Christian Photographers Community

PLEASE pray for Darrel at this time. 

I'm putting Janet's post that she posted in Thoughts for the Week a little while ago and I'm in awe that the Lord Jesus Christ looks after us in times like these.


Yes, we made a very short visit to the Springs, then drove to Pueblo, putting us about 50 miles closer to home.  It is so beautiful  and green now, after all the wonderful rains, and my heart was just rejoicing all the way.  But the devil never likes hearing the Lord glorified, so he tried to kill us!  About 18 miles from home, Darrel fell asleep behind the wheel, and we hit the rear tandem axle of a fully loaded semi trailer.  The impact broke the truck's axle, knocked off two of his wheels, one of which ran beneath our car and caused us to spin in circles, from one side of the highway to the other.  Darrel fought the wheel with strength only God could have provided, and managed to keep us from a rollover.  His door was shaved off the car, the outer shell lying in one place, the inner door and all the mechanisms on the other side of the highway, down some distance.  When the truck wheel came out from under our car, it took off the driver's side front wheel, and we haven't seen that since! 

They say Darrel does NOT have internal injuries, Praise God!  Thank God, we were wearing our seat belts, that kept us IN the car.  Air bags deployed, knocking every bit of air out of me, and I was panicky, thinking, "I can't breathe!  I can't breathe!  Please, God, help me to breathe!"  What a mighty, merciful God we serve!

I am praising God with all that is within me, for His protection, mercy and grace!  That could have been a fatal accident for both of us, if we had crossed the center line one second sooner; or fatal to Darrel if he had been 6 inches further to that side!  Both of us were taken by ambulance to the Johnson hospital, they checked us over and life-watched Darrel by air to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.  They were afraid he had internal injuries.  He has possible broken ribs, his left leg is broken in thre places, and his left elbow and forearm ar banged up pretty badly.  I asked to go with him, but was not allowed to, as they hadn't
yet finished assessing my injuries.  I have some lovely big bruises, am sore and stffl, but nothing serious at all.  They thought my ribs were broken, but decided they had the muscles torn loose, which they promised would hurt just as much.  Diane and Abby came and the doctor said if I could get up and take a shower, let the nurse wash the glass out of my hair, and if I didn't get dizzy or faint, AND if Diane would spend the night with me to keep watch over me, I could go home.  So that's what we did.  She just left an hour ago.  We may be heading for Wichita tonight or tomorrow.  We're waiting for word of what they plan to do about that leg-and when.  Youngest daughter Kerri is there with Darrel, another blessing.  I just couldn't bear the thought of him being there alone with no family.  God is so good!  All the time!  I hope this makes sense, not sure I'm thinking all that clearly yet.

Much too long, but please do pray for Darrel.  Thank you all so much!

Thanks, Pat!

Father I bring Darrell before you and deposit him into your charge for a complete and supernatural  healing . I pray that you will give the doctors wisdom and understanding who are treating Darrell. I ask that you bring christian doctors forth  to pray over Darrell before during and after any procedure that he may have to have. thank you Lord that Janet doesn't have any serious injuries and thank you for keeping  them alive. I Jesus name I pray Amen.

Janet,
I will be praying for you and Darrel.  Praise God that you are both still alive!

My dear Janet, I am praising the Lord for your and Darrel's safety and that neither you nor Darrel seem to have suffered what the news programs call "life threatening injuries".  I am praying for wisdom for the doctors and for quick healing for both of you.

Posted by Paul in today's 'Thoughts for the Week"

My prayers are especially for Darrel and also for you, Janet and your family, in this special time of need. May God's healing power and presence be with you both as you trust Him for the strength to go through this time of difficulty.

I recall the good visit we had at Niagara Falls last fall and I still see Darrel as I took this special picture of him as he displayed his new hat. My special prayer is for wisdom for the doctors and God's hand to be upon Darrel in  and through this time of recovery and all the experiences you and Darrel will have with God's loving help. I'll try to attach my photo of Darrel I took and pray for his full recovery! May God's blessing be upon you both.

Thank you to The Christian Photographers Community Team for your e-mail.

Janet.... Praises to our Lord that He protected you and Darrel through this accident. I will be praying for you, as you come to mind, in the days ahead.

May God be with you two as you recover from your injuries.

Wow, that sounds like it was a close one. I'll definitely be praying for speedy recoveries for both you and Darrel.

Janet, you know that I will be keeping you and Darrel in my thoughts and prayers during this recovery period.  Larry

I give God all the praise in this situation. He spared you and Darrel from more serious injuries and possible death.  I will continue to pray for both of you. 

Janet, this is a miracle that you are already posting .  sending prayers for recovery and prayer so thanksging for your survival.   

Praying for Darrel, Praises be to God for bringing all of you through that horrific crash!

Was Chatting with Janet very briefly on FB. I asked her how Darryl was dong.  Here is the message

QuoteNot good at all when I talked to him just after noon today. I will go back to Wichita tomorrow. He really needs me there.  Please keep praying.

I just saw this update on FB  Hopefully Janet will add more here in time.

QuoteUpdate: Darrel was transferred yesterday from Wichita to Garden City, and is now in Garden Valley Retirement Village, where they have a good rehab department. That is much closer to home! I came on the ambulance with him, and a wonderful friend drove from Ulysses to Garden to bring me home, a trip of about 120 miles! In times of adversity, you find out how wonderful your friends are! I have been very weepy and in pain today, but I know God is good--all the time! This will pass, and my sweet husband will be back home with me where he belongs. Thank you for all the prayers, and please keep praying!

Prayer continues Janet.

Rough ordeal to go through, but God will get you through this; rest in Him.  Janet and Darrel, you're in my prayers.

