Thought you'd be shorter!

What an amazing journey we have been on. Normally, one would say this in reference to something that they, by choice, involved themselves in. But what about our lives is normal?

The journey with Jaque since she has been little has been one of no limits, pure determination, and very strong will. I do not know of anything in her life that she wanted to do, and didn't eventually get it done. As a younger child just starting softball, she was told that she would never make a pitcher. That she needed to settle for where the coach put her. Actually, she was told that they would let her pitch on the "easy" games that we knew we would win anyway. Well...that lasted one game. She started in a game that was a no brainer. You know, where the girls do not know how to stand, never held a bat, and their coaches actually fixd their hair and make-up before the game. OK - so the visual is set. After pitching about four innings, with only walks or k's.......the caoch (Mr. Crabtree her principle) walked up to me and said, "I think I might have misjudged this." "Jaque is gonna talk the hard games, and the other girl can have the easiest."

Well, it really proved not to be because the batters were no good, but that Jaque seemed to have this ZONE that she went into, and when she was in it....teams feared her. Amazing thing about it was.......umpires throughout the county, and from Dallas, to Houston, to Colorado, to Utah just love her. She never really stepped off the mound after that day. See, she had met her destiny. She had found a place that she could release, and that she earned respect.

Yesterday, with a little bit of uncertainty in her eyes, I could not help but feeling that I had been here before. Where she was just standing in a spot where her destiny would again be fullfilled. As I watched her work with the doc's getting the braces on, she made them laugh and in ten minutes, they were joking like they had known her forever. Forget that they usually get off at 5pm, it was now 6:30pm and they were talking to her about motorcycles. Then she stood, with the help of parallel bars, she stood with God and medical science teaming up....for the first real time since her wreck. One of the doc's walked us out. Tried to get her to burn the tires when we pulled off, yep, he knew her well in just a short time.

When we got home, we ran in and put on one of her favorite pair of jeans. Yep - you guessed it, had to show that booty off. Hadn't got to do that in a while, so had to look good. And, in true Jaque fashion, she has lost weight, but still got the cutiest BKE butt around. So-------with Chris and Payton in the living room talking about something to get in trouble with, I am sure, we snuck around to the front porch. We pulled to the corner, and locked her braces out. Then I went into the living room and told then to come outside. Payton looked a little nervous, Chris about jumped through me to get to the porch. As they turned the corner to go out the door, I hit the light, and their she stood. Our beautiful little girl. 5'8"+ and looking just as healthy as you and I....their she was. I think both of those boys were fighting back tears. She was grinning from ear to ear. She told Payton he better learn to dance.

We talked for a while, and then went back inside.

I just want to confess to you all that I feel privledged that God allowed me to share that moment with her. That Chris, Payton, and I were there to see her smile. And for all of you reading, it won't be long and you will see it to.

See, about a year ago, the doctor said that he did not think that they would be for Jaque. But she got her self ready for them, and would not settle for the box they tried to put her in. Nothing about her is text book. She makes her own boundaries,and history tells me they are far more reaching than we can imagine.

As we were driving home, she told me to look at the sky, sun was setting and you could see the layers of the clouds. At that moment God spoke to me. He said she is just now on the first few layers. And as she works, she is working toward the light. She is working toward him. Some of the layers were thicker than others, but the sun's rays peeked through. God was saying, I am here. No matter how thick or difficult it has been, or might be.......I am here. And the glory Jaque and our family has rec'd to this point is nothing in comparison to what God has in store for us.

She is my light. She is fortunate to have the best daddy in the world. Close second to him is Papa Danny, Papa Larry, and Papa Phil. We are all works in progress, Jaque's light shines far and wide. I hope that she is touching you in some kind of way. I told her that this is a new beginning. Doesn't mean she will walk tomorrow, but she is standing on her own two feet, and that is a great accomplishment for her. I am so proud.

