THANK YOU, LORD!

Uncle Barry's home for Christmas!
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Aunt Ruth is home for Christmas!
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Aunt Kathryn is home for Christmas!
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Aunt Dottie is eternally home for Christmas!
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PRAYERS FOR KATHRYN, BARRY, RUTH, AND DOTTIE'S FAMILY!

Most of you have been updated by Robbie on Barry and Ruth's terrible ordeal...continue to pray for them both.
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Aunt Kathryn is in the hospital in terrible pain with what seems to be a hernia!
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Continue to pray for Dottie's family: James, John, and Abby
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We are sad that Dottie left us this week! This is from the Midland, Texas newspaper.

Dorotha "Dottie" Lane Sikes passed away December 16, 2008 at Manor Park in Midland, Texas, after losing her long fight with Alzheimer's.

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Dottie was born July 8, 1929 to John and Jewell Lane in Mulberry, Arkansas. She graduated from Central High in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She married Norbon P. Sikes on February 26, 1960 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The family lived in Monahans, TX and Hobbs, NM before relocating to Midland, Texas in 1980 for Norbon's employment with Gulf/Chevron Oil Corp. She was a loving wife, mother and homemaker to her family, a devout Christian and member at Fairmont Park Church of Christ. Dottie was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Norbon P. Sikes, and her parents John and Jewell Lane. She is survived by her two sons, John and his wife Abby Sikes, James Sikes; granddaughter, Juliet Sikes; brother, Paul and his wife Marilee Lane; sisters, Phyllis Nolen, Donna and her husband Leroy Jones, all of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Graveside Services will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, December 18, 2008 at Resthaven Memorial Park with Scott Sheppard officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home, 801 Andrews Hwy. Midland, TX 79701 (432) 683-5555. To place on-line condolences please visit www.mem.com.

EMERGENCY UPDATE ON BARRY - PLEASE PRAY

Ruth just phoned and said that Barry was not doing well and he was heading in for surgery right now. His stomach had been hurting for several days...HE is nauseated and hurting more and they think it might be perforated intestines, so she was requesting more prayers. She said the hospital is a very large one and they were confident in Barry's doctors. PLEASE PRAY!

PRAY for Barry AND Ruth

While Barry is hospitalized far away from home and Ruth is staying nearby...more has happened. Ruth either sprained or tore a ligament in or near her knee and spent 4 hours in the ER waiting for and receiving treatment - she has a splint to deal with and needs to stay off it as much as possible - recovery is 3 to 5 weeks. She says it won't be a problem since she's been mostly sitting, anyway --
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Barry had some difficulty last night...His MRI results did show that he does have meningitis. He will have about two weeks of antibiotic treatment ahead of him - but hopefully will be able to leave the hospital long before then.
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PRAY! PRAY! PRAY! FOR GOD'S DIVINE INTERVENTION FOR THEIR PHYSICAL HEALING AND SPIRITUAL ENCOURAGEMENT!
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PRAY FOR BARRY

Many of you have been keeping up with Barry's life and death challenges the last few days via email. Barry's fall and subsequent hospitalization have left us stunned. Yet, the wonderful news that we are hearing today is that he is up, walking, shaving, and talking. WOW! God has made the healing process to work in such amazing ways. Please keep Barry, Ruth, and family in your prayers. It looks like up to another week of hospitalization is possible.