A Full Summer

Wow, the summer is flying by. We have been so blessed to be a part of so many things.  We attended half of the AP week at ICYC. We took part in many bible classes that proved the existence of God and how animal and plant life work together. Some of the information was very deep and challenging. It was good to have been there.

Julianna then took part in Science Camp at Munford Elementary School. She was able to make a parachute, kite and learn about things that fly. We ended the week by going canoeing at Camp Cosby near Talladega, AL.

Then we had an AWESOME VBS at Talladega church of Christ. For many years now, the Ironaton and Talladega congregations have been working together to have a successful VBS. The theme was “Believe It or Not, It is in the Bible.” We learned about Elijah, David, Gideon, Balaam, and Ezekiel. It was so great. For part of the week, my nephews were able to come.

We have been to Oxford Lake and the park, Bowling and we have even had the pleasure of having the teens over for a marshmallow roast. It was a great time of fellowship, singing and playing games.

We also had the opportunity to go to the Diana singing in Diana, TN. I believe this was their 42 nd year. Hundreds of Christians the world over, come out twice a year and sing praises to God all night. It will make the hair on your neck stand up. It is a piece of heaven on earth. (The song you hear playing was sung at Diana...listen carefully and you will hear the train passing in the back ground)

We also were able to spend half a week at ICYC during Billy Hayes’ week. It was good to see some of our friends and to meet some new Christians. What a shot in the arm! Thank God for ICYC!

We have been able to go to several congregations to visit or because Jim has been invited to speak…to mention a few…Talladega, Lineville, Piedmont, Hobb Street, Bethel, Waco, Glencoe, Eastaboga, Logan Martin, and Elmore. WOW! how God has blessed him with so many oppertunities. Jim is still speaking at the nursing homes, assisted living homes and the community center. He has been extremely busy putting sermons up on his new site www.preachersvault.com. He has also been editing and making DVDs and CDs of the sermons at the Ironaton church of Christ. He does all this work on a volunteer basis. He only receives reimbursement for the CDs and DVDs that he buys. I am so proud of him for his sacrifice and his desire to expand the borders of the Kingdom.

I know you all are wondering…how is he feeling? He doesn’t feel good at all. The heat is extremely hard on him. He is not able to walk up inclines at all without feeling like he is going to pass out. He is tired all the time. He could literally sleep all the time. He can’t bend over or he will black out. He has been dizzy. He has been able to lose some of the fluid that has been building up. He went to the doctor yesterday and his blood is too thick. They are monitoring it every two weeks. He gets his ICD checked in 3 weeks. He still looks good. You can hardly tell anything is wrong with him. He hides it because he wants to keep on keeping on. He doesn’t want sympathy he wants to work as much as he can for the Lord.

Julianna has been busying making bookmarks and bracelets to sell. She is personally raising money to help Jim with his medical expenses. She is such a help to me.

Cameron has been collecting every kind of bug from camp or the woods. We have several jars on the book shelves with some living bugs and some that have already gone on. He prays for them and sometimes he prays that they will come back to life.

We have been blessed with a wonderful garden. Snake and Cille Powers our neighbors have been showing us the ropes on how to garden. We have tomatoes, okra, jalapeño peppers, squash, watermelons, and corn. Several people from church have been giving us bell peppers, cucumbers and zucchini.

My job has been going good. I only have 3 more weeks in the semester left. I know that I will really miss this group of students. Teaching on Mondays and Wednesdays at CACC, has opened many doors. One of my students is going to try to come to church with me this Sunday. Lord willing, he will have an open heart and hear some great preaching. We have been working with our neighbors to come to church. They have several children and they have allowed them to come with us. We pray that soon the parents will come.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers. We will always covet them. We pray that each day we will seek to do to most we can to help ourselves personally grow in faith and in wisdom, to help the church grow, to encourage others to do right and to help our community...the world over know about the church.

