Carolyn Pate Castleberry I have a story to share and it began several months ago. As many of you know I have had some illness this year and been unable to work. I loved my job with The United Methodist Childrens Home and had worked there for about 17 years. I really need to write a long story as the hand of God has been on this all along! I was in the hospital on five different occasions this year. My sister was walking with one of her friends and telling her about my being sick. This friend has several doctors in her family and told her their family used National Jewish Health in Denver, Colorado for lung problems. I sent them an email and they called and said they felt they could help me and would accept me as a patient. After much paperwork an appointment was made. An answer to prayer! I then thought about how could I get there wothout going on a commercial flight with a low immune system and other issues. I sent Johnny Sales, who works with Pilots for Christ, a FB message. Johnny called me within 45 minutes. He said they could help me and the process began as well as another anwser to prayer! The time for the appointment approached and the weather (a winter snow storm) in Denver was also approaching! We had to suddenly leave 2 days early! Pilots for Christ pilot, Tommy Lee, was ready to go in order that I make this important appointment. When we arrived at the Monroeville, Alabama airport we were welcomed by Johnny Sales and Tommy Lee. Tommy assured us he had disinfected the plane with spray to kill virus and bacteria and he gave me a can to take with me for the hotel room and the rental car. After loading our luggage and a heartfelt prayer we were on our way. Another answer to prayer! Tommy was so kind and considerate and thought of everything. We landed in Tulsa, Oklahoma for refueling. We were there about 20 minutes with the nice folks in Tulsa. It was so cold! As we got nearer to Denver the weather got colder and the winds were coming through the Rocky Mountains and over the plains. We were able to get as close as Goodland, Kansas. After landing at a small airport called Butterfly Aviation we rented a car and drove on to Denver about 3 hours away. A very nice lady who owns Butterfly Aviation took us to Enterprise Rent a Car. As we drove toward Denver snow was beside the road but none was on the road. Another answer to prayer! Tears ran down my face as I was so thankful this day had finally come and I was so thankful to Pilots for Christ for helping to make this possible. On Saturday my sister, Leanne, arrived from Memphis to be with us and help with our horrendous schedule of testing. Another answer to prayer! The snow came to Denver!!! Sunday, as we were in the hotel room, Tommy Lees wife called and said she wanted to pray with me. What a prayer this was!!! We were recieving calls and texts from our family and church family and friends back home. That was so important and appreciated. The week of testing began and was very difficult but went so smoothly and everything was according to schedule with additional testing added. Additional days were added to my schedule. I was in constant contact with Pilots for Christ. They were so helpful and flexible in every way they could be. On Monday before Thanksgiving was the last day for my testing and appointments. After the last dr. appointment we were eating lunch around 2:30 when we recieved a call from Tommy. He had just landed in Denver. We were not expecting him until the next morning. He said he had checked the weather and had been to Houston that morning and flown on to Denver. He asked if we would like to leave that afternoon or the next morning. He said the weather was expected to get worse. We were ready to leave!!! We quickly packed our belongings and after some ordeal with a taxi ( we had returned the rental car and should have kept it) we finally made it to the airport. Tommy was again so sweet and kind and we had prayer before we left! I was really glad--the wind was really blowing and I could see frost on the wings!!! AND I could see planes everywhere!! I was thankful for a pilot who had so much experience! It was a little bumpy and I was glad and thankful when we got away from Denver. We did not know what our schedule would be the rest of the night except to get away from the wind and bad weather and go toward home. As we got closer to Tulsa we began talking about trying to fly on to Monroeville. Tommy said we would be there around 11:30 and had not been out that late in a long time. We had not either! A quick refuel (probably about 10 minutes) and we were taking off again! The weather was beautiful with almost 0 wind. Another answer to prayer! The flight from Tulsa to Monroeville was uneventful. The sky at night is beautiful and we were flying high enough to almost be in the stars. We would see Memphis and the Gulf Coast at the same time! What a sight and you KNOW there is a God! The little airport in Monroeville was a welcome sight! There were no deer on the runway! Tommy said there are sometimes. After a wonderful landing and getting out things in our car and hugs and words of thankfulness and gratefulness we were in our car and on our way home! Another answer to prayer! We arrived around 1:00 a.m. safely at home! There were some answers to my lung problems from the wonderful folks from National Jewish Health and for that I am very thankful. I am also so very thankful and grateful to Pilots for Christ for making this trip possible for me and my husband. As you are deciding what you can do for Christmas or any other time--please remember this organization who so willingly helps others by serving without regard of return. Their address is Pilots for Christ, P.O. Box 707, Monroeville, Alabama 36461
Posted on: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 12:13:15 +0000
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