If you are finding that something in your life is clouding your vision, please remember that if you are only seeing the clouds you are not looking hard enough. Because there is always blue sky out there, you just must trust beyond what your eyes can see, you must have unwavering faith, and stand firm that God has a purpose for you.

Prasie him for the blessings in our lives, and mostly for our wonderful family.

Pray for Patience

What a roller coaster week.

In dealing with the fact that last week one of Jaque's friends backed into her chair (SHE WAS NOT IN IT), it has been emotional for me to say the least.

As you all know, I take my job seriously, and expect those in similar settings to do the same. I was very upset last night in dealing with the insurance co of the boy -- and about to blow a gasket.

Then Jaque got home and had a rough night. One of few since we have been home. Softball is something she misses dearly. It was her life. It was her release, and it was her world. I guess this, and other things had piled on her. She was upset.

I reminded her of the day that she almost died, for the second time - what had happened. Chris was in her room with her....and he and the doctors came and found me. They said that if she did not improve, she would be on life support. We got on our cell's and called everyone to the hospital. Grandma's and Papa's, Uncles and Aunts, Cousins, friends - everyone came. As they came - they called our extended families, churches, friends, and I am sure even foes. They all started praying.

We went in with Jaque, TWO by TWO and laid our hands on her and prayed. Everyone got mad at Prissy cause she prayed so long (God love her). Each group patiently waited for their turn, and lined up again as soon as they came out. It was before visiting hours actually started, but the guards and the nursing crew knew that Jaque loved breaking the rules. They knew her life depended on it.

Our church family, as I am sure others, skipped the service and started with prayer for her. I could see the Oxygen monitor go up number by number, and could just feel the prayer around her. My point is that I told her she did not have to handle this alone.

She must keep leaning on the ones that love her. If nothing else, call and say Grandma - I don't want to get into details, but pray for me and I love you. I told her that we are all here for her. And that some point in all our lives, we just need someone to listen.

I read a scripture that she has had taped on the bathroom mirror since long before her accident. It was explaining that when you do what you can, God will do the rest.

She may be in that chair for the rest of her earthly life, but she must believe that God is not done with her. I believe it with all my heart. When God speaks to me, he says "Keep her ready, and keep her growing closer to me."

Then I told her that if we could go mudding right now, would she feel better. She just smile and told me that she was going to tell Payton that she had her couseling session for the day. I think she meant it as a compliment.

See guys, the devil is trying to get to her. She will get her leg braces on Friday. She will get a little more of the "Glory that God has in store for her." When something good is happening in your life, and the devil smells your victory approaching....he tries to step into the batters box and hit a homer.

But what he forgets is the amount of people that this little ol' #8 pitcher has in her stands. He forgets that she is the strike out queen with the ERA of .47. He is underestimating that her curve ball is just practically UN HIT ABLE!!!! And as soon as he is ready for the 65 mph fastball, she is going to change it up and strike him out. What that devil should be afraid of is when she gets ready to step in the batters box.

She really amazes me daily with her beauty and her attitude. I think that college approaching quickly, the messed up chair... it just weighs heavy on her heart. I told her that not even taking into account her chair, life would be very stressful right now. I told her how proud I was of her for how wonderful she has turned out.

I thanked her for not being as much trouble as her daddy was at this age. She laughed and then we agreed they are just alike.

Please keep her in your prayers as school quickly approaches. Also, please confess to God today that "He will restore health unto Jaque and heal her of thy wounds." Jer 30:17. Prissy receive this scripture from the Lord himself. It has been with us throughout and remains as strong.

Thank you all for keeping up with Jaque. Hope that Life is treating you well. And remember, as I often have to remind myself, we must give our worries to God. We must leave them in his control, and his WILL will be done.

Love you all, Carol.

Do you have to know your lost to be found?

Think about it. In dealing with the idea of not seeing someone for a while, in not talking with them....we think that they are lost. They are lost to us, to the family and friends that they know, lost to those that love them.

