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"Memories are a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.
~From the television show The Wonder Years
After a most courageous battle with cancer for 28 months, Jacob landed safely in the arms of God and was healed forever on June 12, 2006. He will forever be 6 years old.
In February 2004, Jacob was diagnosed at the age of 3 with adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare cancer of the adrenal gland affecting only 15-20 children in the US a year. To read his diagnosis story and journal history please CLICK HERE.
Jacob was truly an amazing child who lived life to the fullest. He loved singing, dancing, fishing, swimming and going to Walt Disney World. But most of all he loved his brothers. Jacob had a heart of gold and taught us all so much during his short time on earth. He taught us to celebrate life, to walk in faith, to never give up and to always believe in miracles. He touched many lives with his contagious smile and silliness, and he was deeply loved by all who knew him. He was a most precious gift from God, a miracle, a hero, the most Amazing Jacob. He will live in our hearts forever.
Jacob has an older brother, Kyle, who is 9, triplet brothers Brandon & Devin who are 7 and a baby sister, Allie, who we adopted from Guatemala. She was born on February 20, 2007 - which just happens to be the same date that Jacob was diagnosed with cancer. The boys & Allie are such a blessing in our life!
We would like to thank everyone for all the love and support. We are overwhelmed by your generosity and you have touched our hearts and blessed our lives with your compassion, your encouragement and your prayers. May you always know how much your kindness has meant to us. May God bless each of you as you have so graciously blessed our family.
  
For updates on our family - visit our blog . . .
FAITHFUL FROGGERS
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Journal
Friday, April 4, 2008 11:55 AM EDT Hello friends,
It has been a while since I've updated this page - but I still check in everyday and appreciate so very much the comments in the guestbook. Your sweet words about Jacob and the fact that you remember him touch my heart greatly everytime.
I have been trying to organize my pictures on my computer so that I can find them easier. One thing I noticed the other day when I was going through the pictures was that I have several with Jacob raising his arms in the air towards heaven with just a complete look of JOY on his face. These pictures tugged at my heart greatly and was a reminder of how Jacob embraced LIFE and found JOY in just about everything he did. That kind of JOY can only come from God.
"Happiness is the great feeling that you get when everything is going smoothly. Joy is what God gives you in the midst of trouble when you put that trouble in God's hands. We are happy BECAUSE OF and we are joyful IN SPITE OF."
Anne Robertson
Jacob knew true JOY - it was in his heart and soul. And nothing ever took that away from him. His spirit was so strong, so sweet, so pure and so completely JOYFUL - and that can only come from fully relying on God!
I want to live like that - but some days it is hard to find the JOY and rejoice. The sting of grief often tries hard to steal my joy. But then I think of Jacob and look at these pictures and praise God for the gift that Jacob was to our family . . . for the sweet lessons he continues to teach us everyday. JOY does live deep in my heart and it comes from trusting God and knowing that He is loving and good. JOY comes from knowing that
"God works for the good of those who love him."
Romans 8:28
And JOY comes from knowing that
"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."
Philippians 1:21
And another quote that really put things in perspective is from a lady who was diagnosed with breast cancer. She said,
"It's a win-win situation. If I live, then I get to keep on living. And if I die, I get to be with God."
Selfishly I feel that Jacob's loss is not a "win" situation for me - but boy does it bring peace to my heart to know that Jacob did indeed WIN and is living with God.
I admit - some days I have to dig deep and pray hard to find my JOY. But I'm learning that if I just close my eyes and give it all to God, I find myself raising my arms to the Heavens . . . and rejoicing!
Ending with a scripture . . .
"Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!"
Philippians 4:4
The picture below was the last picture we took of Jacob before he was admitted to the hospital and put on the ventilator. How fitting that despite being so very sick he is rejoicing! It's as if he is telling me to be JOYFUL because he is with God. I just can't help to cry when I see this picture and thank God for my Jacob. What a blessing he is!
Rejoicing . . . one day at a time,
Heather
Read Journal History
Hospital Information: Heaven's Amazing Angel
© Copyright 2004-2007
All rights reserved to Don & Heather Duckworth
Links: http://fastercure.org Pediatric Cancer Foundation
http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=2c9cb45c25b93978cae8b5&skin_id=1009&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url Slideshow of the Boys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kvcvi1IioSY Faces of Childhood Cancer Slideshow
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