Janet:   My prayers for you two!  It just takes a lot of time to recuperate from such a trauma to body and mind.  Yes, friends are like gold as mom used to say. 

Friday, June 5 update:  Darrel called last night and was really frustrated, in pain, confused, etc.  He wanted me there, right then!  He couldn't reach what he wanted, the guy had come in and undid his brace, then put it back on too tight and it was really hurting him, etc., etc.  So I talked to him a bit and he said he would call back.  When he did, they had come and given him his pain med, and he seemed more settled.  I prayed with him and assured him I will come back on Saturday.

He just called about an hour ago and sounded like Darrel again!     He was all settled into the new room, and they were just bringing in a new recliner as the other had some malfunction.  He had done some one-foot calf raises on the stairs and said to tell Kristi he is glad she has been making him do those, as now it is helping a lot!  Whew!  What a relief to hear him sounding so much better!  I had a rough morning but am feeling much better now.  I think I may go to the Dollar General and find a frame for one of our new photos, so I can take it to him tomorrow.  I think he will like that.

Thanks so much for all the prayers!  I love you all!   

I'm glad he is getting better.  I will keep praying for both of you!

much love and prayers for you both   

Saturday update:  Just as I typed the above, a friend called and asked, "What can I do for you?"  I said, "Do you really want to do something for me?  I need a ride out to Dollar General!"  She said she would be right here, and she was!  And while in DG, I met Lon, the young man who did the carpenter work after our water loss a few years ago, and I asked him, "Are you going to Garden City tomorrow?"  He said he needed to, but had some work to finish this morning.  So he is to come by for me around noon and take me to Garden City!  The offer I had earlier, the friend's plans had changed (classes canceled for her dog) but she offered to take me up there and come back and get me.  I felt that would be asking too much, as she had already made the trip once to get me home.  So I told her I would see if I could find someone going up anyway that I could ride with, and God is providing!  (He always does!)

And when I talked to Darrel again I learned he didn't do calf raises, only point and flex with his good foot.  But it's a start!  I have some things together I think will be helpful to him to take along.  And a friend (the one whose wife died recently) came by and visited Darrel for two hours yesterday.  Thank God for friends! 

Thank you all for your continuing prayers.  Thank you is so feeble in light of what I feel for you, but they are the only words I have to express my feelings for all you mean to me.

I praise God that y'all are in His loving hands. Another praise is that he seems to be getting pretty good care. We love y'all, and are praying with you and for you as you recover.

Love, Ruth Ann

Janet, each and every note from you sounds more uplifting - and, that is a good thing.  Prayers for recovery.

I got up feeling very tired and weepy, and also felt depression trying to get hold of me.  So I prayed!  And God came through, again!  I did go to church, hugging a small pillow with an ice pack in the pillow case.  So many of my church family were happy to see me and all said they have been praying.  God is good.

Lon took me to Garden yesterday and Darrel was really improved, back to his old self.  I think his progress is remarkable! He was able, with my help, to transfer from wheel chair to toilet! WE had to call for help to transfer back again, but I was so happy to see how strong he is and how determined to do all asked of him to make rapid improvement.  He said, "I told God I will NEVER be that stupid again!  I don't care where I am, if I feel sleepy, I will pull over!"  He has really been beating himself up over the fact that he fell asleep and caused the crash.  On the other hand, we are both so thankful, so grateful for the mercy and protection of God and His mighty angels.  We cannot praise Him enough.

Lon was so kind, and said he enjoyed going to Garden when he didn't have to rush back to work.  He took his time and did some shopping, just enjoying not being pressured.  I finally called him to ask if he would come take me somewhere to buy Darrel some sweat pants or some shorts with wide legs that will go over his brace and splint.  Darrel said he was tired of "being pantless!"     I found some at Target--and they were on sale!  Another blessing!

I hurt worse every day, and am wondering why this is.  I still can function, and did drive to church and home, but wonder why the pain is increasing instead of decreasing.  So I may see the doctor this week about it.

Blessings to each of you today.

Thank you for the good report, but so sorry your own pain is giving you a hard time.

Still praying.

Ruth Ann

I have been doing almost daily updates on Thoughts, but not here.  So I want to tell you that I brought Darrel home on Thursday!  He is doing well, and we are managing, but he has weeks yet to go.  The important thing is we expect a full recovery!  Our mighty God spared our lives that day for a reason, and we want to live our remaining time for Him.  He is so loving, so kind, so true, and ever-present with us.  Praise the Name of the Lord!

Darrel had therapy and two doctor's appointments today, so I am really worn out.  A good night's sleep will be just the ticket! 

You both are in the loving hands of our Great Physician.  I love the verses in Psalm 103 about how He heals all our diseases.

Praying.

Ruth Ann

I see my last update in here was on June 29, and today is July 19th!!  I'm sorry--have lots of excuses, none of which you want to hear!

Darrel is steadily progressing toward full recovery!  He saw Dr. Neel, his orthopedic doctor, on the 16th.   He said the X-rays from the 15th look good; to wear the boot one more week, but he can leave it off at night, then continue using the walker, no boot, for one week, then just walk!  Darrel asked, "With a cane?" and he said he doesn't think he will even need a cane!  This is a much more rapid recovery than we were first led to expect, and we know WHO is to be praised for it!!  Oh, folks, God is GOOD!!  I pray we never forget the wonder and thanksgiving this experience has inspired in our hearts!

Darrel hasn't mentioned it, but I suspect he will start driving again this week or next week.  This is fair week here, and I have responsibilities as Supt. of the art dept; then next week I will be judging art at the fair in Hugoton.  I'm not sure he is up to driving The Beast (my nickname for the new pickup) but he might want to try it.  The biggest challenge is getting into and out of it.

Sincere thanks again for each and every prayer in our behalf.  May God bless you richly for you love and concern.

Janet