Fallen From Grace!!!

That is what Jerry is telling everyone! The halo came off today after 12 weeks and 1 day but who's counting. For such a brutal looking contraption is just goes on and off easy as can be, of course that is easy for me to say. I have to say that was the best hug I have ever received after that came off.
Everyday is a new day, a day that we almost didn't have. We really celebrated our birthdays and our wedding but EACH day is new. All of us should look at our days like that. All of you have seen how quickly it changed and every prayer that has been answered. All of your prayers, and you know the specifics you prayed for, were answered. Thank you for prayers from every corner of our great country.
Our next phase of recovery is starting. He has to work on regaining strength that he lost. Fresh Iowa air and a garden that is in need of attention will help with that. I'm sure that two labs will be more than helpful in recovery there are many softballs to throw, walks to take and therapeutic snuggling will be in order too.
Jer still has medical care ahead of him that will be done in Iowa, so continue your prayers. The cell phone is always with him so call with a good joke, good news or just to say hi, he'll appreciate that. We love visitors, so plan a few days in Iowa anytime.
Thank you for all your support. We ask God for his blessings over all of you every day.
Jody Gallimore (I'm so glad I can write that last name!!!)

HERE COMES THE BRIDE....

The shortest engagement in history is OVER - but not like you think! After just 8 short days of being engaged - Jerry had had enough! On the afternoon of Wednesday, July 15th - he whisked his betrothed, Jody, away to a Denton County JP and made her 'Mrs. Jerry Gallimore' - so now it's legal in all 50 states! Jody's father flew in from Iowa for the day to be a witness at the ceremony. (No shotgun necessary!!) All joking aside -I wish my 'baby' brother and new sister-in-law a lifetime full of God's blessings. With the Father at the center of their hearts, home and marriage - there will be no trial they can not overcome. As the good Book says -

Ecclesiastes 4:12
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

May you always find your purpose in and through Jesus. He will be the source of the Love that binds your hearts for eternity. I teach my Sunday school students that BIBLE stands for Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. Look to it for daily wisdom and it will never disappoint. It even gives you the perfect receipe for love:

I Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

May this verse be etched on your hearts as you enter this new season in life as man and wife. I can't wait to celebrate your union as a family in the presence of God and all of your friends! It will be a day of great rejoicing and praise as we once again THANK GOD for His goodness to the Gallimore family.

You make me proud Jer Bear and I love you (as Buzz Lightyear says) 'to infinity and beyond!' Can't wait to hug you again - Jamie Jean (the football queen)

It's official - they're engaged!

Well, he finally did it! On Tuesday, July 7th - Jer got down on his knees (wobbly halo and all) and asked Jody to be his wife! She said yes (of course) and he whipped out a ring and said 'guess you'll be needing one of these then'. He's such a romantic - really he is! Ironically, the name of the ring design is called a 'halo setting' - can you believe it! Guess he didn't want to be the only one with a halo ;O) They plan on getting married soon by a justice of the peace - then once Jer is medically cleared, the halo is removed and he can get back to Iowa - they will plan a party to end all parties to celebrate not only their marriage but ALL of the blessings God has so abundantly showered on them. So all you American Airlines friends - make sure you save a flight pass for later this year - as you all will be invited! Thanks for the continued prayers and constant support - your friendship is a highly valued treasure and Jer loves each and every one of you!

I'm back in AZ now - love my 'dry heat'. It's supposed to be 115 this Sunday. If any of you need to escape the humidity in the Big D - I've got a guest room anytime. Until next time friends...Jamie

My Hero!

Jer is still on the mend - staying with family in Dallas. (Thanks Marie and Eddie!!!) He is a modern day 'mountain man' - he's made of strong stock. Here's a pic of him shortly before his discharge from the hospital. I always knew he was an angel - now he's got the halo to prove it. (Ok - I know that was a horrible pun - but couldn't resist! Besides - Jerry thought it was funny!)

Please continue to pray for his skull fracture to heal and for his stamina to increase. He has the best friends on the plant - thanks for continuing to stand by him with your visits and your prayers! He is more mobile now and loves to have visitors - so give him a ring! I'm counting the days until I can get back to Dallas and give him a big hug :O) Until then, I'm counting on all of you guys to give him his daily dose of love! Forever grateful - Jamie (Jer's sister)

"Thank You" Doesn't begin to cover it!

