It was Sunday evening, this week, and I was at my parents having our weekly dinner and Sunday night movie when my cell phone rang. It was my wife.
"Honey, I have some bad news ... Fred Stubbs was in an accident this afternoon and they had to Medivac him to Tampa General Hospital." Tampa General is the hospital with the largest triage center.
Fred had been on a Sunday afternoon drive with a couple of his Christian brothers on their Harley's. The road was wet from a recent sprinkle and Fred hit standing water that took his Harley across the center line and into oncoming traffic.
I've know Fred for over 20 years and we are neighbors in River Hills in Valrico, FL. He is one of the few people I know that has a legacy while he is alive. He has led more people to the Lord than one can count. He has served the Lord since he was 12 years old.
Fred served in the Viet Nam war and has the distinction of being shot down in a helicopter, TWICE. And to beat that, he had a parachute drop in which the chute did not fully open. Fred survived all because God had a plan for him.
One of the many plans, after retiring from the military, was to be the administrative pastor of Bay Life Church in Brandon, FL and to see it grow from scores of members to today's thousands of members.
I explained to Mom and Dad that a dear friend of mine was in the emergency room and doctors are fighting to save his life. "I have to leave, I will see you next Sunday." I told them.
It was a 40 minute drive to the hospital and I prayed and cried and then I cried and prayed. Fred, also called "The Colonel," was someone you always desired to be like. He is a man's man, but full of compassion and love. He and his wife have taught marriage and family class at church forever. If you did not know Fred and Ilene you would think they were making all that lovey dovey stuff up. But they don't. They live it as they teach it. Love notes hidden where they know the other will find them. Special gifts for no special reason. Love pats in the congregation during sermons.
Fred had retired from our church last year as admin pastor, but continued to serve on the elder board. It was no surprise to me when I arrived at the hospital that many of the elders were there in the waiting room. I was also not surprised to find three other head pastors from area churchs there as well. As soon as I arrived, Ilene came running up to me to give me a hug and she thanked me for being there.
"Okay Ilene, give me an update."
"Crushed pelvis, broken arm, internal bleeding ... and they can't stop the bleeding. We need to pray that the bleeding stop" she told me.
They had gone through 40 units of blood and worse was they could not find the source of the bleeding.
It was now 10:00 PM and Fred had been in emergency for about 6 hours and nothing was improving.
It was no surprise when Fred announced at 69 years of age that he bought a Harley. Fred has never been one to slow down and certainly not get any older in his mind. Golf is a regular staple for Fred, that is when he is not at the gym working out with weights.
At about midnight the surgeon came into the waiting room. You could see the surprise on his face when he turned the corner into the waiting room only to see 40 people gathered around in prayer and fellowship. Quickly, four of Ilene's body guards ushered her to the small consulting room where doctors perform the hardest part of the operation and that is giving the prognosis to the family.
Ilene and one other close person were directed in the room and the door shut. SILENCE. It seemed forever and the air was as still as I could ever imagine. More minutes went by.
Finally the door opened and the surgeon was first to leave. Then moments later Ilene came out. For the first time there were volumes of tears.
It Was Then, That She Took a Walk in Faith
In a strong voice, a loud voice, broken in delivery by emotion, Ilene announced "The surgeon just told me that Fred is not going to make it. He says that the internal bleeding is too severe, his blood pressure is to low and his age at 70 cannot possibly hold up to it all."
Ilene continued "I aked him if he was a Christian and he said he was not. I told him 'That's okay, God can still work through your hands. You don't know Fred and you don't know the healing power of God. Now we're going to be out here praying, so you can go back in there and finish operating on Fred.'"
She then said to us, "We need to pray, right now, that they find the source of the bleeding and that it stop right now!"
The Colonel's wife had spoken. The grand order had gone out and the company of prayer soldiers understood the message and the mission.
Prayer was serious, directed and fervent.
Angel from the Church
About 1:30 AM I am standing next to Ilene by the doors that lead to the operating room. It was just the two of us praying, off to ourselves, when a nurse walks up and introduces herself to Ilene.
