Classmate Update
Lori (Gilliam) Hall

Name: Lorene (Lori) Gilliam Hall

Family: Married Richard D. Hall August 31, 1984 -3 children; Danielle (Dani) Oct 24, 1987, Stephanie and Tiffany August 28, 1989

My 3-year-old nephew calls my house "the zoo" because we have 3 dogs, 6 cats, 14 rabbits, 10 chickens, I duck, 10 hamsters, a bunch of fish, and 2 horses. Our pet squirrel died a few months ago. We tend to accumulate strays and animals no one wants.

Occupation: LPN, Housewife, Homeschool Teacher, State Military Family Readiness Advisor, Children's Ministry Director, Cheerleading coach, soccer team mom, church choir member, church youth mom

Address: 6326 Seminole Street, Starke, FL 32091-9751
Phone: (904) 533-2632
Email: lorihall@atlantic.net

 Hobby's: I love to read, write articles and poetry (some have been published in magazines), sing at church, special functions, and at nursing homes with my daughters, horseback riding, hiking, weight lifting, taking long walks anywhere (beach or mountains) with my husband, helping others

     History: I joined the Oregon Army National Guard the summer between my junior and senior year (when my parents moved from Irrigon to Forest Grove). I went to combat medic training after graduation in Ft Sam Houston, TX where I met the man I later married. I came home after 3 months and briefly attended Eastern Oregon State (LaGrande) before deciding I needed to be in Florida with my true love. I then moved to Starke, Florida and married Richard Hall.
     I transferred my National Guard enlistment from Oregon to Florida National Guard where I remained for l0 years. I worked as a Civil Service Technician for 3 years at Camp Blanding National Guard post before attending nursing school in St. Augustine; FL. Our oldest child was born 2 months before I graduated from nursing school (she got medical books read to her instead of nursery rhymes). Our twins came l4 months later (at 26 weeks gestation). We call them our first miracle.
     The oldest twin (Stephanie) was allergic to just about everything inside and out and was a severe asthmatic. There were numerous occasions where the specialists told us she wouldn't make it past a year old, then 2. She is a miracle twice. As a l2-year.old she is very athletic and doesn't have status asthmaticus attacks anymore. I got out of the Florida National Guard to be home with my children during this tough period of time.
     When the twins were almost 2 and our oldest was nearly 4, my husband spent over a year with desert storm. This time was rough, but God brought him back to us.
     In 1993 (shortly after my husband returned) I was run over by a drunk driver who was speeding through a field trying to elude the police. I ended up with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) for three years and lived on painkillers and such unable to walk more than a few feet. Then Mother's Day of 1996 1 literally woke up and the RSD was gone totally. It has been six years that I have now enjoyed this miracle healing. To the point that physical tests that were run prior were totally changed afterwards.
     Since that time I have dedicated my life to serving God and helping others. I have coached softball, soccer, cheerleading, children's choirs and having a great time. I stay tired, but I missed three years of my children's lives (and of my life), I don't intend to miss another second. I love singing at church and at other places (it fulfills a need in my soul). I have to admit I am looking forward to Richard's retirement though when we can do more things alone. I am also hoping to go back to college and get my RN and/or teaching degree. I would like to possibly teach at a college if I don't go on the mission field once my children are grown.

Easter 2000 - Tiffany, Dani, Stephanie, Lori & Richard