They are out searching for something, but do not know what they are searching for. I had to deal with this recently with someone close to me, someone that I love dearly. But I had to think, did this person know that she was lost? Or did she get so wrapped up in what she was searching for, that she just did not know how far she had gone?

Nevertheless, you all know me. I stand firm on the fact that PRAYER is the only thing that can reach people. And it reaches the lost at a faster speed than any other.

I was (with many others) looking for someone and I saw a shooting star. As all of you that know Jaque have heard, shooting stars are special. As they seem to follow her when she is troubled, trying to guide her to the way out. I guess you could say that they have found her when she was lost. They found me, Courtney, Chris, and Toby as we were lost on the way to Little Rock the night that Jaque had her wreck.

When I saw mine, I spoke with God. I told him that each time I had seen one, I had prayed for Jaque. But this night was different. I told the Lord that I knew Jaque was doing well, and that someone else needed this shooting star to find them. They needed a way out.

Well, I know that through the hard work of my parents, my sisters, and countless others..........God Answers Prayer. Our family member was found. Isn't God great. Did she realize how lost she was? Not sure, but we all know how FOUND she is!!

The night that Jaque's accident occured, a lady from Haworth OK was on Deal or No Deal and won a penny. Yep, $.01! I have not ever watched that show since, but remember thinking, wow - she just put Haworth on the map. Then I thought, no - Jaque will put Haworth on the map.

The course I did not know, the direction of the compass is still a mystery, but Jaq has put Haworth on the map. It is a map that our families followed to find each other time and time again since her wreck. She helped us find one another.

Thanks Jaque. And by the way, in case you all did not know this, we have the three best set of parents that anyone could ask for. Grandma Kay and Papa Larry, Grandma Donna and Papa Danny, and Papa Phillip and Mama Melinda..........God Bless YOU.

Tell me, do you have to know your lost for God to find you? Help someone see the power of Prayer and the power of our God. Let them see it through you.

A shout out to TXK

What a wonderful fundraiser! $2800+ raised from the Tourney. Special thanks to Coach Andy for all his hard work. This money is greatly appreciated by our family and will be used to push that girl into getting a good workout in theraphy!!! She also is getting ready for a new chair - so this will help ensure that we can get the latest and greatest so that it can be the lightest. Kind of like batting with a Wal-mart bat vs a rockettech -- 14 home runs later - what would you choose?

It was great seeing the girls. I think that Jaque was greatful for the love and support that she received. The jersey from TC was a nice touch. She got to watch Katie, Ashley, Britt, and Ariel work their tails off. And I think that they might have gave Coach John a few more gray hairs. lol All her former Coaches were there: John, Andy, Wayne from Vipers; Roddy from Firestorm; Troy from Dallas Mustangs; Mark from McC Storm. What a testimony to the impact that she made on them and them on her. Her umpire Gene said it best. He said that he had never met a girl with more natural talent and strong legs in all his life. I reminded him that God has a reason for that.

Someone said that they were so impressed with Jaque's overall outlook and how well she looks. I told them that it was people like the parents and kids at the games that have been praying for her -- that has pulled her through.

I told them that has been hard on her not having any real girlfriends to hang with. But her friend Emily asked her to spend the night and they had a great time. I am not sure the relationship there, but she said that Emily's dad was even gonna build her a ramp. WOW. It is the little things that mean the most.

Those softball girls are a great group of kids that you just do not find every day. I guess it is because they have been in the trenches together. They learn eachothers strengths and weaknesses. They learn to play together to get a job done.

Teammates. Well, that is what she will find in a freind. What is that they say, a true friend will not bail you out of jail, but is sitting next to you in the cell. That would be Jaque to anyone she has ever met.

I am thing of trying to get Jaque an app for American's Next Top Model. What do you guys think? You think camo and fat babies - or the worn out jeans and the 22 pistol?

As college quickly approaches, her life will begin to get busy again. She is enjoying summer. Hangin out at the lake, river, and fishing a lot. She even went off the rope swing at the river. She had her friend carry her up, and she swung off the end into the water. A guy watching her get carried up asked if she thought she was a princess. Tater said - she is our princess. Good Job Tater.

