Sunday, June 8, 2008

our family blog

Check out our family blog if you have not been there for awhile, the link is at the right (“the moyer adventure”). I update that one often, but mostly just fun stuff about the girls. It is a peak into our lives here at home.

a scare!

(written by Ruth Ann Moyer, Rod’s mom)

On Thursday morning around 10.00am Bob called me from his upstairs office at home saying he felt so bad. He had a tightness in his chest up into his throat and severe pain radiating all the way down his right arm. I had him lie down and took his blood pressure which was 183/113. His medication keeps his pressure normal so I knew something was amiss.

I called the doctor who said we should call 911 and take him to emergency. Bob says, “No, you can drive me.” I had to change clothes and get things together to leave quickly. It is a 20 minute drive, but so many traffic lights along the way.

Upon arriving at the Pineville, NC Medical Center, they took him in immediately and began the process of examinations and tests. When they saw his blood enzymes level was very elevated, they told me they were transporting him by ambulance to the coronary unit of Carolina Medical Center in downtown Charlotte and I was supposed to follow them. I did not realize Bob could watch me out the back window as I was frantically trying to stay behind the ambulance as it weaved in and out of freeway traffic. The traffic was heavy and the Lord helped me as I panic changing lanes.

He was admitted immediately and they ran the gamut of tests.

Meanwhile all our family and friends were advised and several prayer chains began. It was an incredible blessing to know so many of you prayed and were so concerned. He was hospitalized for two days and two nights and many tests were done.

This morning the doctor came in to say that they cannot figure out what caused this episode as his tests are normal in spite of the symptoms of chest and arm pain, spiked BP, and elevated blood count which all show that something happened, but no damage is noted. His arteries are not clogged nor values damaged. He was discharged and feels fine. He is to have further tests on his lungs next week and will see his cardiologist.

So the cause remains a mystery and we do not rule out a miracle!

Bob has had painful arthritis in his right shoulder for the last several months that would wake him up at night. The pain radiated down that same arm during the incident and today he has full movement of that arm with no pain. So we marvel at that. All we can say is that God can answer prayer and He does. We will give Him the glory for this and thank you for your part as well. He gave us great peace!

Ruth Ann Moyer

PS We keep saying, “What if this had happened on our road trip last week where we drove for long periods of time and saw no towns and had no cell phone service!” God’s timing was good!

Saturday, June 7, 2008

new compact camera

When we were in Doha, we picked up a “tiny-little-but-with-large-capabilities” camera. Rod has been taking lots of photos on his trips. Keep looking here as we plan to get some photos up and stories as well. We want you all to be able to see what he is actually doing on all of these safaris.

the power of prayer

Thank you for your prayers for our family. We have definitely felt them . . . and keep praying, please. We are still in the thick of a hard schedule with lots of flying.

Just the other day I looked at the calendar from the last few months, Rod has been gone six out of the last seven weekends — every Saturday and some Sundays too. He plans to be home this week for a few days, taking his first full comp days for most of the time. It has just been too busy for even that luxury.

He told Cristiana the other night that he would be home and was going to turn his cell phone off. She looked very worried and said, “No, what if Mama NEEEEEEDS you?” We had to explain to her that he was going to be with us the whole time. Then she smiled from ear to ear. How precious!

The girls and I are faring actually well. We have gotten into a nice routine that we keep whether Daddy is here or not. It definitely helps when he is not.

Rod has been sustained as well during this. Our daily prayers for him are for strength and safety, and for awareness and alertness as he flies. That he is able to continue as he is asked, and that the Lord gives him the strength to keep going.

We definitely feel that . . . even now!