12;15 AM In Seconds Life Changes

Rickey Stokes

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Posted by: RStokes
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Date: Jan 04 2022 12:18 AM

HEADLAND – HOUSTON COUNTY:    Last night I laid in bed and could not go to sleep until after 2 AM…

Listened to the Gaither’s, Dave Phelps – You’ll Never Walk Alone; We Shall Behold Him; No More Night; End of the Beginning; and music like a piano presentation of I’ve Just Seen Jesus;  Pentatonix – Amazing Grace; The King is Coming:  Casting Crowns – God of All My Days; Elevation Worship – Talking To Jesus; Mercy; Bon Jovi – Hallelujah …

As I listened it was a time of personal prayer time for Daniel, Reese, Lynn, Faith and Paige Forrester, and a reflection of what I had come to know about Arnie Forrester. And as with all of the emergency service family to Daniel, we all weep about the journey his family is on.

But they are not alone because there is an entire community who supports, loves and prayers for each of them.

IMAGINE …

On Saturday, January 1, 2022, two young men were busy serving their country and community.

Reese Forrester was serving this Country – these the United States of America, in the Armed Forces stationed in Japan.

Daniel Forrester was serving his community, was on duty serving his community as a Paramedic,  with Headland Fire – Rescue. On duty prepared to work to save lives. Awaiting for the 911 call that has not happened yet.

Reese and Daniel were having a “normal” day ,which in emergency services “normal” is about being ready to serve others.

Their parents and sisters were traveling down the road headed home from an out of town trip.

Each were going about their normal day.

THEN, according to the Alabama State Troopers at about 4:16 PM, New Years Day, the lives of six people and extended family, and many – many friends, life changed … forever.

Immediately, Mr. Arnie Forrester was in the presence of his Savior in heaven. To those who knew him, as Daniel wrote “knowing that Daddy is eternally with his Lord and Savior; the place he always lived to be”. No doubt at all.

Daniel’s mom and two sisters were seriously injured. His mother was rushed to the hospital in Birmingham, and his two sisters to Montgomery. All with critical and serious injuries.

All three have a long road to recovery…  and Daniel wrote “ but we serve an Almighty God who has the power to move mountains and heals wounds as HE sees fit”.

Daniel closes “please do not stop praying for us in these days, weeks, and months to come. I love each and everyone of you and I hope and pray that some day I can adequately say thank you for everything”.

While I had the opportunity recently to meet Daniel’s mom in a store in Dothan, and have met his dad before, unfortunately I did not know his family.

Daniel, at age 24, is a very humble young man. He is a very polite young man who is very smart. Daniel has a complete servant’s heart, loving his community and those he can serve. Through my time with Dothan-Houston County Emergency Management, through the association with Houston County EMS, of which Daniel is President, have I gotten to know Daniel. And what a fine young man he is that is a leader.

As I reflect over the last 48 hours or so, and learn more about this young man and his family, his parents have done an outstanding job in raising one of the finest young men I have had the opportunity and pleasure to know.

My heart aches for what his lovely mom and sisters are undergoing with their physical and emotional injuries. For Daniel, awaiting his brother to get home from the Armed Services from Japan, and his struggle between caring for two sisters in Montgomery, his mother in Birmingham, and a memorial service for his dad that perhaps mom and one or both sister will be unable to attend.

A lot of weight for a young man of 24 years of age.

But GOD has prepared Daniel in his 24 years. Daniel’s parents have prepared him in his 24 years, his grandparents and family have prepared Daniel in his 24 years.

Words can not express how fine of a young man Daniel Forrester is. What inspiration he is for others. And please, surround Daniel and Reese with prayer as they walk second by second with his mother Lynn and their two sisters, Faith and Paige.

AND PLEASE LET THIS BE A WITNESS TO ALL OF US

In a matter of seconds, without warning, life can change. We do not understand why bad things happen to good people. But what we do know is, GOD prepares a way and it is by FAITH, not sight, that we believe in a true and loving GOD.

Today, right now, Daniel, Reese, Mom Lynn, sisters Faith and Paige, FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND is for real … GOD has each of you in HIS HANDS.

Specialty Crop Farmer of the Year award

2016

Arnie Forrester

Arnie Forrester was born in Puerto Rico where his parents were serving as missionaries at the time. When he was 1.5 years old his family moved back to the U.S. and to their home in Columbia, AL. He has a farm east of Bascom.

Forrester grew up in a farm family and chose to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University. Upon completion of his degree, he went to work for Scott Paper in Mobile, AL. While living in Mobile, Arnie met his wife, Lynn of Bay Minette, AL, and they were married in 1995.

After ten years with Scott Paper, Arnie was ready to get back to his roots and began to farm full time back home with his father, uncle, and cousin. He later branched out on his own and now grows approximately 800 acres of cotton, 600 acres of peanuts, and 200 acres of cantaloupes each year on his farm east of Bascom.

Forrester Produce Incorporated cantaloupes can be found throughout the country in Publix, Kroger, Walmart, and Meijer grocery stores. He is truly an innovator farmer experimenting with a wide variety of crops. For the past two years ( 2016 ) he grew sesame and this year grew 600 acres of carinata for the production of bio-fuel for jet airplanes.

Arnie readily admits he could not do all of this alone. Truly, farming for the Forresters is a family business. He and Lynn have been married for 21 years and have four children: Daniel, 19, Faith, 17, Reese, 15, and Paige, 12.

Footprints In The Sand

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed
he was walking along the beach with the LORD.


Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand: one belonging
to him, and the other to the LORD.



When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.


He noticed that many times along the path of
his life there was only one set of footprints.



He also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in his life.


This really bothered him and he
questioned the LORD about it:


"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow
you, you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when
I needed you most you would leave me."



The LORD replied:


"My son, my precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."

Author: Carolyn Joyce Carty

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