Back To Work At Ironaton

Jim is doing good. For the past several months Jim has been very busy. He has been speaking at the nursing home, assisted living home, senior center, doing personal Bible studies (assisted in 8 baptisms in the month of April), spoke at a Teacher's meeting for Glencoe church of Christ, spoke at Waco church of Christ (Georgia), Rome church of Christ (Georgia), spoke on the lectureship for Ironaton where we attend, speaking at Talladega church of Christ tomorrow...he has been very busy. He had a rough week last week. He seems to be doing about normal now. He has his good days and his bad ones.  He has been in cardiac rehab but honestly the past four weeks has been so busy visiting and working on audio/video sermons (editing and putting them on the website…you can see them on www.iftruthbetold.org or www.ironatonchurchofchrist.com ) that he has not gone.  The physical therapist called to check on him and I told her what he was doing. She was amazed and said we need more people like that. Julianna has settled into school. She was student of the month for April. She is making all As usual. She is in gifted and has been inviting our neighbors to church. She is a great worker for the Lord. She is trying to start several little businesses..Doggie Day Care and making bracelets. She loves making power points on her computer. She has made several on people in history but also made one on how to become a Christian. She is taking guitars lessons. She is learning several little tunes. She is a quick learner. Cameron is growing. He is so tall. He goes to school for speech twice a week. He is almost as tall as his teacher. He has three jars that he carries around with caterpillars (all of which are in "coons"). He tries to collect bugs of all kinds and bring them in. He asks everyday for a baby turtle, baby chicken and baby fish. He loves being in the country. We registered him for kindergarten. Wow, can’t believe it is time for him to go to school. I have been able to volunteer at the school and help out. It is great being there and meeting new people. I pray that I will lead them to Christ through the way that I live. We are always lights.  I have gotten a part time job teaching accounting and business courses at Central Alabama Community College just 10 minutes from the house. I have been working in the yard. It is a great way to relieve stress and enjoy God’s beautiful creation. I write my own bible class material and draw visual aides. It is very challenging and fun.  I have been teaching 3rd and 4th grade on Sunday mornings. The lessons and visual aids will hopefully find a home in Australia where we have friends that are missionaries. We attend a very faithful congregation of God's people at the Ironaton church of Christ. The eldership is outstanding. They lead the congregation with foresight and discipline. The congregation has had 20+ new members added and 16 +/- baptisms since the first of the year. We love it here and feel very blessed. Life is simple but the church keeps us busy as usual and we love it and would not have it any other way.  We do miss Philadelphia but we know that God has given us a wonderful opportunity through this trying time with Jim's health to be in a place where God's Word is respected and people are eager to serve. We pray that all is well with each one of you. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

1Corinthians 15:58

  Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Our New Home

We have been extremely busy with the move…I am sorry that I am just now updating everyone. The move went well. We had a couple of people helped us in Philadelphia load the moving van and clean the house(kind of disheartening but thanks to those who healped). We had a few help us unpack. It seemed like the flu hit the community of Munford pretty hard around the time of our move. Some were unable to help us due to that. We had a week to get ready for Christmas. It was a great one. The children had a wonderful time and it snowed on Christmas day. The first time it snowed on Christmas day in over 100 years. It made it real special. We have had many concerts…Julianna got a Paperjamz guitar and Cameron got a drum set.

We have had numerous brethren over in our home. Many have had us in their home. Many have shared meals with and visited with us. Not a week has gone by that we have not spent time with a brother or sister in Christ in our home. It is such a blessing.

Julianna started school on January the 5^th. It went well. She was so nervous. Her stomach was upset. The next day, I had to go to the school because she felt sick…it was nerves. Since then she has had her days but overall she is doing great. She is so far ahead of everyone that the teacher is using her to help in the classroom. In one month she has racked up over 50 AR points. Cameron is not going to school every day. They do not have a preschool but he is taking speech twice a week. They reevaluated him and said that he is so smart. They think he is going to do great in school. He has come a long way since his evaluation in 2009.

