Texas Volunteer Firefighter Still in ICU 5/17/20 by Debra Tucker debratucker518@sbcglobal.net

"...The fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them." Daniel 3:27

Today is Brandon's son's fourth birthday.  It is a day filled with mixed emmotions.  We are happy that our grandson is four!  He is a little blueprint of his dad, Brandon.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Meanwhile our hearts are torn, because of Brandon's horrific accident; yet, today we were able to speak to him for the first time!  He said, "Hi, how are you?  I love you," and "Gatlin"!  So we have mixed emmotions of saddness, gladness....and a plethora of emmotions in between. 

The Riverside Volunteer Fire Department organized a surprise drive by parade for Brandon's four year old son's birthday yesterday!! They showered his son with lots of presents, and gave him an official fire chief helmet!!! (Now, Brandon's son outranks his dad).  Thank you so much to all of the first responders, and to all who sacrificed their time to give to Brandon's son!! There are no words to express our gratitude.

Brandon is still in ICU and is giving those nurses a workout.  He is fighting for his life.  A woman who answered the phone said that they call several of the nurses, "Their Girls," and Brandon is WAY too strong for them.  Yesterday the hospital said that they had a "large" gentle male nurse in the room to help with Brandon.  This morning the male nurse said, "Medicine can do so much, time can do so much, and to keep praying."  That was good news. 

After Hurrican Harvey, Brandon decided to become a volunteer firefighter.  Although being extremely proud of this act, I thought, "Amazing..., when people are running from a burning building, Brandon was running into the burning building, risking his life for FREE!"  That action tells you what Brandon is like. He is just a big, strong, intelligent, teddy bear who loved and served all.

The scripture is from a story of Daniel in the Bible.  Shadrech, (Hananiah), Meshach,(Mishael),  and Abed-nego, (Azariah), refused to worship the "god" of Baal.  They  worshipped the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  A decree was made that if you did not worship Baal, you would be thrown into a firey pit.   Shadrach, Mishael, and Abed-nego, did not worship Baal, and they were to be thrown into the fiery pit.  The fire temperature was increased so much, that the men throwing these three into the fire perished.  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego not only survived the fire, but not a hair on their head was singed, nor their clothes, nor did they smell of fire!  What a miracle!!  

A miracle is going to happen with Brandon!! He will be completely healed!! EVERYTHING will repair itself back together as new.  You all, and your prayers are an intricate part of God's plan for healing.  So far Brandon has gone head to head with a GMC truck traveling 62 mph and lived, he has undergone two surgeries, and he has spoken!! This road is a difficult road, it is not a road for the faint hearted.  This battle is the Lord's!!!  

We need all you warriors to not only stand with Brandon, but to stand for this world!!!  We are in a battle for this world.  God is calling you to pray fervently for this world.  Sometimes we think, "Why bother," or "God doesn't answer me."  Prayers ARE powerful!!  Don't stop believing!

May the Lord bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon you.  May you be filled with renewed energy and laughter.  I think of each of you and pray for you.

Thank you so much to God, to Brandon's buddy, (who stood over him), to the first responders, to all of the hospital staff, to friends, to family, and to people who don't even know Brandon.  We couldn't do this without you.