. I think this qualifies for use. IF we need, more, I am sure God will be aware and He will supply through His people as He guides. 

We have never asked you for money for our own needs and we are not going to begin now. Honestly, we are fine.

The final question is this. Is there anything at all we can do besides pray? My honest answer. If I knew there was something you could do to help me heal besides pray, I would immediately ask you to do it.

Now, let me tell you one more important thing. The Lord came to me sweetly and powerfully at 7:00 AM Friday morning while I was struggling for every breath. He visited me again at 8:15 AM. I can not describe the feeling. If you know what I mean then you know! He did not calm my breathing, but He calmed me. Hallelujah!

He has been near me since and I can make it like that.

Programming Notes: 

Odie will be posting quite a lot more than normal the next few weeks so please show up for her. I am not sure about A Word For Wednesday yet. We may have to take that week by week. Thank you for understanding.

And thank you for stopping by today. May God bless you.

Davy

A Note From Davy: A Personal Prayer Request

A Note From Davy: A Personal Prayer Request

James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Can we burden you with a prayer request? KJo and I hesitate to say anything about this at all, but after consulting dear friends, spiritual advisors and our Pastor, we believe this is the best course of action.

My lungs are not doing well. This current episode of trouble came to a head in November and it seemed we were able to get a handle on it then. Although we resumed preaching and traveling consistently since Christmas, I am not getting better. A few days without medicine and my lungs are in full crisis mode and my strength withers quickly.

I am on another strong round of medicine for about five more days. While on the medicine my lungs are fine, but I can not take it forever. In these next five days, I need God to do a miracle in my lungs so that I can continue to do what I have been called to do.

If the medicine helps, why not stay on it? The number one reason is that the medicine adversely affects my body in ways that are very detrimental. I simply can not stay on it. I need it to work, get the job done and get it behind me.

I need God's touch in these next few days and I am reaching out to those of you who will pray. I know that some of you know how to touch God and that is what I am asking you to do.

We are asking for prayer and only prayer. Our family really has no other needs but this. We believe that God hears and answers prayer. The fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Over the next week, we will pray and await a miracle from God! Will you join us, please?

Thank you,

Davy

Pray For Bro. and Sis. Landress

Hey Friends,

This is Odie reporting in from Ohio. I hope you are having a good Tuesday. 

My parents are doing well. I am thrilled they are getting some needed Rest and Relaxation! This means you are stuck with my updates more than usual. 

Dad does have several posts scheduled. There will be a Word For Wednesday tomorrow from him. He may decide to pop in from time to time. Yesterday's post from Dad was great. He shared an interesting video. Did you know a ladder can walk? Check it out here.

Today I come to you with a heavy but thankful heart. Our dear friends, Bro. Larry and Sis. Rosemary Landress needs prayer! Many of you are probably already joining us in praying for them.

Bro. and Sis. Landress are missionaries to Mexico. Providing good Spanish Bibles for their ministry and other missionaries is a big part of their ministry, Holiness In Mexico.

Friday Morning, they were driving in Texas to pick up Bibles. When their vehicle and box trailer was struck by a delivery truck. All reports let us know that it was a horrible accident! It is a miracle they survived! I thank God for preserving their lives!

Bro. Larry and Sis Rosemary both experienced horrible injuries. They have had extensive surgeries to repair their injuries. The road to recovery ahead of them is long!

Here are a few things I am praying for right now. God, please give them both a full, speedy and smooth recovery. Also, I pray for guidance and wisdom for the doctors involved. I pray for all the Landress family that are there on the front lines with them right now.

When we received news of this accident on Friday. It was a fresh reminder of how quickly life can change. I praise God for being there with each of us at all times!

We can not understand when or why bad things happen to those we love. I am resting in the truth that Dad echoes here a lot "God Is In Control! 

Thanks for visiting with me today.

Odie

Getting With The Program

Last night was the last service of revival with our dear friends in Central City, Kentucky. We always enjoy our time with Pastor Alan Harris, Sis. Tammy Harris and the wonderful folks at Trinity Pentecostal Church. I would love to stay several more days, but duty calls me on.

The BoggsMobile will circle back around to Central City next year by God's grace. It feels good down in my heart to know that!

It is time to get with the program. This morning we plan to drive a few miles to a local business and pick up the tent trailer. At that business of a few miles down the road, we will insert the Green Machine, strap it down and then guide the whole contraption to the Parkway.

Our flight plan calls for us to drift west on the Parkway then south on I-169 and I-25 to Nashville and I-65 to Birmingham. At Birmingham we will turn west again on I-20 and then south on Hwy 5 toward Thomasville, Alabama.

