Happy New Year 2010 !!!

Blessings To All For The Coming Year 2010,

To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8



What a year 2009 has been for Jessica and for our family. It has been a year that began in January in a hospital in New York and has ended in December with another hospital here in Mexico. It has been an incredible journey - Jessica's Journey - to getting her life back again. A life free of pain and sickness!


It has been a year of discovery, to say the least.


For Jessica , she has discovered that she could persevere another day fighting against two formidable foes - Lyme disease and RSD! That she could continue to battle these illnesses and yes, even travel many miles by private air ambulance all the way to Mexico, in the pursuit that a "coma" could be the "hope" she had been looking for to relieve her pain!

For me, it has been a year of discovering what the "human spirit" can endure as I watch my daughter fight that fight each day. And also, how the human spirit is alive and well. From the love and support of our family and friends, to the kindness of strangers we have never even met! To all the people who follow this blog and have also taken this journey with us as well! To the doctors who have helped her along this path, as well as all the people we have now met while here in Mexico - it has truly been a year of many "discoveries"!

But, for Jessica and I, and our family, what has been the biggest discovery of all is that of the "holy spirit" - alive and well inside of us! That component or part of our faith, that "gift" left to us from God, that gives us the peace and the hope, that calm assurance, that God is with us, that He is in control, and that no "weapons" formed against us can prosper. That God is love, that the words in the bible are our stronghold, and that ultimately His will will be done - He is in control!

We praise God for the miracle of the return of Jessica's eyesight! We praise him for the improvements that we see. We await the rest of the miracles to unfold, as we know they will. We also praise God for ALL OF YOU - for you have all been sent by God to us, especially these past few years, to support us and to lift us up, and in so doing, I believe, the gift of His "holy spirit" resides in all of you as well! From the people in N.Y., Florida, Mexico, and all around the world - Thank you all for being here for us this year and May God continue to bless you - one and all!


Please remember this - we are only human beings. We can only see the present and the past. The future is a little frightening to us. So we need to hold onto God's hand and trust Him to calm our fears. And at those times when we are stubborn and resisting, and He shakes us by the shoulders to get our attention, we are reminded that we don't call the shots. God has a plan for us, mysterious though it may seem, and we want to be in the center of it.
All the risks notwithstanding, the center of God's will is still the safest place on earth to be!

WE PRAY THAT YOU ALL HAVE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR!!!

With all our love,
The Stevens' Family*

"If anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation. Old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new! 2 Corinthians 5:17

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Together As A Family Again!

Dear Family and Friends,

To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8


We said farewells to our family last night as they leave this morning to fly back to N.Y. It was so good to see them again! Even though Jessica has been fighting infections while they were here, it was so good to be all together as a family once again. We all had a very special Christmas in Room 845! We look forward to seeing each other again in the new year; with the hope that comes only from our faith in the good Lord up above!


Here is a message from Jessica's Dad - David:

I am overjoyed at seeing the progress that Jessica is making. The world will still see a very sick girl, but I see a girl on the way to recovering from an horrendous illness.

God has a plan, and it is my job to continue to praise the Lord and to continue to believe in a complete recovery.

Throughout the Bible there are stories of men and women facing incredible odds - but God delivered them all.

Always remember that the devil is a liar and a thief - his job is to rob and destroy. But God gave us a powerful weapon to fight back - the weapons name is Jesus!

I await with complete peace and joy for the total healing of my daughter Jessica and the return of my wonderful wife Sarah Gina.

All my love,
Dad*

A Message from her Sister Katherine:

First and foremost, I would like to say that my mother is absolutely amazing and without her Jessica would not be where she is today! I love you Mom!

This past Christmas was definitely not a normal Christmas for our family, but it definitely was one of the best.

This Christmas in Mexico with my Mom and Jessica opened my eyes to what the holiday is truly about. It has nothing to do with presents or food, but with whom you share it with.

To be completely honest, at first I didn't want to go to Mexico.I thought it would be boring and difficult to be in a hospital room and see my sister in pain. Thankfully, it turned out to be much different. Even though Jessica was in pain alot of the time, I got to laugh and tell jokes and stories with her; we were able to be like sisters again. I was happy to see her crack a smile.

