Two of our sisters and fellow-diggers are nearing death this holiday season. Both are having difficulty breathing as I write, but, as of now, both are conscious and both are m in a deeply spiritual way, contemplating and reflecting on the important things about this testing ground. My heart is heavy as I ask you to please send cards. Send Christmas cards. Send happy thoughts cards. Send cards with prayers. Send even birthday cards to Sarah, whose birthday is early in December. It’s my holiday wish that our cards could flood their souls and that, in some small way, Digging Deep could impact their passing in a way that will make it a little more gentle in the final days. I’m hoping I can block their access to this post, so let’s surprise them. One more thing: Let’s address the cards to both them and their faithful husbands. I know, from past cards sent, that it meant a great deal to those spouses left behind. So they are Tammi and Julian Shrout, and Sarah and Michael Tripp.
First from the Mount Sterling, KY diggers: Tammi Shrout, a 5th year Digger at Rolling Hills Church of Christ, Mt. Sterling Ky, has been fiercely battling her 2nd round of uterine cancer. Things are not going well and it looks as if God will call her to her reward sooner than we expected or want. But she is prepared and we are confident that our God of more is prepared to give her joy beyond measure! Tammi has a husband, 2 daughters and sons-in-law and 3 grandchildren. They can all use encouragement from Diggers far and near. Prayers and cards will be soooo appreciated! Please pray for our diggers here too. 
Tammi and Julian Shrout
4062 Old Maysville Rd.
Mt. Sterling, Ky 40353
Then, many of us know Michael and Sarah Tripp. Parents of two teens, they, too have fought a long battle that Sarah is just about to win in glory. I’ve really never personally seen someone more optimistic and publicly God-glorifying through such a battle. Michael and Sarah have two teen children and Sarah’s main concern, through it all, of course, has been these three. Sarah is, above all, faithful, and she is almost within touching reach of that crown of life. I am happy for her. I know we can encourage her on to the finish line and I know we can strengthen those many who will hurt from the loss.
Michael and Sarah Tripp Family
c/0 Cookeville Church of Christ
P.O. Box 2869
Cookeville, TN 38502
I know it’s a busy time. But I also know you diggers. I know you will make this happen and it may be the best gift you give any one this year. Thank you from a deep place in my heart and the hearts of those who know and love these sisters. I think they will recall this good thing even when in the bosom of Abraham, yea, even around the throne. Merry Christmas. I cry as I type, but he will wipe them away one good day!
But I do know her. Remember, I said that if you made me laugh, there are extra points? Well, I did laugh when I watched this video. I also know how very far out of her comfort zone Mrs. Maxine had to go to sing this song for 11.5 thousand group members to access forever. I don’t know if she handcrafted each pair of those dangly legs or not, but, if she did…well, let’s just say she was serious about this entry.
Yesterday, I had the chance to travel with Glenn to the West Fayetteville, TN church to a missions day. To say, I was encouraged by the works supported by this comparatively small church, would be an understatement. On Saturday night, I had a tough time deciding whether or not to travel out with Glenn to this event. It’s such a busy season. I’m so glad that I did. I heard about extensive work in India and Africa. I heard about the faithful brethren in Ukraine, who are living in a war siren zone all of the time. I saw pictures of the children sleeping on the tile floors in the areas of bomb refuge. But these children are watching their parents continue to evangelize, even through the horrors of war. Over lunch, I had a conversation with Brian Hall, who is using his skills as a printer to make and take thousands of books from libraries of US preachers to the places where they are needed all over the English-speaking nation of Guyana. Overall, it was a day of conviction for me…conviction that when we each use our unique situations and talents for souls, God gives the increase.
One more thing I heard over lunch. A missionary was telling me how that, in his travels, in a deep south US state, he came´ across a congregation of God’s people who had never even heard of the Gospel Broadcasting Network. It was, actually, in an area where there are lots of diggers. Well, if you’re a digger and you haven’t checked out the Network, you need to go and bookmark the site or download the app! Nobody should be digging without the resources that are there! They are all free. There’s never a charge for any GBN book, e-book, commentary or recording. Let me repeat: Never a charge!
Happy Thanksgiving! I can’t wait to have a crowd, a turkey, and chaos in this house later in the week!
Happy Thanksgiving. Thank Him every day! Pray without ceasing. Always give the eminently qualified “Care-taker” your petitions and your praise (1 Peter 5:7). All my life He has been faithful! But that’s not even a nano-second in the stretch of His faithfulness. I know His faithfulness to me started before the foundation of the world and continues to the throne (Revelation 13:8). All of us live in that nanosecond of His eternal mercies.