Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
Welcome to Jordan's Web Page!
Thanks so much for stopping by to pay us a visit today. I pray you will be encouraged, and share the hope we have found after reading about all the wonderful things the Lord has been doing in Jordan's life and so many of his friends.
In the book of 1Thessalonians 5:16-18 the Bible says: "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
In April of 2002, we received the news that would change the course of our lives forever. Jordan was diagnosed with a brain tumor. This was the beginning of a journey we could never have dreamed we would be taking. And yet, the amazing love of God was revealed to us in greater ways than we could have ever imagined. All along this winding path, we have been joined by so many new friends, which we could never have known otherwise. We have witnessed so many miracles, shared joys and tears, good times and hard times, but through them all have found that God is truly the Rock upon which we stand. And now, four years later, Jordan is on the road to becoming a brain tumor survivor!
Jordan has a "Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma" (JPA) located in the optic chiasm and hypothalamic region, with some spread into the brainstem and third ventricle. Because of the location of this tumor, Jordan has many Endocrine deficits. Some of the issues we deal with as a result of this are, Growth Hormone Deficiency, hypothyroid, Diabetes Insipidus (regulation of thrist) and Osteoporosis (loss of the normal density of bone and fragile bone). Jordan developed hearing loss after radiation. After biopsy surgery was performed at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Jordan's tumor was determined to be inoperable due to the surrounding structures in this region of his brain. Last year Jordan had to receive 30 external radiation treatments at St. Jude Children’s Hospital to stop the slow progression the lesion had continuing to show. The initial post-radiation reports have indicated that the tumor is beginning to shrink. We now believe that these positive results will continue, and the tumor will eventually die and Jordan will be totally healed.
I would to like thank all of our family and friends that have provided so much support to us through the years, and to all of our new CB family that pray and offer support to Jordan on a daily basis. I've once read that Courage can be defined as: “spirit, determination, and bravery”. But have you ever wondered what Courage looks like? I think that the children we have met in this battle epitomize the true picture of that word. They are the real hero’s that we honor in this war.
"So be strong and take courage, all you who put your hope in the Lord" Ps. 31:34
I did not want to keep you all hanging. Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement for the Amato family. I have been reading Mrs. Susan her comments, and she is so grateful for every one of them.
I brought Jordan back to Baton Rouge earlier today. Unfortunately, they are still without power, but on the radio today it said the subdivision behind them should have power restored tonight or tomorrow. Hopefully, that means good news for them, as well. Mrs. Susan's brother-in-law came to their house yesterday with 8 loaves of bread, 2 packs of turkey, 2 gallons of milk, and the best gift ever...a window unit! I can't begin to tell you the difference this has made for them! I know they were so grateful for this luxury in the heat. It actually felt semi-comfortable in there. =)
I will keep you posted as their situation changes. Please continue to pray for power restoration ASAP, and for the damage to their home to be fixed very soon. We really can't wait to get things back to normal.
My husband (and Susan's son), Jason, is still activated with the LA Army National Guard, and probably will be for the next 2 weeks or so. I am scheduled to have a c-section on September 16, so please also pray that Baby Cole holds out for his dad to return!
Update: Thanks so much for all of your prayers. They are greatly appreciated! This is Kristin writing from my home. Jordan and I left this morning with the girls; my house had power restored to it last night.
It has been quite an adventure the past few days. Mr. Rick and Mrs. Susan had a few pines (I think 3) fall down in their backyard. One hit the roof causing lots of water damage, a hole in the roof, etc., and their neighbor's tree fell across their fence. I think you can get the picture; it is just a giant mess and very overwhelming.
Unfortunately, to add insult to injury, they are still without power. It has been 3 very HOT, LONG days and nights! Mr. Rick will remain home until power is restored in their area. As I type, they are waiting in a 2 hour line to get more gas for their generator.
Even through such a frustrating time, God is still good and in control. I know they would appreciate your continued prayers and encouragement. I will keep you updated.
I'd like to ask you to pray for our city and surrounding areas as we await Hurricane Gustav. We are going to ride out the storm here in Baton Rouge. My son Jason is on active duty now in Chalmette. They are the only ones left in that town. Kristin and the girls are here with us now. Her baby is due NEXT WEEK!! Rick will arrive home around noon today. He has been in Cedar Rapids, IA working at a refinery for over 6 weeks now. Whew... Feels like one bad dream for us down here.
We know God is with us! My heart goes out to all those who have had to evacuate and leave their homes again. I'll keep you updated when I get a chance. Hopefully we won't be without utilities for too long after.
Thanks for faithfully praying and checking in on us!!
