Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Cameron

During Youth Camp, Cameron went to stay at Nate Jewett's house. According to Cameron, they just had a blast! Thank you so much, Randy and Michele, for having our son in your home for several days. Nate, Cameron considers you one of his best friends. We hope you and your family can come see us in Mexico soon!

I borrowed this picture off Michele's blog of Cameron and Nate swimming.

I love this photo of Jerry Snelling and Cameron that I took the last day of Youth Camp. There's a story here that's worth sharing. When Cameron was 19 months old and we were pastoring the Bible Methodist Church in Franklin, he somehow got away from the person holding his hand (not me) after church one night and when I went to look for him, he seemed to have disappeared. I was 9 months pregnant with Logan at the time.
So I walked around the front of the church to see if by chance he was headed for the busy Dixie Highway that runs in front of the church - the church sits back off the highway quite a ways. Sure enough, there he was....only way out of my reach. He was about 10 feet from the highway and running as fast as his little legs could carry him. I did the only thing I knew to do - I screamed "Cameron's in the road!" I knew I'd never get to him in time.
Marc was in a meeting inside the church and heard me scream - tells you how loud it was. He came bursting out of the church side door, but by that time Jerry Snelling was already at a dead run down that long driveway, cowboy boots, suit and all! Never have I seen a man run that fast.
There's basically a blind hill to the one side of the church - cars would come over that hill going 60 mph and are passing our church within seconds. I was so scared I couldn't breathe. I knew I'd never reach him in "my condition." I just stood there, whispering "Go Jerry...."He reached my little boy and scooped him off the double yellow line just as a car approached from the other direction. The driver saw what was happening and slowed down...thank the Lord. Jerry said that he was crying by the time he reached Cameron, scared of what he might see if he didn't get there soon enough, but Cameron seemed oblivious as he reached up his arms for Jerry to pick him up. Of course, the whole church was standing watching by this time.
When I saw that Jerry had Cameron in his arms and was headed off the road, I burst into tears. I felt like my legs wouldn't hold me. He put Cameron in my arms and I hugged and kissed him all the while saying "Cameron, no, baby...you cannot go in the road, never never go on the road" over and over....
Jerry, I thanked you then and have said it lots of times since, but again...."thank you for saving my baby. I could have so easily stood right there in that yard and watched my little boy get hit. Thank you so much. The Lord helped you run that day - I saw it. We love you!"
We've told Cameron the story many times so he doesn't forget - he and Jerry are buddies!

15 comments:

Michele said...

It was a real treat to have Cameron here! We loved every minute and he can come again anytime! We all love Jerry and don't know what we would do without him! Thanks for sharing the story, I had forgotten all about it. Love you all!

Michelle said...

That's a great story! I had goosebumps when I read it!

Tamra said...

My kids loved having Cameron here as well. Their swimming escapades were hilarious!
I remember shaking from being so scared when Cameron went out into the road. I'll never forget Jerry's coattails flying. I know God helped him make it to Cameron just in time.

Liz said...

Okay, now I'm crying, Melodie . . . Isn't it such a privilege to have church families who love your children so much?!

Lori said...

Such a touching story, I had tears in my eyes as I read it, thank God for his protection on Cameron!

Vonnie said...

I will never forget the horror of hearing that story about Cameron the first time - even knowing now that it turns out OK!! Thank the Lord for Bro. Snelling!! So glad Cameron got to spend some time with a friend!! Love that picture!

Betty said...

Hi there,

Well do I remember standing there in shock while Jerry ran!!! Never will forget it!! So glad the Lord was there that day!!!

Holdens said...

What a tear jerking story..I hope you guys have a great summer..

Lisa said...

Wow Melodie I've never heard that story before about Cameron...mom's just always seeem to know where to look first and that's exactly where I would have checked too! Thank the Lord...little boys do seem to head for the most dangerous places...I have three too!!!
I see that you all will be in MO soon...Phil's brother lives there...so that's neat. Your blog is so uplifting and seeing God's hand in your lives...we pray Logan will be all better very soon!
Lisa~

The Going Blog said...

Wow! I had never heard that story. Uncle Jerry is one of a kind. I think I can breathe now :-) Can't wait to have you all come to our church.

The Millard Family said...

I think I cried harder when I just read the story than I did when it happened!! What is that? Old age? Sentiment? I'm just so glad that Cameron was safe!

Lisa Messner said...

I know everyone else has said this too, but that story brought tears to my eyes. Thank God for the "angels" he surrounds our children with!

Missy said...

Many, many times when I see Jerry I think about how he saved my family from having a horrible situation happen. Jerry must be Cameron's guardian angel! Thanks, Jerry. Cameron, I love you and am so glad that nothing happened to you that day. That story always makes me cry. lv...

Janella said...

That was so scary, I'll never forget it!!
Just getting caught up on everyones blogging, thanks for sharing your busy times with us! Love, Janella

Sarah Cook said...

That story made me cry as well... how frightening! Praise God that he took care of your little one!