1 00:00:38,001 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 1: Hey friends, it's Kelly from Life Audio. We just launched 2 00:00:41,501 --> 00:00:45,181 Speaker 1: something new. It's called The Good Word, our free weekly 3 00:00:45,241 --> 00:00:48,120 Speaker 1: newsletter built for people who want to go a little 4 00:00:48,161 --> 00:00:54,011 Speaker 1: deeper in their faith. Think devotionals, guided prayers, curated podcast recommendations, 5 00:00:54,191 --> 00:00:57,311 Speaker 1: and a little community all in one place. No ads, 6 00:00:57,651 --> 00:01:00,091 Speaker 1: just good content. This one means a lot to us. 7 00:01:00,491 --> 00:01:03,271 Speaker 1: We built The Good Word based on the audience survey 8 00:01:03,491 --> 00:01:05,671 Speaker 1: so many of you filled out a few months back. 9 00:01:05,991 --> 00:01:08,571 Speaker 1: You told us what you wanted and we listened. So 10 00:01:08,611 --> 00:01:11,550 Speaker 1: thank you truly for helping us shape this. Head to 11 00:01:11,571 --> 00:01:14,180 Speaker 1: the link in the show notes and join our community today. 12 00:01:14,471 --> 00:01:15,441 Speaker 1: We'd love to have you. 13 00:01:18,461 --> 00:01:25,801 Speaker 2: Life Audio. Good morning and welcome back to Story Behind Podcast. 14 00:01:26,241 --> 00:01:29,661 Speaker 2: I guess what? It's morning, Ryan. Good day to wherever 15 00:01:29,781 --> 00:01:33,481 Speaker 2: you may be listening at whatever time of day it is. 16 00:01:33,561 --> 00:01:36,920 Speaker 2: And that's the great thing about these and about story behind. 17 00:01:36,961 --> 00:01:40,121 Speaker 2: You can listen at any time at your convenience when 18 00:01:40,181 --> 00:01:43,541 Speaker 2: you are in need of a dose of positive news, 19 00:01:43,641 --> 00:01:47,181 Speaker 2: getting away, getting behind, if you will, all the other 20 00:01:47,261 --> 00:01:50,401 Speaker 2: news in our feed. And today I've selected a couple 21 00:01:50,461 --> 00:01:54,501 Speaker 2: stories for you about the rare moments in life when 22 00:01:54,721 --> 00:01:58,521 Speaker 2: some of our first responders get to slow down and 23 00:01:58,961 --> 00:02:02,301 Speaker 2: share a special moment. They spend so much of their 24 00:02:02,761 --> 00:02:07,101 Speaker 2: life in emergency mode or in preparing for emergency mode. 25 00:02:07,671 --> 00:02:09,951 Speaker 2: So these are a couple special stories that you will 26 00:02:10,011 --> 00:02:12,611 Speaker 2: want to link to and see some of the pictures 27 00:02:12,731 --> 00:02:16,531 Speaker 2: and videos behind the story behind. So with that, I'll 28 00:02:16,571 --> 00:02:27,171 Speaker 2: be right back in just a second. All right. Our 29 00:02:27,231 --> 00:02:33,041 Speaker 2: first story today is by Heather Riggleman. It's about a 30 00:02:33,201 --> 00:02:37,501 Speaker 2: first responder who shared a special moment with a baby 31 00:02:38,441 --> 00:02:44,701 Speaker 2: whose life he saved. There are moments that become part 32 00:02:44,740 --> 00:02:49,960 Speaker 2: of your soul before you even realize they're happening. A 33 00:02:50,020 --> 00:02:55,591 Speaker 2: frantic phone call before sunrise. A tiny heartbeat hanging in 34 00:02:55,611 --> 00:03:00,731 Speaker 2: the balance. A prayer whispered without words while trained hands 35 00:03:00,851 --> 00:03:06,711 Speaker 2: do what they were created to do. Most first responders 36 00:03:07,770 --> 00:03:11,571 Speaker 2: never get to see the ending of those