I am going

Yesterday was extremely hard. I felt like I was in a fog all day. I knew I was tired but every song, every prayer was so great and I hated that Jim was not there to share it with me. As many of you know, Jim has only missed church over the past 6 1/2 years when he was in the hospital. No matter how bad he felt he was going. One time, he left the ER at 2 am in the morning and preached at the morning service. One Wednesday night, he turned completely gray because his heart was going into v-tach and he still went to church. I was feeling a deep void with him not by my side.

I was able to get a much needed nap yesterday after morning services. Then we went to Piedmont church of Christ where Jeff and Meghan Stacy labor. I got to meet their "Little Bit" who was more than precious. (Romans 12:15) The name is certainly fitting expect for that BIG beautiful smile that she shines. They had a great pew packers at 4:30 and services at 5. The singing was amazing. I usually don't get to hear singing like that unless I am at Diana.
I got a text after services that Jim was moved to HTICU. The doctors want to watch him more closely. This is the Heart Transplant ICU. He is not getting a heart but the nurses and doctors come around more often and can check on him. Lord willing, he will get a heart soon.
So I told the kids we are going. I could see in Julianna's eyes that we needed to go. I felt it in my heart. It took us almost 2 hours to drive from Piedmont to Birmingham. The children were outstanding. I thank God for how good they are.
When we arrived we quickly grabbed a sandwich and went to his room. He was watching for us. We hugged and kissed on him. It is so good to see him and touch him and even to smell him. I know...I am weird. We sat and talked and cuddled. We didn't want to leave but around 10:30 pm we did. We made it home safe again. PRAISE GOD!
I let the children sleep in a little today and then took them to school. Only 8 more days of school. We can do it.
I want to thank all those who continue to help us with gas money, medical expenses and other gifts:
     Tom Musick
     Dean Gallahar
     Ralph Braswell
     The Waco church of Christ (gift basket and box pictured)

Thank you to all those who are praying for us. It really, really means so much to us. That is by far the best thing for us. God cares and He will provide. Isa. 49:15-16


Jim's new address. If you have already mailed your cards. It will get there.
UAB Hospital
James Murrell HTICU P518
619 19th Street South
Birmingham, AL 35249-0018

Thank you God for one more day.

A Letter to Lift

Please send cards to Jim to encourage him at:

UAB Hospital
Spain Wallace
James Murrell W632
619 19th Street South
Birmingham, AL 35249-0018

He is having a rough day today. They have increased the medicine everyday instead of every other day. He blood pressure is lower, which is a side effect. He doesn't feel like doing much. He slept for most of my visit today.

When I am with him, he wants me to take care of the kids. When I am home, he wants me to come and visit and spend the night. Ok Jim, I am doing the best I can. He is such a nut head. You got to love him.

I feel so empty without him by my side each day. Tomorrow will be especially hard. He will not be able to attend services. Hoping I don't lose it in church. I am trying to hold it together.

Thanks for all the prayers. Thanks to Billy and Brandi Hayes for taking care of the children. I know that had a great time getting away and playing. Love y'all so much.

Thanks for all the visitors that have come by to see Jim from far away and from close by. Bob and Tammy Horn from Virginia, Tom Musick from Glencoe, Dale Harris, Shane Clark and TJ from Munford, Cliff Goodwin for Ironaton, Chris Clevenger from Tennessee, Bo Foster from Locust Fork...so many others. THANK YOU!

GOD WILL PROVIDE!

Thank you God for one more day!

Staying

Well, it took a while for the doctors to come by yesterday. A lot was on the table but the decision came down to keep Jim until he gets a heart. They will increase his medicine every other day. They have increased it 4 times since last Thursday. He is now on room level oxygen. This helps him to feel some what better. He had a great recovery from the cath. No bleeding...YEAH! He is banged up pretty good from all the blood work they do and lines blowing out. He is going through a lot for us. The day of the cath marked the 250th day on the transplant list. Can't believe it but thankful to still have him here with me.
The kids and I were able to stay at a hotel the past few days to be close to him. He is able to have visitors but he is EXTREMELY tired. He wants to stay awake and talk and he will. But it will wear him out. I do encourage you to visit but try not to stay too long.

Once Jim moves to a more permanent room, I will give you his address. The highlight of his day is walking to the mailbox and getting cards. So I know he would be tickled to get them there.

