December 15, 2006 - Freefalling. . .Not so fun.

Jeannie, my mom, writes:

Hi Folks,

Just wanted you all to know that we are moved onto the mountain in Chuck’s mom’s little house where we are going to have Christmas with our kids and with my visiting family from Canada before moving over to Bandon-By-The-Sea. My sister is staying with us for the holiday season and her husband and son are driving down in a week. My brother Les and his wife are coming just before Christmas too, I hope.

Chuck was still under the gun at Cascade Ranch with more demands on his time and insults to his person, but the former ranch owner finally stepped in and released him from anymore responsibility or obligation to the new owners. I can’t tell you what a relief that is. We actually laughed together with pure joy for the first time since I can remember. I couldn’t have imagined myself every saying this about our wonderful home of seventeen years, but I don’t care to ever see that place again.

I now have a further request from all my praying friends. Tonight Chuck was up fixing a leak on our shop roof because our stored furniture was getting wet, when he slid off the peak of the roof, crashed onto the sharp edges of the metal ladder and plunged to the ground (ten feet from the edge of the roof). I was working in the garage trying to make a path through boxes and heard the crash and the moans that followed. He was conscious. When I tried to call an ambulance he forbade me-Caleb’s recent ambulance bill flashing through his memory-so after assuring that he could move all his limbs, my sister and I got him up and into the house where we assessed his wounds—two gashes to the bone on his arm/elbow. Amazingly enough, the disc in his back hadn’t ruptured again. Chuck’s sister flew over here (she must have flown from her house because of the record fast time she got here) and helped me load Chuck into the car to take him to emergency.

Chuck’s elbow needed not only stitches but a cast as well. It is broken with what is called an ‘open bone,’ meaning the break was exposed to the air. The doctor was concerned because it is so close to the joint and very susceptible to infection. We shall see if Chuck follows through on his visit to the specialist tomorrow.

Tanaya, Micah and Silas met us at the emergency to give us moral support. The doctor who worked on Chuck is the same one that tended to Shahala, Zion and me when we were rear ended the other day. He is also the same fellow who helped save Silas’ life when he was born. He works with Albert and he was delighted to finally be able to meet Silas in person again. Caleb and Trevor came to the hospital to see their dad and, as we were leaving the building, Trevor’s father-in-law arrived to show his support as well.

I’m now home and have Chuck tucked into bed. The pain pills are wearing off and his muscles are starting to seize up, especially in his back. Please pray for him. I really don’t understand why God has us going through such hard times right now, but I am so grateful that my husband is still here with me. It is a very high roof and he could just as easily have landed on his head or broken his neck. I am soooooooooo thankful!

God bless you all,

Jeannie

PS I’m trying to start a fire in our wood stove and I’m ashamed to say that I’m not doing very well. So much for being a self sufficient farm girl!