This trip was also very important because before seeing her I didn't have much hope for her recovery. But, after being with her and seeing her improvements , I have a whole new renewed hope and faith - I know she will make it through!

I can truly see the work of God's hands in Mexico and with Dr. Cantu; God's hands are truly mighty indeed!

Mom and Jessica - you both are truly amazing women and I love you both. May God continue to bless you both!

All my love,
Katherine*

A Message from her sister Michelle:

I would like to talk about my sister Jessica. The reason why we are here in Mexico and Jessica is getting better is because she has our Mom with her. She, along with the doctors, has done so much to help make Jessica better and to help her get to this point.

Me and my sister Jessica are 9 years apart. She has always been like my second mother. Jessica and I are best friends AND sisters! I am her "mini-me" - her "wessie".

I love you Jessica with all my heart! You are so strong and determined! All through growing up, I always wished I was more like you. Jessica and me have had our share of cries and laughs. I do believe that you will get better because God is truly a good God! Jessica, you have never lost hope and you never will! Also, Mommy, I love you with all my heart! You both are my joy and inspiration! I have to try and manage at home in N.Y. with Daddy. (ha,ha)

I love you Jessica- "wessie". Always remember to have "HOPE"!!!!!!!!!!!

Love you wessie,
Michelle* xoxo


What special messages from our family! It was so great to see them again! The hope is to be finally together again as a family - real soon!


In God's love,
Sarah Gina (Mom to 3)*

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30,000 VIEWS OF BLOG & 5,000 VIEWS OF YOU TUBE!!!

Blessings from Mexico,

To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8


Yesterday began with another visit downstairs for Jessica. She had to have a mini-surgery to remove her catheter and place another one in on the other side. She is still experiencing fevers and high blood pressures due to the infections and so the doctors felt it was necessary to change the catheter. While she was down there they also decided to take care of a pressure ulcer on her left foot. As I said before, it is always an "adventure" when Jessica is in a hospital. As it says in the bible in Romans 5:3&4: "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance produces character; and character produces hope!" Our hope for Jessica is to continue to climb this "sickness" mountain, step by step, to ultimately get to the other side, or the "wellness" mountain. As it says in the bible in Psalms 46:1: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea".


Also, yesterday, my two daughters Katherine and Michelle were invited by Dr. Cantu's wife Gloria and daughter Pamela, who is 14, to go out to lunch and to the local mall called the "Palacio de Hierro". They went with 3 other friends of Pamela's as well - Roberta, Vanessa, & Luciana. Gloria dropped them off at the mall. They ate in a restaurant called "El Diego" and Pamela and her friends translated the menu for them from spanish to english. Michelle had empanadas for the rest time. She loved them. Katherine, my picky eater, played it safe and had grilled chicken in an argentinian sauce - she said it was delicious. The girls will now stay in touch thru facebook. A fun time was had by all!

Dr. "Green Shirt" (Cantu) leaves today for a vacation to Texas with his family. He leaves Dr. Luigi and Dr. Chavez in charge while he is away, but, I will be perfectly honest, the "ship" doesn't run as smooth when he is away. He "knows" his patients. As with anything, when the "Boss" is away, things are different. We do hope, though, that he has a well deserved vacation with his family!

Till tomorrow,
and in God's love,
Jessica's Mom *

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Christmas in Monterrey, Mexico!

Hola from Mexico,

To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8


We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas celebration yesterday. Our family arrived and Jessica was happy to see her Dad and her sisters Katherine and Michelle again! We hadn't seen them in over 4 months and they were so excited to see the progress, the "small steps", that Jessica has made. My Michelle has grown even taller and prettier! She is now a teenager and has become a fine young lady, but she will always be my "baby"! My Katherine still has that infectious smile and bubbly personality that I love so much. She also exudes such a confidence about her and has that "mesmerizing look". When she walks into a room, everyone notices! David looks well and is holding up and managing as well as he can under the circumstances. He now realizes how much I did at home! He and the girls bought me a beautiful necklace with 3 hearts - one for each of my three girls! I will always remember where I got it when I wear it - it is very special!

