It has been quite a long time since I've posted anything on here. Quite a lot has transpired in our lives during that time, so I will attempt to share here with you most of what's happened in our lives since that time.

In June, Tyler returned home from Army/National Guard basic training and training as a 'track vehicle mechanic'. In July, Tyler came home from a weekend drill with the unexpected news that he will be deployed on Dec. 6th to Iraq. I can't say that the news surprised us. though it did catch us off-guard, as we hadn't anticipated that we would have to bid him farewell again so soon. As a dad, my heart hurts for my son, and I am afraid for him. He's going off to fight in a war that we neither support nor believe in.

I am also very, very angry right now with the National Guard. Last October when Tyler made the decision to join, he was only 17 years old, which required mine and Leisa's signature/permission in order for him to join. We only did so after receiving the ironclad assurance that, in the event of deployment, Tyler would be as safe as he could possibly be in the specific line of work that he'd chosen. Well, back in July, when he reported to his new unit for the first time, he was told that his training as a mechanic would not be utilized. Instead, he was going to be taught how to drive a "Stryker" vehicle, as their deployment mission is "Convoy Security and Troop Evacuation". I have spent a lot of time on the phone speaking with higher-ups within the National Guard ranks, expressing my feelings regarding their breaking the contract that he signed when he joined guaranteeing him training in the job that he selected. For them to be able to pull him away from the job that they trained him for and placing him in another job classification without the proper training is a.) breaking his contract, and b.) placing him in direct danger that could very well result in his death. Tyler isn't trying to get out of going to Iraq - in fact, he's said on more than one occasion that if his comrades were going to have to go, that he was going to go with them. However, he has told me that he's scared to death, for which I do not blame him at all. He just wishes the same thing that I do: That he would be doing the job that is outlined in his contract.

Tyler is still dating Holli - it's a relationship that has now lasted for over 2 years. Tonight, Tyler took her on a riverboat dinner cruise. He's so romantic when it comes to her. He even went out and bought a new suit for the occasion! He's such a good young man - any girl will be very lucky/fortunate with a guy like him on their arm. I remain very proud of him.

Hannah took the summer off from college, and spent the greater part of 2 months traveling around the southeastern U.S. I was quite surprised that she was able to find her way to obscure towns, as well as finding her way back again. She is now enrolled full-time for the fall semester at WSCC in Morristown. She makes excellent grades, and will do well in her future life.

The rest of the family (Leisa and kids) are all doing well. Leisa, if you recall, had gastric bypass surgery just over a year ago. Since that time, she has lost 156 pounds! She looks & feels great, and we are all so very proud of her. And honestly, I never thought that she would lose so much weight. I have never seen her this small. When Tyler saw her in March at his basic training graduation from Ft Knox, he didn't know who she was! What has made everything around here so drastically different and difficult is the fact that she now has more energy than I do, and is constantly on-the-go. Leisa and the kids are now gearing up for another school year.

I have just about gotten over all of the physical effects of the motorcycle wreck of May. There were 2 bones that were among scores fractured that were the source of great concern for us and the doctor. We were so glad to learn on July 31 that the bones had begun fusing together and are in the process of finally healing. We are now 3 months out, and I have yet to receive a penny from the at-fault's insurance provider. This has cost me a lot of money in terms of work that I've had to turn down, so we have suffered greatly from an economic standpoint. We've agreed on part of the property damage, and they agreed over 3 weeks ago to cut me a check, but thus far, that check remains unseen.

We still attend and are members at Rogersville Baptist Temple over in Rogersville, Tn. Although I haven't been able to attend as much as I'd like due to the accident injuries, I still feel that we're in a truly wonderful church with a pastor whom I love very dearly. The families who make up the church are all equally as nice too. I think the world of all of them, and cannot see us ever going elsewhere for spiritual nourishment.

Take care, God bless, and let us hear from you on occasion.

Scotty & Family

Just thought that I'd offer up another small update.

Leisa and I just recently celebrated our 19th anniversary. When I think about it, it doesn't really seem like it's been 19 years at all. In fact, I look back and wonder where the time has gone. It's a very surreal feeling. Time passes by so fast. When I was a boy, I heard the verse from the Bible quoted in church: Life is but a vapor. It appears for a short time, and then vanishes away. I never really understood that verse until now.

Tyler's now acclimated and adjusted to being back home with us. It's so nice to have the whole family back together under the same roof. Tyler had his drill the first weekend that he was home, at which time he was promoted and "handed off" to his unit. He also discovered that his unit will supposedly be deployed in December. I hope that it's just a rumor - however, rumors get started somewhere, so I am very "cautious" about it.

