Can you hear ME call your Name?

Well, prom wasn't that great, but Jaque, Haley, and Jaz looked absolutely wonderful.
I am always amazed when I realize that something so beautiful was given to me.

Life is sure tough as a teenager. I guess a lot of us are too old to understand this. We get so many other things goin, we forget how it was when life had less distractions and more doors.

I know that Jaque and all her friends are having a tough time right now deciding which direction to go, and I began to pray about it. God does not always tell us that we will like what happens when we pray. But he does tell us to have faith that his will can and will be done. I wonder how many times a day God calls my name, trying to get my attention, and i cannot hear him. Or I choose to put him off? Is his voice louder when we are calling, or when we are not paying attention at all? Either way, I love it when I hear him. I know that he is speaking to Jaque. i know that she hears him, and she will recognize his voice. She is such an exceptional person, she will know that God has big plans for her and anyone attached to her life. She, like all of us, must put our trust in him and all things will work out, yes, they will.

Jaque and Haley pulled up to get gas the other day. Haley pumped the gas, swiped the card and they left. Funny thing when the cops surrounded them just a few blocks later. See....an ahh moment on all our faces....you got to swipe before you pump. So after the ordeal was over and they paid for gas, they did not end up in jail.

In life you can be doing everything right, trying as hard as you can, and still end up on the wrong end. But through prayer, we can control how we handle the "smart mouthed" cop on the other end. And keep something not so good from getting really really bad.

It is my firm belief that I just need to wear a t-shirt that says "Devil, stay away from me today." I say it often enough, might as well wear it. Think it would work? he is a smart one, that ol'devil. But guess what, we got a manual! With it, all things are possible.

And God Bless you all today. Hope to see you at the Graduation Party. Jaque has many hills to climb. We are all here to help her, to help each other. The best birthday present I have ever had was the day that God gave me Jaque. She is the best thing that ever happened to Chris and me. He chose us for your family, and your friends. You all bless us and seem to call us at just the right moment.

**Darlene - I pray for you and your family often. Thank you for the kind words. I hope that God will continue to use me for others. He has put you in my life for the same reason. May we pray for Zac and Jaque. God has blessed them. Talk to you all soon.

In like a Lion!

Its been so long.....hope you all have been busy since our last conversation.

We have. Jaque was sick for a couple of weeks. She is much better now. We have been down to the Hall cabin on Lake Erling to catch some fish and ride in the john boat. And we have been up to Grandma Donna's to see the Easter Bunny with Deanna and Haley - and Grandma Kay's to kill a Rio turkey. Of course all those stops had great food, great friends, and most importantly great Family. We are so blessed with our Family.

I wanted to update you all on what's going on in Jaque's blessed life.

She is getting ready for Prom this week. She and Haley are planning a big day of hair, nails, and most importantly a JEEP RIDE.

Yep, you read me. That little girl of mine is anxiously awaiting prom, and praying for good weather so that she can drive the JEEP to prom. Can anything conquer her?

Prom - April 17
Baccularette - May 13
GRADUATION PARTY AT OUR HOUSE - May 16
Graduation - May 17 at 2:30 p.m.

You should all start receiving your announcements this week. We are planning a big fish fry on Sat, May 16. Hopefully we will have so many friends and family there that we will have to park in the field by my house. We cannot wait! Chris has already been planning with the "cooks" of the family. If he has not called you, just wait, he will!

Jaque's spirit is doing really well. The weather is turning from cool to warm, and she is ready for the lake. She is such a wonderfully typical teenager. But God blessed her with so much more. She is struggling with what choices God wants her to make. To know what is the right one and what is the wrong one. A wise woman says that God gives you your heart and your mind to help make decisions. He gives you a choice. She is right. He gives us free will. He forgives us, we can forgive those that hurt us. God also wants to see us grow. My silly philosophy is that he gives us life, long or short. We must make each day count. You never know what one smile will do. You never know what one hug can do. As long as we do the best we can each day when we get up he will always be proud.

How do we know that the choice is right? Well, if God is in the choice, it will always be right. If that choice involves pray and petition, he will always play a hand in it.

Shall we all stand together and rejoice this precious time?Yes, our Jaque is graduating at Haworth High. She is a gift from God.

While we were in Dill City Jaque talked a lot about Uncle CJ. She said that while she was sleeping she was laying with CJ and God. Well CJ sends her shooting stars often. (she said mostly when she is about to get in trouble!lol) But I know he is reminding her that there are no limits. And he is telling her to shoot for them. The last conversation I had with him was right after their fishing trip. He said that he wanted to make sure I knew how proud he was of her. He hugged me (smelled like a fish) and said that me and Chris did good job. He said that she was so fearless and beautiful and that he was just in awe of what she has done with her life. We laughed about some of their memories together. Then he said he wants her to always know just how much he loves her. He said he would always be there if she needed him, and he was right. Thanks Uncle CJ. We love you. And you were right, when we could not reach her, you took over and brought one of your friends with you. Reminds me of the What a friend we have in Jesus song. We love you dearly CJ and yes, we are so proud of Jaque too!

I will get pics of our Prom dress posted ASAP! love ya'll and keep praying.