Thursday, November 22, 2012

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Yes, it's a happy one for me.  One year ago, today, November 22, 2011, I arrived before daylight and checked into the hospital in nearby Chattanooga for surgery to remove three cancerous tumors from my colon.  At my last check-up (Nov 5) the Oncologist gave me a clean bill of health and stated that he wanted to set up a date now for the removal of the "surgical port" from my chest as he could not see any further need for it.  The LORD has kept HIS WORD to me:  "I'm healing you!"

Two days after my Oncologists visit, I visited my Optometrist - and she said sshe was surprised that she did not see more damage to my eyes.  "In fact," she said, "Your eyes look better today than they did a year ago!"  Isn't God good?

I was up at 3:30a.m. last Saturday, drove an hour and a half with my 4 wheeler on the trailer behinc me and hunted for deer all day.  Came home in the evening and then went to church the next morning and night and sung in both services.  Came home and fell asleep with no trouble.  On Monday morning I got up, collected my Mom and we went out to sing at the Senior Citizen's Center.  Tuesday I drove an hour north of here to Madisonville to collect 55 lbs of deer meat given to me by my friend who owns the property where I hunt.  How blessed can a man be?  Too much?  I don't think I'll get to the place that I think it was by my own strength, nor because I am any better than anyone else.  I know it is all because of what the Lord has done.

To HIM be all glory, honor, and praise!

 

I just finished off two bowls of deer-chili and am preparing to go out to my sister's for our annual Brannen Family tradition (which we call Thanks-mas!). 

11 comments:

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Fred, Your blog give so many of us such INSPIRATION and such FAITH... God blesses us all ---and as you know, he blesses you and Frances also.

I'm SO happy for you. I gave your blog link to a friend who has just recently found out that she has breast cancer. She will enter chemo soon... I think your blog post will give her HOPE....

God Bless You --and Happy Thanks-Mas!!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

George said...

Thank you for this wonderful report. God is indeed good. I'm sure you and your family are having a wonderful Thanks-Mas.

jack69 said...

Ahhh my friend you are truly blessed. You do have a wonderful family and are an encouragement to those who will pay attention.
The reports of all the diverse things, places and people show, YEP thou art still on the go, and we as friends are so glad.

Love from down Florida way. Thanks for a Happy & Thankful blog entry. Good stuff my friend.

Joyful said...

Praising the Lord with you and your family, Fred. God is good and there is much to be thankful for. I do wish I had some of your deer meat ;-) Enjoy!

Melanie said...

Hi,Fred!
I'm so glad to hear your good news!! God has indeed blessed you!! I'm so happy things are going well, and I hope you enjoy all that deer meat. I just posted a recipe for it that my mom uses all the time! It's delicious!
Hope you have a great week! :)

Ginny Hartzler said...

I am SO glad you are doing this well, and everything is over!!! It really is a miracle!

Dar said...

How did I miss this fine entry?...Lord knows I haven't been responding lately. I am so thankful to our Lord and Savior, for your returned health. I still pray for you and your lovely bride. Hugs all around and have a very, very blessed Christ-mas, the true reason for the season.
PeaceAndLoveFromWayNorth

Joyful said...

Hi Fred, I hope you and your dear wife are enjoying the lead up to Christmas. I just wanted to stop by and wish y'all a very Merry Christmas and a blessed, happy and healthy New Year.

Dar said...

Thanks again, for stopping by. It is Always a pleasure to hear from you and your encouraging heart. We spend Christmas Eve with Mom every year. This year, she and my brother also joined us at our home for Christmas Day Brunch after church.
I am sure as ever, that you and your loving family had a wonderful, celebrating Christmas together. May your New Renewed Year be as wonderful.
BlessingFromUpNorth

shirl72 said...

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you
had a good Christmas and will have
a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Both of our Grandmothers died when
we were very young. Both were
sweet Ladies. As you know I don't write all the time like my Brother.
Maybe I will get better.

Shirl

Sheila Y said...

Thanks for your sweet comments on my blog. I hope you and your beautiful family had a great Christmas. Wishing you all the best in the New Year. Have a great weekend, Sheila

About Me

My photo
Cleveland, TN, United States
I am Fred Alton Brannen, the son of Louis A. Brannen (deceased) and Bonnie Jones Brannen, Louis was an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God. Bonnie is an Ordained Licensed Minister and at 89 years of age is still actively engaged in speaking and singing engagements. I am married to the former Frances Hildreth. We celebrated 53 years of marriage this past June and we are the parents of 3, grand-parents of 10, and great-grandparents of 10. I pastored in Tennessee for 24 years and served the Church in some capacity in missions for over 23 years. I retired from full-time ministry in August of 2008 but remain active, speaking and singing and teaching whenever opportunity affords itself. In January of 2010 I received a letter of commendation for having been credentialed as a minister in the Church of God for 50 years! My family is very important to me. Our get togethers are always noisy affairs and most times will include family sing-alongs. The children love their Mom's cooking so we have the privilege of seeing them regularly! WE LOVE having them over.

TheCabin on Day One

TheCabin on Day One
Fred Alton