The kids are all healthy and well, and Leisa is also doing good. I am still recovering from the injuries sustained in the May 9 motorcycle accident. It's gotten some easier to deal with, but it could be that I've just gotten used to the way things are. I've had some good days lately, and I've enjoyed them, too.

Spiritually, I need your prayers. I won't go into any detail here, but I covet your prayers deeply, as I need them right now. God knows all about it.

Thanks-

It's a time for rejoicing in the Rogers' home tonight! Tyler, our oldest son, returned home around midnight, following an 8am graduation ceremony at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md. He left Md. around 2:00pm, and through a series of flights, finally landed in Knoxville around 10:45pm. Leisa and children were there to greet him. Since I'm on "bedrest", I didn't get to go. However, when he returned home, I received a hug that was only reserved for a father. I'm very proud of him, and of his accomplishments. I can now only enjoy the time that I have with him, and pray that his unit doesn't get called into service somewhere overseas. (This is my greatest fear.)

Is it me, or does there always seem to be something going on around here? One catastrophe after another - it never seems to stop. Most of you have already read about the May 9th wreck that I was involved in. Well, I am still dealing with severe injuries related to that. The shattered pelvis doesn't seem to be getting any better, though the fractured left arm does feel better. I had to remove the cast this past Saturday due to uncontrollable swelling in the hand. I return to the orthopedic doctor this Friday at 8:00am to find out what the next course of action is.

I am presently confined to either the bed or the wheelchair - there is no "in between". With my fractured arm, using crutches is out of the question, as is the use of my prosthetic leg due to the crushed pelvis.

The lady who hit me only had the state minimum when it comes to automobile insurance. I believe that our state minimums are: $10,000.00 for property damages, and $25,000.00 for medical coverage. The bills pertaining to medical coverage surpassed the $25k mark within the first 2 weeks following the accident.

And here's the kicker: I received the new artificial leg back in December '08. It was a leg that I could comfortably use and I could walk with it relatively easily. My health insurer will only cover 1 new prosthesis once every 3-5 years. My leg was totaled in the accident, and the cost to replace it is $32,000.00. There isn't enough insurance in the lady's policy to even cover my prosthetic leg. So, I am just out of "luck" when it comes to replacing the leg. I realize that I can't walk on a prosthesis right now, but my pelvis won't be fractured forever! There's coming a day when I'm going to be ready to walk again, and I won't have a leg to walk on when that day arrives.

For most folks, this would be a calamity - total ruination of their existence. For me, this only strengthens my faith in an almighty God. He knows exactly where I'm at. I don't know how He's going to do it, but I know beyond any doubt that He's going to take care of me when it comes to getting a replacement leg to walk on. What other alternative do I have at this point in time?? I could sit down and say "This is it", or I can trust that my God is going to take care of me in a mighty way. I choose to believe the latter.

Without a doubt, every step of the way, God has taken care of our family, and He continues to do so. In past times, I have sat around and worried about this problem or that calamity, but in the end, God always comes through in His perfect timing. So, the way I see it, I can either sit around and worry, or I can trust God to do what He's already going to do -- again, I choose the latter.

Earlier this week, for the first time since the accident, I complained. What I complained about was absolutely redundant. I complained because I'm confined to a wheelchair for the foreseeable future. How stupid is that? Instead of complaining about the wheelchair, I should be praising God that I have such a nice set of wheels to get around in, and I have the ability to propel myself around the house. There are others who are in far worse shape physically than I am. So, I ought to be ashamed for complaining about something to stupid. God has been far better to me than I have been toward Him, so I repent of that right here and now. I have far too much to be thankful for than to be sitting around complaining about my inability to crutch around or walk. God, forgive me!

I heard a sermon which was preached at our church this past Friday night, and it's one that I wish that I'd heard 11 years ago. It sure would have made a major difference in a lot of things. I wish there were some way that I could tell you what the sermon was about, but words are failing me right now. I'll attempt, one day in the future, to sit down and do justice in describing to you the details of that particular sermon. For now, suffice it to say that it is the absolute best sermon that I have heard in many years. (And, I've heard a lot of sermons over the years.)

I want to leave you with a verse that's come to mean a lot to me. Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Bye for now.