May you all face a fear today in the name of Jaque. Grad it by the horns and just "BOW UP." Love you all, and praise God for his mighty hand in Jaques healing. Jer 30:17!

What an Independence Day!

God speaks to me. He speaks softly at times, and very loudly at times. Most of the time he will get my attention.

Courntey was talking about visiting our church this weekend. She said that Pastor Jason talked about three little pigs. What is your house built on? Chris and I have been working hard getting ours built on a rock. The past few weeks we have been dealing with our typically 18 year old daughter. We are so fortunate that she is a good kid. I am very strict and he is understanding.

I told him one night that I am Glad that God has us together. I told him that we must be united to be able to get her through this time. And that if he and I were fighting, it would not work. Fortunately, we do not fight about Jaque. We have learned that she is much more like him than me. So, I take the day to day, and he handles the big items better than me. I asked him if he had prayed about the situation with Jaque and this boy that she really likes. He said something (not sure want to put that in here lol!) I said that sometimes the only truly honest thing that you can do is pray about it. And I reminded him that pray does work. That it may be in the car, while you are in the shower, while you are waiting in line at Wal-mart.....doesn't matter where you do it, just matters that you DO IT.

This weekend was wonderful. We experienced her and her boyfriend spend all day at the lake with our family. A little insight is that this is out of the norm. Usually he wanted to do what he wants to do when he wants to do it. It has been a hard road for him with our family, much to his own making. Yes, we have very high expectations for Jaque and that was even before her accident. She is so loved. And now.....well the stakes are even higher. So Chris and I have been trying hard to make sure that she can make her own decisions, but in doing this, that she is not doing harm to herself. He saw how wonderful all our family is - including Uncle Aaron and Uncle Lane.

She, of course, on most issues, is typical on her first reaction. But we have found that if we leave her alone for a bit, she is a very rational 18 year old kid. I worry with her "gut" reactions, but know that she has a very level head on her shoulders.

Pray for us all -- that we will understand God's guidance in helping Jaque choose a school. Pray that God's healing continue to work through her. Pray that her boyfriend feels the heavy weight of our God on his heart. Pray that he is the man she thinks he is. Pray that through her he will come to know God and the miracles that he shows through Jaque.

I tell her often that God saved her for something great. She, with all of our support, will fulfill his works.

Saturday the Texarkana Fastpitch Association will host a benefit tournament for Jaque. It was one age group last year, and is set to be three this year. See, God is great. We will be there to throw out the first pitch. Hopefully God will send his softball warriors to her. She misses that great support system that she has had through the first 16 years of her life. Please say a prayer for the success of the tourney and that everyone plays safe!

I am working on my house on stone, what is your house built on?

Love and miss you all.

Pray like its up to Him....

Ok, so by now you have all heard this new song. It states "Work like its up to me, and pray like its up to him." What a powerful message.

This weekend we were privledged enough to go to our Allen family reunion. This is to honor Jaque's great great grandma on my mom's side. Grannie Lee. Although Jaque never got the chance to meet her, her love and genuine selflessness was evident in the stories that we all gathered around to share. We had 40+ just on our side there. What a testimony to the life that she created in our grandmother Christine and her children, Ladonna Lola Linda and Rodney.

Our lives touch so many in ways that we do not even realize. When we arrived at Ardmore, tears filled Uncle Dee's eyes. I had forgotten how far Jaque has come. I had forgotten that so many lay and wait to see. He had been waiting and praying. I am sure there were so many others that had and are still, but Uncle Dee...Strong as he was stood weeping at the sight of her.

As he held me and hugged me, I said, Uncle Dee it will be alright. God knows what he is doing, and in his time, she will be ok. I kind of got tickled as some of the family sit and watched the way she manuvered. She just strolled along, popping wheelies! Giving them all a heart attack. As she stood tall in the pool, Lindsey, Kyle, Deanna, and Ashley just glowed with pride. And there she was, smiling wanting papa and grandma to see. She is tall -- yep, still taller than Deanna, but not by much.