It is about 455 miles total and we would like to get within 120 miles of the church by the end of today. Pulling the tent trailer ups the stress a little, so we will go with the flow.

Once we arrive in Thomasville, we will place the tent trailer into position, park the bus and then layout and paint the stake positions. The stake line takes us about an hour and we like to have all of that done before help shows up Saturday morning at 8:00.

We have done three tent revivals and a few other outdoor revivals since Covid, but I have not set up our Blue and White tent since this pandemic mess began. I certainly have not set it up since I came through Covid last year.

Will you please pray for us. Pray that I have the necessary strength to do the physical work and to carry the spiritual load of tent revival. If tent revival is done right, it requires great effort. 

I want to do it right with all of my heart! I want to see souls come into the kingdom of God under that Blue and White Gospel tent in Thomasville, Alabama. I want to encourage the Pastor and I want to strengthen the church. That is my heart!

Thank you for praying for us and thank you for stopping by today. Feel free to share my prayer request with others.

Davy

An Altitude Problem

There have been more than a few times in my life that I have had an attitude problem. My parents have adjusted my attitude, My friends and family have adjusted my attitude, My Pastor has adjusted my attitude. AND KJo has adjusted my attitude.

Thank God for people who will take a risk and pour truth into my life when I need to adjust my outlook!

I have not been suffering from attitude problems much lately, but I have been suffering from an altitude problem.

July 5th we left California and headed toward Colorado. That first night we parked in a rest area near 6000' elevation. I was huffing and puffing by the next morning as we were trying to get on the road. 

Most of the second day was spent driving up and down mountains and we spent that night at 5300'. KJo and I walked by the Colorado River in the evening and I could hardly make it.

5300' was our low point for the next day and over the course of the day we were over 10000' and then 12000' and later in the day over 12000' again.

On the fourth day, we drove to Colorado Springs which sits at about 6000'. We stayed there parts of four days and the second day went to the top of Pike's Peak above 14000'.

I had not felt good all week, but it did not dawn on me until several day into the high altitude that the very high elevations might be taking a toll on my oxygen saturation.

I took an oximeter with us to Pike's Peak and nearly fainted when I saw the number. Actually, I was about to faint no matter what! I will not tell you how low my O2 level was. Some of you will think I am lying and some of you will think I am dying.

KJo had thought to take my portable oxygen machine and I am happy that she did. 

I had not used it since December, but I used it while on the mountain and all the way back to the bus. I did not get my levels anywhere near normal until we got down to about 6500'.

Thursday while at 12000' I had a feeling like I had never had before. Two days later on Pike's Peak over 14000' I felt it again. I never want to feel that way again. I may move to sea level!

Evidently, my lungs or heart or something is still distressed by the long term effects of Covid. Altitude has never treated me bad like that. 

Two nights ago we finally slept at 1800' and I woke up feeling great AND my oxygen level was back in the 90s. Much, much better!

I am praising God that I am better than I used to be and I am asking God to complete the work!

Thank you for stopping by.

Davy

Chloe Jean Shoemaker Update

Hey Friends,

This is Odie reporting in from the road. The BoggsMobile is bound for Staunton, Virginia. We anticipate a great time on our tour through Virginia and West Virginia over the next several weeks. 

We had a good time this week in Georgia. I enjoyed getting to be with Pastor Jonathan, Sis. Sabrina Prickett and their family. It was also wonderful to see more of our friends along the way.

Chloe Jean Shoemaker Update 

My cousin Deidre gave me permission to write an update and a praise report today. A few weeks ago, I asked you to help us pray for baby Chloe Jean Shoemaker. The prayers definitely are working!

Our sweet baby girl was very sick. Around three weeks old, she started having some severe health issues. A few different things were going on in her tiny body. It was terrifying! Some of the things were treated with a special formula and medicines.

They spent over a week in the hospital in Mobile, Alabama. Doctors tried their best to pinpoint and treat all of her problems. They were confident that she had a serious liver problem. 

Then Chloe Jean was referred to specialists in Birmingham, Alabama, to determine the exact issue and the best course of treatment. Deirdre and Ben, Chloe's parents, were overwhelmed. The questions kept coming and finding answers was extremely difficult. We kept praying and believing for God to give them a miracle. 

The specialist in Birmingham checked Chloe Jean out thoroughly. Their reports say there is nothing seriously wrong with her liver! We praise God for hearing and answering all the prayers that were prayed for her liver!!

Right now, the main focus is getting her to gain weight. She has been on the right path and gaining a little weight. We are so thankful for every ounce of progress! 

They are also monitoring a couple different issues. I know God moved on, Chloe Jean. I believe that God will perform a complete miracle in her little life!

