Super Tuesday

It is April Fool's Day. We were talking about what we could write to everyone and "fool" them. But we could not think of anything. Not one thing. We are so happy these days with absolute truths, that to fool you all that are so far away - well it is just not an option.



Jaque is better today. Her leg is still swollen. But it is shriking. I call one skinny minny, and the other fatty. It is cute, they like being called that. She is still sweating, but the fever seems to have run its course. She looks stronger this morning, and it seems that we are getting back to where she was last week. We have not heard any knew news on Jason, but we will post when we hear anything.



I know that God knows what he is doing in her life. He is doing on the timeline that is good for her. I do not know if I have shared with you all the point that we were in Arkansas, and it was January 6. It was the Sunday monring that Jaque's lung collapsed. We had called the family, woke them all up to get to hospital. She was turning, and it was the wrong way! They were trying to clean the tube down her throat, and her lung did not like it. Chris and I were there and we were praying for her. We had our hands on her, and finally we said what God was waiting to hear. "God, we are not sure what is going on with Jaque. We know that she is in a lot of pain. Lord, please let your will be done in her life." This is very personal, but you all need to hear it. Then, Chris and I said "God, whether it be that Jaque is taken from us to you, or that you keep her here, Lord please let your will be done." "Our prayer is that you heal her and bring her back to us, but your will is what we want for her." We were there. We were at the point that a parents get to where you have tried to control everything about your child, and realize that you must place them in God's hand. Then, be guided by his will for their life. After that, each of our family members came in (two by two) and laid hands on her and prayed. She made a U turn and got on the right road!



Everytime we try and control things, they change course down the wrong road. Yet when guided by his will, we travel down the right path. God chose to give Jaque life. He chose that she has more work to do on this earth. To say that any of us are the same people after this would be way off the mark.



I heard from Jaque's Arkansas Children's Hospital neighbor last night. There child is out and doing well. She said that she had been keeping up with Jaque's blog. She had a wonderful email. made me cry. Then as we walked into the apartment last night I told Jaque and Chris to stop. I told them "See, I want you both to realize that when something good happens the devil tries to steal your glory. Today she felt lead to email Jaque by God. God lead her to us. She was sent to remind us all that he is not done with you yet, Jaque."



I remembered thinking that while Jaque laid there in Little Rock, why is she is so much pain? Then it came over me like a ton of bricks. It is like it happened yesterday. She is so strong. She was 16 years old. She laid in that bed, and she watched us from above. She saw those little children, some just a few days old, never having ran or thrown a ball. They have not talked or walked. She gave them her strength. One by one, those around improved, and went home. They moved out of ICU, on there way. To date, I have not shared this thought with Jaque.



A while ago, she told me that she wondered why it happened to her. She said after thinking about it, she knew that of all her friends, she was physically the strongest, so she was glad. (that is not her being cocky, that was her being heavy hearted and honest) She said some might not could have made it, but she could. She said I could not have handled losing one of my friends.



In the face of it all, she knew she was strong. God knows how strong each of us are. He says that he will never put more on us than our shoulders can bear. Any of you knowing Jaque knows that she has MAN SHOULDERS. I wish it could have been me, but she says I am a wimp! Funny Jaque, smart mouthed as ever!



Enough babble for today. Love you all, Carol



Please pray for the Shelby Family of Texarkana (Viper teammate Ashley Johnson's friends mom) Shelly, on her birthday tomorrow, is set to be taken off of life support, and will go home to the LORD. This was very sudden in their lives. They need our prayers. May we all seize the moment, for we must not take any for granted.