Once again, I ask for PRAYERS

But, this time it is for our own family. Our precious daughter Jillian was involved in a serious accident in her car as she was leaving church yesterday morning around 11am. She is not well, and needs your prayers. She was transported by Life-flight from the first hospital down to Vanderbilt. I can tell you there is not much more to bring you to your knees than to be in your car on the interstate, and to see the helicopter flying right over you... knowing that your child is in there with kind and skilled strangers trying to save her live! I have honestly never felt so out of control, and helpless in my entire life! Our hearts are shattered, of course. You never expect to kiss your child goodbye and only hours later, face the possibility of the rest of your life with out them!! It is utterly shattering. IT is agony!

She is in the trauma unit at Vanderbilt. She has internal bleeding from her lacerated liver and spleen. She may also have a broken leg and foot, but those are the very least of the worry at this point. She was wearing her seat belt, and we have been told by practically every single Dr. and nurse who has seen her in both hospitals, that she could not have survived an impact such as this, with out her seat belt on. I am very thankful they have her stabilized now and that we are not planning a funeral today. They are doing test every few hours to determine if she will have to go into surgery on her liver. We pray that today will show some clotting and that she can avoid more trauma. But, of course if the bleeding does not slow down, there will be no choice on the surgery. She is in a lot of pain, more than I have ever witnessed in a person. She is very sick, and needs to heal.

I'll update here as I can. I may not be back home until late tonight or in the morning. Please also pray for Lee and Burt as they will have care of the other 5 children until Leslie or I can get back home, or until my parents arrive. The trauma unit has very limited visiting, so we are trying to be there for her every minute available to us. We also ask that you remember the other people involved. We have no information on their condition.

We returned Saturday night from a wonderful week at the beach! It is just so hard to be here now... in this sadness when only a day ago we were all so happy to be together with our extended family. Jill LOVES the beach and spent the week playing in the surf, finding shells, learning to water ski, eating great seafood, and spending time with her cousins, grandparents, and great grandmother. Reality can be cruel at times, but Les and I will remain faithful that God's hand is solidly upon Jill and that HE will bring healing to her body as she needs it so badly today.
Thank you for your prayers so much!!
hug your kids!
Betsy