Jim has preached several times. He has spoke at the nursing home and assisted living home in Talladega, AL. He has been visiting with Cliff Goodwin. He will speak tomorrow at the Senior Community Center in Munford, AL. Jim will be speaking on a lectureship at the Ironaton church of Christ on February 6^th, Lord willing. This weekend he will be speaking at a congregation in Georgia. He is trying to do as much as he can.  We have placed membership with the Ironaton church of Christ. This is where Cliff Goodwin and Chris Clevenger work with the congregation. They have a very active congregation that practices church discipline and has real Bible classes. Brad Collins, one of the elders, teaches the best Bible class we have ever heard on Sunday morning. The enthusiasm and love for God and His Word is truly seen throughout the congregation and the work they do.

Many of you already know that Jim suffered another mini stroke on January 20^th. He was admitted to RMC in Anniston, AL. He urged the doctors to let him got Friday evening so he could make it to the area wide singing in Munford. He had been looking forward to this for some time. He did make it but felt terrible. He has been sleeping and sleeping.

We went to UAB yesterday the 24^th to see the Advanced Heart Failure group and to see his ICD doctor. The appointment was very sad. The mini strokes that he has experienced were thought to be a product of him going into Atrial fibrillation. His ICD could be set to correct this. Instead, we learned that according to his ICD history, it is not Atrial fibrillation. The doctors then talked to us about what was happening. His atrial baffle is so weak and his heart overall is doing so poorly that his heart is actually throwing clots. The blood is getting pooled up in his heart because of the scar tissue, the weak muscle and the hardening tissue that the heart is throwing clots that are going to his brain. This is very scary news. There is no procedure that can correct this except for heart transplant. He was put on more blood thinning medicine because what he is on is not good enough. The medicine has major side effects and he has to get blood work every couple of days now. The doctors are in a rush to get him on the transplant list since he received the Federal risk pool insurance (Obama care) on January 1^st. We met the transplant coordinator and he will be going through a battery of tests very soon. If he has a major stroke he will not be eligible for a heart transplant. We are asking God for more time.  We beseech each and every one of you to lift him up in prayer to the Almighty Physician that He will have time to receive a new heart if that is His will. We ask everyone to make sure he is on your prayer list at church, home, and work. Please pray for him. We are running against the clock. He has felt so poorly and I beg you to help me to petition God to keep my husband. He has more work to do and a great desire to continue to work for the church.

We will go back to UAB on January 31^st. We will see a neurologist, Advanced Heart Failure group, transplant coordinators, and have tests and blood work done. We are so glad to be close to family and so many of our brethren. It has helped already.

We still receive numerous cards, phone calls, emails and financial gifts. We are so thankful for all of these. Since he has received insurance, we still have medical expenses that are overwhelming. Balances on bills and of course we have co-payments, and deductibles to meet are all ways in which financial gifts are being used. We do have an account set aside just for the heart transplant. Many of you have ear marked gifts to go to that specific account. We are so humbled by the number of brethren throughout the world that have encouraged us and given of their means.

We pray that God will give us more time to be together to work in His church. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE PRAY FOR US! We love each one of you. To God be the Glory.

Our contact information:

Jim, Jennifer, Julianna and James Cameron Murrell

2890 McElderry Road

Munford, AL  36268

Home 256-315-9567

Jim cell 256-521-6500

Jenn cell 256-521-6501

themurrellshome@bellsouth.net

Please do not call Jim between the hours of 12pm and 4pm. This is when he is napping. He rests all the time but this is his set aside time after lunch to rest. Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you.

