Jul 24, 2007

Thank you ... you know who you are!

THANK YOU to ALL the people who prayed for us, THANK YOU to all of you who made sure we ate last week without having to spend any money or cook any meals. THANK YOU to those of you who watched the kids, THANK YOU for those of you who cleaned my house and mowed by lawn. (You know this is a BIG ONE for me, I do not LIKE anyone cleaning for me)God is so good. He sent friends and family to make sure last week in and out of the hospital for us went as smooth as possible.
We can NEVER repay any of you, but as least we can say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
1 PETER 4:8-10 NKJ 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
ROMANS 12:10,13 NKJ 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality
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Jul 23, 2007

Another day .. many, many more blessings

It has been a week and a few days since my son's brain tumor surgery and the only evidence is the shaved area around the surgery site and you can see a few stitches. He is having headaches, but the doctors told us this would be expected, especially since his tumor was near the sight/vision area. God is so good and so faithful! We prayed and expected Him to answer, but who knew He would answer EVERY request the way that He did! I cannot tell you how much I thank God for what he did. He is Jehovah Rophe, He is Jehovah Shalom, He is Jehovah Jireh, He is God our Father, faithful, faithful.

My son is doing amazingly well and is asking for more and more food and getting back into his old skin. He is ready to get out (we have another week or so), but I am truly amazed at what God has done! It is not that I thought He wouldn't answer, but that He wouldn't answer me. So many times, I asked, but I know now that I was asking Him to answer me my way and not His way. I wanted this over so many years ago, but God said no, if I do, my purpose for your life oor your son's life will not fulfilled. There are so many things I have learned about God through this experience that I would have never learned years ago. This blessing was not just for my family, but for others as well and I hope and pray that we all, whoever knows about this situation will listen and hear from the Lord!

Praise be to God, praise be to God!

Jul 19, 2007

Another day, more blessings ...

My son had a better day today. He was up longer, looked stronger and had fewer headaches! He asked for his favorite foods and you better know I got them for him, whatever he wanted. It is his day, it is his week. My husband and I keep marveling in what God has done for our son and for us! Everytime my son calls our name, we smile ... everytime he asks a question, we smile ... everytime he speaks of something he remembers, we smile. All because of the goodness of God! I recognize that God did not do what he did for just us, but for a whole lot of people. We have heard from many that their walk is better with God, because of our journey and because we did not give up! My son is sleeping now and that 10 1/2 year old face seems so sweet. I can remember when he was born, when he walked for the first time .. we he started growing into himself .. and I say THANK YOU LORD! Lord, thank you for the mighty miracle walking around my house today ..... THANK YOU!

Jul 18, 2007

She didn't want to wait on God ...

The same day my son had brain surgery ..... was the same day my friend was found dead. I just talked to her. I just sent her a picture of my children. She just prayed for my son's surgery ... but deep down inside something was hurting her and she could no longer wait on God. Why did she do this? I am so mad ... I don't know what she said to God before she died .. why didn't she wait? why did she give up? She had waited on God soooo many times before, He had always pulled her through, but this time, this time was different ... she didn't want to wait anymore .. what could have been different, what could I have done differently when she called me two weeks before? Why didn't I hear it in her voice? Why didn't she wait? So many questions and no answers, at least on this side of heaven. What I do know is that she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior so many years ago and I know I will see her again.

Jul 13, 2007

It is finished!

We walked in the pre-surgicial room and the presence of the Lord was there BEFORE we got there .. I so wanted this day to be over, BUT God wanted us to savor every moment!
Prayer request after prayer request has been answered!

* God allowed Jesus to meet us today

* People love us

* Despite doubting God for even just a second today, HE showed himself strong

* The surgery finished earlier than we thought

* My son looks the same (I expected a completely shaved head)

* My son is talking and knows who I am

* The surgeon smiled today, I have never seen him do this!

* The surgeon got most of the tumor out! (Final test results next week)

* The tumor appears to be benign (Jehovah!)

* My son asked for a helicopter today!

* My son can count!

* My son knows who his brothers are!

* My son made a joke today!

*MY son is in ICU, BUT doing well!

***** There is SO much more to say, but I will have to edit the post later ***

God has been sooooo faithful to me, my son and my family!

