Semper Gumby

(Above: Some of the guys at our new assignment.)

This was a phrase I often heard from my superiors in the Air Force. Plans and expectations seemed to be always changing. And if they weren't changing you were waiting for them to change! A few weeks after we got back from Japan headquarters informed us of a new need that arose. Although Okinawa would have been a good ministry opportunity, Cadence would like us to pursue a different one. We were grateful for the opportunity to have gone there and experienced ministry in quite a different setting than we are used to. We have been blessed and encouraged by Mark and Jen and the Harbor community! Our prayer is that God's work in Okinawa would continue to grow wide and long and high and deep in the love of Christ.

Cadence has given us a second (and in their opinion very promising) option. We have talked with Dan and Barbara Evans, Hospitality House directors near an AF base, and are very excited about this option. Wes and I would be involved in their house ministry, as well as forming ministry of our own with the Soldiers stationed at the neighboring Army post. We hope to build relationships and spend quality time investing in the lives of the guys fighting on the front lines! Details are still being worked out from every direction. There may be a possibility of some financial support from the Army chapel, which I'll explain more if it becomes a reality. As we pray and work through this process we hope that you will pray with us. We are excited for this adventure!

What? You mean I didn't tell you where we are going? Silly me! Fort Richardson, Anchorage, Alaska!!

With love, trading flip-flops for wool socks,
Elaine

P.S. While I heard "Semper Gumby" there are variations on this motto of "Always Flexible". Check out our friend Brad's recent article in Enoch Magazine "Semper Flexus" on military ministry.

UPDATE: SHE'S OK!!!

Quick update on the girl who got run over on Sunday.

Elaine and I went to the hospital this morning and talked to her sister. They saved her foot and leg! She is in stable condition and talking. We plan to visit her as soon as she is ready to have visitors. We are totally relieved and are praising God for his wonderful grace.

Keep praying for her.

Wes and Elaine

Appreciating life

So many clichés pop in my mind right now. “Life is precious,” “Everyday is a gift,” “You aren’t guaranteed tomorrow.” I must remind myself that before these sayings became cliché they once had a good solid meaning behind them. I’ll just say this, today sucked. I had to go into work at 1 p.m. for inventory at LifeWay. At about three o’clock it happened. A garbage truck out front of LifeWay made a right turn and ran over a 20-year-old girl.

Immediately after we heard the initial commotion the store manager yelled, “someone call 911!” my Air Force training kicked into gear. I bolted out the front door to check the girl's vital signs. Her body was extremely contorted up under the truck. Urgency was in my mind. Is she alive? I dropped quickly to my knees…she had a pulse…she wasn’t responding to me…one of her legs is not visible…it’s under the tire. I immediately started barking orders at people. “Jeff, (a co-worker) get the driver to back up he is still on top of her. “ Jeff followed the direction and had the guy move the truck. Next, we needed to get the truck turned off. I yelled at Jeff and he took care of that as well. The girl began to come around to slight consciousness (slight movement). She wasn’t paralyzed. I began to console her. “It will be alright, please just stay still.” I looked down after the truck was moved and realized there was very little left of her lower leg. It looked as if her body stopped the motion of the truck. She was badly, badly injured.

More consciousness. “You will be okay. Look into my eyes. You will be okay, help is on the way.” “Lord, please comfort this girl. Please hold her in your hands.” Minutes passed. More consciousness. She began to move more realizing something bad had happen. She started pushing me away. I heard sirens. “Please stay still. Help is on the way," I pleaded.

“Jeff,” I barked, “grab her purse, get her ID out and ready for the paramedics.” He complied. “You are gonna be okay. Look into my eyes.”

The paramedics arrived in what seemed like a few minutes. They run up and assess the situation and I step back for the first time. I began to quake. My body shook. I staggered over to the curb and crashed. “What just happened?”

I don’t want to depress you. I don’t want to shake you and wake you up to the reality of the fragility of life (although we do need to be reminded). I want you to be thankful to God for the fact we have people who dedicate their lives to the service of us. I have a whole new respect for those who serve and see this kind of stuff all the time. My life is changed from this one incident. Think about theirs.

wes

Friends passing through

(Above is Matt Harris with Jerusalem in the Background on Nov. 28, 2007)

One of the best things about living in a big city for a while is you get to see some of your friends who are just passing through. Since most highways lead to big cities and we have two major airports in Chicago the opportunity arises to just hang out with folks you love. This happened a few months ago when our friend Val had a layover for a few hours and last weekend a buddy of mine was close by and came to visit.

Some might know him as "The World Traveler" on myspace.com but I know him as Matt Harris. We had a great time exploring the city together and just hanging out.

Matt, thanks for stopping by and it was great to see you!

Everyone, if you are stopping through Chicago please (PLEASE) let Elaine and I know. We would love to get together with you again.

Love,
Wes and Elaine

Happy Birthday Elaine

Today Elaine Auldridge is 26!

Please leave a comment and wish her Happy Birthday.

-Wes