Friends are forever!

While visiting Little Rock, Jaque got in the hotel hot tub. Yes, we were very careful on the temp of the water. Jaque loved it so much that when we got out of doctor's office we went immediately started looking and pricing.

As you know, we are trying to be very smart with money. Because of economy, we are being even more cautious. So, in seeing that the good ones are $7000 +, we knew it would be difficult. So, only thing I knew was to pray about it.

Chris went to work the next week and was talking with his buddies on what to look for, and pricing. And then......through a friend called Chaney......prayer was answered. He had one given to him by a friend, not sure if it needed work or not....but if Jaque wanted....she could have it. Yes, HAVE IT. So we went and looked, and thought it was worth a shot. Really, if we could not get it going with Chris, Toby, and Bo - it was not possible. So, Chaney delivered it, yes he is a good man and has a wonderful family as well. Chris got the power ran to Jaque's back porch and got his meter out. With a huge help from Uncle Toby, they got it running. Then the real test, with help from Jordie and Jaron....we filled it with water. And guess what....yes, in true Jaque factor.....it works. What a blessing. What a testimony to God. He tells us that we must seek him, and we will find what we need. Ask and we shall be answered.

God is good, and he is working on our Jaque. She is enjoying going to Chance's PT. He is a great person, and God is working through him.

Life is busy, homecoming tonight, senior night on Friday, and ACT Saturday. Jaque got her acceptance letter to Texarkana College, so if it is in God's plan, I know it will work out.

I have a few prayer request. Eddie (Jaque's service Lab) will undergo surgery on his "doggie ACL" on Friday.

Uncle Glen Ledbetter passed away this Saturday. He was a great uncle, and good family man. Chris will be traveling to western OK to be with the family. Keep his wife Betty, daughters Julie and Tina, and all the family in your prayers.

Grandma Kay is still recovering for her knees and Grandma Donna has been under weather.

Pray for our president and that he continue to pave the way for stem cell research.

There are many more, but lastly, pray for Jaque. Senior year, busy as ever, she is such a great young woman. With friends and boys, life is such a learning experience at her age. She has gone through a lot this past year. She is so beautiful and deserving of friends that are true and a boy that is all that she wants. (Thanks Uncle Tyler for stressing what a guy can be, you are great!)

She will roll in homecoming tonight with Nina and Eddie. She made the disk for the music, and was insistant that her song was "I'll Walk." She will be a show stopper. Thank you all for every thought and prayer. Continue to share her story, 'cause God is not done with her yet. She does not know when, nor how (other than knowing God is the way) but she does know that she will.

Mark your calendar

Just want to start by telling everyone to mark your calendar for Sunday, MAY 17 at 2:00 pm. This is graduation. Also, since it is on a Sunday, we have decided to have a HUGE graduation party on Saturday afternoon. This way everyone can head out after graduation. We will be getting announcement and pictures out to you all soon. If you are reading this, make sure that we have your address. We would like to send everyone a senior picture!!! so call me if you have questions, and we will keep you posted on details.

We had a great turn out for Jaque's surprise birthday party. 18 - cannot believe it. We were looking through pictures for the senior slide show. It was so great to see how involved our family has been in Jaque's life. I really appreciate our family and feel that we are sooo lucky. God has truely blessed us.

God has been working in our lives. 2009 is going to be very busy, and staying focused on what needs to be done is difficult. But just yesterday God reminded me that if it seems like you are struggling with something, it is because you are trying to take control. Ultimately, he is in control, and the more we try to be the leader, the more we will mess it up. But if we remember that in his time he will right the wrong, he will do his will......then an ease will overcome us, and we will be calmed in our hearts.

Our family is needing prayer, Grandma Kay and her knees, Papa Danny, Aunt Belinda and her famly, Lane and Lyndi and the new baby...I could go on and on. But today I confess that we need God in our lives and may he use Jaque and her Jer 30:17 to work miracles in our lives. May remember where we were one year ago and draw on the strength that holds us together as one family.

Jaque is a wonderful young woman. She will start PT with "Chance" on Monday. He is in Idabel. God has sent him to us to stay close to home. As I walked into his office I realized that this is where we needed to be. "Chance" knows Jaque well, and has worked with her in the past. I think that he is the link that we have been missing. He told me that he did not know much about her injury but would do the best he could. God gave me the words to respond, we went to an expert a few weeks ago we learned nothing new, and felt defeated. In just speaking with "Chance" God says someone believing in you and knowing you are more than a number will make all the difference in the world. We are working toward getting healthy and confident in everything that we do for college!yippeee

Jaque has thrown the first pitch of the first game of the world series each of the three times we have went. Yes, they were all three strikes. We went from 16th, to 3rd, to winning it all. Why? team work, hard work, support of family, and sheer determination. So why is this any different? This is the biggest game of her life. And I don't know about you, but I am rooting just as loud as ever. I just hope that ol' devil knows that her team is stacked, even the umpires are on our side.

