Friday, January 21, 2011

KRISTEN CLACK'S PROGRESS - Updated in December by Misty Clack

Driving Test……

How exciting Kristen is to be able to take a written test and a driving test. She is NOT nervous at all. Always confident in everything she does……..
We get to Scottish Rite and I sign her in. We both sit and pray together. We are welcomed by the kind staff there. Everyone is glad to see Kristen and see how well she is doing. It gets time for Kristen to begin testing. She walks away with her head held high and a smile on her face. I sit patiently out in the waiting room. From time to time, I watch every child that enters and exits thru the door. I pray for each one. Time passes quickly and the hour is upon us. I hear her talking and giggling at a distance. Her giggles get louder and louder as she rounds the corner. I stand and she runs to give me a hug……… she passes the first exam. Her vision is excellent, her reflexes and knowledge of signs are also excellent. I tell her how proud I am of her and that I had no doubt that she would pass.
She wants to eat lunch, so we head towards Panera Bread. It is cold outside and it would be a great day for a hot bowl of soup. We sit amongst the busy shoppers and begin to talk about the driving test. She went on and on about how easy it was and how excited she was to be able to get to drive!
OK now I am a little nervous. We get back and Kristen is so ready. Questions are asked and answered. The student driving car has a passenger break incase that is needed by the therapist. Oh my…. I may  need one of those. Kristen gives me a hug and tells me she is going to be fine. I tell her that I know and that she was going to do great!
This test will take about an hour…………… an hour and a half has passed and she comes walking thru the back door. I walk around and see her. She doesn’t see me. She is talking and laughing with all the therapists. The driving therapist walks over to me and tells me that we all need to sit down and discuss results. We gather around at the end of this long table. She begins to tell me that Kristen passed and did very well. She didn’t have to use the break and was not nervous at all in the vehicle. I was so excited for Kristen. Now that she has passed both written/verbal and driving test, these results will be forwarded to the MD and he will have to complete a certified letter. Once we recieve this, she can begin driving and we will need to send the letter to the DMV. She expects this to be done in the next week or so.
Kristen can’t wait and I have all the confidence in Kristen.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

A SPECIAL DAY - NOVEMBER 20th - PARKWOOD HOMES SERVICE

It is always such a great privilege to go and spread some good cheer and blessings to our friends at Parkwood Homes in Snellville, Georgia. The weekend of November 20, 2010, two weeks ago, I was able to visit with my parents in Oxford, Georgia. My mother, Sis. Jean Strawn volunteered on her own, to go with me and play for us on Saturday since I had given Bro. Howard the day off. She is almost 82 years old and in great health but due to circumstances beyond our control has not been able to be together in a worship setting very often in my parents later years. She told me that there may not be many more opportunities for us to sing and play together. It was a somber moment as I knew what she meant.

Bro. Howard Hammond and my mother have very similar piano styles. Our families have known each other for many years as we once fellowshipped in the same organization and church section. There has been a long history of friendship between my mother’s father who pastored in Thomaston, Bro. J.T. Payne (my childhood pastor shown left), and Bro. Hubert Hammonds, who is our pastor’s uncle. So, knowing all this history, I was quite excited to be able to represent the Hammond’s and New Life in Watkinsville and be with a pioneer from the old days, my mother at this service.  

It is always good for me to have great team members and as usual the Garner’s and Chris Greenwood were faithful to the service. We sang our usual numbers from the old choruses and hymns and did not miss a beat. God’s presence was strong and we were touched greatly by an African-American church, which were there before us….The Garner’s, Chris Greenwood, and I spoke with short testimonies and praise. My mother did not miss a beat. My mother asked if she could speak which is very unusual. However, God’s anointing was upon her as she told the crowd that everything would be alright, that God had not forsaken them. Needless to say, we were all very touched by this great testimony.

