Prayers for Jimmy

I got a phone call this afternoon that I simply did not expect.

My friend Angie called me to inform me that my friend Jimmy had been in an accident on the highway and that he had been airlifted to a hospital for treatment of the injuries he sustained in the crash.

Immediately my heart sank and I struggled to even get words out as Angie relayed the story to me. He was conscious but the fact that he was flown from the crash scene was really difficult to hear.

At last report, he was talking and I was extremely grateful to hear that.

I don’t know a lot more at this point. All I know is that my friend got hurt today and I just want him to be alright.

Jimmy is a dear friend of mine and someone who has been nothing but kind to me since I met him in Myrtle Beach more than nine years ago. He’s a great guy and a friend to everyone he meets. Great personality, great smile, and a heart of gold. Anyone who knows Jimmy will tell you he’s the kind of person you want to be around. He’s just good people, plain and simple.

I’m writing this to ask that you pray for him and send good thoughts his way, even if you’re reading this and have never met him. You can never have too many prayers.

Please pray for a complete recovery for Jimmy. Please pray for the people who are caring for him right now. Please pray for his wife Jaimie, for his family, and for his many, many friends out there.

Thank you very much. I know that God will take it from there.

Feel better soon, Jimmy.

UPDATE: 8/9/11 (from his wife Jaimie’s Facebook page) Jimmy update: He’s in surgery and will be for awhile. He’s been alert, and cracking jokes… and such a trooper. He’s not complained once and I know he’s in so much pain. I’ve told him this before, but it’s times like these when we realize we have the best friends/co-workers and family in the world. We are grateful for you all. A long road to recovery, but we’re up for the challenge. We love you all. I will keep you posted!

UPDATE #2: 8/9/11 (from Jaimie) Jimmy update: He’s out of surgery and stable. He’s resting and so the recovery begins. A long road, but he’s hanging in there and is being very strong. You all would be very proud of him. I’ll keep you posted! Thanks for your continued support!

UPDATE #3: 8/10/11 (from Mike, Jimmy’s best man and best pal) Morning update on Jimmy: Jaimie says he still has the breathing tube in, but he is doing well. He is less sedated today and they are going to try to ween him off the sedation. At last check, doctors were running tests on his head. We all thank everyone for their your continued thoughts.

UPDATE #4: 8/10/11 (from Jaimie) Jimmy semi-update: he’s responding really well to all his visitors. It’s really encouraging. Still needs a lot of rest… it’s very early, but less than 24 hours after surgery, he’s looking really good.

UPDATE #5: 8/11/11 (from Jaimie) Jimmy update: He’s doing about the same this morning. He’s still on ventilator, which is doing some, not all of the work for him. Pretty normal for his injuries/surgery and his swelling. He’s working really hard to swallow because he was told he has to, even with an annoying tube his down this throat. He got his first nourishment through a tube — which is good news! First meal since Sunday!! Everyday is an improvement!

UPDATE #6: 8/11/11 (from Jaimie) Jimmy update concerning head laceration: they’ll perform surgery in the morning to complete the process of closing up his gash. They’ll use something called Integra to help the area grow. He’s continuing to hang in there! A tough cookie, for sure.

UPDATE: Jaimie has set up a CaringBridge site. You can get further updates there. Please check it out. Here it is: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jimmymoore1

What If (Words of Encouragement)

I’ve had some really difficult conversations with friends and loved ones this past week. There is a lot of hurting going on for a lot of people right now.

I’m praying that healing will come for everyone who is going through a difficult time.

As I heard in church today, God’s love for us is always there…even when it seems like nothing is going right. It’s not always easy to trust that but I can assure you that if you do, you will be able to make it through anything.

Psalm 46:1 God is our mighty fortress, always ready to help in times of trouble.

Here is a song I felt I should share today. I hope it will mean something to you.

There is a purpose behind everything. Every struggle, every disappointment, every heartache, every failure. Everything. God is using all of those things to make you a stronger person.

Wouldn’t you know, He is also using those things to bring you closer to Him. As the song lyrics say, so appropriately:

“What if my greatest disappointments, or the aching of this life, is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy.”

I hope that you will find comfort in this song and in knowing that God loves you no matter where you are, what you’re doing, or how far away He might seem to you. He is right there with you.

Just believe that things will get better. They will. Might not be the way you choose them to or as fast as you want them to…but they will.

Freedom Arts Project

This innovative program is the vision of some of the creative and kind hearted people at Dream Center Peoria. To quote the brochure:

“Freedom Arts Project aims to change the community by teaching young people lessons in the arts in a safe environment. Junior and senior high students participate one night a week in an 8-week course. The classes encourage young people, who otherwise would be unable to attend art classes, to pursue old and new passions in the arts.”