Picker Point
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  • June15th

    Slow and Steady Progress

    Author: Casey | Posted in: Home Life & Family

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    Sorry for the lack of updates lately, but we’ve been pretty busy going to and from the hospital this week. The doctor has confirmed that my dad has an obstruction in his small intestines and that’s why he was so sick at home. He performed two surgeries on Sunday to remove some of the abrasions that were causing the obstruction and now my dad has been in the hospital recovering.

    We went to see him again today and it was a pretty good day. The doctor said that he heard some slight rumbling in my dad’s digestive tract, which could mean that it is starting to function properly again. He got up and walked around several times today and has also been sitting in a chair from time to time.

    When we went up to see him he was pretty tired, but when we put Caleb in the bed with him he really cheered up. Caleb was in a good mood and he really put on a show for his pops with all of his smiling and cooing.

    I’ll try to keep updating more frequently as he gets better. We’re just going to keep praying that he has a full recovery and gets to come home soon!

    » See more photos…

  • June10th

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    Well, my dad’s back in the hospital. He has been really sick and unable to keep any fluids or food down, so we finally just decided to take him to the ER last night. He’s currently at North Side hospital and we’ve been visiting with him there today.

    The doctor seems to think that he might have some kind of bowel obstruction that is keeping him from being able to keep anything down. He was really dehydrated and weak last night, but he’s feeling so much better today. We’ll know more when he has the CT scan in a little while, so I’ll keep everyone updated.

    We’ve just been overwhelmed by all of the cards, flowers, food, and prayers from everyone. Once he gets over this little bump in the “road to recovery” I know he’ll start feeling so much better…

  • June7th

    No More Motorcycles!

    Author: Casey | Posted in: Home Life & Family

    We went to see my parents in Atlanta and they both look great! Mary Beth made a little onesie for Caleb that got the message across: “We love you, but no more motorcycles.”

    The Front

    The Front

    The Back

    The Back

    When we pulled up to their house, my dad and grandpa were sitting out in the front yard in lawn chairs! I was extremely amazed at how well both of them are doing. The Lord has truly answered many of our prayers. Thanks again to everyone for praying, sending flowers, and cards. They really made my parents feel loved and cared for.

    » See a few more pictures…

  • June1st

    I just got a phone call that my mom and dad were in a motorcycle accident near Galax, VA when a deer ran out in front of their motorcycle. My mom is ok, but she has a broken arm. My dad has ruptured his spleen and is bleeding internally. That’s everything I know right now, but we need prayers. Please take a moment to pray for my family right now. Thanks.

    UPDATE:

    My dad was life-flighted to Winston Salem, NC and is now in surgery. It looks like he’s broken 3-4 ribs and ruptured his spleen, but he’s stable. The doctor did say that he was awake and didn’t appear to have any head trauma, but he couldn’t say for sure. My mom is still back in Virginia at the hospital, but they said that she will be joining my dad in NC soon. That’s all I know for now, I will post another update when the surgeon calls back. Keep praying.

    UPDATE 2:

    He’s out of surgery and the surgeon said that he’s stable. His spleen was removed and all of the internal bleeding has stopped. He has 3 broken ribs and a broken collar bone. The surgeon mentioned that at one point my dad was talking, so it seems like there is no serious head trauma to be concerned about. My mom is now at the Wake Forest University Baptist Hospital in the ER area waiting to get some more X-Rays taken, but she seems to be doing well and she is being kept up to date of my dad’s condition. They said that she probably wouldn’t be put in a room for another couple of hours, but when I get room numbers for both of them, I will post them. Please keep praying…

    UPDATE 3:

    I just got a phone call from my mom this morning. She said that the doctors think my dad will be moved out of ICU and into a regular room today. Praise the Lord! So, it looks like things are turning around. I talked with my mom for just a few minutes before her pain medication starting to kick in again, and she told me that she broke her left humerus and she’s scraped up quite a bit. She said that the deer came out of nowhere and they did actually hit it, but she was thrown off of the side of the bike.