I got in and saw Dr. Christopher on on June 1st. Initially, things were a tad complicated, as the hospital had sent the results from a female pelvis. Leisa left me with Dr. Christopher while she went over to Lakeway and obtained the proper xrays - he also conducted his own xrays, and compared the old versus the new when Leisa arrived with them. He said that had he been the initial treating physician, that he would have operated straightaway, but with the injuries now 3+ weeks old, that the body had begun regenerating itself, so surgery at this point would be fruitless. He gave me a 4-6 month window for when I should expect the bones to be healed and for me to be able to resume some semblance of a normal life. It is still questionable as to whether or not I'll be able to walk with a prosthesis within the next 12 months.

He also removed the cast that was on my left arm, and r-xrayed the broken bone. Upon seeing the new xrays, he promptly put a new cast on, saying that it was still obviously fractured. I return on the 24th for another visit/evaluation. I like Dr. Christopher because he's so down-to-earth, and doesn't place himself above the patient as far as "I'm better than you are" type of mentality. He likes to joke with me by saying "With you around, I'll always know that my practice will remain stable due to the fact that you like to push the envelope and go further than most." I really wish that he'd been my treating physician since day 1, as I feel that my time spent at U.T. Hospital did me more harm than good. Dr. C did give me the more realistic timeframe of 4-6 months healing time, rather than the 3 months offered by U.T. He's very thorough, has great compassion, and has a wonderful bedside manner. I don't think I could have chosen a better physician to treat these very difficult wounds.

I am no longer required to spend 24/7 in the bed, which has been a tremendous relief. And, while he did offer me the chance to get out of bed, he did caution me to not take that as a 'get out of jail free card', but to slowly do things as I feel capable. I am now able to get out of the bed by myself; transfer to the wheelchair alone; and propel myself around the house. I still need assistance getting into and out of the bath tub. I can still feel the bones painfully shifting in my pelvis as I move a certain way, so I have to be really careful with my movements.

In family news, keep Tyler at the forefront of your prayers. He has such a short period of time remaining before he can return home. Yet, for some reason, this is also the most mentally difficult for him, and he expresses very loudly how he can't return home quick enough to suit his needs. A few of his fellow soldiers have singled him out and pick on him especially hard - calling his family all sorts of things. I've told him to not concern himself with what they have to say about us, because they've never met us, so they don't know what kind of people we are. I'm worried about him, and strongly hope that you'll join me in praying that God helps him get through the next 10 days.

That's it from here.

We had a great Memorial Day Weekend around here. Hannah graduated high school with Smoky Mountain Home Educators Association on Saturday the 23rd. In attendance for her graduation was Tyler, her older brother! It was so great to have him home for the weekend, as we all have missed him very much. Leisa left in the wee morning hours on Tuesday the 26th to return him to Edgewood/Aberdeen. I only wish that we had had more time with him. However, if all goes as planned, he'll be home for good in 3 more weeks.

Health-wise, I have not witnessed much progress since the crash. I am having all of my medical records and xrays sent to Dr. Ronald Christopher in Morristown, who happens to be an orthopedic doctor that I've seen before, and trust very well. There is a very high chance that he will opt to do surgery on my pelvis in order to secure the bones together so that they can properly heal. I've been on total bed rest since this happened, and I haven't noticed much of a change in anything as far as pain goes and the ability to feel the broken bones rubbing together. The only positive note that I have to share is the fact that the bruising has gone away, so everything is back to normal color. The major concern at this time is whether or not I will ever be able to walk again on a prosthetic leg. The damage to the pelvis is pretty severe, and there's a chance that it may not heal well enough for me to be able to ever walk again on a prosthetic leg. This has me pretty bummed out/depressed.

The insurance adjuster came out and labeled my Harley as a "total loss". They will figure out a price, and if I am in agreement with the price, we'll settle with me being able to retain custody of the bike. (I won't let them keep it, even if it is wrecked.) Also wrecked/totaled is my prosthetic leg. I knew that there was some damage to the leg, but I didn't realize that it was as severe as it was. My "leg man" said that the only remedy is to replace the knee and foot, as both were severely damaged in the crash. So, the property damage aspect as far as the insurance company goes is going to be pretty stiff - in the tens of thousands of dollars. The health settlement is months away, as I am still not finished, by a long shot, with the treatments the doctors have planned for me. I still have a physical therapist who visits me twice a week, though I've managed to put him off thus far for this week. Sometimes, I just hurt too badly to partake in the p.t. exercises.

I still have the cast on my left arm, and I can still feel the broken bones in the arm - which indicates to me that the healing process there is also slow-going.

I don't understand this "100% Bed Rest" order from the doctors, as I can see no benefit from laying in the bed all the time. I guess they have their reasons, but it seems pretty redundant to me.