Miracles happen when the people of God go to Him in prayer! We are so thankful and we are praising God! Many of you were sincerely praying with us for God to heal Chloe Jean and He heard you. 

We are so grateful for every single prayer our friends prayed for Chloe Jean! Thank you for continuing to pray for her! I really appreciate many of you asking for updates and your sincere concern for Chloe Jean! 

Also, thank you for praying for Deirdre, Ben and Charlie. They are thankful for all the prayers that were prayed for their family!

Below I included some of my favorite recent pictures of Chloe Jean. Deirdre helps her text Auntie O. It always makes me smile to see a message from my precious Chloe Jean. 

Charlie loves his baby sister! He is a sweet and attentive Big Brother! He calls her" Bowie Jean." I think his name for her might stick around because I find myself calling her Bowie Jean too! 😊

Thanks for visiting with me today. I look forward to our time together next Saturday. Have a great weekend and I pray God blesses you!

Odie

Meeting and Praying For Chloe Jean Shoemaker

This is Odie checking in today. Thank you for joining me. If all goes well, we should be in Ellisville, Mississippi by the time you read this and we are very excited about that.

Thursday was a special day for me and I want to share it with you. I also want to ask for special prayer for the newest member of our family. I will get to that in a moment.

We have been in Citronelle, Alabama all week and that is only about one hour and twenty minutes from my first cousin, Deidre. She lives there with her husband Ben Shoemaker, son Charles Ray and new baby Chloe Jean.

My Uncle Steve and Aunt Karen are visiting them this week so that was added incentive for us to drive up for lunch and hugs. The truth is, we really did not need any extra incentive, Chloe Jean was enough. 😁😍

Thursday we left the BoggsMobile in Citronelle and drove the Jeep to Thomasville. We met Uncle Steve, Ben, Deidre and Charlie for lunch at the catfish place in Thomasville. It was so good to see them all.

After lunch, we loaded up and drove a few miles to Deidre's house to be introduced to Chloe Jean.

Chloe is only about a month old and has not been feeling well. In fact, she was in the hospital recently and she is supposed to have more tests run soon. She needs a miracle touch from the Lord and we are asking you to pray for Chloe Jean. Will you do that for us?

Chloe Jean is so precious! Please, please, please help us pray for this sweet little girl. We know that God is able to heal her completely even when we do not know exactly what she needs. He knows!

Thank you, Deidre, for providing some of these pictures. 

Thank you, friends, for joining us.

Odie

As Thy Days So Shall Thy Strength Be

I mentioned last week, that I had not done very well with our schedule on this stretch. We are trying to ease into our normal road life, but during this space of time, I packed meetings in pretty tight. 

We are busier in this three-week stretch than we need to be. I have done better the rest of the year, but we have to get through this first.

We have now made it about halfway through the over-scheduled patch and I am holding up OK. I was way more tired than I should have been Monday, but no more tired than I expected. I rested as much as I could during the day and pulled through by God's grace.

Honestly, it could be a bit discouraging not to be as strong as I have been and as strong as I need to be, but I can see the hand of God all along the way. He promised in His Word

...As thy days so shall thy strength be... Deuteronomy 33:25

God is true to His Word, friends. Hallelujah!

I do not have as much strength as I would like, but I have enough for each day. I believe that God will continue to provide the strength that I need as I need it.

Thank you all for praying. Please keep it up. God sees, God knows, God hears and God answers!

Davy

A Request For Prayer-Eugene Boggs

We are confident that many of you that read Mile Markers daily take prayer very seriously. That is awesome, because we know that God takes the prayers of His people seriously as well. He loves to hear and answer prayers.

Jesus said, 9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Luke 11

Hallelujah! Ask God! Seek God! Knock at the door of Heaven! Believe God and expect to receive, expect to find and expect that God's miracle storehouse will be opened!

Thank God, prayer works.

I am typing this today with a special prayer request on my heart and I would like to ask you to share the burden with us. My Dad, Eugene Boggs is having a procedure Friday afternoon. He is asking and we are asking that everything go smoothly and that the operation will be successful.

I asked my Dad yesterday if I could mention this on Mile Markers and he was glad for me to do so. Please, please, please pray for him today, Friday and over the weekend. I will try to give you an update Monday.

Thank you, dear friends. May God bless you for your kindness.

Update: The surgeon's office called my Dad Thursday morning and his procedure has been delayed two weeks due to an emergency. Thank you for praying. We are looking for God to move at every turn.

Davy

A Word For Wednesday-One Step At A Time

Today it is time for A Word For Wednesday. Our word for today? One Step At A Time. I posted it on our YouTube Channel a few minutes ago. 

