Ode to Eddie!

This week, Jaque pulled up behind the office. When I went outside to get her, I was greeted by a little(lol)blond haired boy with a big grin on his face.

Yes, it was Eddie. He had been to therapy with Jaque. He was so excited. He just loves going out and about with her. From the mill, we left and went to Wal-mart. He was struttin' like an ol' rooster. When we arrived at walmart, we were met by the greeter, who politely asked if he was a service animal. We said yes, and in we went.

It is funny how much attention Eddie draws, I mean everybody loves a puppy, right? But something in that sweet 3 year old yellow lab just draws you to him. We have been around enough in Idabel that most people know not to pet him. That doesn't stop him from giving a lick to his "friends" that he has met in running around with Jaque. Eddie can do just about anything you ask of him.....especially when a treat is involved. Just do not interrupt his dinner. Jaque has started venturing out more with Eddie. He gives you a sense of security. And yes, he can even carry on a conversation. Ok - his end is mostly drool and tail wagging, but he really listens when you talk with him. He has started sleeping in Jaques bed. He loved to get up to the top and snuggle, and when she is ready to sleep, he takes his place at the end of the bed. Sometimes at night, her legs kick him, but he doesn't mind. The other night she was not feeling just right and he came and laid at her feet. He was in the most uncomfortable looking position, but had his head up on top of her feet and then.....yes.......he started snoring. And he sounds like a grown man.

It is amazing the job that GCI (Georgia Canines for Independence) did with Eddie. We are so fortunate to have him in our lives. The bond that was immediately present is amazing. Here is a group of people that train dogs for the care and companionship of others. How unselfish they are. Thank you Jesus for them.

Jaque has been working hard this week with school. She is really stressing with her work, and trying hard to complete her assignments at 100%. She wants them to be perfect. It is hard for her stay focused when her legs have other plans. The medicine that they give her for spasms makes her sleepy - so it is a toss on what to do to control them and get work done. She tries various locations around the house to do her work, and yes, Eddie comes in handy when you need an 80 lb weight to keep them steady.

Last night she was commenting on how good her legs looked. Chuckle, yes, I did too. All her life, she has had legs like a man. Since she was little, the muscles in her legs were so much bigger and more defined than girls her age. Well, to be honest, Jackie Jointer Kersy would have been a good match. And although she does not work them out much, she still has great legs. A little smaller than before, but definitely still good muscled legs for a "girl". In playing ball, most grown men were in awe of her natural muscle tone. She really never lifted weights or worked out (her teammates will confirm this!)

What has God in store? Why would God give Jaque the gift of such strong muscles, such stamina, such plain and simple GOD given ability and talent.........and then Jaque be in a position she is now?

Well, my best response is that God did not make this happen in Jaque's life. He did prepare her for this, he did ready her body for the fight, and he made ready her heart and soul. He put Chris and I in the right line to receive her as our child. He made sure that we had a wonderful strong set of parents X 3, he made our brothers and sisters ready as well. He did not start the fight, but he has trained her well.

You know the line -- if he can bring you to it, he will bring you through it? We hear things like this every day, but do we really listen to them? I tend to get irritated at people that jaque says stare at her in the mall, or in walmart. I also get irritated at one of her "so called" friends that tries to start trouble between her and Payton at every chance.

Listen closely......As Bro Jason preached on Sunday. Everything came against Peter, but when they looked at him, they saw the face of an angel. (Jason, hope I did not mess that up!)

So, as others start to stir up trouble around Jaque, as the devil starts to try and work against the good in her life, we all look to her and see the face of an Angel. I do not want to use such a powerful message out of context. But as I caught myself giving human advice to jaque on how to handle those around her.....Bro. Jason and God gave me a lesson.

Smile and live right for God, and he will not forsake you. And those that look toward you will see the face of an Angel. HE is the light, and his glowing beauty shines through jaque. For the things that may bother her in private and not shown in public. She lets the light shine through her, and with than -- the glow reaches far and wide. When I give worldy adive, she shines her light.