As a family we all agreed that it was a very "special" Christmas for us! Even though it was spent in a hospital room in Mexico, we were all together again and that was all that mattered!

We would like to thank the following people from the Union Church in Monterrey for the lovely Christmas dinner they brought to us at the hospital. First, special thanks to Mr. & Mrs. O'Toole for the lovely dinner that consisted of smoked turkey, ham, sweet potato casserole, scalloped potatoes, green beans, stuffing and rolls --- What a feast and so delicious! Also, special thanks to Mr. Romero for the delicious pecan and pumpkins pies and also to Pastor Long and his brother-in-law Wally & Bob, for bringing it over to the hospital! We loved everything and were so grateful to share the meal as well with the Brown family from Pennsylvania, who are here as well! Also, special thanks to Dr. Rainbow for the delicious wine to go with our meal!

Pray for Jessica today as she has been experiencing some fevers and still fighting an infection that she had while she was down in ICU. She is an amazing person - determined - a fighter; she will make it through to ultimately realize that hope and faith and prayer does conquer all!

In God's love,
Sarah Gina (Mom to 3)*

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MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Merry Christmas & Feliz Navidad To All,

" A HEAP OF HAY " by Anne L. Moller

The Inn in Bethlehem
Had no room to spare...
Mary and Joseph
Were turned away there

That very night the Savior came,
And majestically
He lay
Upon a heap of hay.

Wise men said
He was a KING
And shepherds from the hillside
Heard ANGELS sing!

I would like to be like the Wise Men
Who brought gifts of gold,
Or like the Shepherds,
Brave and bold,

But what I can really be...
Is like the "Heap of Hay"
And have "room" for JESUS
Where He can stay!


On the night when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Mary "wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no room in the inn". (Luke 2:7) When Jesus was born, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angels to praise God. The birth of this child was good news for the whole world!

Christmas invites us to let Jesus be born in our lives.
Then every day God will give us life, joy, and peace.

We would like to wish everyone a blessed Christmas. May you all have a wonderful day celebrating his birth with your family and friends. Jessica and I can't wait to "see" her Dad and two sisters, Katherine and Michelle! Christmas in Monterrey, Mexico - what a journey it has been!

God bless you all and thank you for the love you have shown us especially during these past few years. We are blessed to call you our "family"!

O Holy Night,
Merry Christmas,
The Stevens' Family*

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2 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!!!

Blessings To All,

To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8

Yesterday was an eventful day on the 8th floor of the Hospital San Jose Tec de Monterrey!

For Jessica, it was "seeing" everyone for the first time again. All the doctors and nurses are so happy for her and everyone is celebrating along with us. Dr. Cantu (aka Dr. "Green Shirt") received his present as well. You see, the deal here for the past three months with Jessica's vision problem was this: whichever doctor was the one to ultimately "restore" Jessica's eyesight, that doctor would receive a brand new pair of aviator sunglasses that we had brought with us from home. So, I wrapped them up to look like an early Christmas present and presented them to him! He loved them and said that the day that Jessica's eyesight returned was the happiest day he has had in the past six months! I could see a tear in his eye and for those of you who know me, my eyes were welling up as well! (I cry at movies, so you could imagine how THIS would affect me!) Thank you God for guiding Dr. Cantu - he is a special man! By the way, Jessica received a kiss from Dr. Cantu as well - what a lucky girl!!!

It was also a day that we welcomed back a fellow coma patient - Fern Kwantes and her husband Theo from Canada. Fern is back for 3 days of boosters and it was so good to see her again and to see how she is doing. Fern was here in October for the ketamine coma and she has kept in touch with us through e-mail, as well as with all of her lovely comments on the blog! Also, Justin Brown's family has arrived here for the Christmas holiday. His mom Joan and brother Chris arrived from Pennsylvania and it was good to catch up with them as well. When you go through the ketamine coma and because it is something that only @ 105 people have done so far, you do become an "extended" family due to your "shared" experiences in dealing with this terrible illness called RSD!!! I also heard from Cathy & Devon Emmanuel from Connecticut who left the hospital only recently. They were so excited about Jessica's vision returning and wanted to send their happiness to us as well. We miss them so much as she was Jessica's "coma buddy".