stories. They 37 00:03:11,631 --> 00:03:14,751 Speaker 2: simply leave a piece of their heart behind and answer 38 00:03:14,791 --> 00:03:20,081 Speaker 2: the next emergency. That's why this reunion between an Alabama 39 00:03:20,201 --> 00:03:23,560 Speaker 2: firefighter and the baby he helped save feels like a 40 00:03:23,621 --> 00:03:30,381 Speaker 2: glimpse of God's kindness breaking through the ordinary. Lieutenant Justin 41 00:03:30,561 --> 00:03:35,470 Speaker 2: Ramsey of Guntersville Fire and Rescue has spent more than 42 00:03:35,531 --> 00:03:40,631 Speaker 2: a decade serving as a firefighter and paramedic. But one 43 00:03:40,711 --> 00:03:46,431 Speaker 2: call from April is forever etched in his memory. Around 44 00:03:46,431 --> 00:03:50,531 Speaker 2: 5 a.m., Justin and his crew responded to a home 45 00:03:50,791 --> 00:03:57,001 Speaker 2: where a newborn baby wasn't breathing. When they arrived in Guntersville, Alabama, 46 00:03:57,321 --> 00:04:02,481 Speaker 2: baby John was unresponsive and blue. The family told first 47 00:04:02,541 --> 00:04:06,451 Speaker 2: responders he had gone nearly ten minutes without taking a breath. 48 00:04:08,511 --> 00:04:12,751 Speaker 2: Drawing on years of training, Justin immediately began stimulating the 49 00:04:12,811 --> 00:04:17,630 Speaker 2: infant while helping him breathe. Then, during the ambulance ride, 50 00:04:18,351 --> 00:04:22,820 Speaker 2: the miracle everyone had hoped for finally happened. Baby John 51 00:04:23,541 --> 00:04:28,031 Speaker 2: opened his eyes and took a breath. Can you imagine 52 00:04:28,071 --> 00:04:34,051 Speaker 2: the elation and joy everyone felt in that moment? Months later, 53 00:04:34,351 --> 00:04:38,811 Speaker 2: Justin reunited with the little boy whose life he helped save. 54 00:04:40,390 --> 00:04:44,420 Speaker 2: Seeing a healthy, smiling baby in his parents' arms instead 55 00:04:44,461 --> 00:04:47,481 Speaker 2: of fighting to keep him alive was a moment he 56 00:04:47,541 --> 00:04:51,461 Speaker 2: says he'll never forget. I was so happy being able 57 00:04:51,501 --> 00:04:55,001 Speaker 2: to see the kid today, Justin said. I'll never forget 58 00:04:55,061 --> 00:05:00,651 Speaker 2: the kid. John's father, Adam Beckert, brought his son back 59 00:05:00,690 --> 00:05:03,751 Speaker 2: to the station to thank the crew that gave his 60 00:05:03,791 --> 00:05:08,101 Speaker 2: family hope on the hardest day of their lives. He 61 00:05:08,161 --> 00:05:12,461 Speaker 2: credits Justin Ramsey and the entire Guntersville Fire and Rescue 62 00:05:12,481 --> 00:05:18,911 Speaker 2: team with saving his son's life. Justin said, First responders 63 00:05:19,011 --> 00:05:22,451 Speaker 2: rarely get the opportunity to learn how these stories end. 64 00:05:23,811 --> 00:05:28,421 Speaker 2: This time, he received the kind of ending Every firefighter 65 00:05:28,661 --> 00:05:33,571 Speaker 2: prays for. A healthy little boy with a lifetime of birthdays, 66 00:05:34,251 --> 00:05:37,871 Speaker 2: scraped knees, and first days of school still ahead of him. 67 00:05:39,831 --> 00:05:44,411 Speaker 2: It reminds me of 1 Samuel 1.27. I prayed for 68 00:05:44,451 --> 00:05:48,291 Speaker 2: this child, and the Lord has granted me what I 69 00:05:48,401 --> 00:05:52,321 Speaker 2: asked of him. While we all wipe a tear and 70 00:05:52,380 --> 00:05:56,061 Speaker 2: recover from that story, Let's take this break and I'll 71 00:05:56,081 --> 00:05:59,361 Speaker 2: be right