I did not catch her name, but I heard her to say that she was a member of our church. She heard about the accident and got dressed in her nursing uniform, as she was employed by Tampa General, and came down to the hospital. "I figured you might need some inside help" she told Ilene.
Ilene told her that the information was not coming out freely and we wre not seeing any staff to even inquire. Angel Nurse headed for the operating room.
We waited, many of us holding hands, knowing by man's reasoning there was no hope. We were told it was hopeless. But, we weren't through Walking by Faith In the Rain.
Angel Nurse returned after a few minutes. "They found what they believe is the source of the bleeding and he has stopped bleeding. At this time he is being transferred from OR to ICU. He has jumped a big hurdle tonight."
Angel Nurse led us through the back ways and short cuts to get us to ICU waiting room where one of the surgeons would soon give us an update.
The hospital congregation had grown some more by now and as we walked through the hall, a doctor by one of the nurse's desk commented "That must be one special person to have this many people here for support."
Today, Wednesday, is the fourth day of survival. Fred is clearly not out of the woods. He has to fight infection, pneumonia, repair of a crushed pelvis, repair of a broken arm that they are concerned about because of little circulation.
So we pray and Fred fights. Ilene gives us prayer orders based on intellegence handed down from OR headquarters. As with any soldier, it's one step at a time. One battle before the next and more beach head to grab.
But if anybody can do it, The Colonel can.
If you would like to keep up with this spiritual fight, there is a pretty neat "medical facebook" called CarePages. You can follow the updates and offer words of prayer, scripture and encouragement. Go to www.carepages.com. You will have to register, but it is no big deal. On the tab "Visit" enter Fred Stubbs. Then click the link WeLoveFredStubbs. You will be blessed to see the work of faith and prayer in action.
We have a big battle ahead of us and I am recruiting as many enlisted Christian soldiers as I can to volunteer. We want to keep Fred, but we also want to witness to an unbelieving medical staff. I hope to see you on on CarePages!
Mothers primp, fathers pace back and forth and the kids ... they have fun! 
On November 8th, the sixth annual children's fashion show, ECHO Kids Helping Kids, will be held at the River Hills Country Club, located at 3943 New River Hills Pkwy., Valrico, from 11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
The search is out for over 100 models, boys and girls ages 15 - 18, to help make a difference in their community. Each model is required to raise at least $100, either by fund-raising or by personal donations.
Last year the fashion show successfully raised over $17,000 and the goal is to raise more than $20,000. Tickets for the show iare available to the public and are $20.00 (includes lunch.)
Proceeds go toward ECHO (Emergency Care Help Organization.) The fashion show gives the kids an opportunity for community service which benefits those that come to ECHO seeking emergency assistance.
But it is not just the fun and opportunity to serve that the kids receive. There will be exposure to professional modeling agents. They also receive a model goody bag, clothing from one of the local participating stores and community service hours to their credit.
Not only do the kids have an opportunity to make a difference in the community, but they get to wear fashionable clothes and walk on stage.
For more information, contact Cami Gibertini at 813-653-7600 or by email at collins1965@gmail.com
Interested parites can register at www.ECHOFL.org.
At 7pm* every Friday night during the summer in Park Square Town Center (the heart of FishHawk Ranch) transforms into the perfect gathering place for family and friends as they present the Third Annual FishHawk Ranch Summer Concert Series. From classic rock and roll to rhythm and blues, the entire family can dance the night away.
Here are the remaining concerts scheduled during August:
August 15th- Mellow out to the sounds of "Yesterdayz"
August 22nd- Boogie Nights are here again with "Disco Inferno"
August 29th- Revenge of "The Spazmatics"
This is a very worthwhile program and it is an excellent benefit to being a FishHawk Ranch resident. We hope to see you out there.
Rick Frissell- Diamond Dwellings Realty
813-653-1241 E-Mail: Rick@DiamondDwellings.Com
Localism: FishHawk Ranch
If you have any questions, suggestions or announcements, please drop us an e-mail.
*Time subject to change without notice. Call ahead in the event of inclement weather: 813.685.7500.
Take The Challenge!
