West Main

REASON  FOR  THE  WORLD

It has been a tough start for our body at West Main in 2011. We’ve experienced loss several times already.  Others are sick.  Yet we gather together, we pray and we worship a God whom we truly believe is nothing short of love.  Yet, these times still hurt and still weigh on us.  As I was considering how to deal with all of this last week, I was sent a song by Matthew West called, “The Reason for the World”.  I thought it had some beauty within it and wanted to share it with all of you.

There are no words in times like these when tears don’t hide the tragedies and all you want is a reason for the world.

No comfort in the greeting card cause God is good, but life’s still hard and your heart just wants a reason for the world.

Maybe the reason for the pain is so we would pray for strength, and maybe the reason for the strength is so that we would not lose hope, and maybe the reason for all hope is so that we could face the world, and the reason for the world is to make us long for home.

For God so loved your broken heart He sent his son to where you are and he died, to give a reason for the world. So lift your sorrows to the one whose plan for you has just begun and rests here in the hands that hold the world.

Maybe the reason for the pain is so we would pray for strength, and maybe the reason for the strength is so that we would not lose hope, and maybe the reason for all hope is so that we could face the world, and the reason for the world is to make us long for home.

Well I know your past the point of broken, surrounded by your fear.  I know your feet are tired and weary from the road that you walked down here, but just keep your eyes on heaven and know that you are not alone, remember the reason for the world.

No ear has heard, no eye has seen, not even in your wildest dreams, a beauty that awaits beyond this world.

When you look into the eyes of grace and hear the voice of mercy say, Child, welcome to the reason for the world.

– Pannell

Our Precious Branson

by Whitny Davidson (his sister) on

Friday, January 21, 2011 at 11:25 p.m.

This is the most difficult day of our lives. Meetings with the neurosurgeons, doctors, and nursing staff over the last two days concerning the extent of Branson's brain injury has been devastating to our family. It was fatal when they medi-vaced him to the hospital and his life was spared by only a few minutes. On the GCS scale of brain activity he was a minimum of 3 out of 15. Critical care, prayer and Branson's fight brought his number up to a mere 5. After prolonged efforts to bring him to a conscious state of 8 on the scale so he could wake up, he took a turn for the worse and dropped back to a 3. The best scenario for Branson was dependent care for the rest of his life. He may never have come out of the coma, talked, or even understood. Branson loves life to the fullest. He has told us more than once: "If I'm ever in that condition, do not keep me on life support." We had to make the most difficult decision to withdraw it. We had the nurses and doctors' blessing with our decision. Tonight, Branson went home to be with our Lord. We cannot express the pain we are all feeling. We love Branson beyond comprehension. He is the joy and pride of our lives. We did not want to give him up as a son, brother, or friend. We understand better what the Father must have felt in giving up his one and only. Branson passed without pain. The Father watched His Son pass under the excruciating pain of being crushed as a sin sacrifice for us all. Though we understand better, it doesn't compare. God has proven a greater love for Branson than ours could ever be. We entrust Branson to His care which supersedes all earthly care.

Your hearts and support have been heard from all over and have bombarded the gates of heaven with unending vigil on Branson's and our family's behalf. Words cannot express the deep felt gratitude and love we feel for you all. You have all showered us with your support and unending prayer. We feel such pride in Branson who is responsible for a lot of this. He has in you, friends for life, and he made some of the best ones we could ever imagine. He never forgot one of you, and if he could speak today to all of us, he'd say: "Okay, enough of that crying, let's go snow boarding, wake boarding, long boarding, skate boarding, stretch some Saran Wrap across the road and do some community service. Let's play football, baseball, wiffle ball, wrestle, climb Mt. Marathon, Mt. McLoughlin, rock climb, go surfing, snow machining, play tennis, do some mountain biking, dirt biking, go dancing, see a concert, go to a Sun's or Coyote's game." And he always did it with friends - friends for life! He loves you all.

Shannon sent this text to us. She is bringing a new son into this world and can't be here with us.

I know that there is no greater gift than to spend an eternity with our Lord in paradise...B just had to get there first...He'd have just told us that he won...And that he beat us all...because of how fun and how beautiful his heart is.

We can't tell you enough how much you have all meant to us in this trial. We hope to never be the same, having known and loved this wonderful son, brother, and best friend.

-The Holm Family & Shelby Dietsch Family

****There will be a memorial service for Branson at a later date when his sister, Shannon, who lives in Georgia, will be able to attend.  Please pray for her and her family as her baby is due soon.

Brad and Ronda send their love and thanks to our West Main family for all your prayers, cards, love, and generosity during this difficult time.  They hope to be home by this weekend.

Our Sympathy is also extended to another one of our West Main Family.  Bill Breeden, went home to the Lord last week.  Please remember Erma and their three children in your prayers.  Bill and Erma have been a part of our West Main family for many years.  At this time, memorial services for Bill are not known.

Thank You Note: I had really been missing the hugs and hand shakes during our gathering times.  It was great to be there on Sunday.  The prayers, cards, calls, and food have been much appreciated. Also, the Sunshine Box that the children made me was great - I enjoyed it so much!  The wound vacuum seems to be working.  The hole in my ankle is filling in.  If no infection sets in, I should be able to begin therapy with two months.  For now, I am still getting around the house in a wheel chair.

With love,  Mel Hamilton

Upcoming Seminars: Our “Spiritual Disciplines Seminar” that was scheduled for February 11-13 has been postponed until a later date.

Please mark your calendars for the “Personal Holiness and Spiritual Development Seminar” that is scheduled to begin on February 26^th. We will be begin with dinner at 5:30 p.m. (dinner is being prepared by Thadd Flock) in the Fireside Room.  Class, taught by Truman Scott, will begin at 6:15 p.m. Be watching for more details to come!

Prayer Requests . . .

Please pray for Ed Way, his doctors, and for his family as he undergoes further testing and for treatment decisions ... Please remember Mel Hamilton and Sharen Rose as they heal from their falls ... Ernie Strawn needs our continued prayers as he goes through cancer treatment and its side effects ... Doris Sutherlin’s aunt, Hilda Hackworth, has been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia which is very aggressive and her time is short.  Please pray for her and her family during this time ... Patsy Brophy asks prayers for her friend Marilyn Bright whose surgery was postponed - please pray for complete healing without surgery ... Cooper Albright had his fourth blood test - please pray for good results ... Hudson Thomas has been having severe asthma attacks - please pray for healing in his lungs ... Don Logsdon requests prayers for his friend, Wayne Hilterbrand, who is undergoing chemotherapy treatments - prayers for him and his family ... Continued prayers for the families of Branson Holm and Bill Breeden as they deal with the loss of their loved ones ... Our President and all of our military men, women, and families.

Coffee Servers Needed for 2011– Please sign up on the list posted by the stairs.

Mexico Mission Fundraiser Dinner / Auction will be held on Saturday, February 5, at 6:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room.  Please contact Valda Newton if you can donate auction items or want to volunteer to bring food items.  Thank you for your support of our Mexico Mission work.