HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JODIE!!

Jodie turns 28 today :) Thanks for your continued prayers - please keep on praying! Prayer is the best present Jodie (or any of us) can and will ever receive! Jeremiah 29:11

.....In thinking about and reflecting on my little sister's birthday, I read back over the update I posted on her 23rd birthday, 5 years ago today. She's come a long way in 5 years but one thing hasn't and will never change - my love and admiration for Jodie. She is my hero. If you have time, read below what I pasted from my birthday update 5 years ago.....
-jennifer

August 31, 2004: Update
O God, for another day, for another morning, for another hour, for another minute, for another chance to live and serve Thee, I am truly grateful.

One of our prayer warriors sent this prayer in another email regarding a cancer survivor, and with it being only minutes away from Jodie's birthday - those words make me think of Jodie and how grateful I am for her and to have been able to have her in my life for 23 years. This is probably the most special birthday to me because so many times we get caught up in the excitement of "birthdays" and getting presents that it's often forgotten to just be thankful and how blessed we are to have life and spend it with people we love, those who God has blessed us with.

Tonight I'm more grateful and thankful than ever to be able to celebrate this birthday with Jodie. I was only 3 years old on the day she was born but I do remember it. I remember pouting because everybody kept telling me that I wouldn't be the baby anymore and I'd get a new sibling (my dad wanted it to be a surprise but my mom didn't so she found out and didn't tell anyone - except that Beth found the "pink" baby clothes Mama had hid in her closet). Beth, Bubby and I stayed at my grandparent's house while Mama was in the hospital and if I close my eyes I remember being there and remembering what their house looked like. I remember wondering what it would be like to have a new sister (because I already had one and she was just fine) - I didn't really realize what all this new baby stuff was going to be like. I had no idea that very "baby" would become my best friend. She, Beth and I have always been best friends - and sisters - we got to have our cake and eat it too. For that I am also grateful. Plus we have the best brother any 3 girls could have ever hoped for. What lucky parents we have! (ha)

Anyway, I guess I'm just rambling on but I wanted to share with you that because I wouldn't trade these 23 years with Jodie for all the riches in the world. And I thank God that He let us keep her - that's how I know He has great plans for her and I have faith that His divine healing will overflow upon her. We've all been racking our brains trying to decide what to get Jodie for her birthday, wanting to get her something she would need(we usually don't have this problem because she always picks things out and tells us what she wants) - and then tonight I got an email from the same prayer warrior that I mentioned above and she said she was sending Jodie the best present she could offer - PRAYER. And I realized - (duh) - That's ALL she needs! Sure, she'll enjoy the presents, but at this point all she needs is prayer.

Thank you all for those prayers that you've been sending up for Jodie since April 3rd. God is still listening and healing. Thank you also to the many of you who have sent her birthday cards - my mailbox has never been this full with mail (other than bills) and I read them all to her in the 1:00 afternoon visit today. I could tell she perked up when I was reading them to her and showing them to her. I just wanted to remind her how loved she is and how many people are praying for her. She's such a fighter. And I want you all to know that Jodie knows who is healing her - Jodie is a Christian, too, and she has faith - she's got God on her side! When we pray over her, she closes her eyes - isn't that amazing to know that she's praying along with us!

Jodie is back home...

Jodie came home from the hospital today and Mama said she has been sleeping a lot and resting. Thanks for your prayers and please continue to pray for her.

We believe prayer works!

God's love,
Jennifer

update on jodie

Please pray for Jodie - she had a seizure tonight and had to be taken to the ER here in Greenwood. She spiked a fever quickly and started seizuring while Mama was feeding her supper.

I just got home from hospital - after all the tests, they found she has a urinary infection that probably caused the spike in fever that caused the seizure. They admitted her to the hospital and giving her iv meds. Mama is staying with her at the hospital tonight. I wiill let you know when she gets to go home.

Please continue to keep Jodie and Mama in your prayers.

We believe prayer works!

Jennifer