A dear friend send that wonderful magazine article about jaque to USSSA. (if anyone wants a copy, email me at carol.hall3@weyerhaeuser.com and I will send it) He saw her light.

The amazing thing about this article, as my father in law so eloquently stated, it that it is a perspective from someone outside our immediate family. It is some one's life that she has touched, and he took it national. If just one of those reading it passes it on, and they pass it on...imagine the lives that she will touch.

So back to my initial question, why with the God given attributes, why our Jaque. My own personal opinion is that if someone goes through this ordeal and is saved in the process that is GREAT. I do not want to take away from the glory in that....but if someone can go through this being a Christian...and come out with faith even stronger and able to witness to others.....why question?

Jaque and Eddie. Riding in her mustang with the windows down and the radio thumping. Eddie's light shines as bright as a dogs can. And after all, he is her co-pilot. Who is your co-pilot? Who is riding with you today?

Thank you God for the gift of Jaque. Thank you even more for the second gift of her again. May all that look at us today see you in us. May we bite our tongue and look to you for guidance.

**Pray for Warren, Roxanne's new baby boy, my sister Belinda and Cecil's second grandchild. Welcome to the family.

When your on top of the hill you can see them coming

What a wonderful year we are having! God blesses my family - and Jaque - in so many ways. Jaque has been so busy with school. She is wanting to do it all perfectly. She is getting herself prepared for her boyfriend to go off on a shutdown.

Last weekend they went to the Roadhouse to eat dinner. She said that they turned their name in, when asked for a table or booth, said it did not matter to her, and then they waited. One by one she watched groups of two's get seated before them. She said that they were talking about why they had not been seated and this older couple that had just came in got their number buzzed. They asked Jaque if they would like to go ahead of them. She said thank you, but no. Then she went and told the girl that she said booth or table would work, and that she could sit anywhere. Said she wanted to get mad - but didn't. They were immediately seated.

In talking about it with me she said it was stupid that those girls were so dumb on not listening to what she told them. She said that she felt that they were not very accommodating. I told her that she could have very easily talked to the manager in a nice way and explained. She said yea, then someone coming in behind her would not have the same problem. I asked her who could change their ignorance, she said "My Voice."

I was proud that she did not loose her temper. Me, I am not sure if I would have had the reserve to do the same. Chris -- well, I know he would have NOT!

Last night we rec'd a package in the mail. It was from Andy and Dana Johnson from the Texarkana Vipers Team. She had sent a copy of the USSSA Fall 209 magazine with an article that Andy had written entitled "Jaque Hall's Amazing Journey." I have to admit that it brought tears to my eyes. First, we had no idea that Andy had chosen to do this on Jaque. What an honor. Second, it is so great that so many people will hear about her and if just one more person hops on the prayer chain - wow, won't God be proud! And Third, it just goes to show me how important softball was in the journey she is on. Without it, we would not have this great support system around her, and us. To DANA and ANDY - yes, I loved it. My heart is full of pride for Jaque, and for you and your family in our lives. Praise God for that blessing.

--As I got in my car this morning, I was invaded by ants. Yes, what a wonderful way to start off a rainy Tuesday. But I was not upset. I begin thinking about those little "devils" and how they were attacking me. It seems as though they come out of every crack from every direction, and just when you think you have them all, one lonely ant will sneak up on your arm. Laugh if you will, but I know you will all be looking as you enter your cars today, right? But it is true, they will attack when something good has happened. Then ants attacked because of a lonely little fry from McD's. The devil attacks in the same way.

