Return to Arkansas

Today (Monday) we were rewarded with perfect flying weather for our return to Little Rock. We could clearly see the city of Memphis from our perch at 8000' from over forty miles out.

GPS screen showing our route from Falcon Field(on the bottom) to North Little Rock. We pass over Anniston, Talledega, Birmingham, Columbus,Ms, Shepherd Smith's home, Tunica, Ms, cross the mighty Mississippi, and on into Little Rock (at the top)


The Small area outlines are Military Operations Areas. We try to stay below them.


 Deb claims she didn't sleep very much because the sightseeing was so beautiful today. However, here is the photo I took mid way of my vigilant co-pilot. "Vern reports...you decide"

Gracie, the airplane, was completed and I finished test flights just one month prior to Deb's diagnosis for multiple myeloma. Since then, we have made many trips back and forth to Arkansas. Today Gracie hit a milestone: she passed 500 hours in the air. At about 200 mph average, that means she has about 100,000 miles on her airframe. Mostly troublefree and with 100% reliability. Not bad for a home made airplane, huh?

When we arrived at the North Little Rock airport, we gassed up Gracie for the return trip home. Then Elmo the lineman helped us put Gracie in the large hangar for the week. Our rental car had just been delivered so we loaded up and headed towards one of our favorite destinations...LUNCH! We had turkey and dressing so supper will be lite fair. :)

Since Deb is on chemo all the time except the week before tests in Arkansas, Vern gets to see Deb at her very best on the day we arrive in Arkansas. The real Deb is still cheerful and a joy to be with! Then comes a week of painful testing and the downhill slide. We return home and begin the chemo trail all over again. Life is not so much fun for Deb when on chemo. :(

Our room at the Markham House Suites is the first room we ever stayed in and we are flooded with memories of that time several years back when Deb had seven untreated crushed vertabrae and had been selected for hospice by our first oncologist. Seeing Deb today, it's hard to realize what a close call she had. It's been quite a ride!

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to all who have helped with Gracie, brought us food, sent care packages and fruit, cleaned house, prayed for us, given money for the huge expenses incurred, and encouraged us with cards and calls, etc. Thank you!

For the Lord's healing mercies and for equipping the caregivers and medical staff, we are so grateful!

Blessings all!