The Herrell Family

We received two big hits this past week.  Our website/blog which has now been up for one year received its 10,000th hit!  We want to simply say thank you for caring enough about our family to keep up with us and to pray for us faithfully.  It is the prayers of God’s people that protect us from things like our second hit.  On our way to Calvary Baptist Church in Chattanooga, a truck in front of us ran over a shredded tire.  A piece of that tire flew directly at us.  In the picture to the left, Lauren points out the initial landing point.  From there, it hit just between the windshield and hood, the windshield, the sunroof, and finally the car carrier before it went on its way.  Just a few feet higher and we would have taken a direct hit to the windshield.  Things would have been different if that would have happened.  As it turned out, we ended up with one dent, one scratch, and increased heart rates.  It is the prayers of people like you that protect us as we travel the many miles of deputation.  Just wanted to let you know and to also say thanks for caring about our family.  We love you all!  Keep praying!

It was a blessing for our family to return to Forrest Hills Baptist Church this past weekend.  It was just over 13 years ago that God allowed us to begin our ministry there.  What a blessing it was to see so many familiar faces faithfully in their place.  We are so thankful for how God is using Dr. Warrren to guide this wonderful church.  We enjoyed so much our stay with the Mitchell Rose family.  It was an eye opener to go out to eat with Keith and Amy Hamilton and their soon to be four children.  Keith was in college and Amy in our youth group while we served at Forrest Hills.  How encouraging it is to see how God is now using them to minister there.  But, it did show us how old we are getting!!  We praise God for allowing us to distribute 27 change jars while we were there! We are so thankful that God gave us an opportunity to get our feet on the ground at FHBC.

At this moment, we are packing for a difficult leg of our deputation.  Starting Sunday night, we will be in church 18 straight nights in four different states. This will include two single meetings and five mission conferences.  Please pray for strength and patience for both Crystal and I and especially for our children.  We are praying that these days will reap great blessings from the Lord.  We are currently stuck near 40% on our support level.  Our slow summer has caught up with us this month.  We are praying that a very heavy schedule through October and November will see our support rise between 50-60% by January.  If this happens, our goal of departing in August will remain a reality.  However, please pray that we will be patient and wait upon the Lord.  His timing is always perfect.  Thank you so much for following us through this blog.  Please keep our family daily before the Lord.  It is only through His power and protection that safety will be maintained and His will accomplished.

P.S.  Sorry there are no pictures with this post.  My computer is messed up right now, so I am working from someone else’ computer.  I know things are so much more interesting with pictures!