I must say that our crazy family is really the greatest. We very rarely see eachother, but could not shut up when together. I miss not making ball games or school plays, but a real family knows that our love is unconditional. Our love for one another looks past differences (even as hard as they are sometimes) and knows that we are all linked for a reason.

It was wonderful seeing Grannie Chris's headstone. I thought for a moment how beautiful that she must look...above us, keeping watch. I thought how she too must weep for Jaque. Jaque got that "TOUGH OLD BIRD" from her for sure.

Then I bet she got tickled seeing Jaque driving her little rascal all over the cemetary. Cody walked Eddie, so he too was a part of it all.

So, my original statement. Work like its up to me.........Work at life, love, friendship, and family because it is all up to us. No one owes us anything. The Lord gave us the ability to Seize the moment, so DO IT.

Pray like its up to Him. It really is. And I can promise that if you pray, you will not only sleep better at night, but you will have unwaviering hope in knowing that the Lord has a plan for your life.

God has something great in store for Jaque. Just grab ahold and enjoy the ride with her. All too soon she will be going at full steam, and we will feel the wind in our hair. God Bless you today, and if you are thinking about giving up on a problem, pray to God that he show you the way. Have the courage to listen.

Love you all!

The First Day of the Rest of My Life

Wow, what a weekend. Since we had everyone in, we had a surprise birthday party for Chris. He was red in the face, not realizing what all that sneaking around was for. Ashton was so cute helping him blow out the birthday candles. We had such a wonderful turn out of family and friends for the party on Saturday. God and Mother Nature teamed up for beautiful weather for the entire weekend. Chris and Toby started cooking at around 10:30 am and had hot/fresh fish and crawfish until late in the afternoon. Carl and Phillip manned the fire. Grandma Donna kept drinks and ice full and fresh, Aunt Belinda made her strawberry cake, Grandma Kay made delicious tarter sauce, Emmy made the pasta salad, Lori made her wonderful hushpuppies, and Doni and Deanna helped all of us decorate the house. Melinda. Aaron, and Kari did whatever we grabbed them for, and Papa Larry, Papa Danny, Uncle Gary, Aunt Terri, ,and Grandma Della kept the company entertained.

Aiden and Jordie asked if they could be cousins too, since they were both Jaque's cousins. It was so funny watching the kids play with the crawfish. I think that from now on we need to buy them a pound just to play with. The boys chased the girls with cooked ones, then the girls grabbed the live ones and scared the boys!!

Graduation day came, and it was packed. I think that Jaque had 37+ there and we just about got in trouble having so many. But I think that Mr Crabtree was too afraid to say anything to her Gramdma's and I don't say as I blame him.

When Jaque entered the auditorium, she looked almost angelic. There she sat with her hair straigtened, gimmering like the sun had just kissed it. She proudly sit tall with her white hat and flowing gown. She had a smile on her face as if God himself was her co-pilot leading her down the isle. She was surprised by the applause from the audience as she made her way down swiftly. The entire audience. Graduation went very well. They did a wonderful job of taking Jaque's suggestions and making them work. She was just another student on the risers. And that was the point all along.

It was over all too soon. I did not shed a tear, but that could not be said for our group. I looked around at all the mothers, and they were red eyed and weeping. I thought why was I not. Then I thought back to softball. When we would lose a big game, or tournament, other girls would cry. Jaque would not. She said that she would be sad it was over, but took pride in knowing that she did all that she could and gave it her all.

I feel the same. I know that Chris and I could have done some things different, but we really did the best we could, gave it our all, and were pround in knowing that she was rolling on that stage. SHE DID IT. She did what most did not expect her to, but all knew that she would, she overcame and conquered. Anyone sitting in the auditorium could have looked at her and not ever known that she was in an accident. She looked healthier than she has since Jan 3, 2008. She had that same ol Jaque smile.