Jul 12, 2007

Today is the day ..

That will forever change my life .... We check in at 6:30am. We have prayed, cried, prayed, shouted, prayed, hugged/kissed so many times in the last 24 hours. Both my husband and I said .. this should be regular thing for this household and to some extent it is, but not just because our oldest in having surgery today. We have asked God to show UP and show OUT! Astonish us, astonish the doctors, lead the lost to Christ because of what has happened the last four years and because of what will happen today and beyond ....

Jul 6, 2007

72 hours of prayer ... Please join us if you can ..

Thursday July 12, Friday July 13, and Saturday July 14

Dear Family and Friends:

My son's doctors have recommended surgery. Our family believes in the miracles and wonders of God and in the power of prayer. Therefore, we are requesting your support as we embark upon 72 consistent hours of prayer, beginning the day before the surgery and ending the day after. While our family is always in need of your support, we are requesting a state of special prayer to protect and cover my son during this critical time.
The twelfth chapter of Acts beginning with the first verse describes an account of Peter in prison. Herod had just killed James and had intended to kill Peter after Passover. There are two extremely notable points about this story. First, Peter slept on the night before his scheduled assassination. What peace the power of the Master’s promises brings to His children. Jesus had promised Peter that he would not die of an early age. Therefore, Peter was able to rest in the assurance of that promise. In like manner, we will rest in God’s promises of healing for my son. The second significant point is recorded in verse five which tells us that “Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.” As believers of Christ, you are the church. The text in Acts goes on to tell us that Peter was bound by two chains between two guards and two more guards protected the door to the prison. By man’s standards, escape was impossible. But we know that nothing is too hard for Jehovah Nissi (God Our Banner). God sent an angel to escort Peter from the prison. Peter’s chains were loosened and he was led by the angel past both guard posts. For my son to emerge from this surgery with full removal of the tumor, no damage to his brain, and no side-effects or negative impact of any kind may be impossible by man’s standards. But the church is not convicted to live by man’s standards. We believe in the power of God Almighty and we know that God can and will deliver my son just as he did Peter.
The account of Peter’s release from prison ends with him knocking on the door of Mary, the mother of John where a community of believers was praying. Rhoda, went to the door and after hearing Peter’s voice, was filled with so much gladness, she did not open to the door but ran to tell everyone that Peter was there. The people did not believe her. They went so far as to tell Rhoda that “she was beside herself”. But persistent Peter kept knocking and after opening the door, the people were astonished. After God performs my son’s miracle, there will be some that will be astonished. But perhaps, this is the very reason why God is allowing these things to transpire (so that unbelievers will be drawn to him and believers will be drawn into a deeper relationship with him).
Another critical biblical account is recorded in Mark 2 and Luke 5. Jesus preached to a crowd in a house in Capernaum. The crowd was so large that four men could not get anywhere near Jesus with a man (presumably their friend) so He could heal him. The friends were determined to obtain healing for the man and uncovered the roof and lowered the man to Jesus. We invite you to be the Friends of my son that through intercessory prayer, lower my son to the feet of the Master.
A chart of general prayers to be offered each hour is included. This will ensure that we are praying on one accord. If you are willing to commit to being a Friend of my son, please email us at jailynnsjourney@gmail.com and let us know what hour(s) you will support my son through prayer. This will allow us to coordinate with everyone and ensure my son has full prayer coverage for the entire 72 hour period. Your support and obedience to God is appreciated far more than you will ever know.
As we believe that the blood protected the first born from destruction at the first Passover, we not only pray that the blood of Christ will protect my son (the firstborn) in the same manner, we also pray that someone who does not have a love relationship with our Savior today, will have one after witnessing the power of prayers to God.

