Dear Ownbey Family, Got this info from CAROL DOUGLAS: -------------------------------------------------------------- I confirmed that the finale program at First Baptist West is at 5:30 pm at their church, 1801 Oaklawn Avenue. The theme is "For God So Loved the World." Patsy (Burkins) said the program has a little more religious tone this year, and is their best one yet. These programs are very encouraging and uplifting. Carol ____________________________________________ And I found my bulletin, so here's the info about our Freedom School finale/luncheon: The closing program will begin c.12:25pm. Church members are welcome. You may also help w/set-up and/or clean-up, 9am-1:30pm. Contact BECKY ABERNATHY, 704-295-4826, or . Peace, Reatha - Wed - 11am

Dear Ownbey Family, We got more good news during class this past Sunday when BETTY CAMPBELL told us that her mother was expected to go home after three weeks in the hospital. The main problem had been getting her meds correctly adjusted. This Friday will be the closing ceremony for both Freedom School -- check your bulletin or your Friday "e-blast" for info -- and also the Summer Enrichment Program at First Baptist West (on Oaklawn) which we helped support through our Helping Hands funds. [I think that CAROL DOUGLAS said that it starts at 5:30. I'll check and get back to you.] This Sunday I'll be presenting the book, AMISH GRACE, for our lesson. And that aft'n, all women are invited to the pre-Ramadan dinner and program at the Islamic Center on The Plaza near Harris at 5:30pm. [Amanda and I are going. If any of you women are interested in attending and want more info, just contact me by email or phone, 704-552-2378.] -------------------------------------------------------------- Please encourage members to sign up for the last of our Summer dinners, the third Wednesday, August 19th. This one will be at 6:00 at The Tavern on Park, and our guest will be the Rev. Kevin Wright. Thanks. Durward 704-552-1169 ____________________________________________ Upcoming birthday: Wed. Aug. 5 -- PAUL GUTHERY Hope you are having a wonderful week! Blessings, Reatha - Wed - 10am

Dear Ownbey Family, Thought we could use some "lighter" news... -------------------------------------------------------------- Reatha: Thanks so much for your updates. It's good to keep in touch. I have been busy since arriving (in Wilmington) -- a visit from Ben and Ann and Laura. Then Ben sent me a plane ticket to come visit them in Ky. Had a great time there and the weather was beautiful. Now back in Wilmington -- my cousin's family is visiting at the beach with nine little grandchildren!!!!! And my brother and all his family will be here next week. Hope all is well with you. Love, Joyce ____________________________________________ And I've gotten GOOD reports today from Lucian Halpern (about MEL) and from Billy Tobias (about DOTTIE). Will forward those in just a little bit! ra - th - 5:30pm

Dear Ownbey Family, And here's DOTTIE's good news!!! -------------------------------------------------------------- Hello To You All, I don't suppose that we could ever thank each of you enough for your kind words, thoughts, prayers, cards and gestures of goodwill that have been shown our family since mom's "adventure" began a scant 11 days ago. Friends like you are indeed precious to behold. Thank you, every one. Now... to the meat of the story. Mom was discharged from Presbyterian Hospital yesterday (Wed.) afternoon and has been admitted to Mercy Acute Rehab Hospital (room 6006) on the corner of 5th Street and Caswell in Charlotte. Yesterday was intended to be a rest day before her therapy which started this morning. Last night's thunderstorm notwithstanding, rest she did! When I stopped in for my daytime visit today, I found mom sitting in her wheelchair, in the dining room not terribly interested in anything. When she saw me, she lit up and we opened her cards and the more we opened, the more engaged and animated she became. Lunch arrived and she began feeding herself, with a spoon and with BOTH hands! She was drinking out of a cup all by herself with both hands, though with a bit more difficulty with her right hand. About this time, she decided to read aloud her menu choices for tomorrow, which she did in a clear and distinct voice. I will be bringing clothes (sweatshirts and sweatpants) for her to begin the therapy of dressing herself as well as shoes so that she might begin learning how to walk again. Fascinating and stunning is all I can say to describe her transformation over just the last couple of days. Thanks go out again to the tremendous network of friends and family who have participated in this remarkable event. We will continue to solicit your help with prayer and look forward to sharing stories with her when she returns home. Faith and Belief, Billy Tobias *** ra - th - 6pm