    Brad and Cory arrived in Winston Salem last night with several of the elders from Grace Chapel. It’s hard being far away from family when something like this happens, but I’m glad to know that there are many people that are at the hospital with them that love them.

    I have also just found out what rooms my parents are in:



    Kurt Picker
    ICU Room #5B
    WFUBMC
    Medical Center Boulevard
    Winston-Salem, NC 27157


    *See updated address below


    Roxy Picker
    Room #75
    WFUBMC
    Medical Center Boulevard
    Winston-Salem, NC 27157


    * She’s checking out today!

    I’m so thankful to everyone who has prayed for them. As evidenced by all of the comments that everyone has left on this blog, there were many prayers being sent up from around the world over the past several hours. The Lord hears his children!

    UPDATE 4:

    My dad is now in a regular room. I got to speak with him for just a moment, and he sounds good. Here’s the address where cards & flowers can be sent:


    Kurt Picker
    Room #1111
    WFUBMC
    Medical Center Boulevard
    Winston-Salem, NC 27157

    Thanks to all of you for your encouraging comments. I have been amazed by the outpouring of concern and prayer on behalf of my parents, and I know that they will feel very loved once they read all of these encouraging comments here. I can’t imagine not having a family of believers to rely on for encouragement when hard times come. Praise the Lord for His body of believers!

    UPDATE 5:

    I was able to talk to both of my parents this morning and they seemed to be in good spirits. I told them how many people have left comments on this site and they were absolutely amazed. I also found out that my mom will be released from the hospital today, and she will be staying with Cory in a hotel in Winston Salem in order to be close to my dad. After talking with my dad, I found out that it looks like he will at least have to stay in the hospital through the weekend. My grandparents are on their way up to be with them in North Carolina.

    Again, we thank all of you for praying and please continue to pray for my parents’ recovery…

    UPDATE 6:

    Well, my dad is finally out of the hospital, and they are on their way home. The Turners from Grace Chapel have allowed them to go home in their RV so my dad could be more comfortable. It’s about a five hour drive back to Atlanta, but I know that my parents will both be extremely glad to be back home. We’ll be going down to see them soon and help them recover. Thanks again everyone for your prayers, God has really seen our family through this hardship.

  • May26th

    Great Grandparents

    Author: Casey | Posted in: Home Life & Family

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    Caleb got to meet his first set of great grandparents last night. My paternal grandparents drove down yesterday to meet Caleb and it was wonderful to see them meet for the first time. My grandma held him for so long that I didn’t think she was going to let grandpa hold him, but she finally gave in! :)

    » See some photos

    It’s really been wonderful to see everyone’s first reaction when they meet Caleb. Some people just sit back and quietly take in all of his features, while others just ooh and awe as they proceed to make baby noises at him.

    Well, we’re all going up to the cabin for the Memorial day weekend and I’m REALLY excited! I’m looking forward to relaxing, playing a little golf, doing some swimming, and showing Caleb the river. We’re just going to have a great time!

    If any of y’all have any weekend activities planned, let me know about them in the comments!

  • May14th

    Caleb Goes to Church

    Author: Casey | Posted in: Home Life & Family, Spiritual

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    The day started off with Caleb and me making Mary Beth breakfast in bed with roses. Everyone was hungry, so we all decided to share the Mother’s Day meal of bacon, eggs, toast, and OJ. :P

    After breakfast, we all got ready to go to church. Caleb looked so cute in his little baby gown and he was definitely ready for his first outing since the hospital. We arrived at church just a few minutes late, and Caleb definitely got the “rock star” treatment. Mary Beth’s parents had saved us a couple of seats near the front and everyone at church just kept staring at him like he was the first baby they had ever seen! Well, he probably wasn’t the first baby they’d seen, but he was definitely the cutest! :P

    Near the end of the church service I got up, introduced him to the church, and had one of our elders pray over him. It was a very special time that I don’t think I’ll ever forget.

