Today, our family made a commitment that we should have made a long time ago. We became members of the New River Fellowship over near Hudson Oaks. We have been attending for a while now, but never could seem to find the time to attend their Visions 101 class and make the commitment. There was always some excuse. A classic case of screwed up priorities, but we're working on straighten out those priorities.
"So, what does that have to do with Jessie?", I hear you ask. "This is Jessie's Blog."
Yes indeed you are right, but this has everything to do with Jessie, and let me explain. First of all, I'm NOT going to turn this into a religious blog, because there are so many people out there that can deliver a more POWERFUL lesson about our Heavenly Father, than I ever could. I'll leave those blogs to the graduates of seminary and other experts in that area. But let me at least testify.
And as things progress, I feel that our family's testimony will be even more intertwined with God's work than I ever imagined when I started writing. It is impossible to avoid...so expect some more praises to God and giving credit where credit is due.
On the way home tonight, we drove through Aledo to look at the businesses that blessed Jessie and our family by advertising her Carnival at Cracker Barrel in Weatherford on their Marquees. (Which by the way was an amazing event that I will write about later.) There were several, but one that really stuck in our minds was the Sonic sign. Sonic was advertising Cracker Barrel. For this one weekend, they were effectively saying "Visit Jessie's Carnival and go eat at Cracker Barrel". It took me a while to realize how huge that is for a business to do this for Jessie. But it is huge!! They put aside competition for a weekend to help out our family.
We have a bunch of business to thank, and that is coming later too, but tonight, I want to write about something that came together for our family tonight. It involved church, and our family, and Jessie, and these businesses, and the community, and our neighbors, and our friends and the school.
Driving through Aledo, Josh (8) asked "Why are we here?" Of course, he meant literally, why are we driving around in Aledo, but Kristi answered in the philosophical sense. She replied, "We learned at church today that we are here and were created for God's pleasure." That is our purpose on earth. She followed with "and what better way to please God than to show all people the unconditional love that He shows us."
Josh then replied, "Well, how can we do that?" And Kristi began to tell the whole family that we have the best "teachers of love" in the world right here in our own community and family. The people at New River Fellowship who have showed us love since the first day we walked in the door. Our extended family who have supported us through Jessie's entire battle with unconditional and caring love. The community businesses who have put aside competition to support us and love us. Our wonderful community, neighbors, and friends who have gone WAY out of their way to show us love. And our school, WOW, they could teach a semester course on love. Collectively, our community has taught us how to love.
So, how hard can it be. All we have to do, is follow the example that so many people have shown us in the past few months, and we will be on our way to pleasing God.
We have learned so much from all of you in our community. We owe you more love than we will ever be able to repay. We will be in your debt and at your service forever. Thank You for the lesson. - Cris
1 comment:
Good afternoon to you. You do not know me, but I was told about your story from my sister who saw the information on Jessie on Channel 8's website.
My son had a brain tumor and had seizures for 3 1/2 years and had the tumor removed just last July in Dallas @ Children's.
When he was first diagnosed with the tumor, we did not know what to do and where to turn, BUT GOD gave us unmeasurable strength and discernment to help my son get a new life.
Johns Hopkins was one of the places we turned to help us and they HAVE been wonderful to us throughout the years. We worked with Dr. Ken Cohen and Dr. Ben Carson.
After many prayers and leadership from our pastor, we decided to stay in Dallas and work with Children's. Our doctors have been phenomanal!
I won't be too much longer, but let me just say my son WAS healed through his surgery .. they got most of his tumor out, he has stopped having seizures and we are praising God!
I am so glad to see you all joined a church in your area. I don't how we would have made it through these 4 1/2 years without the love and healing power of Jesus.
It was a long road and we have not finished this journey, but God has been faithful.
Prayers from family, friends and strangers alike helped hold us up when we were down and didn't know what to say, so I want you to know, that we are praying for Jessie and your family.
Please, please continue to blog while you are going through even when the times are hard, you NEVER know how God will use you if you let Him and bless someone else.
Thank you!!
Jai
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