The children got out of school on May 21st and the next week we were off to Washington, D.C. Yes, Washington! Against the recommendations of Jim’s doctors we went to fulfill one of his dreams. Much thanks has to go to the Munford church of Christ in Munford, AL. This is the congregation where Jim grew up. They raised money for us to be able to go on the trip. The doctors didn’t want him flying…so I drove. We made it to Chattanooga, TN the first day. We visited the Tennessee Aquarium, had a horse drawn carriage ride around downtown and ate at Sticky Fingers restaurant. We slept late and then tried to make it as close to Virginia as possible. Along the way we stopped at Sweetwater Dairy Farm. It is a family owned farm with a beautiful setting in Philadelphia, Tennessee. We sampled cheese, got a tour and enjoyed ice cream on the front porch. It was an absolutely beautiful place. We arrived in Bristol, TN just on the border of TN and VA late. We slept late then made it to Harrisonburg, VA. We then got to see our friends from school (MSOP) Bob and Tammy Horn. It was so good to see them and their beautiful children. We ate supper with them and spent time catching up with them. Sunday morning we attended the Central church of Christ where Bob works. (Boy, do I mean he works….I am amazed by how much he studies and does for the brethren there...let’s not forget the preacher’s wife…Tammy, you never cease to amaze me…both of you go above and beyond the call). The brethren at this congregation were so friendly. It was a beautiful building and grounds…they really take care of what God has blessed them with. The bible class was wonderful, everyone participated. Jim spoke during the worship service. Then we enjoyed a home cooked meal by Tammy. The children got to play and be silly together, while we caught up with Bob and Tammy. We had song service in the evening. It was beautiful. I heard songs I have never heard but fell in love with them. Then we went to eat and were surprised by the members there with an anniversary cake. It was our 13th anniversary on Monday. They sang to us…what a wonderful group of brethren.
Monday morning we headed for Arlington, VA…it was Memorial Day. What an humbling experience. I couldn’t understand or grasp how many had paid the price for our freedom until my eyes beheld the numerous head stones. With tears in my eyes, I looked at Julianna and told her everyone one of these men and women have fought for our freedom…she stood there amazed. I then thought of what the memorial might look like if we tried to put in stone what Christ sacrificed for us. Despite the numerous lives that have been given and are still being sacrificed…one must agree that Christ gave the ultimate sacrifice and gave us the offer of eternal freedom. I will never forget the numerous markers and memorials at Arlington…I have always been very patriotic but after seeing that…it touches the very core of my being. I will never be the same.
The rest of the week we took trains, buses and taxis to various monuments…we did walk quiet a bit.(Jim refused to get a scooter or wheelchair…even though he needed it) We saw the Lincoln, Washington, FDR, Korean, Vietnam and WWII memorials. We visited Union Station (one of the very few places to find something to eat), Capitol building, Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, National Archives Museum…and various others. It was all so breath taking. The beauty of it cannot be adequately described. In many places we could take pictures…so we hope our memories will hold those precious images.
We met with one of our congressman Gregg Harper while at the capitol building. We had a private tour and went many places that the regular tour doesn’t go. Everywhere you went we had to be checked (metal detectors) of course Jim can’t go through those because of his ICD…so he got patted down each time we went into a building. He loves getting special attention like that though.
We
started making our way back home on Thursday morning, exhausted we longed to be
back in Mississippi. We stopped at the Natural Bridge and Wax Museum in VA. It
was such a neat place. The wax people looked so real…it was kind of spooky. It
told a lot of Bible stories, we were really impressed with that. The Natural
Bridge itself was remarkable. Again, words cannot adequately describe it but
what a sight to behold. We rested in Bristol VA and then headed for home. We
became too tired…stopped ate supper with my sister’s family and then headed for
Jim’s parents home. We surprised them and got a good night’s rest. We then made
it home to Philadelphia, MS.
