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December 2011 Update
December 23, 2011
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“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Christmas greetings!
How can we fathom this amazing event that took place over 2,000 years ago?
Imagine … the God of the Universe, the One Who created it all, stooping to come down to earth in the Person of His Precious Son… and offering salvation to all who will receive Him! That kind of Love is hard for us to understand, but we embrace it and praise Him for what we cannot comprehend!
As we approach the end of 2011, we can sense that “the good Hand of our God was with us…” We can see where He has answered prayer, provided needs, and protected us on many miles of travel this past year.
We were able to be together with all four daughters and many of our grandchildren in June; and, we got to meet our newest great grandchild (our 6 th – #7 is due in March) in October!
It has been an extremely busy year for working within the law enforcement community, with many opportunities with one-on-ones, departments and agencies, and other situations. We have had several mission conferences and many law enforcement events, including church appreciation services; the annual National Police Parade in Newport, Rhode Island; the annual COPS Parents Retreat in Little Rock, Arkansas; and the annual CLEO Retreat for law enforcement families in Danforth, Maine!; as well as police memorials.
One of the highlights of the year was the invitation to speak at the Liberty University Helms School of Government in October. We were impressed by an outstanding group of students who were very attentive. We are excited with the invitation given for us to return and do look forward to it!
We would appreciate your prayers regarding health issues. This time last year Barb was in recovery from open heart surgery. She has been diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension, which is decreased flow of blood from the heart to the lungs. We would covet your prayers as doctors decide what treatment should be given.
Thank you for your faithful prayers and support … “For we are labourers together with God: ” 1 Corinthians 3:9
May you have a very special and blessed Christmas!
In Christ’s Wonder-Full Name,
Barb and Ray Payne
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Christmas, God, Jesus, law enforcement, police, prayer
October 2011 Newsletter
October 15, 2011
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Update from Barb and Ray Payne
“Let all those who seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee: let such as love Thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.”
Greetings, friends and prayer partners,
Time passes so quickly …it’s difficult to keep up with all the blessings that seem to merge into the past …it’s been a very full time with schedule commitments …the annual Police Parade in Newport, R.I. …and Police Memorials in NY and Maine, plus Police Appreciations in May, then travel to Charlotte, NC, for the East Coast meeting of Peace Officers For Christ National Board; the Annual 5K David Payne Memorial Run by the Lewiston (Maine) Police Department was July 23rd, pictured below and page 2; and 
the summer county fairs in July and August, with more Police Appreciations in September, along with the annual CLEO (Christian Law Enforcement Officers’) Retreat in Danforth, Maine …it certainly makes for lots of miles on the road!
Newport, RI Parade
Physically we continue to rely upon God’s “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Sometimes promises … as in Isaiah 40:31… we put that Scripture to the test, but the Lord remains faithful to His Word! We have had some medical challenges lately … we do look to your faithfulness in prayer for us.
The Lewiston Police Department has been very supportive and encouraging … We appreciate the opportunities and
RCMP Officers with Ray and Barb Payne
many contacts that the Lord has given us over the years …the friendships that have developed and those who have come to know the Lord and the commitment and spiritual growth we have been privileged to see!
Recently we were invited to a luncheon for retired NY State troopers, and had the privilege of having our display there … over 55 troopers and wives attended – we also had opportunity to speak, along with the Major.
The campfire, shown below that we enjoyed at CLEO in September, reminds us that winter is right around the corner! Please do continue to pray for us as the winter roads sometimes prove difficult to get around in …
A Police Appreciation several weeks ago in a church new to us near Rochester-Webster NY was supported enthusiastically by the pastor and his people! The brother of two law enforcement officers in that area – one a member of that church – was the speaker. He is also a Virginia State Trooper. It was a very special service!
Our daughters and their families continue to thrive in their locations though scattered about the 50 states! Seeing the growth of grandchildren and great-grandchildren (!) make us realize that life goes on and does not wait …we must be getting old(er)!
Thank you, again, for your faithfulness in praying for us and the ministry, and for your faithful support! As Paul said in Philippians 1:3 to 7, we praise God “for your fellowship in the Gospel …”
Keep in touch!