We've Found A House In AL

t seems as though time is passing by faster than ever. In the past few weeks we have found a house in Munford, AL and closed on it. It is a small home with two bedrooms and one bath. The children will have to share a room. We will be living on Social Security Disability so we will have an extremely tight budget. I often think people assume that we are leaving to have an easier life and to have a lot of nicer things. We have been taken care of here in Philadelphia. We have the nicest and biggest home we have ever had. We have lived the high life here in a way. We have been able to go out to eat from time to time. We have been able to buy things we needed. We didn’t have a house note or utilities. We will have a house note, utilities and the rest of our bills on a much smaller income when we move to Alabama. You might say…then why move? When you see your husband struggle to have the energy to do things and when his hands are ice cold because his circulation is so bad, when he sleeps more than he is awake…what would you do?

Since his mild stroke in September, our thoughts have only been to be in a place where the children and I can have family close by. We know our family can’t do everything but they can help the children to get out from time to time. They can support, encourage and love them the way most grandparents do.

We are diligently praying for the members here and the elders, that a great, sound gospel preacher will come their way. We ask for your prayers as men try out that the best one will be chosen and that it will help strengthen the congregation here. We pray that the church here will grow in faith, knowledge and in number. We pray that they all will set the proper examples and help lead others to Christ. We desire the best for them.

Our new address will be 2890 McElderry Road Munford, AL 36268. We will be moved by December the 17^th. Jim's last Sunday to preach here will be December 12th. We pray that you all will continue to encourage Jim as his health declines. We can’t thank each one of you enough for your constant prayers on our behalf, the fellowship and financial gifts that have helped us to get him medical care. Jim is still without insurance and we ask you to pray that there will be a way that he will get some assistance soon.

Please also pray that Jim will be able to preach. He desires to do nothing more than to proclaim the good news. We ask that brethren don’t shy away from using him when they need someone. He wants to preach until his eyes close in death. I pray that brethren will allow him to do that when they have the opportunity.

God bless each one of you. Please don’t forget about us. We love you all.

Blest Be The Tie That Binds

Blest be the tie that binds, Our hearts in Christian love;

The fellowship of kindred minds, Is like to that above.

Before our Father’s throne, We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, Our comforts and our cares.

We share each other’s woes, Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows, The sympathizing tear.

When we asunder part, It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart, And hope to meet again.

This glorious hope revives, Our courage by the way;
While each in expectation lives, And longs to see the day.

From sorrow, toil and pain, And sin, we shall be free,
And perfect love and friendship reign, Through all eternity.

Moving Plans

Due to Jim’s increased fatigue, recent mild stroke and continued decline we have made the difficult decision to move to Alabama. We will be closer to both of our parents and numerous fellow Christians with whom we grew up with. There is so much we still want to do and desire to do with and for the local congregation here in Philadelphia. We have seen so many grow in leaps and bounds. We pray that the next preacher and his family will do a great work here. We pray that they will seek to build up the church and to continue to challenge the brethren here. We ask for your prayers as we make this transition, not only for our family but for the church here. We pray that we will be able to do much good in Alabama and the congregation here will continue to grow in faith.

Jim plans on preaching when he can. He wants to fill in and help congregations that are without a preacher from time to time. He has big plans…I just hope his body will allow him to preach for many, many more years. We will be moving to the Munford area, Lord willing. We will be on a tight budget and pray that we will have the means to allow Jim to rest and do the work he desires. The children will have to move to a different school (half way through the school year) as we plan to be moved completely by December. Cameron is excited about being closer to grandparents. Julianna is having a difficult time. She loves her school and has been so praised and honored…it will be hard on her for some time. I will be leaving EMCC and hopefully the Lord willing open doors for me to earn some income but still allow me to be able to care for Jim and spend time with him.

We still receive numerous cards and financial gifts. We are extremely humbled by the outpouring of love and help from brethren throughout the world. Brethren from Oregon to Florida, from Malaysia to Macon, MS…it is overwhelming. We are truly blessed and we will never be able to thank each one of you enough.

Please continue to prayer for us. We will keep everyone updated concerning our new address and work when things fall into place. Pray that we will have a successful move that is easy on Jim. We thank each one of you and pray that we will bring glory to God Almighty each day.