I drove my mother home after the service, beaming with Godly pride as I pondered the past truths and foundations that had been placed in me by my parents and a Godly heritage from Bro. J.T. Payne. I would have been lost without it. I wondered away from a close relationship with Christ as a teenager and young man, but those foundational truths never went away and they eventually brought me back. As the scripture says:

Proverbs 22:6 (King James Version)


 6Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

No matter where I go or travel in this life, I will always be from the little church on 9 Hemlock Street in Porterdale, Georgia. That was the place where I truly found the Lord in the year 1969. Thank you Lord for my foundation. Thank you Lord for my wonderful parents, who still love you. Thank you for the Godly heritage they gave to me. I am not ashamed of where I came from and the gospel for as Paul said:

Romans 1:16 (King James Version)

 16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.


We had 26 patients and 5 outreach team members for a total attendance of 31 at the service….Pray for Brother Wallace who has been bothered by a terrible sore on his leg. Thanks to the Lord who was gracious in allowing this wonderful day to transpire. See some photos from the service below.

God Bless

Scott Strawn





















Amazing Miracle Continues To Grow - Updates on Kristen Clack's Progress

(From the Kristen Clack Website per Misty Clack)


Birthday Wishes………

My Kristen turned 18 last Monday. We had her a surprise Birthday Party at Constance Manor in Winder…. thank you John and Lee Perkins. They called about a week before her Birthday and informed us that she was going to have her party there. Scott and I were very excited and this was so unexpected. We had to get the family together in a hurry for this BIG and Special Day for her. It seemed we just had her welcome home party with our family. Kristen never asks for anything and all she wanted to do was to go bowling at Stars and Strikes and meet up with a couple of her friends. Maybe she will get to do this too.
The week is about near and the planning is in full speed. The cake? I need to get a cake ordered, but how am I going to do this. Then I recieved a call from a dear friend of ours and she said not to worry. Sugar Kneads, out of Loganville will do her cake. They said they would be honored to do her 18th Birthday cake. God is good. I just wanted to cry. I couldn’t wait to see what Sugar Kneads had in mind. They are so creative and can do anything with cake!!!!
Monday is here and time to set up. I only have a couple of hours so I don’t slow down. Thank you Penny and Mat. Kristen is not a “pink” prissy kinda girl, so the theme was going to be in fall colors. To represent this new season of fall. Oranges, yellows and browns covered the reception room. I placed index cards on the table so that everyone could write their own “Words Of Wisdom” to our new adult in the family. I wrapped pens with floral tape and fall flowers.  The plates and napkins were all fall themed as well. The tables were set and everything was placed perfectly. I need to go and get Kristen and head home so she doesn’t think anything is up. I gave her the OK to make plans to go bowling, but it will be a little later than usual.
I have Kristen with me and it is time to go by there. The excuse was Scott was working and we were going to pick him up to go eat dinner. There were no inside lights on and we walked thru the entrance of Constance Manor. Scott greeted us at the door. We all walked thru the dark halls talking and laughing. All of a sudden, the lights came on and voices yelling “Surprise!” Kristen was so surprised. She never knew or had any idea.  We all gathered for prayer and began to eat together.
I walked over to the cake………. can I say, OMG. Absolutely Beautiful. A 2 tiered chocolate on chocolate cake. Perfectly designed for Kristen! Chocolate covered strawberries and chips of milk chocolate delicately cut and placed on top. The cut chips of chocolate was airbrushed like lace and stripes. It looked better than the “Ace Of Cakes”. It took everyone’s breathe away. I had Kristen gather at the back of the cake and made several pictures. Each family member was pictured with Kristen. The plan is to place these individual pictures with the note cards, that has their own “Words Of Wisdom” in a picture album. This will be her first Adult/Family album. We celebrated her life with cake, candles and love.
Singing Happy Birthday to her had a whole different meaning to it.
“Happy Birthday P-Nut”

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

KRISTEN CLACK'S FIGHT AND DETERMINATION by Misty Clack

THIS IS FROM THE KRISTEN CLACK BLOG. KRISTEN'S FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL....Permission by Misty Clack to post...nlac.tv