I'm Jerry's sister from Phoenix - Jamie - or as Jer calls me "Jammer Jones" ;O) Today marks three weeks or 22 looonnngg days since Jer's accident. I wish all of you could have seen him then and see him now - his recovery is truly nothing short of miraculous! I want to extend my heartfelt thanks and unending gratitude to all of you - his true blue friends - who not only helped pray him through this - but provided an incredible amount of support to me and the rest of my family. There are no words that can convey the unquantifiable amount of THANKS due to each of you. But I will try......

To his Dallas friends who rallied at the hospital every day and never left us alone for a minute: Roger & Gina (and Zach), Rick & Renee (and Delaney), Sally (she is truly an angel unaware!), Shawn & Kim, Keith & Sheila, Jeff (Big Sexy), Keith (Sconey) and his former roommate Ken, Big Joe, Jamir & Gary, Tim, Gary & Stephanie, Steve, Dano, Scott, Mary, Donna, Ted & Stacy - the constant support of your presence and your prayers held us together.

There were literally dozens of other friends who called, visited and prayed for Jerry - please know that even though I have not listed you by name - your faces are etched in my heart forever and I will never forget your kindness to my brother!

To Jody - his future wife: for those of you who don't know the story - Jerry and Jody dated about 23 years ago - she was his first and only true love. About a year ago God brought them back together and without a doubt I would not have been able to get through this without her! Having someone by my side constantly who I know loves Jerry to the same depth that I do was comforting. Also her nursing background really gave the family assurance - as she knew what questions to ask and could explain things to us clearly. Jody - you are a ROCK and I love that you love my brother so much. As mom said - you were born to be a Gallimore - you just took a detour. I sure am glad you're back girlfriend.

To his out of state friends who stayed in constant contact with us via phone, text and emails: The Webers in Tucson (Sandy, Beth, Susan, Kim), Michigan Mike & Julie - his hunting buddy, Kevin (a childhood friend in AZ) and his mom Sharon, Kevin from CA (Jody's brother), June, and all his American Airlines brothers from Tucson who sent their love and prayers. (Jer started his career there in 1988 before transferring to Dallas!) And all his new friends in Iowa - Bruce and Susan (nice decorating job on the house! She tied yellow caution tape instead of 'yellow ribbons' all over Jerry and Jody's house to welcome him home!) And I can't forget all of the sweet old ladies at the nursing home Jody works at who have been praying for him. Also to Pastor Dave & Cheryl in Michigan and their wonderful church. (A childhood friend of my moms!)

To our parents Bonnie and Big Jer (an honorary 'Bullet Brother' - Roger and Rick will get this one!) Thank you for raising such an outstanding young man - my baby brother Jerry! He has always been highly loved and respected inside of our family -but finding out just how many people feel the same way about him as we do was an incredible gift and a testament to the fine young man you raised!

To his extended family Jacque (who set this blog up for him!) & Ken and his precious nieces Lizzy and Lauren - you will ALWAYS be part of our family! Marie and Eddie (who have opened their home to us during his extended recovery) - who knew that 30 years ago when you walked into my life that we would be part of so many adventures together. You are the sister I always wanted - God just delivered you into my life via another mother ;O) Aunt Joyce and Cousin Kimmie, Matthew - thanks for the long distance love! Uncle Bruce and Aunt Marge in Tucson - thanks for your prayers and getting your entire church to prayer for Jerry!

To American Airlines management who treated us like royalty and took care of every need before we even knew we had one: Margo, Lynda, Dan, Mark - you are a credit to your profession and some of the most compassionate people I've ever met.

To the Unions Guys who treated Jerry and us like family: Darrin, Tony, John and Big Ron. It was obvious you guys weren't just doing you 'job' but that you really care!

To my church/employer (North Ridge Community Church - AZ) who allowed me the amazing gift of taking three unplanned weeks off to stay with my brother here in Dallas: Pastors Mike and Dan, Linda, Lisa, Marie, Debbie, Edwina, Bill and the rest of the amazing staff - you will never know how much your support meant to me. I really did not give 'work' a second thought as I knew my entire team was rallying to get the job done back home. You guys rock!

To Parkland Hospital and the amazingly talented physicians, nurses and therapists: there are too many of you to name - but know that we still pray for you all as you continue being God's tools. You don't have a job you have a calling - what you do on a daily basis to put broken bodies and lives back together is incredible. May God bless you and your families tenfold the amount that you have blessed us!