back with our second positive and encouraging story 72 00:06:00,081 --> 00:06:12,231 Speaker 2: for today. All right, let's get to our second story 73 00:06:12,471 --> 00:06:18,321 Speaker 2: about a firefighter today. As we consider some of the 74 00:06:18,380 --> 00:06:21,281 Speaker 2: wonderful things our first responders do for us and some 75 00:06:21,321 --> 00:06:24,440 Speaker 2: of the moments that we usually miss. don't get to 76 00:06:24,521 --> 00:06:27,031 Speaker 2: see when life slows down just a little bit and 77 00:06:27,061 --> 00:06:31,070 Speaker 2: we get to appreciate them. This second story is also 78 00:06:31,151 --> 00:06:35,731 Speaker 2: by Heather Riggleman today, and it is about a firefighter 79 00:06:35,751 --> 00:06:40,231 Speaker 2: who got a hero's welcome after returning home after a 80 00:06:40,711 --> 00:06:47,221 Speaker 2: lumber mill explosion. There are few sites more powerful than 81 00:06:47,261 --> 00:06:50,061 Speaker 2: a hometown lining the streets to welcome one of its 82 00:06:50,121 --> 00:06:54,291 Speaker 2: heroes home, and this one might bring tears to your eyes. 83 00:06:56,331 --> 00:07:00,171 Speaker 2: In the streets, fire trucks stood ready, and fellow firefighters 84 00:07:00,471 --> 00:07:06,301 Speaker 2: gathered shoulder to shoulder. Family, friends, and neighbors waited with 85 00:07:06,380 --> 00:07:11,301 Speaker 2: grateful hearts for 23-year-old Jacob Spalding to return to the 86 00:07:11,341 --> 00:07:15,721 Speaker 2: Mottville Fire Station after spending 30 days in the hospital 87 00:07:15,781 --> 00:07:20,041 Speaker 2: recovering from severe burns suffered in an explosion at the 88 00:07:20,101 --> 00:07:27,361 Speaker 2: Robbins Lumber Mill. in nearby Searsmont, Maine. After weeks of uncertainty, 89 00:07:27,421 --> 00:07:31,741 Speaker 2: the young firefighter finally stepped out to a hero's welcome. 90 00:07:32,861 --> 00:07:37,761 Speaker 2: People worried. People prayed. And they were more than relieved 91 00:07:38,001 --> 00:07:42,590 Speaker 2: to see him finally come home. Jacob himself couldn't believe 92 00:07:42,931 --> 00:07:46,811 Speaker 2: he was still alive. After everything he had been through, 93 00:07:47,891 --> 00:07:50,911 Speaker 2: he never expected to be welcomed home. But the community 94 00:07:50,931 --> 00:07:55,701 Speaker 2: believed showed up for him. I'm feeling good, Jacob said. 95 00:07:56,181 --> 00:07:59,501 Speaker 2: It's great to be home. Great to see everyone that 96 00:07:59,541 --> 00:08:03,961 Speaker 2: came out. For his parents, the moment was one they 97 00:08:03,981 --> 00:08:06,521 Speaker 2: had prayed for every single day. 98 00:08:07,981 --> 00:08:08,341 Speaker 1: It was a. 99 00:08:08,361 --> 00:08:11,941 Speaker 2: Long 30 days to watch your kid lay there the 100 00:08:11,981 --> 00:08:15,201 Speaker 2: way he was laying there, his father Henry said. And 101 00:08:15,401 --> 00:08:20,411 Speaker 2: this means a lot, the whole community coming out. Jacob 102 00:08:20,451 --> 00:08:25,111 Speaker 2: spent several days in a medically induced coma. His father 103 00:08:25,151 --> 00:08:29,191 Speaker 2: said the burns were so severe that during the first 104 00:08:29,191 --> 00:08:32,491 Speaker 2: 48 hours his face was so swollen he could hardly 105 00:08:32,550 --> 00:08:37,050 Speaker 2: recognize his own son. While Jacob's journey is far from over, 106 00:08:37,751 --> 00:08:41,591 Speaker 2: Monday marked a milestone his family wasn't sure would come. 