First Day of school as a Senior Wildcat…………
The morning came and I walked up the stairs to  wake Kristen up. I opened her bedroom door and there she laid with covers up to her ears. Her clothes perfectly folded on her chair where she had laid them out  the night before. I reach over to touch her and silently tell her that it is time to wake up. She slowly gets up and starts to get ready. This will be her first day as a senior at Apalachee High School. She looks in the mirror and makes sure her short hair is in place and her mascara is applied delicately with every stroke. She places her class ring on her little finger.
She grabs her jacket and places her book bag on her shoulder. We head outside to get in the truck and it’s cold out and raining. We hurry to get inside the truck. I ask her if she ready for today and of course with a smile, she tells me yes. She has been waiting for this day for a very long time. 3 months……………. since the accident and she will be walking thru the halls once again.
We parked and began to walk in to the school. Kristen was greeted by several of her friends awaiting for her arrival. We have a scheduled meeting early this morning with several of her teachers and administration to discuss an academic plan. Kristen and I walk by her locker and she notices that a picture of her in her softball uniform is hanging there. She just “awwwwed” over it. Some one had placed that on her locker. That was very thoughtful. We continue walking down the hall to where the meeting will be held. We get to the office and was directed to the conference room. There sat several teachers, staff and a clinic nurse that are prepared to accommidate Kristen with whatever she may need to help her succeed this year. She will be able to audit her classes the rest of the semester to prepare her for those classes next semester.
The bell for 1st period will ring soon. We both will walk to the gym, where she will have weight training. She was prepared to dress out if needed to. With Kristen leading the way, we both went to the coaches offices where she had greeted them with her smiling face. They were all excited to see her. Once the students started to see her, they were all welcoming her back to school. She seen one of her friends that she’s known since kindergarten. They both had 3 classes and lunch together. She felt  more at ease and so did I. One of her girlfriends welcomed her back with a cute balloon and a bag of treats. This was so very sweet and thoughtful.
I will be leaving Kristen  during this class to take care of her lunch account. I walk away and I don’t look back. I am confident and know she is going to be fine. I walk to the cafeteria to place money in her account. Her account will need to be re-activated. She will have lunch at school today. Everyone has been so helpful to get Kristen back to school. I make my way to the PDC to discuss when I will return to work. I may be starting back on Monday. Kristen and I are ready to move forward. I forgot what my life was like before her accident. It’s all just a fog. I have been so focussed on her and getting her back to normal, somewhat normal.
I don’t take long and head to my place of work to give them a quick update. The elementary school is next the Kristen’s High School. This will make things a lot easier and quicker, if she ever needs me. It was great to see some of the ladies that supported Kristen and my family during this time. I can never thank them enough. I love them all. My mind is on Kristen and can’t get her off of it not one minute.
I leave and make my way back to the High School to check on her. I have a copy of her schedule, so I know where she is. I walk down the hall and see the class room on the right. Students are still in the hall way, making their way to their class. I turn and look anxiously in the classroom. I see her. She looks up and sees me. She waves from afar and we meet in the front of the class. I look at her as she talks to me. I make sure her eyes are fine and her speech is ok. When she gets tired, she says the wrong words and her eyes get really heavy. She doesn’t look tired. She remains excited about this day, so I am excited for her. She hugs me and I tell her to have a good day. I exit the classroom and begin walking down the hall. I will leave once again, but I will go home and prepare the sofa for Kristen to take a nap when she gets home today.
It is close to time to pick Kristen up from school. Still raining oustside, I pick up my umbrella at the door. I lock up and run to the truck to get in out of the rain. I am anxious to hear about her day. My thoughts are of her constantly. I walk in the building meeting staff and administration. They all have been watching her thru out the day. They all said that she seemed to be tolerating the day and looked great. I was pleased and eager to see her again. One of the staff members walked me to her last class of the day. She also watched Kristen thru the day. She said positive things as well. We got to her class room door and I stood there watching her thru the glass window. She is sitting in front of a computer monitor watching and listening to a lecture. This class will be an important one. She will need to get this academic credit to get her closer to graduate with her class. I talked briefly to her teacher and she says Kristen is doing well for her first day.  I was relieved.
It’s about 3:10 and I will go ahead and take her home. She looks great. She is not tired, but she is hungry. She starts telling me about her day in excitement. Her kindergarten friend walked her to each class. Kristen said it was good to see him and all of her other friends. Everyone was so helpful and excited to see her back. She said she enjoyed all of classes. We got home and she got settled in. She was hungry, so I made her a snack. She wanted to watch a movie so we both sat in front of the tv snacking on chips and salsa. I covered us up and snuggled on the couch. I told her how proud I was of her and how brave she is. She tells me, “Thanks mommy.”

