Thank you again,
Jacob

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I just received a call from my mom (around 6:15PM). She told me that my dad is being taken to the emergency room in Griffin with stroke-like symptoms. He was awake but not very responsive to commands or questions. I will post more as I have it. Please keep my dad and family in your prayers.

Thank you,
Jacob

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the men and women of Christ the King Cathedral in Sharpesburg, Georgia for the Chicken-Q benefit they held for our family. It was a day that words cannot describe. It was such a joy to get to see everyone who was there, to watch the young people spending their energy washing cars for donations, and to enjoy such a tremendous meal. Thank you to everyone who helped organize, who purchased the fixings, who prepared all the food, who washed cars, to Lex Luger who signed autographs for donations, and to all who donated their time to come and give. You have deeply touched us by your generosity and your compassion and love! Your gifts are being used to bring healing, wholeness and provision for our family and for that we cannot thank you enough. May God richly bless you all!

I am now leading worship for Fr. Paul Massey at the Church of the Holy Cross in Fayetteville, GA, every other week. I will also be speaking to the women at Eagle’s Way Church in Griffin on Tuesday evening, October 25th. On October 2nd, Josiah and I were able to go down to Thomaston and join the worship team at St. Michael and All Angels CEC for an awesome worship service. We are seeing God beginning to open doors of ministry and sharing with others in the area.

Josiah is in his senior year of high school and still working hard to maintain his 4.0 grade point average. He is beginning to look at colleges. He would love to continue his athletics, playing college football and baseball. He is one of the captains of his football team this year. It looks like the high school team he is playing for will once again be playing for the state championship. Hannah is finishing her eighth grade work and looking forward to entering into her high school work after Thanksgiving. She is turning into quite an artist. Fr. Jim Gardner has helped her with her drawing and she continues to improve.

God bless you all!

Elaine

Christ the King Bikers visit Holloways

Note: This post was authored by Bishop David Epps and originally appeared on http://midsouthdiocese.wordpress.com/.

Member of the motorcycling community at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Sharpsburg, GA took their first ride together which included a stop at the home of Bishop John Holloway and family. The group left Christ the King after morning services on Sunday October 16 and made the 40 mile ride to the city of Griffin. Father Jason administered Holy Eucharist to the Holloway family. John Holloway served as the Bishop of the Diocese of the Mid-South from 1997 until June 2007 when he suffered a massive stroke. A highlight of the visit occurred when Bishop Holloway blessed the bikers who then continued on their journey.

Left to right: Steve McCook, Newnan; Bonnie Bar, Carrollton; Elaine Holloway, Griffin; Father Jason Epps, Senoia; Bishop John Holloway, Dawn McCook, Newnan; Bishop David Epps, Sharpsburg; John Epps, Sharpsburg; Jessica Epps, Senoia; Gary and Ellen Cramer, Newnan; Gerhard Bar, Carrollton. (Not pictured, Josiah and Hannah Holloway)

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My mom is in the process of applying for SSI. As a part of the SSI process, she is required to undergo an eye exam to determine whether or not her vision troubles qualify her as disabled. As such, an appointment was made on her behalf for Saturday, August 20th, at 9:00AM. My mom is capable of driving to the appointment, but will not be able to drive home. The doctor’s office is less than 3 miles from her home, across from Spalding Regional Medical Center. If you will be in the Griffin area and can help get my mom home, please send her an e-mail (elaineholloway13@gmail.com) or give her a call (678.603.2658). Thank you for your help!

Jacob

The Holloway's NEW truck!

Where to begin? I will start with Monday’s doctors visits. Mom had her scheduled 3-month labs and exam. She hasn’t been back to the doctor since her PET scan in May. Mom’s labs looked good overall. A few levels were lower or higher than ideal, but she is holding steady. She has gained a few pounds since May as well. In addition to labs, she also had a series of immunization shots. Since mom is essentially an infant cell-wise, she will have to be inoculated again. Mom’s next appointment is in September, where she will have lab work and more immunization shots.

I had an appointment on Monday with my cardiologist. I had lab work, an EKG, an echocardiogram, and a general check-up. My blood pressure remained high, which is mainly attributable to my weight. The doctor said that the echocardiogram showed some abnormalities, which were present two years ago, but that it looked “good” overall. I am scheduled to return in November to monitor my blood pressure.

