January 12, 2013 - Funeral arrangements

For those of you who may not have heard, Bro. Dale was ushered into the presence of his Lord on Thursday around 8:30.  I'm sure that he heard our Master say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."  Mrs. Doug and the girls made it safely back to Vardaman on Friday.  Funeral arrangements are as follows:

Visitation will be Saturday from 5-7 at First Baptist Church Vardaman and the funeral will be Sunday in the Vardaman High School Gym at 2 p.m.  He will be buried at Old Bethany Cemetery in Webster County, also known as New Hope Cemetery.

Bro. Dale Easley was greatly loved by many.  He spent the past 50 years preaching and serving the Lord faithfully.  The past 26 years of his ministry were at First Baptist Church in Vardaman, MS.  His impact was not limited to only members of his congregation, but he was a pillar of the Vardaman community, and offered pastoral care and leadership to many all over Calhoun County.  He was active with the Calhoun Baptist Association's Executive Committee and encouraged his church to participate in ministry and missions both locally and abroad.  He loved football and supported the Vardaman Rams in the good times and bad times.  He was always at the games and led the community in prayer every week before the game began. 

Bro. Dale's passion was for people to remain true to the Lord and His Word, and experience love for and from Christ.  A theme in his sermons was, "Christ in you, the hope of glory."  (from Col. 1:27)

Like the apostle Paul who penned these words, this whole passage describes his ministry, and in particular, the past year and a half:

^"24 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. ²⁵ I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— ²⁶ the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. ²⁷ To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
²⁸ He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. ²⁹ To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me." Colossians 1:24-29

Bro. Dale was a compassionate person and understood the trials and griefs of life.  His favorite song was, Jesus Loves Me.  With childlike faith, but depth of wisdom, he lived and testified to the love of Christ.  His desire was for others to reach their potential thru Christ.  A testimony to the impact he has made on those he served would be for us to remain true to the admonition Paul went on to make in Colossians 2:1-7:

"I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. ² My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴ I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. ⁵ For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
⁶ So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

Jason and I were personally blessed to have served alongside Bro. Dale and Mrs. Doug at FBC Vardaman.  They both served us as partners in ministry, faith, prayer and friendship.  We love them dearly and will miss Bro. Dale immensely. 

In the days ahead, please continue to pray for Mrs. Doug and his daughters and grandchildren as they will miss Bro. Dale so much.  We thank God for this family and for their support of his ministry to the rest of us.  May God keep them and strengthen them for the days ahead.  We look forward to our Homecoming where we can be together with the Lord and all His saints. 

January 8, 2013

Tammy spoke with Johanna this morning and the report is the same.  There is no change in Bro. Dale other than more medicine is being given to keep him peaceful. Mrs. Doug is doing really good, but very tired. Please continue to keep them all in your prayers.

I usually post Scriptures as encouragement, but this song came to mind this morning and I decided to share it.  It is certainly founded in Scripture.  

My Father Watches Over Me by William Martin

I trust in God where ever I may be
Upon the land or on the rolling sea
For come what may from day to day
My heavenly father watches over me.

I trust in God
I know He cares for me
On mountains bleak or on the rolling sea
Though billows roll
He keeps my soul
My heavenly father watches over me.

He makes the rose an object of His care
He guides the eagle through the pathless air
And surely He remembers me
My heavenly father watches over me.

The valley may be dark, the shadows deep
But on the shepherd guards His lonely sheep
And through the gloom He leads me home
My heavenly father watches over me.

I trust in God
I know He cares for me
On mountains bleak or on the rolling sea
Though billows roll
He keeps my soul
My heavenly father watches over me.

Update: January 7, 2013

There is no change in Bro. Dale this morning.  He is being kept comfortable.  The family appreciates and covets your prayers.  The blog will be updated as we hear from the family.

33Jesus' father and mother were amazed at what Simeon had said about him.  34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, "God has chosen this child to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel.  He will be a sign from God that many people will not accept 35so that the thoughts of many will be made known.  And the things that will happen will make your heart sad, too."
Luke 2:33-35

January 6, 2013

Please pray as Bro. Dale's older daughters arrive in FL today.  Joan is due to arrive at 10 and Janice is due to arrive at 12:30. 

Currently, Bro. Dale has no brain activity and the doctors have told the family that there is nothing that they can do.  Bro. Dale has requested to not be put on life support or to be resusitated.  The doctors have given him up to two days. 


"²⁹ “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
    you may now dismiss^[d] your servant in peace.
³⁰ For my eyes have seen your salvation,
³¹     which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and the glory of your people Israel.”  Luke 2:29-32

January 5, 2013 - Urgent Update

On Wednesday, January 2, 2013, Bro. Dale & Mrs. Doug traveled to Pensacola, FL to see his daughter Johanna and her family and to be there for their newest grandbaby's dedication.  While he was in FL, he began having a severe seizure and was taken by ambulance to the hospital.  It was determined that in addition to the seizure, he also had another hemorraging stroke, this time on the right side of his brain.  (The original stroke happened on the left side of his brain.) 

