Received word of two new immediate prayer needs in the encounter family tonight.
Kari McHam’s brother was in an accident at work involving some sort of fall. He is in the ER at Baylor Dallas in critical condition.
Phil Humbert’s sister is having a number of cysts removed tomorrow and she’s worried about the possibility of them being cancerous.
Please keep both of them as well as the Perez family in your prayers.
Sally is doing well after surgery. She was able to talk and see visitors although her vision remained a little blurred tonight likely due to the medicine and such. She spent a good deal of time talking with Jose today and was able to talk and visit with a number of family members and friends tonight.
Filing begins for Speaker of the House
Via e-mail:
KEFFER FILES FOR SPEAKER
Challenges Craddick to three term limit pledge
From Jim Keffer’s statement:
“State Representative Jim Keffer (R-Eastland) announced today that he has filed his candidacy paperwork for Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives for the 81st Regular Session which will begin in January, 2009.
“Keffer said he will formerly announce his candidacy for Speaker at the Texas House Republican Caucus meeting scheduled for early this afternoon.
“During the past few days, a majority of the members of the Texas House have agreed that we need a new Speaker and most have stated that they would prefer the selection of a new Speaker upon adjournment of the Regular Session rather than by placing a call on the Speaker during the session.”
“Keffer also challenged incumbent Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick to publicly join with him in committing to a three-term Speaker limit.
“In my opinion, Speaker Craddick needs to announce that he will not seek another term and let the members pursue a new Speaker’s race,” said Keffer. “However, if Craddick does pursue another term, I will aggressively challenge him and will welcome others to also enter the Speaker’s race.”
“Keffer also said he will pursue a House Resolution for a three-term limit for the Speaker’s office to ensure that the power of the Speaker’s office is used for the purpose of public service and nothing more.
“Craddick was first elected House Speaker in 2003 and is currently serving his third term that he narrowly won after a strong challenge by Plano Republican Brian McCall and Waxahachie Republican Jim Pitts this past January.
“Since Craddick took over as Speaker, Republicans have lost 7 seats in the Texas House and several Democrats who have supported Craddick have been defeated in Democratic primaries. Craddick has also been the first Speaker in over 35 years to be over-ruled on a point of order by the Texas House membership which occurred in early May. Upon completion of the current term, Craddick will have served 40 years in the Texas House.
“I am committed to the three-term limit and if elected by my colleagues I am committed to being a Republican House Speaker in a Republican majority who will honor the rules, respect each member’s district, and pass good public policy.”
As an aside, sources close to Keffer tell us that he has received calls from supporters in the district telling him that Craddick is attempting to recruit and fully fund a challenger for the next election.
Update on Sally
Just received a call from Jose. He just finished talking with Sally. He said she’s doing amazing and the doctors and nurses are really impressed. They plan to take her off the vent later today and decrease her meds so she can be more alert and conscious. She was asking about the kids and responding to all the questions from Jose and the doctors.
Things are looking good. Still no word on her vision yet as she’s still pretty medicated. Pray for continued healing and a fast recovery as well her vision to be restored.
Helmet saves man run over by truck
You can debate the coolness of a helmet or not, but I think it might be time to go buy myself one after seeing this story:
Ryan Lipscomb of Madison, Wisconsin is alive to tell of a truck running right over his head. “I didn’t see it coming, but I sure felt it roll over my head. It feels really strange to have a truck run over your head.” The truck just kept on going, as they so often do, usually saying that they didn’t know they hit anything. The police and Lipscomb think otherwise: “The truck driver definitely would have known. You know when you run over a curb and my head was definitely higher than a curb.”
My buddy Dave McHam has taken to riding his bike all over town with $3 a gallon gas prices. He said driving his truck just doesn’t make sense. So he rides his bike to Red Oak each day (about 12-15 miles one way).
Getting much better exercise and saving loads of money I’m sure. Sounds like a great idea but I’d definitely want a Giro first.
Last train to Durango
DSC_0232.JPG
Originally uploaded by laurie416.
I’m loving this photo my life took while we were on our honeymoon. It was during a rest stop in Cascade Canyon before we headed back to Durango.
As the humidity and heat gets worse here in Texas makes me really wish we were back in Colorado. Plus having a week of no work made our trip even more enjoyable 😉
Sally is doing better
We made a visit to Baylor Dallas last night and the family seemed to be doing well and holding strong. The doctors said Sally looks like she is doing surprisingly well.
She tried several times to sit up and asked the doctors to remove the vent. They’ll likely keep her medicated and on the vent for another day or so as she continues to recover but things are looking up.
According to Jose she will likely be moved from ICU in the next day or so if not sooner.
Many, many people have e-mailed to find out how they can help. A list is being put together for folks to provide meals for the family this week and possibly next. If you’d like to provide a meal for the family please drop us an e-mail.