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

KRISTEN CLACK'S FIGHT AND DETERMINATION by Misty Clack



THIS ARTICLE IS FROM THE WEB BLOG OF THE CLACK FAMILY.......



October 26, 2010

Kristen got to sleep in a little bit this morning. She only sees the Occupational Therapist today for her Left Hand. She has been doing so well with range of motion . Her Left hand is almost in a fist. She works so hard with stretching and strengthening the small muscles with in her hand and fingers. When she stretches, Kristen states it feels like her ligaments are going to snap. The therapist informs her that she has to continue to stretch these ligaments to break up the scar tissue and adhesions. At night, I stretch her hand and fingers. I feel the tension when I pull her index finger. I then pull the finger tip down to her palm. I feel the ligaments tighten and stretch along her joint and knuckle. She tolerates the stretching, but it is difficult at times. We place a warm clothe on her hand prior to stretching. This helps warm up the small tendons and ligaments.
Kristen has completed her hand therapy for the day. The therapist is very pleased at her progress. She was tested with her grip and she is ready to start gripping a bat……….. Kristen was excited about this. She will begin wrist and hand strengthening.  She has a project she has to work on with her fingers. She is doing well with this. It is almost knitting with your fingers.
We don’t stay long, we have to get to the rehab facility to have a phone conference with Apalachee High School. We drive over and park the truck. We get there and was directed to classroom #6. We sit and was greeted one by one with all the therapist. Kristen was so excited she couldn’t sit still. The councilor had gotten on the phone and placed it on speaker. We all could hear everyone. The teacher here gave a little overview of the plans for Kristen on her return to school. Each therapist came in to discuss some needs and possible accommidations for her. Kristen will only need to complete 3 academic classes to graduate with her class. Kristen will really have to work hard to do this. Thru-out this phone conference, Kristen wants to talk to the councilor. She begins and does very well with explaining herself and what options would be available for her. The teacher here and I was very proud of her. Thank you Apalachee and she can’t wait to get back there! Her estimated start date is Weds. November 3rd. It will be 3 months and she will be back at school. A_M_A_Z_I_N_G! God is so good!!!!!
I am thinking back when all the Doctors and Nurses told us that she would need to take a year off of high school………. Yes………… God is so good!
(Pictured below is Kristen's homecoming photo. Her dad Scott is also pictured as well)

















(NOTE:  See updates on Kristen's progress at  www.kristenclack.wordpress.com)

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

A MIRACLE CONTINUES....By Talmadge McCannon

AN UPDATE ON TIM McCANNON

Timothy has finally gotten over what the doctors call the hump. He spent some time in the hospital lately with fevers due to having low blood counts. He also gave us a scare about a month ago when his speech became slurred and one side of his face was drawing when he would speak, all the sign’s of a stroke but all the test showed nothing was wrong...He was rushed to Atlanta by ambulance and of course there was a prayer chain started immediately, by 11 o’clock that night he was back to normal and as the doctors said the next day it was amazing that he recovered that quickly. He was only the 12th kid that had that reaction to the treatments After going for weekly treatments since Jan. he has moved into what they call the maintenance program where he will go for monthly treatments for up to 3 more years. He will continue to take chemo pills daily and he has even gotten better at taking pills, (Praise the Lord). He had a tough time taking pills and getting sick almost every time he had to do it.

We have a little saying of lately though… What the devil tells him that he can’t do, God says he can! Since we started saying that when it comes time for taking the medicine it’s amazing at how much easier it has been...His hair is growing back and he is gaining weight. God has had it all under control from the start and I sometimes wonder if this thing that we thought was so awful, could it turn out to be a great blessing? It has allowed me to witness to so many people and tell them how good God is. We are a much closer family and have more faith than ever. We thank the lord daily for his blessings and good health. Thanks again from the McCannon family and continue to pray for us. I say it all the time but I’m so thankful to be a part of a praying church and so blessed with great family and friends.

Bro. Talmadge McCannon 
Union Point, Georgia (shown below with Timothy and Bishop Hammond)