Homecoming is Feb 3 and our senior night is Feb 6. These will be tough on all of us, so keep us in mind, and come on down if you can. And don't forget Graduation 05/17! Love you. Carol

OMG she is almost 18

Wow. Just think back where we all were just a short 365 days ago. It was a Sunday, and I am sure we were saying our goodbye's as everyone was headed home from another long, but loving weekend. In fact, we were eagerly watching Jaque, hoping that she would stay calm enough to have surgery on January 17. As Prissy kept reminding us all of Jer 30:17 - we patiently waited.

We knew that the longer we went without surgery, the longer road of recovery we would be on. Just thinking about that occilator seems like it was not real at all. She literally had a machine forcing her lungs to stay open so that they would hold air. Seems weird now, doesn't it. As it was fast approaching, we were surprising all around us in the waiting room because we were all preparing ourselves for.......well.....for God's blessing.

Yes, we knew it was coming. Thinking of it now makes the hair on my neck stand up. She was literally one shorted out cord away from being with our maker. (or one drop of condensation) How awesome was it to experience what was going on in her room, the cards, the balloons, the banners, the pictures, the music.......all of it.

But think back for a moment the waiting room. What God did in that waiting room saved more lives than Jaque. He used our family to witness to others. To make people pray that have not ever prayed. Goodness, he brought so many friends and family that we were kicked from the waiting room. It is almost funny now. If we all knew what was happening, not with Jaque, but through her.

I always say that I know that she is an imperfect teenager, so with that said....can you believe that he picked her? Wow. And he picked our family too. As her 18 birthday approaches, it is so awesome to look back on the pictures that are her life story. In doing this I have realized one important thing.

When God made Jaque, imperfectly perfect, he indeed had a plan. There is not ONE THING that she has done in her life that is to our expectations. Whether it was climbing on the fridge before she could almost walk, learning to ride her bike, her first motorcycle, learning to swim, playing soccer, or playing baseball with the boys - one thing with her is for sure. Never to our expectations, always above and beyond, ALWAYS doing just beyond the reach set by anyone giving her limits.

Tell her she can't, and she will. Give her an inch, and she will not just take a mile, but smile at you and stick her tongue out while she does it. When a friend burns her, she is the first to forgive - and be on the phone with them at three in the morning when their boyfriend cheats on them.

As we approach her birthday, I feel blessed that she has kept my life exciting. I feel blessed that I was in line to be her mom. I know that God is preparing her right now, and she will be the one to set the "new age" recovery therapy method for spinal cord injuries. They will look at her and they will say WOW, attitude is everything. And we know Jaque is the queen of ATTITUDE. She comes by it naturally from all of us.

Love you all, and talk with you soon. Keep Grandma Kay in your prayers as she recoops. Love you spiky hair!

Happy New Year

Well, here we are. It is 2009. Hope this finds you doing well. Jaque had a big night and did great. I was a little mad because she was late. As usual, she called and said she was on her way, to not worry. I was as persistant as ever, and kept on her to get home. Without going into great deatil Jaque had a choice to make. Yes, I realize teenagers are by nature screw-ups, and she is no exception. I fee; compelled to tell you all that she chose wisely. Thanks to a "friend" and his willingness to give her a ride home, Jaque did NOT ride with a drunk driver. She did NOT get in his truck that he woul wreck less than 20 minutes later. She did NOT put her life in danger. He realy is a good friend to her, I guess he is just going through a tough time, but please pray for him.

Also, I praise Jaque and all those teenagers like her that are trying hard. Kudos to you all. Dare to be different. It is often a more lonely road at first, but as kids all mature at different levels, the others will eventually learn.

Pray for Grandma Kay (spiky hair grandma) she has had double knee surgery and is on the road to recovery. We love you and are praying for you Kay! Also pray for Jaque's nephew (lol)Aryan, he and his mother need to know how important that they are to our family.

God does listen to our prayers. Sometimes it is hard for us to hear him, but know it is never hard for him to hear us. Jaque has a necklace that is a cross, it is silver with little footsteps, on the back it says "it was then that I carried you." It reminds me that we are not in control, he is. Also, it makes me think of all the footprints that I have cleaned from my floors over the years. With God, these footsteps left to "track up" our home is what carries us daily.

