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ON FAITH ALONE

Legend Nominee: James Partin

It goes without saying who our reading audience is geared towards with this publication. Referencing the transportation industry as a whole, there are several avenues in which to connect with, and an awry of genres to consider. A means of travel can include by land, sea, or air. Narrowing the specifics to land only, then the infrastructure may lead to a train, bus, truck, etc. Next, let’s shift the basis solely to the driver’s seat. After all, what do they all have in common?

That is where the foundation of our trucking magazine lay. Professional truck drivers are the primary element that we choose to give prominence to. They are the back bone that holds our industry together, the core at which we revolve around; ultimately pinning them at the heart of all things trucking.

We are allowed a glimpse into the lives of drivers from all over the country. They share details from their past, hopes for the future, and where they are right now in the middle of this ever-changing industry. Some reveal times of hardship that seemed unbearable. Others give a voice to situations that many can relate to, but feared they were alone. I hear stories of different childhoods varying between many siblings, to being the only child; a positive upbringing or unfortunate events. A handful stem from broken homes that empowered them as adults to raise beautiful families full of love and promise. Some lacked confidence until succeeding in a profession designed for only the tough-willed. Again, there is always a common denominator… they are all success stories. Whether the underdog prevails, or a child prodigy blazed a trail straight to the top as expected, each driver we spotlight has a message written within these words.

Despite the hand each driver was given early on, each have realized that they are worthy of accomplishing great things and in turn, wish to share that inspiration with us. Each testimony that we publish has the possibility to change a life. If just one reader can draw strength and solace from a Legend article, then my interpretation of that particular life story validated the significance truck drivers represent as a body of people.

This Legend features a professional truck driver that found his faith in the Lord to be his most precious gift. The power of believing that everything will find a way to work out in your favor, lifts a burden that can weigh a person down leaving you mentally drained and physically fatigued. The ability to release that anxiety and rely on blind faith alone, trusting that He will provide is beyond difficult, yet stands as a testament to this individual’s hope for the greater good. His faith not only brought him forward to a better life, but liberated him from any ties that held him complacent while restoring his wounds with absolution and grace.

Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! -Psalm 126:5

Sowing Seeds

James Partin of Athens, Tennessee was born in 1969. His mother was a stay at home mother, while his father served in the U.S. Army. As a young boy, James and his cousins would visit his uncle’s house located near a main highway and waited to catch the big semi-trucks pass by. When one approached, James would motion his arm up and down to signal the truck driver to blow his horn. With every sound of the loud blast, he would smile and continue to watch the truck until out of sight. Though admired from an early age, trucks didn’t enter the picture for many years down the line.

At the age of seven, James and his brother Jeffrey Lee were sent to live in a foster home. What was thought to be a change for a higher quality of life with the boys’ wellness in mind, the given situation could have easily turned bleak. Instead, James states the transition was the best thing that could have happened for him. He explains, “Their names are Camuel and Laura Morrow. Together they have one daughter and they all treated us with a lot of love. My foster dad was disabled, so I felt like his right-hand man. He taught me how to fertilize the garden, and such. You know, the greatest thing you can do for a kid is to show them the meaning of hard work and how important a good work ethic is. They are a good Christian family too. We would all attend church and because they welcomed us into their home as one of their own and showed us a different way of life, I was given a new direction full of promise and positive thoughts. I will be forever thankful!”

James still considers the Morrow family his family, as well. They were placed in his life with perfect timing. He states, due to their compassion and generosity he was led to their Savior, Lord Jesus Christ. When he reached fourteen, he and Jeff were returned to their mother. Even with a clean slate, the adjustment had its moments, but always found a way of working out. James’ journey to remain strong was tested time and again. It wasn’t until he met his wife, Carie that everything began to fall in place.

James started working in construction at 18, as a laborer. Soon, he began running dump trucks hauling rocks and large boulders. By 22, he was operating heavy equipment. James applied his construction background to working for his cousin doing roof jobs around the area.

Carie and James met in 1995, tying the knot two years later. The relationship Carie and James share make them a force to be reckoned with. Carie’s love and encouragement pushes James to pursue new heights. And James provides an unconditional love that Carie would follow to the deepest parts of the sea. Together, they are unafraid and adventurous, bringing out the best version of one another.

