More Family Arrived

Jill's brother and nephews just got here. Scott is updating them right now.

More on Scott

Scott wanted to come over to my brother's house and take a shower(I know-TMI, but I want ya'll to experience this as close to first hand as you can get). On the way, he wanted me to remind him to make a list of the ways he has seen God's hand today. What faith, to seek to think of ways to magnify God in the midst of tragedy.

Scott is a rare person, I would even say the world is not worthy of him (he certainly wouldn't say that). He is tough and tender. The way that he loves Jill makes me want to love Emily more. The way he stands for what he believes in is admirable. The diplomacy he uses is effective without being patronizing or deceptive. He doesn't fear man, but God, that makes him very tough. He genuinely cares about people, which makes him tender.

We're about to go back to the hospital where he will try to get a few hours of sleep.
This may be my last post of the night. If so, I'll start again tomorrow.

Reflections On Today's Events

It was a normal day until we got the call. The one you never want to get. Scott, Jill and Bryce had been in a bad car wreck. That was all we knew. For about 15 minutes we were in agony not knowing anything. Then we got a call that Scott and Bryce were ok, but Jill was unconscious and in the ambulance. About 45 minutes after we got the first phone call, we began to pack to come to Pine Bluff. At that time we got another phone call that things did not look good at all. Jill was in a coma, the CT scan showed some brain trauma, we learned that she had been ejected from the car and that they had performed CPR on her at the scene.
The drive to Pine Bluff was emotionally draining. I both dreaded and longed for the next phone call. Emily and I sat in silence most of the way except for a short prayer and about 50 phone calls. All I could think about was why I wasn’t the one in the hospital.
We arrived at the hospital about 1 hour and 45 minutes after we left, Google maps said it would take 2:17. It seemed like 5 hours.
We saw Scott. Now is not the time for theology, it is time for hugging and support. Thankfully, with our relationship, volumes of theology are there, but go unspoken. No need for words, what words would we say?
Jill was airlifted to UAMS and we arrived at the hospital about 20 minutes after she got here. We went and picked up Brian (my brother who is in med school) and went straight to the hospital.
There were probably 50 people here at one point, such a testimony to the lives that have been touched by Scott and Jill. They are a special couple. It is a privilege to be able to serve them during this difficult time.

A Prayer For Jill

Lord, we come with heavy hearts, humbly asking, imploring you to intercede on Jill's behalf. We do not demand, nor do we presume, but boldly in Christ we trust that you are sovereign and you are good. We ask for mercy now, not justice, not fairness. We ask that you would glorify yourself through the healing of Jill. Be with the doctors, help us not to trust in them. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord. Prov 21:31. Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Psalm 127:1. Help Scott to rest in you, trust in you, hope in you.
In Christ's name

Morale

I wanted ya'll to get an update on Scott's status right now. Currently he is in good spirits. He has asked for prayer multiple times and the fellowship has been sweet. His faith during this difficult time has been encouraging.
I asked Scott what he would like to say and he said:
"Thanks for praying and continue to do so. We have seen God's hand move throughout the day, and He listens when His people pray."
I'm sure he will be able to read the comments soon, he has read some, but is busy.
He is currently talking about Marky Mark, and NKOTB.

Update 10:50 Vitals are looking great!

They gave an update, and Jill's vitals are looking great. They are working on getting the blood coagulates regulated to get her blood to clot normally before they can begin to monitor her brain which will be the main obstacle to her recovery (if there is any obstacle). Scott is in good spirits and appreciates the comments. There are a TON of people up here with him, so he has a lot of support. Be in prayer for Jill's family they are not here yet. The short 1 hour and 45 minute trip for us seemed like an eternity, I coudln't imagine what an 8 hour trip would be like, especially going to see your daughter. Jill's parents just got here, and Scott is hugging them as I type.
I'll give another update soon.

Update at 9:45

Jill is out of surgery, and the surgery went well. She did have some internal bleeding from a nick in her liver and a hematoma inside. She is in stable condition right now, but by no means out of the woods yet. Continue to pray for them. I will pass these comments along to Scott, and he is very appreciative of your prayers and comments. They should be able to begin working on her brain situation soon, which is the main concern right now. Scott is doing amazingly well, full of hope and trust in Christ.

Here is what happened with Jill for those who are asking.

They were on their way back from a family reunion to do a wedding at El Dorado, they had a wreck and Jill was thrown from the car. They had to do CPR on her on the scene and rush her to the hospital. While they were at the hospital in Pine Bluff, they put her on a ventilator even though she was breathing on her own as a precautionary measure. They did a CT scan and it showed that there were some contusions, cerebral edema (swelling of the brain) and a subdural hematoma (bleeding from the veins around the brain). They airlifted her to UAMS at about 6 pm. Upon arriving they did an initial work up on her and she does have some bleeding in her abdomen. They have given her 7 units of blood, and are doing a lengthy surgery on her abdomen to find and stop the bleeding. The main concern is her brain at this point. We don't know how severe the damage is. The good news is that she was breathing on her own, she did not have any broken bones except for a small fracture in one of her lower vertebrates, and her vital organs are not damaged.

Update on Jill

Jill is at UAMS in Little Rock and is currently being prepped for surgery. She has some bleeding in her abdomen and they don't know where it is coming from. They are going to try to stop the bleeding and work on her head trauma. She has some hematomas in her brain along with swelling and contusions. She has received 7 units of blood, which means she goes to OR automatically. It is still very much a "touch and go" situation so please be in prayer.
Scott is physically fine, but is understandably upset. He trusts in our good and sovereign God.
Thank you for your prayers.
Jonathan

Urgent Prayer Concern

For those who may not know our pastor and family was in a bad car wreck earlier today. Scott and Bryce were not injured, but Jill was seriously injured. She is in a coma and has head trauma. They are worried about her brain right now, but the rest of her organs and body is ok. Please be in prayer for them. The doctors are meeting with Scott right now.