Sincerely,
Jai

Day 1 – (July 12th) - Thursday
Hour
Time
Prayer Request
1st
12:00AM-1:00AM CST
Praise and Adoration to God
2nd
1:00AM-2:00AM CST
Praise and Adoration to God
3rd
2:00AM-3:00AM CST
Praise and Adoration to God
4th
3:00AM-4:00AM CST
Prayers for Peace, Comfort, Knowledge and Wisdom for Darrell, Jailynn, and my son and Prayer for Total Healing for my son
5th
4:00AM-5:00AM CST
Prayers that the tumor will lift itself off of my son's brain so that it can be easily removed without touching or cutting my son's brain in any form.
6th
5:00AM-6:00AM CST
Prayers that the MRI scheduled for today will give the Medical team new information on the tumor.
7th
6:00AM-7:00AMCST
Prayers for the financial aspects of the surgery, that everything will come together. Prayer for Darrell’s job and their understanding and flexibility.
8th
7:00AM-8:00AM CST
Check in time at the hospital for my son (Prayers that everything goes smoothly).
9th
8:00AM-9:00AM CST
Prayers for the preparation for the MRI
10th
9:00AM-10:00AM CST
Prayers for the nurses and techs involved with this new MRI
11th
10:00AM-11:00AM CST
Prayers for my son and the anesthesiologist
12th
11:00AM-12:00AM CST
Prayers for peace for Darrell, Jailynn, and my son ... no anxiety
13th
12:00PM-1:00PM CST
Prayers for my two other sons being kept by family for the next three days
14th
1:00PM-2:00PM CST
Continued Prayers for Total Healing for my oldest son
15th
2:00PM-3:00PM CST
Prayers for any child that will undergo surgery during this 72 hour period that they will also be fully healed.
16th
3:00PM-4:00PM CST
Prayers for anyone participating in this prayer stream in need of healing.
17th
4:00PM-5:00PM CST
Prayers for people that will be drawn to God as a result of the miracle
18th
5:00PM-6:00PM CST
Prayers for my son's Body - That it will be prepared to endure the surgery. Prayers that He will not have any seizures or that anything would prevent the Doctor’s from removing the tumor.
19th
6:00PM-7:00PM CST
Prayers that my son’s speech, sight, physical abilities, memory, hearing, and capability of learning remain in tact after the surgery.
20th
7:00PM-8:00PM CST
The family of my son united in prayer and prayers for the family of my son.
21st
8:00PM-9:00PM CST
Men of God Praying for my son - That my son will Grow to Be a Man after God’s Own Heart (Future Husband and Father)
22nd
9:00PM-10:00PM CST
Prayers for the weather that there will be no storms or anything that will disturb the surgery.
23rd
10:00PM-11:00PM CST
Prayer for the Medical Team that will perform the surgery (Peaceful rest, Knowledge and Wisdom)
24th
11:00PM-12:00AM CST
Praise and Adoration to God
Day 2 – July 13th - Friday
Hour
Time
Prayer Request
25th
12:00AM-1:00AM CST
Praise and Adoration to God
26th
1:00AM-2:00AM CST
Continued Prayers that the tumor will lift itself off of my son’s brain so that it can be easily removed without touching or cutting Jordan’s brain in any form and that the entire tumor is removed.
27th
2:00AM-3:00AM CST
Prayers for the Surgeons (Dr. Bradley Weprin and Dr. David J. Sacco) - Wisdom, Knowledge, Precision.
28th
3:00AM-4:00AM CST
Prayers for the facility where the surgery will occur – Completely sterile, clean, and bacteria free; that everything that is needed for the surgery is there, and that all equipment functions properly.
29th
4:00AM-5:00AM CST
Prayers for the plans God has for my son (Plans to Prosper and Not to Harm, for Hope and a Future) Jeremiah 29:11
30th
5:00AM-6:00AM CST
Prayers for Protection for my son - No Weapon formed against him will prosper
31st
6:00AM-7:00AMCST
Prayers for the Medical Staff including Dr. Bradley Weprin and Dr. David J. Sacco - (Knowledge, Wisdom, Precision) and Protection for my son