Now, I guess the real work begins, trying to figure out the rest of her life. I know that God has big dreams in store for her, big plans, and with all of you continuing to support and love her like you have, continuing to PRAY for her, she will see those dreams in God's own timing.

Special Thanks to Grandma Donna, Papa Danny, Papa Phillip, Mamaw Melinda, Papa Larry, Grandma Kay, Papa Carl, and Grandma Della. You are wonderful Grand and GREAT Grand parents. Without you all, nothing in our lives would be possible.

I will try and get pics of Graduation day posted, If we missed sending you a senior pic, we probably do not have your address. Please send it to us and we will get some to you.

carol.hall3@weyerhaeuser.com or jaqueshomeplate8@yahoo.com

Love and God Bless You.

Here comes the Graduate!

Well, it is almost here. I can't believe that she is just about out of high school. It was just a moment ago when she was starting kindergarten, and poof....she has arrived.

In looking back at old year books, she has discovered that some of her friends now were actually in her K, 1st and 2nd grade classes. I told her that this is a hard life lesson to learn. Kind of like now, being surrounded by classmates, but none that are super close. When she starts her life journey, she will find friends in people that were never in that "high school" crowd. Life will give her better friends than school ever did. Very few of us have kept in touch with those from our high school days. Those that have, I commend you.

For those of us that did not, our true friends were discovered by lifes challenges and hurdles. Suzanne came to me at t-ball practice. Courtney came to me at work. Lori was there all along, but really came to be my friend during Jaque's accident and recovery. Cissy came from Chris's friend Shawn. Our family comes to us as we age, and we grow older together. God bless our wonderful family.

I say all this to Jaque to make her realize that most of my friends I found in my 20's. Long after high school ended and life began.

In her journey to discover what she wants to do with the rest of her blessed life, she too will have many friends. She will find those that are there when your screwing up, and those that are there when you are facing the music. True friends lay that cigarette down when you cannot be around smoke, true friends can go a night without drinking to make sure you make it home safe, and true friends (as a wise email once said) aren't there to bail you out, the are in Jail with you.

Days come when she thinks about all she cannot do (for the moment). But then God touches her or CJ sends her a shooting star to make her realize that she can do so much more now, because she has clarity in ways that most young people do not.

I know that this is the point in life that Chris and I start holding on a little less harder, and watching more. I assure her that God will send her true friends that will pick up the slack on the day to day issues. She is getting more independent every day. And true friends do not mind helping. If she would stop and think, they may help her get in her car, or help her get out at Wal-mart, but she is helping them mentally.

Jaque's personality makes you want to be a better person around her. She makes you light up with one smile, and she gives new meaning to each day. She would not only give you the shoes in her closet, the shirt on her back, but she would literally spend her last dollar on you if you were hungry. No one that has ever hurt her could not turn right back around and be her friend with a simple "I am sorry." Her friends see her strength, but sometimes do not realize that she still needs them. She said, "mom, sometimes I know you are right, but somethings I have to find out on my own, see with my own eyes." Yes, dear, sometimes I am right. But in you doing things your own special way....sometimes I am wrong. Had you not leaped on your faith, you would have not accomplished all that you have in life, and that is many things. I hate that Jaque does not always play it safe....But my favorite quality in her is that she does not always play it safe.

God blessed me with her. Once her clay starts taking shape, she will do more than I ever dreamed that first day of kindergarten.

Martina McBride sings one of my favorite songs. She says "And if you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you d a n c e......I hope you dance."

With God, Faith, Family, Friends, and medical science -- One day we will look back on this period of Jaque's life, and be amazed at how she handled herself. And as I will walk beside her, we will feel the sand between our toes, and then we will hear music. And guess what.....we will dance!

Love you all and see you May 16 at fish fry and May 17 at graduation! If you need directions, call me at 580-245-1025.

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.