My heavenly home is bright and fair I feel like traveling on
No pain nor death can enter there I feel like traveling on
Yes I feel like traveling on I feel like traveling on
My heavenly home is bright and fair I feel like traveling on

Its glittering towers the sun outshines I feel like traveling on
That heavenly mansion shall be mine I feel like traveling on
Yes I feel like traveling on I feel like traveling on
My heavenly home is bright and fair I feel like traveling on

The Lord has been so good to me I feel like traveling on
Until that blessed home I see I feel like traveling on
Yes I feel like traveling on I feel like traveling on
My heavenly home is bright and fair I feel like traveling on

 "He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."  (Revelation 21:7)

Shortness of Breath

The past three weeks have been trying to say the least. The weekend of Labor Day, Jim preached at Meridian church of Christ in Meridian, Mississippi for the Sunday morning service. They were having a lectureship on the parables of Jesus. It was so good to be with the brethren there and meet those who have sent cards and pray for us. After services we drove to Alabama to visit our parents. I had been hurting with what I thought was a kidney infection. The pain got worse and I ended up in the ER in Anniston, Alabama early Monday morning (Labor Day). The doctor admitted me and I had surgery on Tuesday. I had a large kidney stone that would not pass. We were able to come home on Wednesday. I was unable to teach my bible class because I was still in pain but got to be in the adult bible class for a change. It took me several days to get over the surgery but I rested and tried to take it easy. I appreciate so much the Murrells being able to take care of the children while I was in the hospital. I deeply appreciate my parents, Scott and Rheta Cobb, being there with me in the hospital. They allowed Jim to have breaks and to take care of himself. He had help and that meant the world to me. He didn’t feel good but because our parents were helping it made things so much easier.

We went door knocking on the 11^th for our fall gospel meeting with Brooks Boyd. With a just a few members we knocked over 200 doors. We met many people and handed out dvds, cds and tracts. One lady from the community that we knocked her door obeyed the gospel this past Wednesday night. We had another sister added who has been visiting with us for some time. Brooks and Laura Boyd came in Saturday night and left the following Thursday morning. Brooks did an outstanding job. It was so good to spend time with them both and to be uplifted and challenged each day. Laura is so funny and a true friend. I look forward to having a lasting friendship with both of them for many years.

Jim has been feeling bad and continues to decline. He is so tired all the time. He has been having shortness of breath and his blood pressure continues to increase. After church on Wednesday night, Jim began to get dizzy, have shortness of breath, his blood pressure was higher than normal, and his speech started slurring. I tried to call the doctor’s office, then I called the hospital…then he began to get worse…I hung up and called 911. The EMTs and other personnel came and carried Jim to the ER. Tests were run and blood was taken…scans…EKG…you name it. We went to Jackson on Friday and had more blood work…echos…ICD checked…exams. Jim had a “MINI” stroke. They put him on aspirin and adjusted his medicine. He has slept and slept and slept. He doesn’t remember anything that happened. He has been out of it. I am so thankful to God Almighty that it was a mild stroke and that I still have my Jim. He was unable to preach on Sunday the 19^th due to feeling so poorly. Some were amazed that he was at church. He will be at church every single time the church meets even if he has to be rolled in there. He will always put the Lord FIRST. I know for a while now he doesn’t feel like going anywhere but he will not forsake the church. He wants to be there and that means he will be there.

Please remember our children in a special way (Julianna 8 and Cameron 4). Julianna took it extremely hard when Jim had his stroke. It scared her to see him leave in an ambulance. We are so thankful for Linda Cook who rushed to our house and took great care of our children while we were gone. She sang to them and made them feel loved at a very difficult time.