32nd
7:00AM-8:00AM CST
Continued Prayers for the Medical Staff, especially the anesthesiologist and the medicine he will use.(Knowledge, Wisdom, Precision) and Protection for my son
33rd
8:00AM-9:00AM CST
Continued Prayers for the Medical Staff (Knowledge, Wisdom, Precision) and Protection for my son
34th
9:00AM-10:00AM CST
Continued Prayers for the Medical Staff (Knowledge, Wisdom, Precision) and Prayers for Protection for my son
35th
10:00AM-11:00AM CST
Continued Prayers for the Medical Staff (Knowledge, Wisdom, Precision) and Protection for my son
36th
11:00AM-12:00AM CST
Continued Prayers for the Medical Staff (Knowledge, Wisdom, Precision) and Protection for my son
37th
12:00PM-1:00PM CST
Continued Prayers for the Medical Staff (Knowledge, Wisdom, Precision) and Prayers Protection for my son
38th
1:00PM-2:00PM CST
Thanksgiving to God for a successful surgery and for full healing.
39th
2:00PM-3:00PM CST
Continued Prayers for Knowledge and Wisdom for Darrell and Jailynn (including any decisions that need to be made).
40th
3:00PM-4:00PM CST
Prayers for my son while he is in ICU
41st
4:00PM-5:00PM CST
Prayers for the ICU staff that will come in contact with Darrell, Jailynn and my son
42nd
5:00PM-6:00PM CST
Prayers for recovery from the surgery. Doctors are concerned about his memory, sight and speech.
43rd
6:00PM-7:00PM CST
Prayers that God would restore all that my son has lost these last 4 years
44th
7:00PM-8:00PM CST
Prayers that there is NO pain and my son recovers well
45th
8:00PM-9:00PM CST
Women of God Praying for my son (Son, Future Father and Husband).
46th
9:00PM-10:00PM CST
Prayers that my son’s uniqueness and personality remain in tact.
47th
10:00PM-11:00PM CST
Prayers that my son would not have any memory loss
48th
11:00PM-12:00AM CST
Praise and Adoration to God
Day 3 – (July 14th) - Saturday
Hour
Time
Prayer Request
49th
12:00AM-1:00AM CST
Praise and Adoration to God
50th
1:00AM-2:00AM CST
Prayers for rest for my son, Jailynn, and Darrell
51st
2:00AM-3:00AM CST
Prayers for follow up visits within the next 6 weeks to 1 year.
52nd
3:00AM-4:00AM CST
Prayers that the tumor will NOT grow back
53rd
4:00AM-5:00AM CST
Prayers that the tumor has not affected any other organs/parts of the body
54th
5:00AM-6:00AM CST
Prayers that there are no infections
55th
6:00AM-7:00AMCST
Prayers for my son’s Future Ministry and Testimony
56th
7:00AM-8:00AM CST
Prayers that my son will move to a regular room today
57th
8:00AM-9:00AM CST
Sterility of the room and people coming in contact with my son.
58th
9:00AM-10:00AM CST
Prayers for my son's speech
59th
10:00AM-11:00AM CST
Prayers for my son’s sight (Doctor’s concerned about double vision)
60th
11:00AM-12:00AM CST
Prayers for my son’s physical abilities
61st
12:00PM-1:00PM CST
Prayers for my son’s memory and capability of learning (wisdom and knowledge)
62nd
1:00PM-2:00PM CST
Prayers for my son’s rehab team
63rd
2:00PM-3:00PM CST
Prayers for no more seizures
64th
3:00PM-4:00PM CST
Prayers for the medicine he will have to take after throughout his lifetime and that it will not effect him as a husband and father
65th
4:00PM-5:00PM CST
Prayers that my son rests well
66th
5:00PM-6:00PM CST
Prayers for people in this prayer stream
67th
6:00PM-7:00PM CST
Prayers for recovery, rest and release from the hospital
68th
7:00PM-8:00PM CST
Prayers for the next 6 weeks, day by day, my son’s recovery
69th
8:00PM-9:00PM CST
Prayers for the healing of the incision, no keloids
70th
9:00PM-10:00PM CST
Praise to God for the Privilege of Prayer and His Mighty Power
71st
10:00PM-11:00PM CST
Praise to God, Thanksgiving for Most Holy Lamb and the Power of the Blood
72nd
11:00PM-12:00AM CST
Praise and Adoration to God