Now that all of the health stuff is out of the way, to the good part! On Tuesday, while I was driving back to Athens, my family received a gift. The gift, which you may already know, was a 2000 Ford Ranger! As I have written before, my mom was involved in an automobile accident in February of this year. A result of the wreck was that our family van was totaled. Without funds to repair the van, we had no viable transportation aside from my car. While my car runs great, with me being in graduate school in Athens, the family was left without any vehicle for transportation. Many people rallied and searched for a replacement vehicle and it was Fr. Ken and Donna Murie from Fort Walton Beach that so generously donated the truck to the Mid-South Diocese, which in turn, donated the truck to us. Bp. Epps graciously flew to Florida and drove the truck back to Georgia. The Mid-South Diocese also filled the truck with gas, and gave the money for the taxes, tag, and title. We wish to thank every one who worked so hard to find us a vehicle – especially Fr. Ken and Donna Murie, Bp. David Epps, Fr. Paul Massey, and every one else who wrote, gave, and searched high and low for us. Thank you!

Dad: Dad’s health is holding steady. He has had some intermittent trouble with a cold or pain, but overall, he has not declined nor improved. He was dropped by his hospice service, due to his lack of decline. Subsequently, he is back with his previous family physician, which is trying to secure steady home health care for my dad. Dad still has one company that is visiting 5 times a week, but until a second company is added, mom has taken over dad’s daily changing and general hygienic care.

Mom: Mom’s been slowly improving since the last update. She has an appointment with her Oncologist on August 8th. This is a follow-up exam with blood work. She is not schedule for a PET scan anytime soon. Her appetite is improving and the range of foods she can tolerate/consume is ever-growing. Overall, mom is doing quite well, especially considering what all she has gone through the past several years.

Jacob: I am currently conducting research at the UGA-Griffin Campus. I am set to move to Athens the first two weeks of August. I will begin classes in Athens on August 15th. So far, my research has gone very well and I am excited to be back in Athens soon. I am also scheduled for a visit at Emory on August 8th. I have my 3-year follow-up appointment with my Cardiologist. I am scheduled for an EKG, echocardiogram, and blood work. All in all, I am quite busy,  but doing very well.

Josiah: Josiah is preparing to begin his 12th grade school work. He is also gearing up for his final football season with CrossPointe Christian Academy. Josiah remains employed at Chick-Fil-A. He remains healthy and is doing well with his endeavors.

Hannah: Hannah continues to be the go-to person around the house. She is a huge help with my mom and dad’s health care. She is in the 8th grade and is progressing well. She recently went for her first small airplane ride for her birthday, and I am told, thoroughly enjoyed it.

As you are likely aware, our family van was totaled in February. We have been utilizing my car for all of our transportation needs since then, but as I prepare to move to Athens, I am planning on taking my car with me. As such, my family is in serious need of a vehicle. My mom has been offered a part-time paid position in Fayetteville that will require her to drive there twice a month. As it stands now, we have no transportation options for her after I leave in August. We were able to “junk” the van and get a small sum, but the amount we were able to get was in no way adequate for a replacement. If you or someone you know can help with a vehicle, please either call me (404.981.5253) or my mom (678.603.2658). Or send us an e-mail (jbh301@gmail.com). We really don’t have any money to purchase a vehicle at this time, but we are believing for God to provide.

We are also looking for cheaper housing for 2012. Our lease ends at the end of this year and we would really like to maximize our spending by lowering our rental costs. If you are aware of a 3 bedroom/2 bath house, please let us know.

I am currently revising our monthly budget and should have that uploaded before I leave for Athens. I appreciate your continued support for my family and your patience with me.

That should about do it with bringing you all up to speed on my family. Thank you for your prayers, support, and continued friendship. You all mean the world to us.

Jacob

To begin with, it appears that my dad has been approved for SSI! This is a tremendous answer to prayer and a testament to the hard work and dedication of so many people who tirelessly worked on my dad’s behalf. Specifically, I thank Jason Brisendine, Sen. Johnny Isakson and staff, Sen. Ronnie Chance and staff, and every one who prayed so fervently for this breakthrough. I do not know right now how much assistance will be provided, nor do I know when we will begin to receive it, but we are thankful regardless of the amount.