We have passed the one year mark. Thank God for that dreadful day that he brought to us, for we have shined through it .... all of us together. And Jaque is becoming a beautiful young lady for it. God bless the man that can catch her, she wheels really fast.

Just an FYI to those at little rock that might still keep track, we will be at Childrens on Thursday, Jan 8 for Dr M visit. And at UAMC on Jan 9 for news on where the next phase of PT might take us.

Do not think that if you are reading this........that you are not important. You are a part of the reason that Jaque is still with us. Pray for those struggling to find strength somehow in Jaque's smile. Lord knows I do every minute of every day. Love you all.

Let us be Humble

Guess what guys, we are strongly approaching a year. Can you believe that it has almost been a year? I cannot. I get overwhelmed in the thought of how you all literally dropped everything and rush to Jaque. We were a strong united front withstanding the devil. He realized that a Grandma, a Mimi, and a Mamaw were forces to strong to fold under pressue.

I know in the quiet of the nights, it was so hard to be strong, but you were. And papa's, aunts, uncles, cousins, great grandmas, friends, classmates, and teammates ----you were all so supportive.

Jaque's beauty indeeds shines through. The rays are filled with the love that you send her way, and the stories that you continue to pass on.

It has been a rough year for her class of 2009. They recently lost a young man to a gun shot accident. It was a horrible situation, and one that no one saw coming. Jaque said that the past year had made her strong. Jaque's mess-ups, her "sheer lucks", and mostly her faith in God has gotten her through. She told me that it is hard being the strong one in tough times. My comment was that she does not always have to be. She said, if i am not, who will? She is right, she is the chosen one. Each day, while still being a crazy teenager, she is realizing how awesome her circumstances really are, and how she is in control.

Each day she is looking a little healthier. We go to Little Rock on the 9th of January to speak with a specialized PT for Spinal injuries. People ask me if I am worried. I tell them that we are on God's schedule.

Last week someone entered my office. They were about in tears, realizing that the date was coming fast. I told them that it will be a happy day for me. It was the day that she showed God how hard she was willing to pitch, how fast she was willing to run, and most of all SHE SHOWED him that she was not a bench warmer, she was a starter. Praise God for her.

I also reminded them that perfection takes time. And with God on our side, it will be done.

For God will restore health unto Jaque and heal her of thy wounds. JER 30:17 Please say a prayer for her classmate Shon Tabor, 17, laid to rest on December 20, 2008. Pray for his family during this holiday season and pray for the Class of 2009.

Love you all - Merry Christmas. Carol

Christmas Time is Coming!!

Well, it has been a while since we have talked. Basketball season, deer season, grandma's ......we have been busy. I bet everyone reading this is feeling the Christmas time crunch.

Just wanted to tell you all we love you. Remember that when you feel like you are running out of time, time is all we have. We are so fortunate to be on this earth for a very short time, and if you are one of the lucky ones (like me) you are surrounded by beautiful people.

Jaque is doing great. She is the light in my life, and my reason for getting up every morning. She is growing so quickly. She is 5'8"+ now. Her attitude on life is wonderful, and she is learning that ALL things are possible. I have a lot of people ask me if she is walking yet. It use to make me sad, but more and more every day I realize that I smile now. I smile knowing that God is doing great works in her life and in her body. To think that he kept her here on this earth, that he spared her, that he chose her.....so that she has the opportunity to chose him...that is awesome.

We were in Merritt OK at a ballgame and a yound lady came up to her. She asked if she was "Jaque Hall" and she said yes. They talked for a while, and have text a little since, but Jaque saw that she had touched this young lady's life. Just now she is understand the impact that she has on our lives.

She has been going through some struggles. Mostly the expectations from her friends that are not mature enough to understand that she has no control over walking right now. They do not understand that our MAKER has the control. They do not have our MAKER in their lives. For this they will struggle. I try to tell Jaque that you can "bring a horse to water, but cannot make him drink." No matter how much she prays for someone, they have the choice. She must and is making hers, so pray for her journey. It is hard being young. But I tell her that she is the prettiest girl in the world, and Mr. Right is coming, she just has to be ready!

Just because you cannot immediately see the work, does not mean that God is not doing it. And kind of like with santa, if you believe - you will recieve. God says that if two or more gather.....well he better be ready because our line is long.

Please continue to pray Jer 30:17 for Jaque. And take time out to pray for yourself each day. God is listening, we just must see the signs he sends us.

Love you all and enjoy the new picts. JAX - cannot wait to meet you.