We continue to receive numerous cards, financial gifts and we know that prayers are being lifted up on our behalf. When we went to Jackson it cost us over $2000 to have services provided. This is for UMC only…I don’t know what the ambulance ride or Neshoba ER will cost. Without brethren throughout the world helping us we could not give Jim the help he needs. We are eternally grateful to you for that. We ask for your continued prayers. We ask that through each day we will strive to put God first (Matthew 6:33)…take one day at a time (Matthew 6:34)…seek to build up the church (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Each step I take my Saviour goes before me,
And with His loving hand He leads the way,
And with each breath I whisper "I adore Thee;"
Oh, what joy to walk with Him each day.

At times I feel my faith begin to waver,
When up ahead I see a chasm wide.
It's then I turn and look up to my Saviour,
I am strong when He is by my side.

I trust in God, no matter come what may,
For life eternal in His hand,
He holds the key that opens up the way,
That will lead me to the promised land.

 Each step I take I know that He will guide me;
To higher ground He ever leads me on.
Until some day the last step will be taken.
Each step I take just leads me closer home.

Emerald Beach Meeting

At the end of July we visited the good folks at the Emerald Beach church of Christ in Panama City Beach, Florida. Jim held a Sunday through Wednesday meeting for them. I believe he did a great job considering how bad he felt. He had to sleep most of the day to be able to preach each night. We took one of our teenagers from church, Meagan Ingram. She was such a tremendous blessing. She helped me with the children and allowed me to not over do it. I am eternally grateful for her. She is an outstanding young Christian and I pray that she will do great things for the church.

School started at the beginning of August. Cameron is in preschool and Julianna is in 3^rd grade. It has been an adjustment seeing them both go to school. Cameron is doing great. Julianna amazes us continually. We are so blessed to have a good school system that praises our children and holds teachers accountable. They encourage prayer and most of them talk about how good God is. I am teaching one class at East Mississippi Community College. My other class did not have enough students. I have had extra time to visit members, cook and work at the church building.

Jim has been feeling poorly for the past few weeks. He seemed to be doing better when the doctors changed his medications but his fatigue has gotten a lot worse. He has days where he only feels like he can do something for an hour. His blood pressure has been increasing, he has become more winded, and he has been feeling like he is going to pass out a lot lately. He continues to preach the best he can. There have been times where he has had to sit down because he doesn’t feel well and other times where the men of the congregation have had to fill in because he couldn’t even get started. He pushes himself too much. I get angry sometimes wishing he could save himself. I know he wakes up each morning saying “What can I do today for the church?” He started Exhort Mail…he can do this comfortably from bed. He makes lots of cds and dvds for others to spread God’s word. He studies diligently to help himself and others to better understand the truths in the Bible. He is a constant encouragement to me.

We have received numerous financial gifts. We can not begin to thank each one of you enough. We are so honored and so humbled that you have decided to help Jim in his time of need. In order to pay cash for a heart transplant we were told that you had to have $775,000. As of today we have close to $50,000. We know that God will make a way. Each one of you that have prayed for us, sent cards, made donations….each one of you are so precious to us. We have had numerous individuals that have given $25 each. It all adds up. We even had a congregation donate $10,000. What can you say to brethren that have helped so much? Words are inadequate. We thank God Almighty for you. Please continue to pray for our entire family. The children are so young and we pray that we can make an eternal impact on them together. Your cards have covered three walls…we will be starting a new wall soon. They cover the bedroom walls like wallpaper. It is our wallpaper of encouragement. You are with us each day. May God help us to serve Him each day as we ought. Jim’s song of encouragement, “Light the Fire!”

I stand to praise You,
But I fall to my knees.
My spirit is hungry,
But my flesh is so weak.

Light the fire (echo)
In my soul,
(in my weary soul)
Fan the flame, (echo)
Make me whole.
(make my spirit whole)
Lord, You know (echo)
Where I've been,
(where I've been)
So light the fire in my heart again.

I feel Your arms around me,
As the power of Your healing begins.
You breathe new life right through me,
Like a mighty rushing wind.

So light the fire in my heart again,
light the fire in my heart again,
light the fire in my heart again.

Matthew 5:14 

Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.