Through Christ and for His names sake, we received grace and bring glory to His name.  (Romans 1:5); When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. (Romans 1:12)   A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)
 

I enjoy reading Paul’s words, and Proverbs was what I opened to.  The past few days have shown me how special James and his friends are.  We have had many have follow up visits with doctors and we were in the middle of them.  We were blessed to share dinner with Bayleigh and her wonderful family Tuesday night 6-30.  They had a late MRI and were able to visit with Janna a bit.  Bayleigh wanted to eat @ P.F. Changs, o we invaded the place.  Her smile warms my heart and even though she was hurting, she never let on.  I laughed at her and Allison as they were “girls”.  Garrett kept James laughing the entire night and Johnny and Sherry ordered half of the menu while Dixie and I laughed at them.  Johnny said they ate like this every night.  I was hurting.  We enjoyed visiting with each other and need to do it more often.  After we ate, the kids went out front to warm up since they had it like an operating room in the restaurant.  James came running in laughing.  He said he and Garrett were messing with a spider out front when it “jumped” at Garrett.  James had tears in his eyes telling the story and when Johnny asked him if Garrett screamed he started laughing again.  Boys will be boys.  I drove the Jeep with Bayleigh, Garrett, and James in tow to the Phillip’s hotel.  Bayleigh was up front with the wind blowing through her hair and as we pulled up to the hotel, she got out with her arms in the air saying, “That was awesome! I need a mirror to look at my hair!”  She is a hoot and we are blessed to have them in our lives.  We went to James MRI the next morning and he had to get “stuck” for the contrast and blood work.  They couldn’t get a vein in his hand so they went to his arm.  He wasn’t happy.  The arm was a success and we finished up.  We met Abbie Grizzard (Bayleigh’s bud) at the MRI and saw them again @ clinic.  Sweet young lady and another we have added to our prayer list.  We waited way to long at clinic but we got to visit with Paul (Chaplin) and Allison (Dr. Reddy’s PA).  We got the “All clear, NED” and it was wonderful to hear.  We don’t go back until 1/6/2010 and Dr. Reddy said if all goes well then, we could start coming once a year.  Unbelievable.  That evening, I took James to the toy store to “shop”.  He had a $10 gift card that was burning a hole in his pocket.  After spotting him $20, we were able to leave.  James wanted cheese sticks and a chocolate milkshake from Arby’s, so the evening was complete.  We plan on hanging around, staying by the pool and enjoying the 4th.  I hope all of you do as well.

Now for what I’ve gained from the past few days; yes, we are in a different world with cancer, but this world pushes on nonetheless.  My heart was hurting for James as they “poked and prodded” trying to get blood.  As bad as it was at the time, it was so very minor compared to what others are fighting.  I hurt so bad for James and my heart aches for other kids and their families.  We are doing well and many others are not.  I’m not smart enough to understand and I guess that is why God pushed me to Romans today.  I read many CB sites and keep up with a lot of kids.  I want all of you who read James’ site to know this.  No matter what your struggle or trial or situation, my family is here to help in any way.  We are here to share our faith and want to hear yours.  Our eyes were opened to a new way of following Christ when James was diagnosed and it was the best thing for us.  I don’t wish this on anyone, but it is what it is.  For reasons we will understand one day, James is being used to further Christ’s teachings and we will do all in our power to listen.  Accepting Christ as your Savior is the most important decision any of us can make, and I plead for those struggling to do so.  By no means do I have the answers, but Christ does and together we can search for them.  I do know these kids are my hero’s and James and Allison have taught Sherry and me more about compassion and love than we thought possible.  We could learn a lot listening to our kids.  Please pray for all of these brave kids.  I’m so humbled when I see the number of people that pray for James and his friends.  It is a wonderful thing and thank you does not seem like enough.  However you want to minister and spread God’s teachings, do.  We have been blessed on our journey and want to help others any way we can.  CB has helped me in get much off of my chest over the past few years and I want all who read this to know how much I appreciate what you do for my family and our extended family.  Please visit as many sites as you can and leave some love.  I can’t stress enough how these kids have touched me and I will do all I can to help them and keep as much of the needless stuff off of them and their families.  If you have a prayer list, keep adding, if you don’t, start one.  Take some time and pray; it will make a difference.  Thank you for reading and thank you for praying for these kids and their families.

In Christ,

Jim

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