Secondly, I was offered a graduate assistantship at the University of Georgia for a master’s degree in Entomology. This is a paid position that will essentially double my current income. My tuition is waived as well. The program should take two years to complete and I am set to begin on May 17, 2011. I will complete my classes during the fall and spring in Athens, while my research will be completed during the summers in Griffin. There is a possibility that I may be able to spend my last spring semester in Griffin as well. In terms of my plans for medical school, this program should provide a solid science foundation and should strengthen my candidacy for medical school admission. I continue to believe it is God’s will for me to become a medical doctor. While not exactly complementary, this master’s program will do nothing but improve my understanding of the sciences and give me a greater understanding of the topics on the MCAT. I have decided to postpone re-taking the MCAT until next summer (2012), as there are several classes that I want to take in the fall and spring that should help with the exam.

Mom’s doing very well health-wise. Her taste continues to improve ever so slightly. She is definitely eating more of a variety of foods and the amount she has been able to eat has also steadily increased over the past few weeks. She just received the results from her latest PET scan (the scan was performed on May 2nd). The scan showed no cancer and the doctor said that mom was right where she needs to be and could not be doing any better! Mom’s health continues to be an answer to many prayers!

One last note, during today’s communion service at home, dad said the entire Lord’s Prayer. And by said, he actually said it where we could understand him. I cannot remember the last time I heard my dad speak so clearly and complete any prayer, let alone any sentence, in English. I just wanted to pass this along!

I will write more as everything unfolds. I haven’t been as diligent in updating this blog as I had hoped, but I aim to do a better job over the coming weeks. Thank you all for your constant love, prayers, and support!

Jacob

Bishop David Epps, Bishop of the Mid-South Diocese, pictured as he prepared to complete his journey to Orlando, Florida

The Holloways are honored to have had Bishop David Epps in their home twice within the past week. On Ash Wednesday, Bishop Epps and Deacon Bill Shelton visited the family – serving Holy Communion and imposing ashes on each family member’s forehead. Bishop Epps then returned today (Sunday, March 13) to serve the family Holy Communion. Bishop Epps was on his way down to Orlando, Florida for the annual spring meeting of the House of Bishops in the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church.

What made today’s visit a bit more unusual than most was the bishop’s mode of transportation: a Harley Davidson motorcycle. Today’s weather was certainly excellent for any type of “bike” ride and we count it a blessing to have had the bishop visit us once again!

Mom is to return for a PET scan and more lab work in May. She does not have to go back until then (this is great news!). Overall, she is doing well and continues to improve. Her taste is still giving her trouble, but has begun to improve ever so slightly.

Please keep my dad in your prayers. He has been downcast the past few weeks.

In terms of the vehicle situation, we still haven’t made any progress in locating a replacement for or getting an estimate done on the van. Either way, we’re not in any position financially to really be able to consider replacing or repairing the van. Please keep this situation in your prayers as well.

On a personal note: I want to thank you all for the kind words about my (brief) appearance on this week’s “Dirty Jobs”. I’m honored to have been included in the episode and to have had the experience of filming an episode of the show. I had a blast and I sincerely appreciate you all sharing in my excitement!

That should do it for now. I will keep you all posted as everything unfolds.

Thanks,
Jacob

I also want to thank the individual who paid for mom’s citation. You are a blessing and we certainly appreciate your generosity!

In addition to losing mom’s means of transportation, on Saturday the car Josiah was driving died. Although we do not own the car, it was Josiah’s means of getting to and from school, work, and baseball practice. It also provided transportation around town when my car was unavailable.

Which, speaking of my car, brings me to my last update. My car is in decent condition, but the windshield wipers do not presently work. A squirrel (yes a squirrel) fell from a tree nearly a year ago and broke the wiper joint. I do not have an estimated cost of repair for this, as the three mechanics I have asked do not know where to get a replacement assembly (Saturn went out of business a couple of years ago and they stopped making the Ion in 2007). If anyone knows where I might be able to have the wiper assembly replaced, please let me know.

Just to recap, we’re down to one vehicle and that vehicle has some significant issues. These issues weren’t as significant until my car became our only means of transportation. Mom is scheduled to return to Emory on Monday (February 28th). Rain is in the forecast as of now. Please keep us in your prayers.

Update: To clarify my wiper troubles, I have circled the area that the wiper is broken (or appears to be broken). The motor works fine and the passenger side wiper works fine. The driver’s side wiper arm acts like it has become unhinged. It will move when the wipers are engaged, but it will fly off the windshield and will fail, if it actually does return to the windshield, to return further than half-way down the windshield. It will usually only “work” properly one time. If the wipers are left on, it will get stuck halfway up the windshield.

Thanks,
Jacob