107 00:08:43,790 --> 00:08:49,211 Speaker 2: The celebration carried both joy and heartbreak. The mill explosion 108 00:08:49,471 --> 00:08:53,191 Speaker 2: also claimed the life of Assistant Fire Chief Wayne Hamilton, 109 00:08:54,351 --> 00:08:57,731 Speaker 2: a loss that continues to weigh heavily on firefighters and 110 00:08:57,790 --> 00:09:04,141 Speaker 2: neighbors throughout the community. As Jacob continues, what doctors expect 111 00:09:04,181 --> 00:09:08,761 Speaker 2: will be a two-year recovery. He remains grateful for the 112 00:09:08,800 --> 00:09:13,191 Speaker 2: team who has cared for him. Everyone down there was wonderful, 113 00:09:13,651 --> 00:09:17,280 Speaker 2: Jacob said. They did everything they could to keep us 114 00:09:17,341 --> 00:09:23,471 Speaker 2: healthy and happy. But no place like home. Maybe that's 115 00:09:23,511 --> 00:09:27,351 Speaker 2: the quiet gift of a small town. It reminds us 116 00:09:27,391 --> 00:09:31,951 Speaker 2: that heroes don't walk alone. When one person hurts, everyone 117 00:09:31,991 --> 00:09:36,680 Speaker 2: feels it. When one person comes home, the whole community celebrates. 118 00:09:38,401 --> 00:09:43,801 Speaker 2: In a world that can often feel disconnected, hometowns still 119 00:09:43,841 --> 00:09:47,881 Speaker 2: have a beautiful way of wrapping people in love, reminding 120 00:09:47,941 --> 00:09:52,451 Speaker 2: them they belong, and proving that hope is never carried 121 00:09:53,331 --> 00:09:57,430 Speaker 2: on just one pair of shoulders. As it says in 122 00:09:57,491 --> 00:10:02,050 Speaker 2: Isaiah 43, 2, When you pass through the waters, I 123 00:10:02,091 --> 00:10:05,421 Speaker 2: will be with you, and the rivers will not overwhelm you. 124 00:10:06,901 --> 00:10:09,201 Speaker 2: When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, 125 00:10:10,141 --> 00:10:16,261 Speaker 2: and the flame will not burn you. I'm thankful for 126 00:10:16,301 --> 00:10:19,960 Speaker 2: that story today and for the reminder of hometowns and 127 00:10:20,001 --> 00:10:22,381 Speaker 2: that we do not walk through this journey alone. And 128 00:10:22,421 --> 00:10:26,271 Speaker 2: that is one reason we love bringing this podcast to you. 129 00:10:27,351 --> 00:10:30,811 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening to the story behind today. I hope 130 00:10:30,851 --> 00:10:35,201 Speaker 2: today's story about first responders, the good and the bad 131 00:10:35,241 --> 00:10:37,481 Speaker 2: that they go through, reminds you of the ways God 132 00:10:37,541 --> 00:10:41,331 Speaker 2: is still moving in the world around us. Visit the 133 00:10:41,371 --> 00:10:45,161 Speaker 2: links in the show notes to find the original articles, photos, videos, 134 00:10:45,221 --> 00:10:48,121 Speaker 2: and any resources mentioned in today's episode on the God 135 00:10:48,160 --> 00:10:53,241 Speaker 2: Updates blog at GodTube.com. If you enjoyed this story, be 136 00:10:53,261 --> 00:10:56,001 Speaker 2: sure to follow Story Behind wherever you listen to podcasts. 137 00:10:56,681 --> 00:10:59,261 Speaker 2: And share it with someone who could use a little encouragement. 138 00:11:00,341 --> 00:11:04,901 Speaker 2: Story Behind is a Life Audio production. For more faith-based podcasts, 139 00:11:04,961 --> 00:11:09,721 Speaker 2: visit lifeaudio.com. I'm Sean McAvoy. Thanks again for joining me. 140 00:11:10,481 --> 00:11:13,091 Speaker 2: And we'll see you next time on Story Behind.