As the leaves begin to change - so do we all

What a beautiful time of year! What a testimony in God's glorious way of changing our lives, shedding the old, and preparing the new.

Jaque has been doing great. She has been working hard on those college classes. Studying until late at night, and even teaching ol' mom a thing or two. It has been stressful on her, but I see that she is trying to really give all she has.

So for those of you that know her, what else is new? We went to western OK last weekend and had a great time. She tagged her first deer with a bow, but was disappointed that it was a doe. It was a 41 yard shot, so Chris and Payton both told her that it was an impressive kill. But true to her nature, she was not satisfied with that. She strives to get the MONSTER buck.

She also got to see my new nephew Warren. He and his older brother Arian are doing well. Thank you all for the prayers. They truely are the one thing we can do to help anyone in a tough situation, medically and emotionally. My sister belinda and her husband cecil are trying hard to be the kind of parents and grandparents that God wants them to be. It is tough, I know, but I am proud of them.

Jaque said that they have to call her Aunt Jaque. She is adimate on this for all of her "Cousins" because she desperately wants to be an Aunt. Life is funny about labels. Where is it written that she just is a cousin? No where - so, Aunt Jaque is having little Chrystal Jo call her Aunt too!

I am so amazed at Jaque's attitude. She continues to be the ray of sunshine in each day that I am blessed here on earth. While we were in Elk, she, Deanna, Doni, and deanna's friend went to movies. Somehow Jaque's wallet did not make it home. And to top it all off, deanna and her friend were con'd into putting some handcuffs on. Yes, funny, but key was in Jaque's wallet. So - in true Jaque fashion, she got a bobbi pin and picked the lock. Too much CSI? Probably, but these were police grade handcuffs. When she told Payton what she did, he said NO WAY. But that's just Jaque. Right? Breaking all the rules, doing it her way, and always surprising us with resetting the limits that life puts on her. Yes, I can laugh now...but it was not so funny that night at 12:30 am..

We got her wallet the next day, and luckily, everything was in it. She was relieved, thinking how easy someone could have stolen not only her identity, but her CASH!

Identity. Got me to wondering what this really means. Is it what is on the outside and what people see, or is it really what is underneath that we keep hidden? What about our inside keeps us so scared that we do not let it shine?

I have learned over the past two years that one thing with our Jaque, what you see is what you get. She pretty much says what is on her mind, and gives off no false pretenses. She makes mistakes, and learns from them. Not the first time always, but usually by second or third. She constantly sees the good in others long after moest of us would have just filed them away. She understands that life is meant to be lived. She is a wild and carefree teenager, and most of the time accepts that consequences are sometimes worth it -- sometimes not.

Not much about these qualities in her have changed since the wreck. Mostly they are just more predominant because she is more still. I think.

Once we were building our first traveling softball team. She, of course, was the stud, and not bragging, but everyone knew that she was. We had a girl that she had not played with join the team. After a couple of practices, we were all standing around and this girl came up to us. She said, "Jaque, I just want you to know that I have always thought that you were arogant, and the biggest bi**h that i knew. But then I got on this team and played with you." We all just kind of blankly looked at her. Then she said "i just want you to know that you are the coolest and most fun girl I know, and I am glad we got a chance to be friends."

WOW. Just shows you how we all misjudge. She and Jaque are from different towns, but she made sure that her dad brought her up to hospital to see Jaque.

Thank you god for the moments in our lives that may seem a little "rough" at first, but turn out to be a blessing.

Bro. Jason said something that I know is true to my core. It is the reason that I do this blog, it is the reason that God works through me, and through all of you reading. He said that we must surround ourselves with those of faith. That if we seek the miracle, our faith will be stronger if we keep ourseleves surrounded with those that know it is possible.

Anyone that knows Jaque, and anyone that has already seen God's miracles through her life, know that HE IS ALVIE AND WELL IN ALL OF US.

Many with Jaque's injury know that it is not a matter of IF, it is when. We are ready. Jaque and Chance work hard each week to keep her body ready, and God is working on her soul. In his timing, all things are possible. Will it be here on earth? I have faith and a sense of peace that it will....but either way - she will walk through the gates of Heaven. And she is not just going to sit around and watch life walk by her. She is out, living it to its fulliest, and not missing out on ANYTHING that she loves. She is actually more active than most 18 year olds.

So, please, if you are struggling with something today, look up to God. Pray that he work his will in your life. Put your struggle in perspective, and do not try and face it alone. We all need support from time to time. I have had yours my entire life. Jaque and Chris have too. Thank you.