To the Paramedics and EMS staff who so quickly responded to the accident scene and were able to get Jerry out of the truck and to the hospital in record time. It was no 'coincidence' his accident happened just yards away from the fire station. They even came to the airport and signed Jerry's get well card!

To Crown Plaza staff - especially the shuttle drivers Tyson and Joe who became our friends and joined us in praying for Jerry. You helped make our unexpected stay as comfortable as possible and never complained as you quickly took us back and forth to the hospital at a moments notice. Your kindness blessed us.

To our Lord and Savior - Jesus Christ: I saved the best for last! From day one we have been holding on to the promise in James 5:15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well. The Lord will raise him up. Thank you Jesus for answering the thousands of prayers for my beloved brother. He was on prayer chains in churches all over the world, on numerous websites and blogs, even other families in ICU prayed for him. It was amazing to see the family of faith literally come out of the woodwork to lift him in prayer. Father we don't know why You have chosen this family to extend such amazing grace and mercy to - but we welcome it and our lives will never be the same because of it. We pledge to You to always share the overflow of Your love You have so abundantly poured into our lives with Your other children. We know that You love each and every one of us with an unconditional love - a love we will never be able to fully comprehend this side of heaven. Thank You for loving us so much that You sacrificed Your own Son on the cross to restore our relationship with You. (John 3:16 For God so loved the word, He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.)

Well - I have to pack now - headed back to Phoenix for awhile. Until we meet again my new friends ;O)

Gratefully His,
Jammer Jones (Jerry's sister and #1 fan always!!!)

Day 18 -Wednesday 6/10/09

JERRY GOES HOME!!!!
Yup - you read that right - after 14 days in ICU and 4 days on the ward - Jerry was discharged late today. About 10 docs from the trauma team came into his room to see him off and to see with their own eyes what a miraculous recovery he has made. We have a looooonnnnggg list of thank you notes to write - of course the first we have already sent (over and over again) to our merciful Lord for His hand of protection and healing that have been on Jerry during this entire adventure. We want you to know that you - his friends were just as important in his recovery as his surgeons were - your prayers bombarding heaven daily were instrumental in his survival and recovery.

He will be staying in Texas during his recovery so he can do his follow-up with the several different medical specialties he still needs to see. He has a sister in Corinth (Denton area) that he and his family will be staying with. His cell phone is all charged up and hooked to the front of his halo - so if you have his number - feel free to call him. We hope he only has to have the halo on for 6-8 weeks but it could be longer. He still won't be back to work for awhile. So don't be shy about contacting him - he's going to get 'cabin fever' locked up in the house and will need some company from time to time. As we mentioned in an earlier post - his sense of humor was undamaged by the accident - so if you are in need of some Gallimore humor - stop by. He even talked about getting a shirt made that said "Gallimore 1 - Bus 0"!!! That's our Jerry :O)

Again we give all the glory, honor and praise - to the name of above all names - Jesus Christ our Savior!

The Grateful Gallimores (AKA - the Sigma K Crew)

Day 17 Tuesday 6/9/09

Jer's progress continues to amaze not only us but all of his doctors as well. Matter of fact his trauma team wants to present his case this Friday at a trauma conference. The doctor asked if he could get a digital picture of Jerry so the team could see how great he looks!

We are just waiting for him to be cleared by physical, occupational and speech therapists to find out when he can go home. He can sit up, stand up and even walk short distances on his own already! As each medical team (lots of residents and medical students along with their attendings) comes in to check on his status - we continue to get more and more details on his injuries and how severe they were. He had more than one type of injury that all by itself is usually fatal. That he survived is a miracle and the result of the thousands of people who prayed for him. We have lost count at how many people told us he was put on their church prayer chains.

We hope that all of his friends realize what a difference their prayers have made. We know that our lives have been changed forever by the outpouring of love and concern you all have shown for Jerry. Our hope is that God will use this situation to show Himself to all involved in a new and personal way. And if you don't know Him yet - our prayers are that this event in Jer's life will encourage you to seek Him - as He is real - alive - and loves YOU more than you can even imagine! We, his family, would be happy to talk to any of you about our wonderful Savior. Don't hesitate to contact us. We want all of you to be part of our eternal family too!

We started this adventure clinging to James 5:15 and we have seen God deliver BIG TIME! (And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.) We give all praise and glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you for choosing to bless this family in the all the ways You have. The Grateful Gallimores