ROLL on Jim!

Can you imagine, my husband, has never been to an Alabama ball game? His dad, John Murrell, is a graduate of the university. Jim has always been an Alabama fan. But he has never stepped foot into the stadium.
I have been trying for months to get a way in with Mal Moore and Linda Leoni. I was unaware of the health problems that Mr. Moore was facing. I didn't get a response. So I continued to keep it in the back of my mind.

Then Jim mentioned going to the A day game. I thought that would be great. That's when Jim's health declined and he started feeling worse and worse. So I thought that was not going to happen.

Come Saturday, April 20th, Jim wakes up having a good day and we decide to go to Tuscaloosa. After several tries to find a handicap parking space a special policemen allowed us to park right in front of the stadium. Of course, we have to have a dog sniff our car...which the kids loved. Then we had a short walk to a set of elevators that put us out at the perfect place. Jim got to reserve his energy for the game. He got chill bumps several times throughout the day and showed them to me. He was smiling from ear to ear.
I want to thank God for allowing him to have a good day and for allowing us to be safe. Thank you for all the special people that helped make that day special and made us feel at home. Thank you God for one more day.
ROLL TIDE ROLL!

Save My Daddy

Birthday Week- Camo's Concussion

We have been in and out of the hospital or doctor’s office every week but one since Christmas. That one week I had two flare ups. To say the last few months have been hard would be a HUGE understatement. What can you do for me? PRAY. Pray for us daily. Take one minute and ask God to give us courage and strength to continue to endure these trials.

I just gave midterms and spring break is around the corner. I need a break in every sense of the word. I pray that we will stay well and be able to enjoy that week.

Right now, Julianna and Cameron are having sinus problems. I am having several flare ups and Jim stated that he was not feeling well at all tonight. We already have 2 doctors’ appointments this week. Hope things get better.

By the way, if you don’t already know. Cameron received a concussion from a nasty fall in PE on Wednesday, March 6^th. We had to rush him to the hospital. He was vomiting and couldn’t stay awake. It was so scary. He is doing better. He is still having headaches and goes for an MRI next week.

We have a BIG week of birthdays this week. Jim will turn 38 on Tuesday and Cameron will be 7 this week. So excited for Jim to see another birthday. Cameron is loving birthdays more and more each year.

Julianna is thriving. She had her first drama performance this past week. They did some Dr. Seuss books. I am so glad that she is enjoying so many of the various activities at school. I am the MOST proud of Julianna for calling or walking to her friends’ houses and inviting them to church, youth devos…you name it she is busy trying to others involved. She is always telling me that she invites people at school and several of them have been able to come to a service here and there or a youth devo. I  AM SO PROUD!

We are so humbled by the continuous cards, phone calls, e-mails and especially the financial gifts to help with the increasing costs to care for Jim. We pray that through our faithful service to HIM we can be a light to others through these trying times. Please pray for us. Please become an organ donor. Thank you and may God get the glory in all things.

Sick Kids

Feb. 17^th

Julianna is sick with the stomach virus and I had a flare up today. So thankful that Jim and Cameron are feeling good. Please pray for Julianna. It has been an EXTREMELY brutal virus.
I HATE missing church. Hopefully we will be better real soon.

Feb. 20^th

Julianna went back to school and so did I. Praying God will help us to have a "normal" rest of the week. Thanks for all the get well wishes.

Feb. 23^rd

Well, we just can’t stay out of the doctor’s office. Cameron has strep. :( I want us all better for one whole week....PLEASE!

Six Months Listed- The High Cost of IV Meds

Today marks the six month that Jim has been on the transplant list. We need your prayers that he will receive the gift of a new heart soon.
We have received numerous financial gifts and we are so thankful. Right now the PICC line meds alone cost $1980 a month. This is after the insurance has paid.

Praise be to God that so many have helped us. We are so humbled and thankful for your gifts.

A Really Tuff Day

Well yesterday was probably one of the worst days in a long time. We went to play Julianna's first basketball game of this season and everything was great until the game before ours ended. She made it clear to me, the team, and everyone there that she was not playing basketball. It put a damper on the whole team. The team struggled and I had to try to coach and take care of her on the bench. Thank God Cliff Goodwin was there. He was able to talk to her. We ended up losing 23-17. I am still having a hard time with how everything when down. When we got home, I took care of things. (Proverbs 22:15)

 We then had a great meal at home...where I spilled everything in the floor (of course, after I had just mopped).

