Joe Ragan

I will be leaving on Wednesday to return to Karaganda.  I am making final preparations and have already started packing.  I tried to see as many as possible in Texas, but still have failed to see as many as I wanted.
I have spent much of my time in Wichita Falls taking care of my mom’s [...]

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I received an email from Vitaliy in Karaganda.  He is a pediatrician there.  He wrote to see how I was doing and when I would be returning.  He mentioned to me that the weather had turned off cool there with the low being 5 degree Celsius (around 40-42 degrees F).  Looking at the weekend forecast [...]

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Pastor Scott at Faith BC in WF has been preaching through a series on the beatitudes.  Yesterday, he preached from the last beatitude of blessed are the persecuted.  It was a tremendous sermon and challenged me in my faith.
In the midst of his sermon, he allowed me to share the story from one incident that [...]

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It’s Monday, August 13 in Wichita Falls.  The city finally hit 100 degrees over the weekend.  It’s hot here and I heard that it was in the 70’s (for highs) in Kazakhstan.  While it sounds like fall has arrived in Kstan, summer is holding on here in Texas.  This is the latest it has ever [...]

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I cannot express in words the emotions I have experienced during the last 24 hours.  My mom’s service turned out very nicely and I thank the Lord for that.  It was a shock to see so many friends from the metroplex at the funeral.  Thank you for your kindness and thoughtfulness.
We are preparing for our [...]

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Mom’s funeral will be at 10 a.m. at Owens and Brumley Funeral Home in Wichita Falls, TX, Wednesday, August 8.  There will be a visitation time on Tuesday, August 7 from 7-8 p.m.  Burial will be in Iron Bluff Cemetary in Lone Star, TX at 10 a.m. on Thursday, August 9.

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I understand that it has been a “mild” summer in Texas and especially in Wichita Falls.  They have yet to hit 100 this year.  Well, I can attest to the fact that it is HOT here now, still no 100’s though!
When I left Karaganda on Thursday, it was in the 70’s for highs.  I stepped [...]

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Saturday morning when I arrived at the nursing home I could tell that my mom’s condition had worsened.  She wasn’t able to speak and her skin color had changed.
Most of the grandchildren that could be here had arrived and all were able to speak to mom.  By afternoon, I was singing some of her favorite [...]

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After more than 24 hours in airports and planes, I arrived in Texas.  I am in Wichita Falls now and will be sitting with my mom tonight.  I am extremely tired but will joyfully do this so that my family can have a night at home.
Mom doesn’t look good at all.  She is in God’s [...]

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