I am sharing the pictures below for you to see our family have "BIBLE TIME." This is a daily time where we stop...no matter what and read God's word, sing together and pray together. I believe it is what helps us get through the bad times and appreciate all the good times. If you are not doing this, I strongly encourage you to start today. Most Christians walk around spiritually starving all week to fill up on Sunday...that has NEVER been God's plan. We are not perfect but we are trying to be complete with God.

Can you tell how tired the kids are? Wow...wish I could sleep that good.

Time with Daddy is so precious. The children act pretty good for the most part. Glad they get to love on him. He is such a good daddy.

I also wanted to share a beautiful gift I got. I absolutely love flowers and trees and planting. I had this blooming when me and the kids got home yesterday. I will continue to travel quite often to Birmingham. Please keep us in your prayers....daily prayers. Pray for God's will to be done.

Thanks to all who have helped cut the grass, clean our house, clean our laundry, feed us, run errands for us, given financial gifts, paid for our gas. God is so good all the time...in every place...at every time.

Thank you God for one more day.

Big decisions...Big day.

Yesterday was a hard day. Jim's O2 level decreased to 49 and he had increased shortness of breath. The fatigue is beyond description. I won't go into all the details right now but there are a few scary things on the table that the doctors are considering. Please pray that God will be the doctors as they decide what is best for Jim. We have full confidence in them that they will do their best.

Tomorrow Jim will have a cath to check the pressures in his heart. He can't have a lot of visitors. Only 4 people can be back there at a time. No one can come that is sick...please don't even try. He wants his immediate family there to support him at this time. Please feel free to come by and visit us but don't expect to see him at this time.

I want to thank Sheri Harris for coming by with her children to help me. I couldn't stop crying yesterday. I thank God for them coming by to listen and get me out of the bed. Jim's mom was with him and we are trying to have one of us
in the Munford area in case we need to get the children quickly.

Please pray for Mrs. Murrell. Jim is so concerned about his mom. He loves her and hates to see her worried.

Thank you to Billy Hayes who came by and "brightened" up the room. We love the Hayes family.

Please pray...pray...pray it up for Jim right now....tonight...and tomorrow. Your prayers are working. He is with us today because of your prayers.

God is good and He WILL provide.

Thank you God for one more day.

Check out the new clothes Jim got....ROLL TIDE

Let the Sunshine In

Thank you to the Simmons for the wonderful gifts. You made our day. We love you all so much!

Missing Him

It is Sunday...I am super tired. I miss my husband and best friend. He is not here to pop up and sing to us each morning.

Jim has been in the Cardiac Critical Care Unit since Thursday. He has been feeling rough for several weeks. He was put into UAB because the doctors thought he might have an infection. All the cultures at this time continue to come back negative. The doctors are concerned that his heart is just that much weaker.

He is not able to walk the halls at the hospital. He used to be called the marathon man because he would walk and walk and walk. Now he does two laps around his tiny floor and attempts to do a third...then he has to lay down immediately.

My heart feels like it is literally breaking inside me. I have able to see him each day but I am staying the night at home with the children. They are taking this hard. Friday night they both cried themselves to sleep.

Dr. Tallaj did a special blood test this morning and found out that his oxygen level coming from his heart is a 50...they want him to be a 70. They increased his IV meds and will see what happens from there. This med again is very beneficial but once you increase it...it takes time off your life expectancy. You can either suffer and live longer OR feel better and not live as long. This is the 4th time this medicine has been increased. So you can see that Jim's time is fleeting. Please pray for him and us as well.

I can't tell you how much your phone calls and hugs have meant. Thanks to the Harris family for helping with Cameron and for the wonderful breakfast. Thanks to Amy for taking care of Bella. Thanks to the Goodwin's for going to GA for us and for helping with Julianna. Thanks to Doyle for helping us with our yard. Thanks to the Nichols for the gas money. Thanks to the Simmons for the Sunshine box. Thanks to the McClures for the financial gifts. Our church family at Ironaton and the Murrells for all their help. I know I have left some of you out but this is what my tired mind can think of right now.

God is good...all the time...in every place.

Thank you God for one more day.

Hat Day!

I am so thankful to have such beautiful and healthy children. They both love the Lord. Julianna is constantly inviting friends to church and is a great Bible student. Cameron writes me notes that say "I love God and Mommy."They have their strengths and struggles but I feel so blessed each day to have them in my life.

My "hat" is off to you.