Dear Ownbey Family, Great news!!! -------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Reatha My mother asked me to send you a note to thank you very, very much for the beautiful and very thoughtful cards you sent. She also wanted me to share wonderful news: my father stood twice today for at least 5 minutes each time! And.... he walked (with a walker and a with a care-giver behind him) for at least the length of a city block! My mother was amazed. It is more than he has walked in at least 6 weeks. We are all very impressed with the quality of care and physical therapy at Asbury! Warm regards Lucia *** And now to send you some MORE good news about Dottie. :-) ra - th - 5:45pm

A month or two ago, Wilma wrote me that Bob Johnson had called her to say that Nancy had been in lots of pain. They ran tests and found tumors all along her spine. They treated her for pain, but that was all they really could do besides sending her to her sister's w/hospice care. Nancy had been living at a UMAR group home in Winston. I can't remember her age, but I remember that Nenie Midyette and Eleanor used to work w/her (and maybe Randy Soule) in a special needs class we offered at church. And I seem to recall that she competed in roller skating in Special Olympics. In talking w/Eleanor today, I found out that there is another daughter, named Janie. Hope this helps. ra - th - 5:20pm --------------------------------------------------------------

Hello All: There appear to be no Birthdays next week. However, if I missed someone, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ! Chick Thompson will be teaching on Sunday. His subject is Reconciling All Things. Eleanor and I will not be with you for the next two Sundays - FAMILY VACATION. We will miss you. Bring a friend to Sunday School ! Cal

-------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Ownbey Family, Just got this note from Marilea Grogan... -------------------------------------------------------------- Reatha, just talked with Bob Johnson a few minutes ago. He said that Nancy died at 1:15 this afternoon. Memorials may be sent to: UMAR P. O. Box 1558 Huntersville, NC 28070 ____________________________________________ And sympathy cards may be sent to Bob: Mr. Bob Johnson see email Hermitage, TN ...and to his other daughter (whom Nancy had been staying with): Mrs. Carol Winn see email Lewisville, NC Peace, Reatha - Wed - 10:30pm more . . . . A month or two ago, Wilma wrote me that Bob Johnson had called her to say that Nancy had been in lots of pain. They ran tests and found tumors all along her spine. They treated her for pain, but that was all they really could do besides sending her to her sister's w/hospice care. Nancy had been living at a UMAR group home in Winston. I can't remember her age, but I remember that Nenie Midyette and Eleanor used to work w/her (and maybe Randy Soule) in a special needs class we offered at church. And I seem to recall that she competed in roller skating in Special Olympics. In talking w/Eleanor today, I found out that there is another daughter, named Janie. Hope this helps. ra - th - 5:20pm

Dear Ownbey Family, Got this report from Lucia today. I'll be seeing most of you in SS tomorrow, but I'll be arriving late due to playing piano for the LS/RF Class. The Lumadues plan on coming and can give an update on Anne's great-grandniece, Libby Claire. If Ellen Chason is there, she can report the latest on Dottie. Cal can relay what this note says. Thanks, everyone! Take care, Reatha - Sat - 6pm ____________________________________________ Hi Reatha My father moved from CMC to Asbury Care Center (at Aldersgate) Thursday afternoon. He had a difficult week at CMC. When he arrived on Sunday, he essentially couldn´t move at all. His legs were completely rigid, and he had a lot of pain in his back and neck. He was also very disoriented. The doctors who saw him didn´t have good explanations for the cause, other than a sudden and severe acceleration of Parkinson´s coupled with possibly incorrect doses of medications. Fortunately, he responded well to his first session of physical therapy yesterday and, for the first time in over a week, was able to move (or, rather, be moved) from bed to a wheelchair. He was able to pedal a "bike" (attached to the wheelchair) and, according to the care giver who was with him at the time, was in good spirits. He continues to be somewhat disoriented but recognizes everyone (including my son Jack and me by telephone). My mother is exhausted from providing full-time care for so long. She brought in 24-hour care at home several weeks ago (3 weeks or so before he went to CMC) but still is very much the primary care-giver. Marcelo took her to CMC every morning during the week, and she stayed with my father for a bout 12 hours until Marcelo relieved her for a few hours in the evening. A care-giver stayed with my father from when Marcelo left until my mother arrived again in the morning and another joined my mother during much of each day. Because he is essentially bedridden at the moment, my father requires much more attention and assistance than the hospital staff was able (or willing) to provide, even during the night (he has been having trouble sleeping during the night.) -- hence our efforts to make sure there is a care-giver with him at all times. Adrian arrived yesterday from Chapel Hill and will be able to give my mother and Marcelo some support over the weekend. I will arrive early next week and will stay through the end of August and hope to be able to provide my mother with a bit of time to get much-needed rest. My parents are very grateful for the expressions of concern, prayer and good wishes they have received! Warm regards Lucia