In 2002, with Carie’s full support James started his own roofing business. He was well into his eighth year when he suffered a heart attack. After receiving strict orders from his doctor of no more hard labor, the news came as an eye-opener. Six weeks later, the couple were at a loss…

The Dream

Without a clue of what was next, James did the only thing he knew to do. Pray. He says, “I have to lean on my faith a lot to get me through certain times, but each time I call out to Him in need, He never fails me and I’ve found that over time my faith continues to grow stronger. I remember asking the Lord, ‘What do you want me to do now?’ That night I had a dream of a big truck with Jesus sitting on the clouds at the top of it and on each side of the sleeper he had his hands out. I woke up from a dead sleep and remember looking up saying, ‘Lord if this is your will I need your help in finding a way to make it happen. Please, lead me in that direction and I’ll go.’”

Fueled with ambition, James began looking online for schools that offered courses to earn a CDL. Believing in his vision, he and Carie agreed that following his heart would lead them to their answer as to what was in store for them. After further research and continued prayers, the couple signed on with U.S. Xpress. A privately-owned truckload carrier based out of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The couple completed their truck driving courses together at Chattanooga Community College and immediately began running team over the road.

At the beginning of their trucking careers, with the thought of teaming up together the duo looked forward to collaborating, in hopes that the business adventure would benefit their marriage, strengthening their bond. Unfortunately, stress of the unexplored vocation had more of an opposite affect causing a strain between the couple. James explains, “The first year, we both tried our hardest to figure everything out. It was a rough adjustment though. Yes, we definitely had a lot of time together, but while one of us was driving, the other was sleeping and vice versa. The passion to make it all work was there, we just needed to find a way to make it work in our favor.” James and Carie pulled dry van in a 10-speed Cascadia between California, all the way up to Maine. Once a month they went home to unwind for a few days, then returned to the open road.

After seven months, the couple agreed it wasn’t panning out and James decided to try his hand at running local work alone. He took on more jobs, gaining experience with each given year. In 2013, he felt compelled to move on to the next step: buying a truck of his own. Coming full circle, he went back to U.S. Xpress. This time as an owner operator through their lease purchase program. Carie also joins James in the truck, but not behind the wheel. What works well for some people, may not be suitable for others. Carie handles paperwork, phone calls, and any dispatching when needed. James also admits that it’s a plus having another truck driver as a co-pilot when it comes to spotting and backing up. I’m told the process of changing positions from company driver to owner operator requires practice of proper planning with an insightful desire to improve.

“You have to keep an open mind, because in this business there is always something new to learn. It’s like the trucking community welcomes professional drivers with open arms, sharing the knowledge and inside tricks to make each other that much better. We learn from one another. Meeting drivers and forming the friendships we have out here on the road is what has helped overcome the obstacles we have had to face. I have learned how to get my miles per gallon up by balancing our loads, which makes it better on fuel economy. That tip alone was huge for me! Stuff like that, pointers from the more experienced drivers made me appreciate their advice. Especially if you’re new to this, you must be willing to listen.

Now that Carie and I can help others the way we were taken in, we try to do so as often as possible. The way we see things, is that it’s not an easy lifestyle to live out here away from home and our loved ones, so we have to take care of each other!” James said.

After years of paying their dues, James and Carie now own their 2010 Freightliner Cascadia, marking the day of their final payment as the biggest accomplishment to-date. James states, “When we first started, we came from nothing. Now this truck belongs solely to us. It may have taken four years to pay it off, but it’s ours and we are beyond proud. We earned it! You see, trucking for us is our way of serving our country. So, we get to do what we love in our very own truck. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

James says that the time isolated from the world, sitting in the truck next to his wife is by far his favorite part of the deal. When alone, he enjoys those moments in his thoughts with the Lord. Carie points out that it’s James’ truthfulness that makes him so good at what he does. “It’s a gift. I feel as if he was born for this. His success as a professional truck driver has brought a closeness between us. We get to see things and experience it all together. Being in the business has taught us a lot out here. Most importantly, it continues to teach us how to give to others instead of just ourselves. Our industry provides so many ways to help with the trucking community, and further. The outreach is beautiful! Even during our toughest times, James always wanted to help others somehow. Either through volunteer work, donating, or just raising awareness for a cause. He is an inspiration to everyone that knows him,” Carie says.

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. -Luke 6:38

(Carie’s dedication to James)

‘James, thank you for being my rock. Thank you, for supporting me and seeing me through the hardest of times that I never thought I could get through. Thank you, for showing me the eyes of God. Thank you, for choosing me so many years ago to share this life with you today. I love you will all my heart, soul, and mind. You have been the Godly husband that I needed and my inspiration at times I felt there was no hope. You are everything to me.’

With love,

Carie