Holding on to HOPE,
Susan
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Open Arms
by Max Lucado
If you ever wonder how in the world God could use you to change the world, look at the people God used to change history. A ragbag of ne’er-do-wells and has-beens who found hope, not in their performance, but in God’s proverbially open arms.
Abraham- God took what was good and forgave what was bad and used “old forked tongue” to start a nation. Moses- would you call upon a fugitive to carry the Ten Commandments? God did. David- his track record left little to be desired, but his repentant spirit was unquestionable. Jonah- God put him in a whale’s belly to bring him back to his senses. But even the whale couldn’t stomach this missionary for too long.
On and on the stories go: Elijah, the prophet who pouted; Solomon, the king who knew too much; Jacob, the wheeler-dealer; Gomer, the prostitute; Sarah, the woman who giggled at God. One story after another of God using man’s best and overcoming man’s worst.
The reassuring lesson is clear. God used (and uses!) people to change the world. People! Not saints or superhumans or geniuses, but people. Crooks, creeps, lovers, and liars—he uses them all. And what they may lack in perfection, God makes up for in love. Jesus later summarized God’s stubborn love with a parable.
He told about a teenager who decided that life at the farm was too slow for his tastes. So with pockets full of inheritance money, he set out to find the big time. What he found instead were hangovers, fair-weather friends, and long unemployment lines. When he had had just about as much of the pig’s life as he could take, he swallowed his pride, dug his hands deep into his empty pockets, and began the long walk home; all the while rehearsing a speech that he planned to give to his father.
He never used it. Just when he got to the top of the hill, his father, who’d been waiting at the gate, saw him. The boy’s words of apology were quickly muffled by the father’s words of forgiveness. And the boy’s weary body fell into his father’s opened arms.
The same open arms welcomed him that had welcomed Abraham, Moses, David, and Jonah. No wagging fingers. No clenched fists. No “I told you so!” slaps or “Where have you been?” interrogations. No crossed arms. No black eyes or fat lips. No. Only sweet, open arms. If you ever wonder how God can use you to make a difference in your world, just look at those he has already used and take heart. Look at the forgiveness found in those open arms and take courage.
And, by the way, never were those arms opened so wide as they were on the Roman cross. One arm extending back into history and the other reaching into the future. An embrace of forgiveness offered for anyone who’ll come. A hen gathering her chicks. A father receiving his own. A redeemer redeeming the world. No wonder they call him the Savior.
Greetings my wonderful friends,
Sorry it’s taken me so long to get back over here. This has been such a busy summer, with so many things that needed to get done. My list of appointments seemed never ending. But now my schedule is getting a little more normal since school started back this week.
Yes, my baby is an official senior this year! Where has the time gone? And now we are expecting our fourth grandchild, and this time it’s a boy. At least one thing I don’t have to deal with is the “empty nest syndrome”.
Jordan got back this past Monday from his trip to Phoenix. Oh, what a wonderful reunion it was; he had a blast there! Thank you Tim and Kelly for having him over, we really appreciated this. I really missed my boy! Jordan is like my shadow; we are together all the time. So, with Rick still gone in Iowa for his job and Jordan away on his trip, I was home with Joel, my darling 17 year old. All I can say is that it was very quiet over here in the Amato household.
Anyway, Jordan had a great time, and I’m glad he got to go. One of the highlights of his trip was going to watch our home team; the New Orleans Saints, play against the Arizona Cardinals. And best of all the Saints won!! Go Saints Go!
Here are a few pictures from his visit:
I’d like to end by asking you to pray for two very special friends of ours. One is our buddy Logan. Logan was finally released after a long stay in the hospital. He’s really been having a rough time, but hopefully things will continue to improve as he finishes up this phase of his treatment. It’s still so hard for me to believe that he relapsed.
The other one I want to mention is for a friend I recently made through my blog. Tammy’s 13 year old son Nick, has relapsed again and the cancer has metastasized. Please keep this precious family in your prayers as they seek the Lord for wisdom and guidance regarding his treatment. They are a strong Christian family and are believing for Nick’s miracle. Would you join with me to pray for both of these young boys?
Thanks once again for being such a blessing to us and stopping by Jordan’s site. I keep my blog updated more frequently if you would like to keep up on our lives on a more frequent basis.
PLEASE STOP BY THIS GREAT MINISTRY THAT IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN SO MANY LIVES! The Horrocks are now officially in Memphis, and in the short time they have been here have been so busy blessing so many people’s lives. I’m just so honored to know and support such an incredible ministry. Mark and Mylissa are ministering to so many families now, please continue to cover them in your prayers each day. Thanks guys for laying down your life for so many!
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