Hello All: Eleanor and I are "back in town" and look forward to seeing you next Sunday. Ralph Webb has a Birthday on the 18th; Ace Walker on the 19th; Carolyn Reeder on the 21st and I have one on the 23rd. HAPPY BIRTHDAY !! Lou Bledsoe will be teaching this coming Sunday on Jame's The Will of God, Part II. Bring a friend on Sunday. Cal

Dear Ownbey Family, I know that a few others of you are already on Billy's mailing list, but... here's the latest on Dottie. If any of you do NOT want daily reports, just let me know, and I'll leave you off my SEND list. ra - wed - 6am ___________________________________________ Sent: Tue, Jul 14, 2009 9:16 pm Subject: Dottie Tobias - Tuesday July 14, 2009 Summary Again, please indulge me a moment of thanks to each of you for your continued support and prayers for Mom during her recent health event. Now to a summary of her progress throughout today, Tuesday July 14, 2009. Mom appears to be much more active this morning in her reactions to stimulus, both verbal and physical. She maintains good eye contact and has nicely progressing movement in her extremities, both left and right sides including a rhythmic tapping of both hands and feet. She smiles at jokes that are being made and appears to recognize the faces of family members. She has begun to swallow on her own, a big step forward so as to allow feeding which will begin the process of medication (atrial fibrillation meds.) that she was taking at home before the incident on Sunday. Mom was taken down for an MRI this afternoon, and she came through that with no complications. Results will be shared with us sometime during the day tomorrow. She was not quite as responsive after the MRI, which could have been caused by fatigue. Music (Classical [Mozart]) has been brought into her ICU room, as well as a few family photographs to help in stimulation of brain activity. Her late afternoon session with the occupational therapist showed a promising development. The therapist asked Mom to tell her if anything hurt during the movements. Mom turned her head towards the therapist and spoke the words, "No pain." This is very encouraging news as it is her first verbalization in the now near 48 hours since the event. Again, I would like to tell you all how important your continued thoughts and prayers are to us. We deeply wish that each of you could share in our joys at witnessing her progressions from the stroke, but we must stress not being overly optimistic. While these developments are good indications of her brain coming back to life, we must remain guardedly positive and realize that these are the first steps along a protracted road to recovery. I will continue to update you all through these nightly e-mails and again thank each and every one of you for your help, your support and your continued prayers for her. God's Peace, Billy Tobias

Dear Ownbey Family,


1.  Got a call from ELLEN CHASON, saying that DOTTIE TOBIAS suffered a SEVERE STROKE last night!  She's in Presby ICU.  She'd just gotten home from out of town (visiting son LARRY) and was checking her mail.  Son BILL was upstairs when he heard the thud/crash/whatever of her falling.  He rushed downstairs to find her, called 911, and began CPR.  They operated last night, removing the clot from her brain -- left lobe, thus her right side is affected.  They were going to run a CAT scan and MRI today, but have postponed those (for whatever reasons.)  While Ellen was there this aft'n, so was the physical therapist.  He asked Dottie to wiggle her toes, and there was ever so slight movement.  As far as Ellen could tell, Dottie did NOT open her eyes, but apparently she COULD hear...
DOTTIE TOBIAS

GOOD NEWS:  Ellen's son (CHIP) and dtr-in-law are coming to town Wed. to stay through the weekend(?)