We
had friends taking care of Max (our dog). Max must have become very lonely. He
dug a hole to China…chewed up a bag of dirt….ate the cord to Jim’s air
compressor. You couldn’t be mad at him…I would have been worried about my
family too. We got inside to see that our main bathroom had water in the floor.
A pipe had leaked. Needless to say…we had a lot to clean up and fix up upon
arrival but it was great to be home.
Shortly
after that we headed to Cadiz, KY for a speaking engagement. We got to spend
time with our good friends Randall and Cammie Evans. Their children got to have
fun with ours. We stayed at the Lake Barkley State Resort. What a beautiful and
comfortable place to stay. Everyone at the congregation was so nice and they
had a fellowship meal that was out of this world. The food was delicious and
could have fed 500 men. By Tuesday, we were in Clarkesville, TN for Jim to
speak at the Needmore congregation in the Indian Mound community. It was so
great seeing everyone there again. We had worked with them while we attended
MSOP. They have one of the best congregations and most faithful brethren we
know.
We
then got to be home and rest a little bit before our VBS. We had a very
successful week. Jim (Jungle Jim) led the children songs with the help of T.J.
Rushing (Traveling T.J.) and Steve Dansby (Safari Steve). He taught the
teenagers and I taught the nursery class. It was so much fun. We compared notes
at night and couldn’t wait to do it again. Cameron still wants to go to church
every night. He sings the booster song. Julianna won the VBS booster award for
the girls. She brought 8 people with her to VBS. She knocked doors and called
friends. We are so very proud of her.
We
went back to the doctor (UMC in Jackson) on Friday, July 2nd. Jim
opened up about having more chest pains. His fatigue continues to get worse. He
might be awake 4 hours one day and others he might be awake 6 hours. The heat
is really bothering him. He has to watch me and the children playing outside
from the living room window. He wishes he could run and go but he is not able
to. I try my hardest to keep the children busy and away from him while he is
resting…it is challenging but we manage most days. I have been playing
baseball, kickball, hide and seek, red light…green light….you name it to help
him rest. Once I hit the bed, I am gone.
We
still receive cards nearly everyday…we have received more donations for medical
expenses…we are so thankful for the continued support and help. As many of you
know, Jim no longer has Medicaid. He received his first disability check in
June. He was over the threshold by 80 dollars. This means no insurance for him
until May 2012. No heart transplant…he doesn’t even get on the list to start
waiting for a heart until May 2012. From now until then we are cash paying
customers. This is why it was so
important for us to go to D.C. We made wonderful memories and got to make a
dream come true for Jim. Each day seems to pass by faster than the one before.
My time feels like it is slipping away. I wish I could stop time and treasure
him more. I have found myself angry and sad. I wish that he could be better and
wish that doctors could do something more to relieve his symptoms and problems.
I pray every day to love and cherish him the way I should. I pray not to let
little things bother me. I remember a time when he used to leave his dirty
clothes right beside the basket when we first got married. I would fuss at him
and pick at him. Now I am glad I still have dirty clothes to pick up.
Please
keep us in your prayers. Jim is here with me and his children because of your
prayers. He is still able to preach the whole counsel of God because of your
petitions. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. May God bless each one of you
and may we strive to ever do His will.
I want
to leave you with the words to a beautiful song I shall never forget. An older
gentleman led it at Central church of Christ in Harrisonburg, VA. “Will the
Angels Come for Me?” Lazarus was carried by the angels into Abraham’s
bosom—Luke 16:22
"When
my work on earth is ended, Will the angels come for me?
Will
they bear me on their pinions over the dark and stormy sea?
When
life’s sun is slowly sinking, And the soul will soon be free,
Will
the gates of heaven open, And the angels come for me?
Will
the angels bear me upward to that home so bright and fair?
There to be with Christ my Savior, and the
ransomed gathered there?
Will
the angels come for me, When I cross the stormy sea?
Will
they take me home to God, When the long rough way I’ve trod?"
"Thanks
be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ"
1
Cor. 15:57
