June 22nd - the E.R.

Before I was loaded into the ambulance I was able to see Olsa. I touched her hand and told her that I loved her. They loaded me up, put an oxygen mask on me and told me to calm down. They began by cutting off my favorite dress shirt. When you are as big as me it is hard to find clothes that fit well and look okay. When the EMT started cutting my shirt I almost asked her not to, but I was hurting a little too much. Then she began cutting off one of my favorite pairs of shorts. I got hooked up to all these machines. We were getting ready to leave and they asked us to wait because one of the others needed to be transported with me. Soon they loaded Jason in the ambulance beside me. The only thing that Jason said to me was, "sorry to leave you hanging in there, I had to get help." It took me a few moments to figure out what he meant. Jason felt bad because he had to leave me in the trailer to go get help.

I have learned a lot of things over the past three weeks, but I have never blamed anyone or anything for what happened.I have learned that I have little or no control over things in this life. I feel bad because I think that Jason is suffering a little because he did not get hurt much in this accident, but I want him to know that I appreciate all he did and all he will do for me.

The ride to the ER seemed like it was on an old country road, every bump hurt and I moaned and groaned. We did arrive at Vanderbilt quickly and then things began to move quickly. I was taken into a treatment room. By this time I was extremely thirsty I kept asking for water, but they told me I could not have anything until they could figure out the extent of my injuries. They offered me these swabs dipped in something that tasted like mouthwash. I went through all they had quickly and soon they brought a cup of water for Olsa to dip the swab in and put in my mouth.

They needed picture or x-rays of everything. Unfortunately this meant that every time they took me to a new room, they wanted to move me from one gurney to another. Each move was extremely painful. I assume that I had at least 50 x-rays and 1 CT scan that night. I had a gash in my head that required 9 staples. Soon info began to flow in that I had broken ribs (which explained the pain), my lower left leg and foot were broken and something was wrong with my back.

I was allowed to have two people in the room with me. Olsa was one and they made me pick who the other one was. I knew that people would rotate in and out so I asked for my dad. Now my mom will not allow me to live that down. I soon found out that the waiting room was full of people from Central Pike. By this time it was nearing 10 pm and they were all there waiting to hear that I was okay. That was extremely humbling, the outpouring of love, prays and cards has been overwhelming. God is alive and well in all of us.

This night ended with me being moved to the trauma unit on the 10th floor. I was still not able to drink because the extent of my injuries was still not known. I give thanks to God for his grace and mercy the road is long ahead of me but I have many to walk with me. About a month ago I wrote about my wife, but since this accident my wife has raised the bar and has become more than I ever could have imagined. Thank you, Olsa! Thank you, God! Come back tomorrow and I will add some more!

Ouch!

We worked, planned and prayed for several months so that camp would be a success. I was quite nervous, I was anxious for my group to blend well with the group from Hermitage and have a good time. We set up on Saturday, and arrived on Sunday ready to go. Sunday went extremely well and Monday was a success except for a storm that prevented the guys from swimming in the afternoon. Monday night was rock band night, and everything was going great. As the competition went along I kept noticing the clouds moving rapidly outside and the big trees swaying in the wind. I became worried so I went and told Jason that we needed to find out what was going on with the weather.

Jason, Barbara (the nurse) and I left the mess hall and headed for the only place where we had a television, in the nurses trailer. Mike (one of the cooks) met us as we were walking and joined us in the trailer. Three other young ladies followed us too. When we got inside we turned the television on. The television was of little help so I called my dad; i had just hung the phone and put it back into my pocket. It started hailing and the girls asked what it was I said hail and they said we need to get out of here. Those three young ladies left I turned my attention back to the television and that is the last thing I remember.

I woke up some time later, I could not get a deep breathe, my left leg ached and it was dark and I was wet. There seemed to be a lot of commotion outside. I was trying to remember where I was and why I was there. I could feel the tree right above my head. I remember Brad being down at my feet. He touched my left leg and it felt like it was broken. I was able to communicate with him, he told me where I was and what had happened. I then asked if my wife was okay. (They would not let her near me so I did not see her until I got into the ambulance)

I lost consciousness several more times until I was loaded into the ambulance. So here we were. The tree had fallen on the trailer, four of us were inside, three of us received injuries and were taken to Vanderbilt Hospital for treatment. June 22nd was day one of my stay here. Check back tomorrow as I try and relate this journey to you one day at a time.

A good wife

I am sitting right now in a dorm room at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama. I was honored to be asked to teach at the Inspire youth conference that is going on here this week. I just finished my first class and I am now contemplating the rest of the week. This invitation, as much of an honor as it is, was a tough one to take. Mainly because it meant that I will have to be away from home and my wife for about five whole days. Now for some of you this may not seem like much, but I have a really great wife.

Every now and again I forget this and then something happens that brings it right back to my mind. This past May 20th, Olsa and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary. The past nine years have been phenomenal, we have had our shares of ups and downs but for the most part it has been great. She loves me like I never thought another person could love me. I am not sure why, but God has tremendously blessed, I just hope I am blessing her in the same way.

It is hard exactly to put into words just how awesome she is. She is intelligent, level headed, hard working, and caring. She loves kids, loves to cook for me and still gets weepy when I leave for a few days. When I come home for work she meets me at the door and literally just wants to be with me. To my male readers I hope you find that special someone, because without my Olsa life would be incomplete!