I guess that about sums things up from this end. Y'all take care of yourselves, and be good to one another. Life's way too short for making mountains out of mole hills. If you're a friend, make yourself known. I'm gone.

The events of Saturday, May 9, 2009

On Saturday, 5-9-09, I as involved in a very serious motorcycle accident that resulted in multiple broken bones. My pelvis was fractured in 3 places, and is the location of the most severe of the injuries. I also fractured my left arm, right shoulder, and a rib on my right side - all of which are equal in both pain and severity.

I cannot tell you what happened, as I cannot recall any of the events that transpired. I can only tell you that I feel extremely fortunate just to be alive. From the legal standpoint, the driver of the van that struck me was being held legally responsible for the accident, as she failed to yield me the right-of-way.

I am very grateful to the Lord my God for allowing things to turn out as they did. Leisa just as easily could have received a phone call informing her that i'd passed away as a result of my injuries. I am eternally grateful to everyone who lent a helping hand during my time of dire need. 6 of our country neighbors loaded my heavy motorcycle onto the back of a large truck and transported it to my home, saving me a $300+ towing bill. God's hand of protection over my life was very evident.

I love y'all very much...

1 Corinthians 10:13 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

Philippians 4:19 "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

I provided the above verses because I wanted to share with you how God's made these verses very real in our lives over the course of time.

For quite some time now, we have been praying about our water situation. It has been real easy to say that our trust has been in God, but it's been really difficult placing those words into practice, especially when you run out of water and have to spend a couple of days per week (minimum) over the course of several months to manually haul water in from an outside source, then the faith wears a might thin over time. Once, a few months ago, as I was praying about our particular plight, it was almost as though the Lord audibly spoke to me and said "Well, do you trust Me or not? Am I not sufficient enough to meet your every need?"

So, I finally reached the point that I should have arrived at long before I actually did: I completely turned everything over to Him, and I left it there.

Shortly after Thanksgiving of 2008, it began raining very hard. Virtually each week since that time, it's rained some - some weeks have brought us more rain than others. Presently it is raining yet again, and we just stand in awe at God's provision. We knew that He would take care of our water needs, we just didn't know how. It remains my sincerest prayer that God will continue to provide us with rain so that we can get through the notoriously dry months without problem. I really don't want to have to haul water yet again this year, but if that is what is demanded of me, then I am ready, albeit reluctantly.

Our life doesn't remain without its problems, but it sure is an awesome feeling to have one major issue seemingly remedied for the time being.

I know that there are some of you out there who have also been praying alongside us regarding the water situation, and I want to offer you the most sincere, heartfelt "Thank you" that I know how to muster. It really is a good feeling know that others out there genuinely and sincerely care about a family they've never met, enough so that you take very valuable time to come together as a family and offer up prayers on our behalf. That is a very humbling feeling for us.

It remains our continued prayer that God will provide as only He can in the area of providing us with a well and with a heating/cooling system. My precious wife, bless her wonderful heart, has nearly reached her physical limit when it comes to being tired of constantly struggling just to stay warm during the winter months, somewhat cool during the summer months, and having the assurance that there's going to be water when she turns on the spigot.

It remains a great source of discouragement, disappointment, and even some depression in knowing that I am totally incapable of providing everything that my family needs. By myself, I am nothing. With God, and with God's people praying for me, then I remain encouraged. I thank each of you for loving me, for loving my family, and for caring enough to lift our names before the Father.

I ask that you continue to remember me in your prayers on a personal level. I'm battling some very harsh inner turmoil at the moment. Satan knows that he can't have my soul, as that has been sealed at Calvary's cross. However, he knows that he can have my peace and joy, and has been working overtime in my life at gaining control over both of those areas. I don't feel bad in confessing this to you, as I know that those of you who truly matter to me, those of you who are truly my friends, will not think any less of me for being so transparently honest with you.

Our only source of income at this time has been the social security disability, which is substantially less than $1,000.00 per month. It doesn't take a NASA scientist to figure out that $1,000.00 per month does not stretch very far when divided amongst 9 people. By the time we pay our essential monthly bills, there's nothing left over to save. (We have, however, been faithful in our tithes and offering, so we know that God honors that.)

Thank y'all for being our friend. We would surely love to hear from some of you - it would do our hearts a world of good to hear from some of the very ones who care for us.

Take care, and God's best to you,
Scott for the Rogers' Tribe

Tyler Graduated!

