.

 May 22

 Rachel is making her way through and being challenged everyday.  The hills on this last leg of the journey are relentless and she is still in some pain.  But thankfully the lady who is taking her in tonight is a massage therapist.  So for the first time in a long while Rachel will get a chance to let her muscles and joints some much needed therapy.  Then tomorrow she moves on.

May 23

Sometimes something causes someone to have a bad day, wake up on the wrong side of the bed or have a bad hair day.  Well Rachel met an officer with the Monroe County Sheriff's Department who seemed to be having one of these aforementioned days and decided to make Rachel's life a little bit harder.  Saying that it was against the law for Rachel to be on the road, he made her push the Wagon in the grass on the soft shoulder, slowing her down to a crawl.  The officer then made a point to continuously drive by to make sure that Rachel was off the road.  Now, despite the fact that it is NOT illegal for a cart to move on a state road (That's why you see tractors, carriages and horses at times on these roads) Rachel could not get this officer to move from his position.  Thankfully, there are usually others you can turn to when you are being treated unfairly.  We called the Sheriff of Monroe County's office and found a sympathetic ear in Officer Patty McNeely and in Sheriff Bittick himself who got the situation under control immediately and Rachel was left to walk on the road unmolested.  Rachel found new friends in William and Fay Baughcum and their family of 5 little ones (William had actually offered Rachel his assistance while she was pushing the Wagon).  She is staying there tonight.

May 24

Duty calls.  Rachel ended up having to help someone today that required her to leave the road unexpectedly early today.  Rachel was able to have her right brake repaired today though.  Rachel got to meet up and stay with her kids tonight for some much needed 'Mommy and Me (x5) time".

May 25

Rachel got a late start this morning but pressed on through Flovilla to Jackson to try and catch up with some friends we had made at Fresh Air Bar-B-Q.   A new friend, Michelle stayed and helped Rachel push the Wagon for 5 MILES today!  Thank you so very much Michelle! Rachel was given the famous Brunswick stew and a plate of pulled pork when she finally arrived  and passed the time at Fresh Air .  The folks at Fresh Air also gave Rachel a T - Shirt and a ball cap and raised money to allow Rachel to stay in the local hotel.  And so begins the last week for the Push for Awareness.  Mile 226 (Jackson)

May 26

Made it to a small community between Jenkinsburg and Locust Grove.  She met some nice people on the way and spent a lot of time just mentoring and getting well wishes from passersby.  A great guy named Jim (whose wife, Jael, is works at one of the more fascinating places that Rachel has come across on her journey,
Noah's Ark. )  helped her push for a mile on these hills.  Then Jim and Jael put Rachel up in a hotel for the next 2 nights.  You guys rock!!!  Mile 230

May 27

This was a day to write home about.  Rachel had gotten a good start this morning and was making pretty good time against the hills...when she was quickly sidelined.  One of her small caster tires broke free from the weld and left her stranded on the side of the road just inside Henry County.  She called me and I tried to call wreckers in the area to see if someone might donate their wrecker services...no luck.  The best I could do was $95.00 for the pickup and $3.75/mile...a little out of our budget.  But thankfully new friends really can come in handy!!  Rachel called Jim who was able to get her towed into Locust Grove GRATIS!  He was even able to find a welder who will reattach the wheel for free as well.  So that put a crimp in progress today, but it is really cool when everyone from the Mayor (Mayor Lindsey) on down is on your side!  Tonight Rachel is having dinner with Jama Hedgecoth the founder of Noah's Ark (and Jim's mom) and relaxing for the second night in her hotel room.    Mile 235 (Henry County)

May 28

The road is tough on Rachel but she keeps on moving.  Rachel got off to a slow start but with a newly attached wheel she could not complain (Thank you D & D Tire & Auto Center of Locust Grove!).  Her friends again provided a hotel room for her and, with a heavy heart, she spent her last night in Locust Grove.  Thank you Locust Grove for putting the "H" in hospitality none of us will ever forget your generosity and encouraging spirit.  

May 29

Well, Rachel's tooth infection is back with a vengeance.  Pushing the Wagon to McDonough  was a real test and the roads are not getting easier.  Rachel's joints are constantly in pain and she has grown resistant to Aleve.  But, as has been the case on this trip when she has needed them, angels have come and ministered to Rachel.  First came Jimmy Cochran with the Henry County Times who did the first of two interviews with Rachel.  After the interview Jimmy went and picked up some Orajel (which was comped for the 'Wagon Lady'...sorry Rachel, I know you hate that) for Rachel to help ease her tooth ache.  Then she had a second interview with Johnny Jackson with The Henry County Herald gave Rachel her second interview of the day.  Then Rachel met a photographer, his wife and their two lovely little girls who put Rachel up in a hotel (with aid from McDonough Church of Christ, thank you Elder Havard!) suite and had a good nights sleep on a pillow with "10,000,000 feathers".  Good night Rachel  Mile 245 (McDonough)

May 30

The day started with an early morning visit to the emergency room for Rachel.  Her infected tooth had been throbbing all night and the infection seemed to be spreading.  Rachel was given Amoxicillin, went back to the hotel washed her clothes and got back out onto the street.  But duty always calls and Rachel had to take some time to console a new friend who was the victim of a recent domestic abuse attack.  So Rachel was not able to walk as long or as far as she would have liked.  But she is getting up extra early tomorrow to begin pushing through Stockbridge and on to Atlanta.  

PLEASE HELP!!!!  WE ARE DOING ALL WE CAN TO TRY AND GET THE NATIONAL NETWORKS TO RUN A STORY ON RACHEL.  IF ANYONE OUT THERE CAN PASS THIS ALONG TO ANYONE WHO WOULD CARE TO GIVE RACHEL AN INTERVIEW OR PRESS THAT IS BROADCAST ACROSS THE COUNTRY PLEASE CONTACT US VIA THE EMAIL;   msmilano@remheadquarters.com

 May  31

Many People stopped Rachel on the road today...she was even made a nice plate of Bar B Que at a small church.  The antibiotics have kicked in and though she is quite physically tired, she continues to persevere.   The children, Sparrow and her Family and I are going up to meet Rachel tomorrow for the end of this journey on Monday morning.  Please, come and join us at the press conference at Mount Nebo Baptist Church 1025 McDonough Blvd, Atlanta.  And please keep Rachel in your prayers that all this effort bears fruit.  COME CELEBRATE WITH US!  (This will be the last entry until after the Push.)  Mile 256 (Stockbridge)