Gene Swift is a man I've known for 18 years through our church, on Friday he had a massive heart attack, the kind that usually kills even when responded to immediately. By God's grace, he survived but, is still seriously sick. 
  Gene is the kind of man who puts his faith into action. The kids and I volunteer to help with his pet charity Santa's Toy Box, I don't know whether that is a official nationwide Optimist Club charity or if it's peculiar to Boone, NC. I have never asked and don't need to know. We just help try to make Christmas happy for poor kids by letting their parents pick out gifts, gratis. Anyway, Gene plays a large role in acquiring donations and organizing the giveaway. Sure there are the unscrupulous who take freebies. I don't care. There are always those who really need it. Two years ago, just after carrying two bags of toys out to a new SUV for a female who clearly was not needy, I was on the verge of quitting. My daughter little Miss Megan said not yet and I shall be forever grateful because of what happened next. For our next person was a young man still dirty from work and he was amazed that people could be so generous. He was so thankful to be able to have Christmas for his young  children that he effused joy and gratitude. I know lowlifes and this guy was for real, he wasn't a grifter. I had to repent.
This is but, one example of the character of Gene Swift who, along with his wife Sallie are also raising their granddaughter Emma, a sweet, sweet child. Their daughter, Stacy, is a mess, drugs and a shit heel man, she needs prayer too.
   I know he was spared to reveal the Glory of the Lord. 
Please join me in prayer for this situation. I get a sense of the powerful hand of the Lord at work.
PS. I believe he's having surgery today.
PPS. Today is Megan's sixteenth birthday, I thank you Father for blessing me with an amazing kid. Amen.

And you came with a big load of prayer gifts to us. Thanks and keep us posted.

(10-08-2018, 03:32 PM)Ed Hurst Wrote: And you came with a big load of prayer gifts to us. Thanks and keep us posted.

Will do.

Gene is improving but still a very sick man. Apparently, his granddaughter was with him at the time and ran and got a neighbor who called the emt's. Continue to remember him please.

(10-12-2018, 04:29 PM)IainH Wrote: Gene is improving but still a very sick man. Apparently, his granddaughter was with him at the time and ran and got a neighbor who called the emt's. Continue to remember him please.

I will most assuredly add Gene to my "mountains prayer list"!  As I pray, i travel the country in my mind.  First to Canada, then the NE US, then over to PA, etc.  It helps me envision y'all and other family members and friends as I pray.   

(10-13-2018, 09:44 AM)forrealone Wrote:

(10-12-2018, 04:29 PM)IainH Wrote: Gene is improving but still a very sick man. Apparently, his granddaughter was with him at the time and ran and got a neighbor who called the emt's. Continue to remember him please.

I will most assuredly add Gene to my "mountains prayer list"!  As I pray, i travel the country in my mind.  First to Canada, then the NE US, then over to PA, etc.  It helps me envision y'all and other family members and friends as I pray.   

I like that idea.

(10-13-2018, 10:56 AM)IainH Wrote:

(10-13-2018, 09:44 AM)forrealone Wrote:

(10-12-2018, 04:29 PM)IainH Wrote: Gene is improving but still a very sick man. Apparently, his granddaughter was with him at the time and ran and got a neighbor who called the emt's. Continue to remember him please.

I will most assuredly add Gene to my "mountains prayer list"!  As I pray, i travel the country in my mind.  First to Canada, then the NE US, then over to PA, etc.  It helps me envision y'all and other family members and friends as I pray.   

I like that idea.

Well, it makes it a lot easier for me as I envision y'all in your respective geographical places.  I literally "see" YOU in Boone, though not sure where.  That is easier for me since I have been there and Blowing Rock many a time for a lot of years.  It's been a while though!

(10-13-2018, 12:02 PM)forrealone Wrote:

(10-13-2018, 10:56 AM)IainH Wrote:

(10-13-2018, 09:44 AM)forrealone Wrote:

(10-12-2018, 04:29 PM)IainH Wrote: Gene is improving but still a very sick man. Apparently, his granddaughter was with him at the time and ran and got a neighbor who called the emt's. Continue to remember him please.

I will most assuredly add Gene to my "mountains prayer list"!  As I pray, i travel the country in my mind.  First to Canada, then the NE US, then over to PA, etc.  It helps me envision y'all and other family members and friends as I pray.   

I like that idea.

Well, it makes it a lot easier for me as I envision y'all in your respective geographical places.  I literally "see" YOU in Boone, though not sure where.  That is easier for me since I have been there and Blowing Rock many a time for a lot of years.  It's been a while though!

There is a holler that branches due east of the Blowing Rock, the rock not the town. We're about half a mile from the rock. In winter I can see the viewing thingamajigger they built for el tourista's. El tourista's are good for bidness but, a major irritant for locals. Several years ago, on my way to work, a couple in the car in front of me came to a complete stop, ON A US HWY! to take a picture of Grandfather Mountain. Nuts.

(10-13-2018, 02:00 PM)IainH Wrote:

(10-13-2018, 12:02 PM)forrealone Wrote:

(10-13-2018, 10:56 AM)IainH Wrote:

(10-13-2018, 09:44 AM)forrealone Wrote:

(10-12-2018, 04:29 PM)IainH Wrote: Gene is improving but still a very sick man. Apparently, his granddaughter was with him at the time and ran and got a neighbor who called the emt's. Continue to remember him please.

I will most assuredly add Gene to my "mountains prayer list"!  As I pray, i travel the country in my mind.  First to Canada, then the NE US, then over to PA, etc.  It helps me envision y'all and other family members and friends as I pray.   

I like that idea.

Well, it makes it a lot easier for me as I envision y'all in your respective geographical places.  I literally "see" YOU in Boone, though not sure where.  That is easier for me since I have been there and Blowing Rock many a time for a lot of years.  It's been a while though!

There is a holler that branches due east of the Blowing Rock, the rock not the town. We're about half a mile from the rock. In winter I can see the viewing thingamajigger they built for el tourista's. El tourista's are good for bidness but, a major irritant for locals. Several years ago, on my way to work, a couple in the car in front of me came to a complete stop, ON A US HWY! to take a picture of Grandfather Mountain. Nuts.

I know that rock!  Scared the daylights out of me when I thought I could venture out...  And, me, scared of falling. (not of heights so much).  I LOVE BR.  First time I drove into town was back in 1983.  It was foggy only to find out it was the clouds!  Back then, it was a small, much quieter town.  Last time I was there, it was busy and loud and LOTS of new shops and well, different.  Don't blame ya on how it must feel to live there!  Doncha love the ones that STOP like that??????  

(10-12-2018, 04:29 PM)IainH Wrote: Gene is improving but still a very sick man. Apparently, his granddaughter was with him at the time and ran and got a neighbor who called the emt's. Continue to remember him please.

I prayed for him one morning last week, while I was walking to the bus stop. Hope he heals completely!