Saturday September 13th
Second Annual
Cure Kids Cancer Challenge
5K Walk/Fun-Run and 1 Mile Family Walk
7:30 AM Registration - 9:00 AM start
Festivities, Food and Family Fun
Open to the Public
FishHawk Ranch Park Square
$25 per Participant * $100 per Team, up to Six
To Register: Log On To http://www.fastercure.org
A non-profit organization whose mission is to fund research to the cure of childhood cancer.
Fish Hawk RanchEvery Dollar Raised Helps Bring Us Closer To A Cure!
Localism: FishHawk Ranch
I had read an advertisement about "Stuff the Bus" and was curious about this community event that stretches from the Brandon area south to Sun City Center. So I called local Kiwanis President Dustie Amatangelo to get the scoop.
"Stuff the Bus will be a welcomed relief to administration, educators and countless families touched by the great support of our community," said Dustie Amatangelo. "Providing these necessary school supplies will allow teachers to focus on teaching during the first few days of school, rather than trying to help the students find the basic supplies."
On August 7th local businesses and people from the community are invited to Kmart on Hwy 60 in Brandon to "Stuff" a bus with the school supplies.
"Parents usually need to spend approximately $100 per child on back-to-school supplies," said Seel Lundy, president of the Kiwanis Club of Sun City Center. "Teachers report that some students don't show up the first few days of school because they don't have the supplies expected of them."
Supplies being collected include student supplies such as notebook paper, (wide & college rule), spiral notebooks, #2 pencils, pens, crayons, scissors(blunt & regular), glue, colored pencils, rulers, composition books, protractors, pocket folders, pocket folders with clasps, and backpacks (small & large) as well as teaching supplies such as dry erase markers, color pens, copy paper, markers, reward stickers, and more.
On August the 7th the stuffed bus will take all the donations to Cornerstone Church on Parsons Ave. Simultaneously, volunteers from East Hillsborough will begin to gather all of the collection bins from all of the drop points to bring back to the church as well. The donations will be sorted and divided and additional volunteers will deliver the school supplies to the area schools. The principals for each school will determine which students, based on need, will receive the school supplies.
For a complete list of supplies needed and drop off points go to "Stuff the Bus" at the Brandon Kiwanis Club web site at: http://brandonkiwanis.org/index.php
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The Red Baron Realtor's mission is to make sure our clients arrive to their real estate destinations safely, smoothly and comfortably.
How did I get to where I am?
I feel fortunate to have lived in the Tampa/Brandon area all of my life and yet have seen a lot of the world. My travels are the result of time spent in the Navy that introduced me to parts of Europe along the Mediterranean Sea. North American travel was extensive during a 17 year employment with Eastman Kodak.
My last ten years with Kodak prepared me with the professional experience that would be incorporated into the real estate and mortgage business. As a national public speaker, trainer and coach for Kodak, I had the opportunity to discover what people want and need most.
What do most people want?
How does one find the right real estate agent to hire? The search can be daunting. Maybe you go by the most signs that you see along the roads and byways or maybe even the most bus benches. Perhaps the "Million Dollar" or "Multi Million" or even "Multi, Multi Million Dollar Round Table" agent would be your choice.
This is where the Kodak experience comes in. I never met anyone that cared whether Kodak was a major Olympic sponsor or had invented amateur photography. No, what Kodak understood was that people cared most about their Kodak moments. What people wanted most was their memories recorded forever.
I have found that home buyers are most interested in hiring someone that understands they want more that a house. What they want beyond a house is a home. Yes, a home that provides them their own Kodak moments. They want a house that will give them memories to hold and to cherish.
Interestingly, home sellers are not removed from that same kind of sentiment. Many would be surprised at how often I hear home sellers comment that they hope we find "just the right family" to buy their home. Their memories and moments in their home extend beyond the "For Sale" sign and to a hope that we sell to someone that will love the home as they have.
When we are asked to find a 3, 4 or 5 bedroom house, our mission is to find a house that will become their home!
LOCALISM: Brandon, Florida Area
Florida Licensed Real Estate Agent
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