Currently, he is in the care of hospice and the family has been called in.  Please pray for this precious family during this time. 

"²⁹ He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." Isaiah 40:29

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit."  Psalm 34:18

October 26, 2012

Hello Everyone,  

 

I know it's been a long time since an update but we have been traveling back and forth to Tupelo so much I haven't had time to write much of anything.  I have finished my radiation treatments and am doing pretty good.  I am still tired from them.  That was the hardest part - the tiredness - and even that is getting better.  I will be on a cancer prevention drug for 5 yrs. which is common now days.  The main side effect of it is bone pain and that isn't pleasant.

 

Dale is doing great.  We are still going to therapy 3 days a week.  Billy Paul Spencer has been helping me out by carrying Dale one day a week when he can and that has helped so much.  I was telling Dale the other night that Billy Paul was going to carry him on Tuesday and he looked at me and said "Billy Paul" as plain as we could say it.  He repeats a lot of the words he hears you say.  HA!?!  He has got his new Grandson's name down pat "Nathan".  It's so sweet to hear him say it because he gets so excited when you talk about Nathan. When he is talking on the phone to our girls he will come out with a new word and then he tells them "bye" when they get through talking.  When he knows what he wants to say he is trying really hard to put the words together.   This is a big accomplishment to be able to get the words to come out.  If he can't get them out the first time he will sit there and then he will come out with the main word that let's me know what he is talking about. 

 

In Occupational Therapy they are still working on the right arm which has more movement.  He still doesn't have movement in the right hand but hopefully that will come back.  Last week they started to working with him on making a peanut butter & jelly sandwich but he ran out of time before he finished it.  I started to ask if they had any pineapple, he could make it a lot quicker.

 

In Physical Therapy he is walking for 20 minutes at a time and a lot of that time is spent outside if the weather permits.  They also have what they call an adult tricycle and he takes off on it.  At home we are walking outside and he is walking a long way down the driveway and back.  At therapy he goes up and down flights of stairs and he walks hills, so they put him through it there.  When we get home he is ready to eat supper, get ready for bed and be in bed by 8:30 at the latest.  It still takes a lot of energy for him to do 3 hours of therapy.  Thinking about it makes me tired and I haven't had a stroke.

 

We want to thank each of you for your love, prayers and concern for us.  We have truly felt your prayers and love.  Each of you are very special to us and we thank our Father for you each day.  

 

We love you,

 

Doug & Dale

"¹ When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion,

    we were like men who dreamed.
² Our mouths were filled with laughter,
    our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things for them.”
³ The Lord has done great things for us,
    and we are filled with joy.

⁴ Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
    like streams in the Negev.
⁵ Those who sow in tears
    will reap with songs of joy.
⁶ He who goes out weeping,
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,    carrying sheaves with him."   Psalm 126

September 26, 2012 - Nathan Dale

Here are pictures of the newest member of our family.  Born about 3 weeks early around 4 something Sunday morning weighing in at 6lb. 7oz.  As you can see he has lots of love surrounding him.   His name is Nathan Dale Van Iderstine.

Joan's son Kelson fell off his bike last week and broke his wrist s now he has a cast.  We have laughed of all the colors he could have he chose white and won't let anyone sign it.  He is one unique little man.

Dale is doing great since his fall and broken hip.  He is back to walking good and walked into church again this morning.  He can get up out of his wheelchair  & into his recliner by himself again.  In speech he is making great progress.  I asked him on Saturday what he had been eating for lunch and asked if he had been eating pineapple sandwiches and he nodded yes. I asked if he had been eating the grapes we had in the refrigerator and he sat there a minute and then he said  no, apples.  And said it just as plain as we could say it.  When he talks to the girls and  they get through talking he says bye to them.  He is really making progress. He wants to talk so bad, please continue to pray for him in this.  He wants to preach again so much.

I am doing good with the radiation treatments.  I have 10 to go.  They say the last 2 weeks are the hardest.  I known I've been sore and tired both and do expect it to get worse.  I'm usually sore the second treatment and then it's not quite as sore.  We have members of the church and friends driving us now and that is helping so much.  They are also bringing meals 3 times a week and with both of those it's a lifesaver.  By the time we get home from therapy on Tues.- Thurs. It's almost 6:30 each night.  That makes for a long day when you get up at 5:15.  If I'm really tired by the end of the week I take Friday off.  

 

So, that is what is going on with us right now.  We count our blessings everyday and are so thankful for everything Dale accomplishes.  We are so thankful for each of you who read the blog and are praying for us. We truly feel your prayers and love each do you dearly.

 

Love, 

Doug & Dale

 

 

I know Bro. Dale and Mrs. Doug are ready to hold their new grandbaby!  I think this verse of Because He Lives is so appropriate to share because they are living proof of the testimony of this song.  

 

How sweet to hold
A newborn baby
And feel the pride
And joy he gives,
But greater still
The calm assurance
This child can face
Uncertain days
Because He lives.

 

Because He lives
I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives
All fear is gone.
Because I know
He holds the future,
And life and is worth the living
Just because He lives.

 

Colossians 1:27 "To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."