Blowed up

If you saw Fox News, the county in which I now reside has made national news. It was quite an event this morning. It happened shortly after I arrived at the church for our weekly worship staff meeting.

During the meeting someone slipped in and handed our pastor a note. I knew something was going down when this happened because no one is to disturb the Tuesday morning meetings. After we moved on to a subject that he didn't need to be involved in, he left the room then came back in and said: "I just got word that we are supposed to evacuate." He then informed us of the massive train wreck just over the mountain from us. I then looked out the back window of the church to see the plume of smoke stretching eastward.

Needless to say we are all okay. We had to stay away from the house for a while as a precaution - we live less than 4 miles from the accident site. Tonight the fire is still smoldering and is having to burn itself out. Officials say that the air quality is normal. The fire had burned so hot that most of the dangerous toxins were burned up before they could be released into the air.

The good news: no one was seriously injured.

relocation successful

What a trip! Many of you already know, we have accepted positions at a church in Louisville, Kentucky and are now moved into our new home. We moved over New Year's weekend and was in service at our church New Year's Eve.

Of course we're going to miss everyone, but we'll be back often. I'm currently working a contract with Cablevision where I'll manage their internet service via remote services (PC Anywhere/Terminal Services for you geeks). I'm thanking the Lord for this contract as it's giving me enough of a base income to work my mobile computer repair service. Please pray for me as I begin this new business venture. I need God's guidance and direction as I do this.

Our decision to move here has been something we prayed about for over a year. We have returned to the church we were working in before we had our children. The church has changed as much as we have over the last 3 1/2 years, but we have felt at home every time we came up for a visit. The Lord has undoubtedly led us here. Every prayer has been answered, every concern has been addressed, and every need has been met so far. If you've ever seen the movie "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" you'll see a visual of what we've been doing spiritually. When Indiana Jones has to cross a canyon he has to step out on what appears to be nothing. Yet as he puts his foot down, the path reveals itself. As we have obeyed the Lord, the path is appearing as we walk. At first it's scary, but as we walk our confidence in His provision builds. I'm so much more at peace right now trusting the Lord as we obey Him than I ever have been relying on my own plans!

The church we're in is an exciting place to be. It's in a town bordering Louisville, and is an area heavily stricken with poverty, abuse, neglect, drugs, and horrible crime. The church has a great vision to reach this community with what they call "evangelism through meeting needs." Many have been saved through their monthly food basket give-aways. The opportunity to share the Gospel has been provided through taking care of the most immediate needs. We are in hopes to do School backpack give-aways before next school year. This year's theme is "take it to the Streets" (yes the Michael McDonald tune will be used in the promo's). We'll be purchasing a trailer with speakers and props. With this trailer we'll go to the neighborhoods with Kids ministry, teen concerts, and basic old-fashioned street preaching. We'll have teams of people ready to share the Gospel with individuals who show up to see what all of the hullabaloo is.

Melissa is beginning her work already as the youth director. She's excited about raising up the youth to reach their schools for the Lord. In prayer many years ago, we felt the Lord say to us that he was going to send a great student revival to this church, so she is going to be training these teens to reap the harvest of souls that will be coming in. She is having her first get-together with the youth this Friday (not even a week after moving in!). She's excited about this, and I'm proud of her!

I'll be serving as a "Worship Elder." This is new to me, but I'm excited about the new challenge. Our church leadership is being aligned with elders in the leadership that cover the various directors/ministries in the church. The area I'll be covering is the worship ministries. In a nutshell, everything that happens inside the sanctuary doors is my responsibility. I will work with the Worship leader, prayer director, head usher, sight and sound director, dance/drama team directors. We actually will plan each service weekly and come up with plans to help portray and connect with the congregation in a multi-sensory experience that carries the theme that the pastor will preach on. This is an exciting position for me that I believe God has been preparing me for in recent years. Again, this is uncharted territory for me, but I love challenges and am excited about running with this.

Until next time!

Merry Christmas!

From Our Family To Yours
May you have a Merry Christmas
and may God bless you
in the coming year.

The Scott Family
T.J., Melissa, Luke, Makayla, & Allie

Photos Courtesy of VanDee Photography

God's So Good He makes my Liver Quiver

UPDATE 11/17 @7pm: Richard has been moved out of ICU into a room tonight.
Click Here to send him an E-Greeting. Enter Richard Russell into the patient's name box, and Dr Lee as the physician's name, and the message will be routed to Richard. Thank you once again for all of your concern and prayers.

My brother-in-law, Richard Russell (my wife's sister's husband), has been going through quite an ordeal for the past 1 1/2 years. His liver, which had some genetic disease, was failing, and he was in desperate need of a transplant. This family has seen some trouble along the way, but Richard has been holding onto a promise that the Lord had spoken to him - A new home, a restored family, and that the Lord would make him a new man. The first two has happened already, and spiritually, Richard is a new man. Wednesday morning about 12:00 am, the physical was granted. A liver was available for him and the transplant was successful.

Here's an email his wife (Vonda Russell for those of you hospital people) sent yesterday:

Hello everyone! Once again, thank you all for your prayers and thoughts. God has been good and truly faithful!

As most of you know, Richard's liver transplant is complete and has been successful. He went into surgery at 5:10 a.m. yesterday (Nov 15th) and the surgeon stepped out to tell me that it was a complete success at 12:00 a.m. She said he had a bit of trouble breathing at first, but quickly recovered and they may be able to get him off of the ventilator sometime during the day. He did so well that he was off of the vent before he even left surgery recovery.

He got out of bed this morning around 8:00 a.m. (just 20 hours after surgery) and sat up in a chair until around 5 p.m. this afternoon. The doctor told him this morning that he has gotten out of bed quicker than anyone else and he is breaking records so far. There have been no complications. Praise God!

He has been in ICU as per standard protocol to monitor the most critical time after surgery; that being the first 72 hours. He may likely get to go to a regular room on the transplant floor tomorrow where Callon and I can stay with him.

The staff has been so wonderful. They are being very good to him and us. They have let Callon in for a few minutes at a time to see his Dad. It has been good for Callon to be a part of it all.

Attached is a photo of Richard taken early this afternoon sitting up in the chair. You can sense the presence of God as he smiles and sits a healed man! It's amazing to think that just 36 hours ago he had a fatal disease and now is disease free with the opportunity to have a long healthy life.

Amazing how good God is to us!

God Bless,

Vonda

finally!

Finally, Melissa has begun blogging! Check out her new blog, send your wives and concubines there and welcome her to the world of blogging!

Melissa would kill me, but...

I came home to this Saturday night. They were watching a 3-d kids movie. Hilarious!

Four Years Old...

Pardon the lack of a picture or anything. I'm in dire need of a good digital camera to share pics of my three stooges.

My triplets - Luke, Makayla, and Allie turned 4 yesterday. I can't believe they are already 4. It seems like yesterday they were so small they could wear doll clothes (no kidding - look a the galleries on www.tjmelandfamily.com ).

With them, Melissa (their hot mama) and I need no reminding of the blessing of God on our lives. I can't imagine how boring life really was without them. Those of you who had your kids one at a time - you don't know what you're missing! Triplets are so fun. They have their challenges, mind you, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

And yes, we're through with having children!