Jaque and Payton went to Chance's for braces and walking. She said that she went down and back, down and back, down and back, and down and back. This means that she went just a down and back and down again farther than last time. She told Payton if he tried to run from her, he needed to do it in a straight line so she could catch him. lol

My Jaque is amazing. She pushes her self to be better each time, and knows that the prize is coming. Just like in her pitching or batting - she does not settle with the 2 k's per inning. She wants the 2.43. Once while we were playing at Grady Wallace park in Texarkana she hit a home run, over center field. Next time she came up to bat, she was meant to be intentionally walked. She had three wide balls on her. Then the pitcher thought she was going to out smart her own coach and sneak a strike in. Jaque showed her that she is always ready to receive the gift of a strike, and took it over the same part of the center field fence. Two in one game. After the game, Chris and Jaque were talking. Chris of course proud, but telling her that she needed to take a walk when given. She told him that he raised her to not go the easy way - but to always be ready for that meatball.

As we road the 4wheeler up the road last night, Chris and I were talking. He said that it was not very fast, but would do for what hunting and trail riding we needed it for. I told him that being not so fast was a good thing, because Jaque was gonna drive it as hard as she could, so it was actually just what she needed. He commented something like Isn't it funny that she is still that way. I just smiled and said, that is how you raised her. Just like her Daddy.

God is working in our lives. In yours. Just when you settle in, trust me, an ant will quickly get you moving. Is it right that the little devil can get us moving, or should we be moving already? Jaque's accident is just a moment in time, and God continues to move us upward since that day. he has used her to touch so many. Yes, she is imperfect - but God is working so quickly in her life. Wow. What an honor to have a child that pushes the limits, learns lessons, and is learning to glorify God along the way. Thanks to our strong Christian family. Thanks to our strong Christian friends. And I PRAISE GOD for all of those that are brought closer to him from knowing my child, his child. JAQUE. Jer 30:17

College Life?

Yes, who would have thought that college online would make life so crazy? Well, that and the fact that Jaque just does not sit still -- has kept life interesting. Since her birth.

To get you quickly up to speed, she has been hard at it. At getting organized for school, at theraphy with Chance, and at life in general.

You know it sounds like I may just be typing this, but she indeed makes each day worth waking up for. Mainly because she just keeps life so much fun and I feel so blessed each time I look in her eyes.

She and I were coming up from the lake at the cabin. We were rolling along the doc, and talking about Miracles. I said, who knows Jaque, the miracle cure for you might be in the bottom of this lake. I said, I might just need to push you off of this skinny thing. She laughed. Then she said, 'Yeah owww- now my butt hurts, but I am the miracle girl."

I was laughing so hard, I literally had to stop and catch my breath. She is so funny and such a breath of fresh air.

Very rarely in life do we know when we are actually witnessing to someone. A few days ago at a softball game, Bill Darnell stopped me. He wanted updates on Jaque. Said what are they saying? I told him that its not like other things, where you are given % or something like that. Then I asked him if he believed in God. He looked at me and said yes. Then I told him that since day one God has given me a stillness....a peace in my heart that Jaque would be walking. He did not give me a time line, but that I have never doubted that. I asked him if he knew what I was talking about, and he said yes. So I told him that it would be people like him praying for her - and keeping the prayers alive. And that threw that - God would deliver her to the spot in his plan she was meant to be. I told him that she would walk, not sure when or where, but that she would. A man sitting beside us was listening. He said that he was in Chance's this week, and that Chance was telling him that very thing. And that she was the most determined young lady he had ever known. God has her were he wants her for now.

Don't you just know it in your heart. I had a dream not to long ago. She was getting out of the car, and was running. I asked her what she was doing, and she said if she slowed down, she could not walk. But if she stayed at a steady pace, she would be ok.

God loved her. God saved her. God loves her more still every day. The good thing is that God loves you just as much. Praise him. Find someone today that doesn't know him and show him our message through the gift of Jaque.

on more quick thing. We purchased a boat for fishing this weekend. Drove to AL to get it. While there, we were telling the man about Jaque. He (George) was given her website as we were leaving. Chris had to run back in about a paper, and he already had it pulled up. What a guy. Must be a good Christian man.

A boat, a girl fishing. God's journey being a fisher of men! Praise God for our AL trip. One more life touched by Jaque. And he touched ours as well.