Jessie's Story and a Prayer for Noah

Good Morning,

Jessie seems to be back in the swing of school this week after her whirlwind tour of Orlando. She still has her dreadlocks and beads in her hair. I tried to talk her into removing them last night, but she wouldn't even discuss it. Who is the parent here anyway?

She has started going down to the nurses office during the day to take a nap, but Mrs. Walters says that when she wakes up she is refreshed and ready to go back to class for more work. I'm going to talk to my boss about this nap thing, it sounds like a good arrangement.

I've been trying to keep up with all the news stories about Jessie, and I have given up due to the volume. I know that something is comming out in the community news this week and next (probably a two-part story), and the internet is abuzz. You will read some comments to the story that are very heartfelt and compassionate and you will read some comments that are innacurate or callous. Mostly, people are genuinely caring and extend prayers and thoughts. Don't take offense to anything written.

This is very hard for people to understand and conceptualize, and people deal with it in different ways. Some through heartfelt emotion, some through critique, some with questions, and yes, even some with Jokes. It's OK. This doesn't seem real to those people, and they are so far removed that it may be the best way for them to handle it. They are not bad people, maybe just scared and humor helps them deal with it.

If you get a chance, try this : goto http://www.google.com/ and type in the phrase "Jessie Hall" and brain. You will be amazed.

or click on this : http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&as_q=brain+rare&as_epq=jessie+hall&as_oq=&as_eq=&num=10&lr=&as_filetype=&ft=i&as_sitesearch=&as_qdr=all&as_rights=&as_occt=any&cr=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&safe=images


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Finally,

Noah Warrick of North Carolina is in surgery as I write this, and I ask that you take a few minutes to say a prayer for him and his family. They are such a neat family, and Noah is such a neat kid. His Mom and Dad (Laura and Brian) and brother Sam are sitting at Duke University Medical Center right now waiting for the word that surgery is over and Noah is OK. God Bless Noah and his family.

And Thanks to all of our family, friends, and community. You continue to ovewhelm us each day with your support and encouragement. Kristi and I can't go a day without shedding a tear of joy as we see some new act of kindness or compassion.

We love you guys!!

Cris and Kristi