    Later, I found out that I wasn’t the only proud one that wanted to show off Caleb. My dad somehow found a way to slip Caleb into his Mother’s Day sermon. He’s only two and a half weeks old and he’s already famous nationwide!

    After church we went over to Mary Beth’s parents’ house and had a great Mother’s Day dinner. After that, we finally went home and crashed…

    After knowing Mary Beth for almost 7 years, it’s been such a blessing to see what a wonderful mother she is becoming. It makes me so proud to be her husband…

    To all the moms out there…HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

  • May1st

    Bath Time

    Author: Casey | Posted in: Home Life & Family

    nullWell, in case no one told you, we’re back home. Mary Beth and Caleb were released from the hospital on Saturday morning and we haven’t slept since! (Just kidding) Mom and baby are doing just fine and he’s sleeping and feeding as good as we could have hoped.

    Caleb got his first bath at home today and he did not like it. He pretty much bawled through the whole thing, but can you blame him? If someone stripped you naked, put a luke-warm wash cloth on you, and started scrubbing vigorously, would you like it? I didn’t think so…

    Mary Beth is doing an AMAZING job as a first time mom. I can testify that the concept of maternal instinct is definitely a real thing because she has it! I’d also like to think that I might have a little bit of paternal instinct, if there is such a thing. :P

    Seriously though, I always thought our home life could not get any better. The birth of our son has exceeded my wildest expectations. The whole experience has given me such a thankful and loving heart.

    I’ll be praying for all you first time parents out there, it definitely takes a little getting used to…

    » View the Bath Photos

  • April27th

    Caleb is here!

    Author: Casey | Posted in: Home Life & Family

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    Our son, Caleb, was born this morning at 3:43 AM. He weighed 7lbs. 13oz.,was 20 1/2 inches long, and is extremely healthy (and cute!). I’m so proud of Mary Beth for all of her hard work and determination last night. She pushed for about two hours and then the doctor determined that he would have to come out via a c-section. She’s resting now and will hopefully be able to come home sometime this weekend.

    I’m just a proud papa and I hope everyone will continue to pray for Mary Beth’s speedy recovery and for Caleb as he continues to grow up. I’m going to get some rest and then go back to the hospital. I hope to hear from everyone soon!

    » View More Pictures

  • April19th

    Web Outreach

    Author: Casey | Posted in: Cool Sites, Spiritual

    The internet is often used as a place to spread anger, hatred, and lies, but it can also be used as a tool to spread love and truth. I have come across a few sites lately that have been trying to do the latter:

    Internet Evangelism Day – May 7, 2006

    They’re trying to promote the web as a great place for outreach. From their site:

    We wish to communicate the outreach potential of the Web to the worldwide church. We therefore offer a worldwide annual focus day – for Christians to discover the potential of this new medium.

    I think this is a great idea! It’s time for churches to stop being afraid of the web and start using it as a tool for the Lord.

    Secondly, People2Pray is a website for managing and sharing prayer requests with others. I know this doesn’t exactly fall under the category of outreach, but I think this is just another example of people embracing the internet as a tool to help them grow in their spiritual walk. It’s also neat to know exactly how many people are praying for you.

    Finally, I’m sure you may have noticed the little, blue icon in the top left corner of my site. I have discovered a website (Coming out May 7th) where believers will be able to share their testimony of faith. I think it will be a very cool thing to see how others have come to faith and their journey along the way.

    I hope others begin to view the web as a tool in their outreach, rather than a hindrance.

  • March29th

    It’s finally finished. Mary Beth put the finishing touches on Caleb’s room this week after many hours of hard work. I helped her paint a little bit and my grandpa helped me install a chair rail, but she did the rest!

    I hope Caleb will have many restful nights and wonderful memories in this room. I know the paint and decorations will change over the years, but I hope the scripture on his wall will remain a constant theme throughout his life.

    » View the pictures of his room