2.  Had an email from LUCIA HALPERN --> daddy MEL is in CMC being assessed for his increasingly compromised mobility, accompanied by severe symptoms from Parkinson's, which have plagued him the past two weeks.  CRIS asks for NO VISITORS at this point since they are running tests and deciding what to do next, but would appreciate cards and prayers.
CRIS & MEL HALPERN

GOOD NEWS (which Cris had hoped to share w/us in person):  dtr-in-law VERA, ADRIAN's wife, gave birth to their 1st son (MAXIMILLIAN NICHOLAS) on on June 29   :-)     The new young man appears to be thriving!


3.  Speaking of youngsters:  ANNE LUMADUE announced in class yest'y that she and her large, extended family would appreciate prayers for her great-grandniece, LIBBY CLAIRE.  The 20-mo-old toddler managed to squeeze between the rails on their upstairs (non-childproof) bannister, falling onto hardwood in the "open" vestibule (or whatever the correct term is) late last week.  Sat. was deemed a "pretty good" day; yest'y "not so good"...  They removed part of her skull to aid in the swelling of her brain.  And today, she was placed in an "induced coma."  You can go to the Caring Bridge website for updates and a place to express your concern.
<www.caringbridge.org/visit/libbyclairemcgarity>
ANNE & BOB LUMADUE


GOOD NEWS:  Twenty-three (23) of us have signed up for dinner this Wed (Jy 15th) at TAVERN ON PARK, 6pm.  Any questions, contact DURWARD OWEN, 704-, or 


[whew!]

Reatha - Mon - 7:45pm

Dear Ownbey Family,


OUR LESSON
This coming Sunday, JIM HATFIELD will lead us in studying the prophet Amos.  Hope that you will come (and bring a friend!)

NEWS
After missing class Sunday, CAROL DOUGLAS is feeling better now and was able to attend our curriculum meeting last night.

Speaking of our meeting... I'll be posting our new lesson schedule on our webpage later today or tomorrow.

One week from tonight (July 15th) will be our monthly Wednesday dinner at Tavern on Park.  If you have NOT yet signed up and won't be in class this week, contact DURWARD OWEN at  or you can call .  So far, we have 17 coming.

ACE WALKER has a new e-address:  .  Please update your class file to reflect the change.  [BTW:  Ace has a b'day coming up -- Sun Jy 19th]

BIRTHDAY
And even tho' I mentioned it last week, THIS is the week for FRED SADRI's b'day -- Sat. the 11th.  Happy B'day, Fred!


Any other news to share?  Just let me know   :-) 

Peace,
Reatha - Wed - 1:30pm

P>S>>  Hopefully this will be my last Sunday to preside for a while -- not that it hasn't been fun...  CAL and ELEANOR should return from their vacation in Ecuador sometime next week.  We wish them well in their travels and safe passage home!

Dear Ownbey Family, In Cal's absence, I'm sending a SS "status" report... a day later than usual. BIRTHDAYS Oops! BARBARA BARDEN had a b'day this past Monday (June 29). Hope it was happy :-) No b'days (that I see on my list) till Sat. July 11th, when we celebrate FRED SADRI's arrival into this world. UPCOMING LESSON Our summer Duke intern, RYAN SPURRIER, will present our lesson this week. He'll talk about Peter Storey's book, WITH GOD IN THE CRUCIBLE. And if you'd like to hear him preach, I found out at CITR choir practice last night that he'll be bringing us the sermon during Church in the Round, 8:45 in Jubilee Hall. NEWS ANN COPELAND called me the other day, saying that she had called the GROGANS for an update. MARILEA and GARY are doing well; Gary's meds have been requlated once more. And BOB doesn't need to report back to his cardiologist until September! He is encouraged NOT to do anything strenuous and will prob. need surgery in the fall, but he's feeling chipper these days. [note to Grogans: if I'm mis-remembering anything, just let me know] I'm hoping that CAL and ELEANOR CHESSON made it safely to Ecuador and that they are having a great time! They MIGHT have wi-fi access at some point and if so, will send me an update which I'll share w/you. Anything else, anyone? Have a happy and safe Fourth! Reatha - Th - 8:45pm