One Step At A Time

First of all, thank you all for praying for us and specifically praying for my health to improve enough so we might get back out on the road. I do not even know how to say thank you strong enough and loud enough. We appreciate all of the concern and prayer more than we can express.  I still have a ways to go, but I am still climbing by God's grace.

With all of the prayer being offered and the texts, calls, emails, cards, letters and comments, there comes a measure of responsibility on our part, to keep you informed on how things are going and if I am improving.

Let me begin, by saying I am definitely 1000 times better than I was in mid March and even many, many times better than I was three weeks ago in the first part of June.

We are thankful for every ounce of improvement that we can sense or see. Praise God for His help!

From the very beginning of this ordeal, I have tried to stay active, even if it was only marching in place in the BoggsMobile for a few minutes at a time. On May 20, KJo and I began riding our stationary bike, hoping to build up my wind and endurance. This is how I KNOW that I am making some progress.

That first day, I rode one minute and had to quit. On May 21 I rode one minute and rested one minute. I repeated that five times for a total of five minutes riding in ten minutes time and 1.1 miles. We have kept building on that six days a week.

On June 1, I rode three minutes took a one minute break and rode two more minutes. The next day I rode eight minutes and the next day nine minutes. On June 10 I rode twelve minutes. Like I said, one step at a time.

Since June 12, I have been riding twenty to twenty three minutes and five miles, plus or minus a tenth or two, six days a week. This effort has undoubtedly helped my lung capacity and endurance.

During this time, I have sung and preached once or twice each week and sang some during services at our home church. I have done all of this while using the portable oxygen machine and my levels stay up pretty good.

Here is where the rub comes in and where I would like for you to focus your prayers unto God. I still need the supplemental oxygen to do anything at all. I have taken it off several times when I am near the bus exhaust or adding gas to the mower or using anything that makes a spark. If I do much at all without the oxygen, my levels drop.

I am doing my best to be patient with this and I do see improvement at times. I have been told repeatedly that this can take a good amount of time and I understand that with my head. However, my heart is raring to go and to get back to doing what we love to do, what we are equipped to do.

I know that God is able to repair all of this and allow my lungs to absorb oxygen like they are supposed to this very instant. I have complete faith the God can complete the work. God is a miracle working God!

Until that miracle comes, we are determined to move forward one step at a time as we are able. 

Last week, our Pastor, Bro. Bennie Sutherland, ask us to sing for the altar service at our home church during revival. It may not seem like much of a start, but this is the first time I have been to church more than two nights in a row in months.

We were able to sing each night, enjoy the services and still do a few things during the day that needed to be done. I was more tired than usual, but I was able to exhort and sing each night without extreme trouble.

We ended the week of revival with a very busy weekend and I handled it pretty well. Praise God!

This week, we are taking another test step.

Bro. Chambers in Charlotte, North Carolina has asked us to help with the singing and for KJo to play the piano. Bro. Chambers knows that I and not 100% and that I may not even be able to attend all of the services. I hope to be able to go as much as possible and to sing.

My tendency is to push as hard as I can go and find the limit. That is exactly what I did about three or four weeks after COVID and the result nearly killed me. I really want to avoid that if at all possible. I can not do that.

There is a temptation to swing the pendulum back the other way and never try to do anything. I can not do that either.

The compromise between the two extremes is to keep taking baby steps, making all the progress I can without going over the edge again.

That is the plan. We will pray and step forward. We ask you to continue to pray for us. We believe that God will provide answers and stay faithful.

Thank you for reading today.

Davy

Another Week Passing

Another week has flown by and what a mixed bag it has been. The days have been full and we have loved being in revival services each night at our home church. Bro. Randy Webb has preached outstanding and God has ministered to us tremendously.

Yet it has not been all roses this week. Yesterday I asked you to pray for our friends that are grieving and you responded wonderfully. Thank you for that. 

I need to ask you to pray for some more friends. We received word yesterday afternoon that Sis. Bittle in Oklahoma passed away. Regular readers will remember Bro. Bruce and Priscilla Mayhan showing up on Mile Markers pretty regularly through the years. They have surprised us with visits all over the country. Sis. Bittle is Priscilla's Mother.

In fact, we are friends with several of Sis. Bittle's children and their spouses. She was a great Christian lady and her Godly influence still rings through multiple generations. She was sick and she was advanced in years, but no one is ready to lose Mother. Please pray for our friends in Oklahoma.

Now, I have a few pictures from the week for you.

Three generations of ladies.

I like this selfie that Odie snapped of her and Bro. Bennie.

I hope you enjoy the pictures. Thank you for stopping by. I always appreciate you spending a few moments with us.

Davy