In Christ’s Love,
Barb and Ray Payne
2 Timothy 1:12
200 U.S. Route 9
Schroon Lake, NY 12870-3103
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April 2011 Newsletter
April 29, 2011
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NEWS from Barb and Ray Payne
Greetings, from the North Country —
We would appreciate prayer as we travel to Rhode Island for the Aquidneck Island Annual Police Parade this weekend, April 30th and May 1st. , in Newport. It is always a great tribute to law enforcement, with agencies and departments representing many of the states in New England and even further. The Navy Band and the elite Marine Silent Drill Team also are in the parade. Families line the street, with children waving the American flag, saluting the passing units – very patriotic and stimulating!
May is a busy month since National Police Week is the 15th, with all of the memorial events surrounding it. There is the New York State Law Enforcement Memorial in Albany, the Maine Law Enforcement Memorial in Augusta, the Lewiston (Maine) Police Memorial, and a special Law Enforcement Appreciation Sunday at the North Syracuse (NY) Baptist Church, to name a few that we will be attending, Lord willing. Thank you for praying …
We do praise our faithful Lord for a healthy recovery for Barb after her heart surgery in November. She is doing great and is nearing completion of her cardiac rehab time. Ray is getting further testing concerning his exposure to the air he breathed at the World Trade Center after 9/11. Also a new oncologist will be doing further testing. It’s hard to realize that it will be 10 years this September …
Again, thank you for your encouragements, support, and prayers. Psalm 47:9b “… for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.”
By His Grace,
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January 2011 Newsletter
January 24, 2011
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“Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; To shew that the LORD is upright: He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.” Psalm 92:13-15
(L to R: Ginny (Virginia), Mom, Dad, Judy (Alaska), BethAnne (Florida), Kate, and Deb (Virginia) “Sister time - turned out to be a nice time together when mom's initial surgery date was postponed - we spent every minute together and all had a sweet time! We haven't been together like that in 4 years, and it was especially weird because no one had families with them (except for me - I brought Kate). Mom's surgery will be rescheduled, but we enjoyed being together for the time we had.” (Deb)
FINALLY… New Years’ Greetings!!! We did not get a Christmas newsletter out for 2010… Barb had open-heart surgery on November 29th to repair a leaky mitral valve. She was in Albany Medical Center, about 2 hours south of here, for 2 weeks, and then in rehab in Elizabethtown, about an hour+ north of here, for 10 more days.
Then Ray took over as caregiver, housekeeper, and cook, as Barb healed and regained strength. She is doing fine now, improving each day, just in time for Ray to be involved in the Missions Conference at Word of Life Bible Institute, representing BCM Intl.
There were clearly many God-appointed opportunities for ministry during the almost 2 months in the hospitals. Many staff recalled the many, long days that an Albany (NY) police lieutenant was in critical care before succumbing to gunshot wounds. Ray spent a lot of time with APD officers in the special rooms set aside for them and their grieving. Then, a short time later, a trooper was shot and died – his wife was a special nurse in the recovery area, and many of her co-workers recounted the tragic remembrances they all shared. Ray was also present for that police funeral.
When Barb was transferred to rehab, we quickly learned that her roommate was the mother of a corrections officer in a facility that Ray had made visits to in order to touch base with other COs. Plus, there were other nurses and doctor contacts who have a spouse, or relative, or friend, in law enforcement.
Barb was able to thoroughly enjoy our daughters when they were here – definitely a gift from the Lord! Before leaving for their homes and families, they cooked a complete Thanksgiving dinner for us all to enjoy! We had 2 more great grandchildren before 2010 had ended, and 2 of our daughters, Deb and Ginny, earned their Master’s Degrees, and BethAnne is finishing up on hers.
What does the Lord have for us in the days ahead? Thankfully we do know fully know. There are plans… including the Word of Life Law Enforcement Conference the 25th to 27th of March and the busy schedule that opens in April… there are other travels on the schedule… Ray will do some pulpit supply this month and in February … but, our plans could change – Christ’s soon return could take place: “for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” Romans 13:11-14
Thank you for your faithful prayers, encouragements, and support! In these difficult times, it is refreshing to know that we can count on you! You’ve been a blessing to us and the Lord’s work in reaching out to the law enforcement community that we continue burdened and concerned for.
In His Eternal Love,
Barb and Ray Payne
2 Timothy 1:12
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Only One Son - In the Line of Duty 