For those who didn't know, our oldest son Tyler joined the Tennessee National Guard 6-7 months ago. He departed on Jan. 5th for basic training at Fort Knox, Ky. Our family traveled to Fort Knox last week (still driving the van that God provided for us last year) to witness his graduation and to spend a really great day with him.

Leaving him was very hard, but was something that we had to do. He is now at another US Military installation receiving advanced individual training in the job that he has chosen (which is non-combat related).

We are very proud of Tyler, and of the decision he made in joining the Guard. He is a very remarkable son, and an even more remarkable Soldier.

Here is a photo of him that was taken on his graduation day. We are very proud of him.

Back open for whoever wants to read it.

I've decided to open the blog back up for whomever wants to read it. If my personal views, my firm stance on the religion of my choice, or anything else that I author offends you, then you have a right to hit the exit button and never return to my site again. I make no apologies for the way that I am, and certainly am not ashamed of the God who I believe in, or His son Jesus Christ who gave Himself as a sacrifice so that I might have eternal life.

If you stand in disagreement, then don't bother wasting your time leaving me a comment, just click out of this site and please don't bother coming back.

I had restricted access to this site following some communication from some extremists who disagreed with my options. But, this is STILL the United States of America, and I am still a free man living in a free country where freedom of speech is still one of the freedoms that we all enjoy. If you disagree, then please, start your own blog as a rebuttal to mine - I don't care.

I am sharing with you an email that I received that pretty much sums everything up.

Take care, and I will be back shortly with a family update with photos.

Scott Rogers

EMail:

This was written by a Canadian woman, but it also applies to the U.S. , U.K. and Australia

THIS ONE PACKS A FIRM PUNCH

Here is a woman who should run for Prime Minister!

Written by a housewife in New Brunswick , to her local newspaper.

This is one ticked off lady.

Are we fighting a war on terror or aren't we? Was it or was it not started by Islamic people who brought it to our shores on September 11, 2001 and have continually threatened to do so since? Were people from all over the world, not brutally murdered that day, in downtown Manhattan , across the Potomac from the nation's capitol and in a field in Pennsylvania ?

Did nearly three thousand men, women and children die a horrible, burning or crushing death that day, or didn't they?

And I'm supposed to care that a few Taliban were claiming to be tortured by a justice system of the nation they come from and are fighting against in a brutal insurgency.

I'll start caring when Osama bin Laden turns himself in and repents for incinerating all those innocent people on 9/11.

I'll care about the Koran when the fanatics in the Middle East start caring about the Holy Bible, the mere belief of which is a crime punishable by beheading in Afghanistan .

I'll care when these thugs tell the world they are sorry for hacking off Nick Berg's head while Berg screamed through his gurgling slashed throat.

I'll care when the cowardly so-called 'insurgents' in Afghanistan come out and fight like men instead of disrespecting their own religion by hiding in mosques and behind women and children.

I'll care when the mindless zealots who blows themselves up in search of nirvana care about the innocent children within range of their suicide bombs.

I'll care when the Canadian media stops pretending that their freedom of speech on stories is more important than the lives of the soldiers on the ground or their families waiting at home to hear about
them when something happens.

In the meantime, when I hear a story about a CANADIAN soldier roughing up an Insurgent terrorist to obtain information, know this:

I don't care.

When I see a wounded terrorist get shot in the head when he is told not to move because he might be booby-trapped, you can take it to the bank:

I don't care.

When I hear that a prisoner, who was issued a Koran and a prayer mat, and 'fed special' food that is paid for by my tax dollars, is complaining that his holy book is being 'mishandled,' you can
absolutely believe in your heart of hearts:

I don't care.

And oh, by the way, I've noticed that sometimes it's spelled 'Koran' and other times 'Quran.' Well, Jimmy Crack Corn you guessed it,

I don't care!!

If you agree with this viewpoint, pass this on to all your E-mail friends Sooner or later, it'll get to the people responsible for this ridiculous behavior!

If you don't agree, then by all means hit the delete button. Should you choose the latter, then please don't complain when more atrocities committed by radical Muslims happen here in our great Country!

And may I add: 'Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Soldiers don't have that problem.'

I have another quote that I would like to add, AND.......I hope you forward all this.

One last thought for the day:

Only five defining forces have ever offered to die for you:

1. Jesus Christ

2 . The Canadian Soldier.

3. The British Soldier.

4. The US Soldier, and

5. The Australian Soldier

One died for your soul, the other 4 for your freedom.

YOU MIGHT WANT TO PASS THIS ON, AS MANY SEEM TO FORGET ALL OF THEM.