I love you babe!

More baseball..but read on!

As many of you know, I have an affinity for baseball. I was not a "good" player growing up. As a matter of fact I think in total I played four seasons, maybe three of little league ball. God did not gift me to be a baseball player, he gifted me to be a fan of the BOSTON RED SOX! I stay up late and watch games, I read the sports news outlets. I ran across an interesting story the other day. There is a relief pitcher for the San Francisco Giants who is a religious man. At the end of every game that he plays he gives a signal with his arms. It is a crossing of his arms that is intended to look like angel wings or something like that. He does it as a sign of his Christian faith and as a tribute to his late father. He maintains that it is not to showboat or mock anyone, but just to be a tribute. Well, last week this story surfaces.

Now, this type of mockery is expected in most cases, most showboating players have a signature move they do. When someone wants to mess with them they mock them, but this seems to be a little different. Let me say that I do not follow the Giants, and am not a fan of Wilson, so I am on the outside looking in. Nonetheless it will be interesting to see how Wilson responds the next time he has to pitch to Blake in a game. This will be the true test of his tribute showing Christianity.

I am in no way against people showing their pride and allegiance to God and Christ in some outward way. I applaud people who want the world to know they love Christ. Several years ago I myself got a tattoo of a cross and a fish with Ephesians 2:20 under it. I have a real passion for Jesus and I desire for my life be a living example of one that has been crucified, and denied all for the glory of God. (I guess the point is lost if I have to explain it) Now the problem comes when my life or anyone else's life does not match their outward expression. This is why I say it will be interesting the next time Wilson and Blake meet in a game.

Traditionally if a team or pitcher feels slighted in any way the pitcher will plunk or hit an opposing batter. This practice inevitably leads to a retaliation from the other team and generally a fight ensues. (This a good example of why restorative violence is a myth) If Wilson is to be true to his theological convictions then he must forgive Blake, forget what happened and move on. This means no retaliation! This is a real life opportunity to show how the grace of God has transformed his life. Just like in the story of the unmerciful servant from Matthew 18, grace that is extended changes the receiver and makes him or her gracious. Otherwise it has had NO effect on any part of the life.

There was a guy that I worked with for a while who was a fairly vocal Christian. He was not ashamed of his view and would let people know what he believed. Except...when he drove. He had a vehicle and he placed a Jesus fish on the back of it. When he knew he was going to be in a hurry he would put down his tailgate so that no one could see the fish and he sped through traffic and cut them off. Seems to be a pretty good example doesn't it....What about us, how are we praising God with one hand while tearing down the Kingdom with the other?

AHEM......

Ladies & Gentlemen....Manny Ramirez! (Click the name, read the story!)

A Double Life

Regularly throughout my day I view various news networks via the Internet. I prefer this medium because I do not have to wade through all the hyped up rhetoric to just hear the news. I often run across stories that cause me to shake my head. I remember reading about some people who got into a fight after a youth basketball game. Two men were fighting and when a 15 or 16 year old girl tried to intervene one of the wives attacked her. Sometimes all I can do is shake my head and be amused when people honestly do not understand the current disposition of young people toward authority.

This week was no different, I was reading the news and came across this story. Now it was bad enough for grown men to be fighting in public, and it is definitely problematic that this man was a principle at a local school, but the response of the school official is downright baffling. "He also said Zago's status with the district will not change because these allegations don't affect his duties as principal." When I envision a community leader, such as a principal, I see someone who can always be looked to as an example. This statement seems indicative of a greater social ill of people leading double lives.

By a double life I mean most people have different persona's that they use in different situations. I guess to certain extent this could be necessary in certain instances, but the biggest problem I see is that some Christians want Christ to touch their life enough to save their soul, but not to change their actions. This is a double life. If Christ is anything to you, he is everything to you. There is no part of life that remains untouched by a real encounter and life lived with Jesus. This gentleman's actions at the speedway impact his ability to lead a school because his ethic has been compromised in a moment of anger. The awesome reality of Jesus is that though we often compromise the ethic of our lives, he is always ready and willing to forgive us and welcome us back.

Inspiration

This past Sunday night a group of us from CP went over to Hermitage to hear Chet McDoniel speak. Chet was born with some physical abnormalities and has a powerful testimony. He has a tremendous outlook on life and was truly a blessing to hear him and his dad speak. He has definitely overcome some amazing things and through it all he has chosen to be happy. He has a wonderful family and is determined to bless others for God in this life.

As I sat and listened to him I could not help but be amazed at myself and how quickly I can get unhappy when things do not go my way. We all have things in our lives that have not turned out like we wanted them to. At one time we had dreams and wishes that never came to fruition. How are we dealing with those things? Are we accepting them as part of a greater existence or are we bitter? When I graduated high school I had a plan for my life, and I am no where near that original plan today. I could be bitter that I am still working on my education as I reach my mid thirties, I could be bitter that I am just now getting around to settling into life, but I would not trade all the blessing I have right now for anything I wanted to accomplish then.

I am proud of who I have become through the blessings of God. I am immeasurably thankful for my wife and the church family that God has blessed me with. I choose to be happy, I choose to be satisfied, and I choose to trust that God can handle the rest!

Go RED SOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!