Lagniappe and Lexington

This picture is from the end of an amazing weekend in Lexington where John Sartelle and I have enjoyed all of the best that God has to offer- we have seen 10 degree weather, great food, great beverages and the glory of the gospel preached. I'm headed back to the Bay tomorrow! Thanks for everything!

Lexington, Kentucky

I am a the home of a dear friend in Lexinton, Kentucky. I am speaking at Tate's Creek Presbyterian Church this weekend for their mission's conference and staying with John and Janet Sartelle. John and I stayed up til' 1:15 a.m. talking about Lagniappe AND life- He is so merciful and kind...he is also fun...we had some fabulous red wine and then great bourbon (when in Kentucky do as the Kentuckians...) I am studying for tomorrow's message, "Bad people make good missionaries" and then we are going to sightsee the rest of the day. John gave me a prayer by Luther to read before bed. It is an appropriate prayer for my life. They are listed in a book called Luther's Prayers under the heading 'Short and fervent petitions'. This particular prayer is called 'For help in the time of need': "Dear God, in the midst of anguish and need, I am in great trouble. My brother has his trials which the devil increases. This is not the time to ask whether I am godly or worthy. Help me now in this time of need, as you said you would. Amen." - Martin Luther

Late evening from Asheville, N.C.,

I'm in Asheville, N.C. having preached at Arden Presbyterian here for their missions festival. The trip began in Jackson, Mississippi at Pear Orchard Presbyterian's mission's conference which was wonderful- lots of old friends and memories there...I spoke to a Sunday school 'sip and see' (usually reserved for seeing newborns, but that's what it feels like as a missionary when everyone is drinking coffee and just looking at you as you talk). I also had the opportunity to speak to a 5th grade class- more on my level, very fun. I flew to Asheville, spoke that night, studied & rested today and I'm flying to Lexington, KY to speak at Tate's Creek Presbyterian all weekend. John Sartelle is the senior minister there and a fellow pastor from my days at IPC in Memphis- I can't wait to see him and Janet. It's been a long trip already and I'm blogging at 1:15 a.m. so I'd better hit the sack...p.s. if they put the Arden message online I'll post it- it was a great night!

Toni is HOME!

In what can only be described as miraculous Toni is home from the hospital! She was released on Saturday around noon. She even tried to come to our one year anniversary celebration on Sunday, but Hayden dissuaded her (thankfully)! She is doing so well that she and I ate breakfast together at Waffle House this morning- it is really amazing! She is trying to take it easy, start doing some walking, etc., but keep praying- her spirits are good and indeed our Father in Heaven is gracious. Thank you for the calls, text messages and kind words- they were all deeply felt and appreciated.

Toni Larroux update....

Well, I'm still here at the Hospital, but Hayden has been home for a few days and it has been a joy to have my sister to help with the situation. Hayden is a registered nurse and really can speak the lingo. UPDATE: Toni is still on the ventilator. She partially breathes on her own and the machine does part of the work. She has trouble taking deep breaths which she desperately needs to do. On the 'miraculous' front the pneumonia is gone- GONE. So encouraging. They are hoping to take her off the ventillator tomorrow. Please be praying.
Thanks to everyone for the calls and text messages, etc...we've disconnected the room phone- whenever it rings it sends a loud piercing sound through the whole room- we just figured that wasn't, how can we say 'helpful'. Hayden and I are keeping each other's spirits up by competing for the 'child of the year' award. Each time the other takes a break we whisper in mom's ear that the other one has abandoned her and is at home putting colored stickers on her possessions. Toni would appreciate the humor. Seriously though, we cherish your prayers and we KNOW that you are praying and thinking about us even if we can't talk to you directly. God seems to have this passion about leaving us with Himself. He is good. "When you cannot trace His hand, trust His heart"- C. Spurgeon

ToniSitting...

Last night was a long night. My mom really had a rough night. The doctor believes that her stomach is having spasms now. That makes her jump about every 15 to 30 seconds and wince in pain. It's hard to watch your mom in so much pain. They are giving her large amounts of pain medicine, but it makes her QUITE loopy. There are lots of fun halucinations that I can share when this actually becomes 'funny', but right now it is still difficult. They related to me that they did a full abdominal cut to reach the stomach and had to use several liters of fluid and rinse the entire cavity out. I imagine it is something like being punched in the stomach from the inside for an extended period of time. They are giving her something for the spasms, but it doesn't seem to be enough. Hooray- they just came in with Demerol 50 (I think that's what they said) The nurse just raised her eyebrows and said, "This will ease the pain- she'll be asleep soon..." I thought to myself, "Can we make that a double? How 'bout a little somethin' somethin' for the son?" No luck. Thanks for the prayers and the text messages...

Please pray....

This morning at 3:30 a.m. my mom was rushed by ambulance to Hancock General Hospital where they immediated diagnosed a ruptured peptic ulcer at the bottom of her stomach. She underwent surgery and is now resting just past my laptop in ICU at the hospital. I'll be having a slumber party with her tonight in the room. Please pray for her physically and spiritually. Her spirits are good and she has the Larroux sense of humor which won't die. I am tired and emotionally drained, but glad to be here with my mom. Thanks for praying. She should be here for 5 days or so.- JFL

My "Happy Place"

There are a few things on my calendar that are absolutely non-negotiable. One of them is that every year from January 1-5 (ish) I head to Lake Bruin, Louisiana with my friends Trey Biggs, Chad Biggs and Nathan Tircuit for a week of hunting, harrasing each other, hunting, partaking of the fruit of the vine, eating chicken wings and laughing until we hurt. When I was 16 I thought I'd die with 40 or so good friends, at this point I'm hoping for 10% of that. These guys are in that 10%. Here's a few key words for them: Justin- WHY?, I like they way they're talking to you Chip- my boys are winners! the Feeder, brother? I'm laughing even thinking back. The long and short of the trip is that we had no success hunting unless you count Nathan's 'shut up' doe.
It is strange to be back in the Bay. I haven't gone by the church yet, I think that mentally I'm just waiting for tomorrow- I know there's plenty waiting on me. It can wait. I'm enjoying watching a little football trying to see who the Saints will be facing next week. Dallas is playing Seattle. I'm cheering for the Seahawks, until they face New Orleans of course. I think that I possibly have some playoff tickets, but realized this afternoon that I'll be in North Carolina preaching- ahhhhh! Oh, well I'll record the game and try not to hear the score as I fly back in. That should be a challenge around here especially if we win.
I think our NCCC team is heading back to the Bay and all other staff are back 'home' now. We've got 'Homecoming' week from the 15-21st of January ending with my installation service. I think it will be a good conclusion to the week although everyone who has been part of Lagniappe won't be able to be there personally. I had lots of time on the deer stand to think back over all the faces and people who have helped to make Lagniappe what it is- the list is remarkable. You are remarkable. I know that many of you read the blog from time to time- thank you. Words can't express. They just can't. Your empty chair on Sunday the 21st will be noticed and God given the glory for your life and impact on LPC.