Let us Be Thankful

Well, we had a great time at the grandma's. (and Papa's too) It is such a different kind of beautiful in western OK. The weather was perfect, and it was wonderful to see McKenzie, Andrew, Deanna, and little Aryan. God has blessed us with a wonderful family.

On Sunday, Coach Reynolds, Jaque, and I made the journey to Ft. Smith. A young man by the name of Bryant Cummings was injured last week in a four wheeler accident. He is not doing so well mentally, so the good Lord brought it to us. Well, to Jaque I should say.

Words cannot describe to you the feeling that came over me going into that room. I was unsure if this was the right thing to do, unsure of the reaction that it might have on Bryant and Jaque. Yes, I understand that Jaque is a typical teenager, and perfectly imperfect. But touched by the hands of God, yes she has been!!

After just a few seconds, Bryants girlfriend, Coach, and I left the room. We went out and waited with the other family members. Jaque just talked his head off. About what, I am not sure, but she took a picture with her and her deer to show him that Anything is possible.

I answered a few quiet questions from Bryants mother, and family. We all sit, not knowing what to say. After about 45 minutes a few of Bryant's guy friends showed up, Jaque came and joined us. Within a moment, that small section of the hospital was so different. Just with jaque there among them, the air lifted a bit, and it smelled much sweeter. Of course in true jaque fashion, she had them laughing so much. Her stories from school, from rehab, from life in general showed this family that it is what you do with what you have that makes the difference.

When we were getting ready to leave, I gave his mother one piece of advice. I told her that just because she does the research about the situation that he is in, does not mean that he is going to be there forever. That she must know that thru prayer and knowing that God's Will is in control, she will get peace.

God will restore health unto Jaque, and he will heal her of her wounds. JER 30:17.

Please pray for Bryant. His first surgery is Nov 4. Also, please contiune to pray for Jaque, because being a teenage is hard enough. Pray that her wheels will take her where she needs go, that her mind will keep her on the right path, and that when God is ready, she will wear out all her shoes making footprints for us all to follow!

Enjoy the beautiful weather, and the awesome colors of fall. Carol

Youth hunting Season

Hey guys, just wanted to drop a note to remind you all that All things are possible with Christ. Jaque, Chris, and Kelsie are hunting this weekend. They are having a good time, and eating lots of great food from Grandma Dona and Grandma Kay. Jaque got this one opening morning, as I am sure you all know. I am so proud that she continues to show the world that the only limitations you have are the ones you place upon yourself.

This should be motivation for all of us to do something today extraordinary.

Love you all, and hopefully Kelsie will have a deer by Sunday.

Keep praying.

October???

can you believe it is October? Where has the year gone?

Jaque has been so busy in school. Our softball is now finished. Although they did not have a good year on record, they had a lot of fun, and showed a lot of heart to the bitter end. Maegan - you did a great job trying to stay focused.

We have been very busy. Lane and Lindi are FINALLY married. Lane, it took you long enough. It was very beautiful and we all had a great time.

Since we have talked last, we have ordered graduation announcements, class rings, and who knows what else. Senior year is tough on the pocketbook, but I could not think of anything in the world I would rather be spending my money on. Jaque, a BIG senior. Wow. I look at her, all grown up and am so proud. She is such a unique blend of Chris and me. I thank God every day. In fact, I changed my alarm in the morning, it says Thank God for One more day with you.

How often do we remember to do that? My dad turned 60 years old on October 3rd. He is a great man. Throughout my life, he has always been at my side. He is the strength that I pull from, he is the rock in our family. And yes dad, I remember the one spanking you gave me. It was the ice water I spilled on you that made me do it. Happy Birthday Dad.

Jaque is doing well. She is gearing up for hunting season. She is continuing to get stronger, and look healthier. I pray that God is working in her, she shows signs of his power throughout her body. He knows that she is strong, and he is not finished with her yet. We must all pray and be prepared to receive God's blessings in her life. She is scheduled to go to Little Rock to Dr Kisser in January for a physical theraphy regimn. Dr McCarthy says that he is the best around. Dr McCarthy would know, he fought the devil for Jaque, and won. As he says, Jaque Jaque Jaque!

Thanks to all for continuing to follow her story. You will not be disappointed.......Love you!



Senior year..............

Jaque

Hey everyone its me Jaque.... Senior pics are tomorrow.....Im kinda excited but its wateva...lol I cant wait till thanksgiving....food....family omg i jus cant wait.. I want to say to all the young girls that read my blog......Dont fall in love durin high school live life take it one man at a time have fun AND remember there is someone who cares for you.....lol....
oh
i dont know if mom told yall but i wakeboarded it was so fun... well ttyl