 We went to UAB. Saw Jim, he is under isolation. You have to wear gloves and a gown if you want to see him. All the children did the whole visit was tell me how hungry they were. (Really?) Jim had a better day. As of last night he was fever free for 24 hours. YEAH!

 I have enjoyed doing the simple things for him. I got to change the sheets on his bed, then I washed his back, arms, and legs. He is unable to take a shower.

 We made it home safe once more (PRAISE GOD!). We read the Bible and went to bed. I am so thankful that today is Sunday, so I can worship God and be able my fellow Christians.

 Thank God today...were you able to take a shower, did you have family to greet you this morning, do you have a church family that loves you. We have SO much to be thankful for. Let us live like we believe that God CAN do all things.

January 14

JIM IS HOME! Things are back to normal. Bless his heart he is so tired. This is how I see my husband 90% of the time. He sleeps and sleeps. Please pray for us. Jim needs a new heart.

January 19

Got the call yesterday afternoon...Jim is back on the ACTIVE transplant list. He is still very weak and sleeping more and more. I appreciate all of your prayers and well wishes. May God help us to hang in there.  Living by FAITH, not by fear. Jeremiah 32:27

Thankful At Thanksgiving

Jim continues to do pretty good most days. He has had several more days where he has having to take several naps to get through the day. He gets so gray especially around his eyes. I know he is so tired and that his circulation is bad. We had to call the doctor again today because of dizzy spells, shortness of breath and increased fatigue. We are praying that God will give us more time.

We had a great Thanksgiving. At the congregation we attend, Ironaton church of Christ, we fix food plates for those that are shut-in, those in nursing homes, those that have fallen on hard times. We buy food from Cracker Barrel. You know that stuff is good. Jim wasn’t able to help this year. He was just too tired. Julianna and I went and helped to fix over 200 plates. It was AWESOME! Then we went to Jim’s parents home. We got to eat with them and his sister and her daughter. It was so good. Then later we went to see Bo Foster, a friend that we made about 3 months ago when we were in the hospital. He has been waiting on a heart transplant for over 6 months. He got a heart on Tuesday and we couldn’t wait to see how the family was doing. We are so excited for him. We have been praying for it for a long time now.

Julianna is half through the 5^th grade. She is so beautiful. She is starting to have some growing pains. I think she is honestly trying to be a teenager and a child all at the same time. I guess it is that awkward time where you are still young enough to play and run around but old enough to look like a teenager. She will be turning 11 soon. I pray to be as understanding and as consistent as possible. She is looking forward to basketball season. I can’t wait to see how the team turns out. Hope she gets to enjoy herself and learn a lot in the process.

Cameron is doing pretty good in school. He has started coming out of his shell. He is speaking up more and is participating in class. He asked me today, that if he was good all year in school could he have this snow globe Christmas ornament at the end of the year. I was like…really? He is so easy to please. He loves rocks, sticks, anything unusual…like a mattress pad…bubble wrap. He is my sweet little cuddly man.

I can’t believe the semester is almost over for me. I have 2 more weeks of classes and then finals. I have only gotten to know a few of the students really well this time. Unfortunately, so many have had health problems, family problems, or other things hindering them from class. I really hope that Jim is able to get a heart before the year is over with. I will have plenty of time to spend with him. Money is tight and we need every penny we can get. So I hope to work at CACC as long as possible. I know my number one job behind being the best Christian I can be is to take care and support my Jim. I love him and want to help him. It has been a roller coaster ride to say the least. Waves of emotions come and go in minutes, or throughout the day. I pray that God will help me to have the best attitude and to know that He can see how things are going to work out. I know God is so good to me and my family. I just want to bring glory to God in my attitude and actions, in private and in the public.

We deeply appreciate the numerous individuals who have made recent donations to our medical fund. We would also like to thank the Waco church of Christ for their generous donation and continuous support. We are always getting cards from the Waco and Glencoe churches of Christ and from Ken and Billie Sue Butterworth. It is a beam of sunshine when we get those cards. Please continue to keep us in your prayers. That is by far the BEST thing you can do for us. Remember our children. They need your prayers and support as well. Thank you all so much. May God bless each one of you that faithfully server Him. Your service is such an encouragement to us. Keep on fighting the good fight.

*********************BE A HERO…BE A DONOR, SAVE JIM*********************