We are less than a week away ..

and I am not sure how I feel. (I know that I am ALL over the map today)

My oldest is scheduled to have brain surgery Friday, July 13th and I am numb. I have been going through the motions, yet really enjoying spending time w/ him. I have ALWAYS enjoyed time with him, but obviously, now it is sooo different. I thank God for allowing me to be his mother and I pray that AFTER the surgery, that God will allow him to remember his family, remember the good times we have had and remember the laughter. I pray for his future .. that he will have one he can remember and enjoy. I do not want to grieve again, ( I feel like we grieved him in 2003 when we first found out about his seizure disorder)but if I do not watch it, that is just what I will do. You have to understand, my son was reading at 3, advanced in every class, learning scriptures faster than I could give them to him, soaked up everything and taught me a thing or two and now .. we play catch up in school, I am trying to find his "learn language", so he doesn't fall behind in school and in life, he doesn't understand a lot things, we teach him things over and over .. he used to have seizures twice or more a day and on and on ... I am NOT complaining, but coping .. and drawing near ... BUT GOD!
My family designed a 72 prayer and we have all been AMAZED at how many people, people we know and some we don't, some who have prayed for 4 years with us and some we have not heard from or spoken to in 20 years have emailed us to say they will pray and have taken more than 1 hour at a time to pray .... God is sooo good. Perhaps it is like me and my family has said ... this thing is BIGGER than us. It is NOT about us, my son or any one person or thing, but about drawing nearer to God.
My husband and I have prayed and prayed to the Lord asking for a DEEPER relationship with God and boy howdy, we got it! Although we did not expect anything like this .. I can see the handwriting on the wall. Picture it.... January 2002, (in our 2 bedroom apartment)Solemn Assembly (a time of prayer and fasting at our church) we ask the Lord for a stronger, more deeper relationship. The year comes and goes .. we draw close, but at OUR comfort level. We make plans to buy a house and start saving. January 2003, we ask again ... watch out what you ask for ... we ask the Lord for a DEEPER relationship w/ him. 2/03 we find our house, 3/03 we get ready to move in, 4/03 we find out we are pregnant with a new baby, BOOM 6/03, our oldest son is diagnosed with epilepsy and 7/03 our baby daughter dies! The rest of the 2003 and the past 4 years have been interesting .. God has blessed us with 2 more sons, I am now a SAHM, but I know this journey, this season, has caused us to draw NEAR, have a DEEPER relationship with our Father, God, because this is a season that we have NO control over and one where we can only walk with HIM.
Does it hurt? YES! Would I do it again? YES! Because I know more than ever before that God is with us, He is holding us in the palm of His hand and will NOT leave or foresake us. He has healed my son, the communication in my marriage is better than ever before (could ALWAYS be better and I working on that - - see honey?!!!!!) I see my responsibilities as a wife and mom so clearly now and I continue to learn to live for today ... enjoy today .. show your children all you can while you can .. introduce them to Jesus .. TRUST GOD .. the same God who built heaven and earth and all things around us is the same God who holds us, provides for us, cares for us, loves unconditionally, hears us when we praise and when we pray, covers us! He is the same yesterday, today and forever more.

Jul 2, 2007

HE gave me these boys to raise ...

When I think about my sons, I get excited about the task God laid before me, but when I think about it in my own strength, I get OVERWHELMED! I have a new respect for my mother (and father), but wow what a job a mother has in these times. It ain't easy. I must teach them how to be gentleman, BUT strong men. Why did God give us 3 soon to be men? One theory is because my husband is sooo good to me and I think God wanted what I have to be passed on to other women. He is definitely the kind of man you want duplicated, not perfect, but perfect for me! I get so excited and yes sometimes jealous when my husband comes home and ALL 3 boys jump for delight and cannot wait until daddy reaches all of them with a hug and kiss. (No my boys are not soft, but caring, caring, caring).

Today my oldest told me what the scripture focus was in church (He attends youth service), Phillipians 4:13, so we decided to teach my 2 year old the same scripture where he could repeat and try to understand. I CAN .. DO ALL .. THINGS THROUGH .. JESUS! He did it! Meanwhile, the same who is ALL boy jumps off bed, sofas, shelves, whatever is in the house than he can 123 jump .. and there he goes .. my youngest CANNOT wait he can hit the floor .. I am sure he will be crawling in a few weeks ..

All boys .. ALL BOYS .. but what else would we, could we want? My husband and I vowed to raise strong, healthy, Godly men who will be there for the women of tomorrow and there will 3 less women saying there are no men ... !!!!!!