I am so humbled!!

Since this devastating catastrophe in the Gulf we have been glued to the TV. Danny and I have said since the beginning we wish we could help somebody. I told him that we have a spare bedroom with a full bath that someone could stay in. That I would love to be able to take care of an elderly couple. This morning I woke up, 1 1/2 after hours I went to sleep, out of a sound sleep with my heart racing, nauseous, tingling sensations thru my body, down my arms and heaviness in my chest. I thought I was having a heart attack. I woke Danny up and we go to the ER at Shelby. After I get there they start evaluating me, EKG, blood work, chest x-ray, etc......... and everything was perfect. I had been having a major panic attack. I have just gone thru sleep apnea clinic and so I know that I do stop breathing while I'm asleep. I think that must have been what happened to me this morning and so I went into a panic, which has the same symptoms as a heart attack. While there I heard that they had some victims (refugees) from New Orleans hospitals that had been transfered to Shelby. I start asking questions and found out that there was a elderly couple there that he was being admitted at that very moment and his wife was with him. IS THAT GOD OR WHAT!!!!! I tell the nurses and doctor there that I want to open my home up to this couple and to please pass this information on. They were very glad to do so and very excited that someone was offering. They told me that they were a very sweet couple and that he had been in the hospital in New Orleans and they were flown in with 6 more families that were at Shelby also with one person from each family being admitted into Shelby. All of these people have nothing. They have lost everything. This breaks my heart. I came home and by 3:00pm I had not heard anything yet, so I call back to Shelby and ask to speak to the case worker. They took my information and right then went to this couples room to tell them that someone was offering them some assistance and they get to crying and then the case worker also gets to crying. The case worker calls me back and tells me all that happened and that they were happy to know this and she gave me their names and room number. I immediately call the room and talk to Bessie. She is 71 and her husbands name is James. I had already asked the case worker if they needed clothes and to take showers and she said that Bessie had a shower and was walking around with a hospital gown on. When I called Bessie she said that all they had was what they had on. She told me what size clothes she wore and everything and I told her that I would see her before visiting hours were over. I call my amazing friend, Betty Morrison and then in turn she calls Faith Lacey. This little lady is getting the Royal treatment. Faith fills up this huge suitcase and tote bag full of new clothes, shoes, toiletries, iron and I don't know what else. I go to her house and pick that up and then I met Betty at Wal-Mart and we proceed to get robe, gown, pajamas, socks, shoes, slippers, purse, panties, wallet, comb, mirror, duffle bag, more toiletries that we didn't already have, snacks, journal and pens. It feels so good to be used by God. We also put some cash in her new purse. Betty had her grandbabies, so Crystal and I get to the hospital about 8:15pm and we were loaded down. I felt like Santa Claus. I love to give. I had rather be on my end of this deal than this little couples end, anyday. We walked in and introduced ourselves. She was so sweet and so humbled and I and Crystal are humbled as well. I had a huge lump in my throat and I could see tears in Crystal's eyes. Praise you, Jesus!!! She was so thankful. We told her that what she couldn't use to give to the nurses and let them pass it onto the other people that were brought in. Her little husband was out of it. He didn't even know we were there. These people have been drug from pillar to post. As soon as James is up and moving we will make sure he has the things he needs to get started as well. He came in a hospital gown, so therefore he has no clothes at all. We are just going to take this one day at a time. That is all God expects us to do. They may stay with me some and they may not. My home is open for them. They do have family that was sent to Houston and she has a sister in South Carolina that she has been in contact with. They are some of the more fortunate of these people. I am in tears as I write this. We are so blessed, people. We have nothing to complain about. THANK YOU, JESUS!! Just to let everybody know, there are more people being brought into Shelby Medical Center, Sunday morning. These people need are help. Pass the word. Open your hearts and pocket-books.