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Thank you all for all of your continued prayers for Jessica. Prayers are so very powerful! We look forward to more answered prayers; more "miracles" for her as well! We pray for everyone who is suffering with RSD, Lyme Disease, Cancer, Crohn's, and their own illnesses this Christmas season. May God bless you all with "pain-free", "illness-free" days in the upcoming new year!

Tomorrow I will blog a special Christmas message to everyone who is taking this journey - Jessica's Journey - with us!

Keep Christ in Christmas,
With love,
Jessica's Mom*

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A Christmas Miracle!

Dear Family & Friends,

To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8


This past week has been such a "journey", full of such a wide array of emotions. It began with such hardship with Jessica not doing very well and her needing to go down to ICU for what turned out to be one week.

For me, that first night coming back up to the room, and her not being there, was very emotional. I cried. It felt so strange and so "empty" without her there. It was a time of deep reflection for me and also, a time of fervent prayer like no other! God was my "rock" upon which I stood! Dr. Cantu was my support and his "wisdom" was my guide; and Dr. Rainbow was my "angel" who showered me with love and kindness.

It was during this past week that I prayed more than I have ever prayed in my whole life. I prayed every moment of every day! I had written special directed prayers on paper and attached them to the board in the ICU room. Prayers for her eyes to be restored (Psalms 146:8, Isaiah 42:16, Matthew 9:29); for her pain to go away (Matthew 4:23-24, Revelation 21:4); for her rest to be peaceful and restorative (Psalm 4:8, Proverbs 3:24); and for her to be well again! (Psalms 71:20, Jeremiah 29:11, Matthew 21:22).

It was a time that God revealed himself to me in so many ways. From the kindness of strangers ( Mr. Jesus Ramirez, the kind man who offered his help to me with all my "bags". Yes, a man named "Jesus", born on 12/24, with his own "life story" to tell), to Rick Brown, a fellow american, who was so supportive, to Dr. Chavez in ICU, and to the nurses who always welcomed me back to the floor at night, as I tried to grab some sleep!

From a week that began in such despair for Jessica and I, with many hills and valleys, twists and turns, I am here to say that prayer DOES work, that God is an ever present help in times of trouble, and that miracles do happen indeed!!! As it says in my favorite bible verse in I Corinthians, Chap.2, Verses 9-11:

"No eye has seen,
No ear has heard,
No mind has conceived,
what God has prepared,
For those who love Him!"

Keep believing in miracles. We have received this one miracle for Jessica - the return of her eyesight! We feel so very blessed! Jessica is looking at all the things that she has missed these past three months, from the notes and cards written to her from all the fundraisers, to the beautiful necklace that was designed for her by Lymelinks, to the beautiful rosaries in her bed, and to eventually seeing herself for the first time in her Fox News TV interview in the coming days!

We know that God will continue to guide Dr. Cantu, Dr. Rainbow, and all the doctors here, to answer ALL of our prayers for Jessica!


A week that began with despair and tears, has resulted in pure joy and elation for what is and what is to be! We have such renewed hope that has come to us at such a joyous time of the year - Christmas - the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior! We are so looking forward to the celebration of Christmas here in Monterrey, as we await the arrival of Jessica's Dad and her two sisters, Katherine and Michelle who will be arriving on Christmas Eve!

May God shower you all, our dear family and friends, with a blessed Christmas and may all of you have a Christmas miracle of your very own - that is our Christmas wish and prayer for one and all!

In God's love, always,
The Stevens Family*

"This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance, (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe". I Timothy 4:9&10

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JESSICA CAN SEE AGAIN!!!

Christmas Blessings to Our Family & Friends,

Our God is an awesome God indeed!

A Miracle has happened!

Jessica's past week in ICU was restorative!


JESSICA CAN SEE AGAIN! HER EYES HAVE BEEN RESTORED! JESSICA CAN SEE AGAIN!!!

I wanted everyone to know that a Christmas miracle has happened here in Monterrey, Mexico! All honor and glory and praise be to God for this wonderful blessing! Thank you God for directing Dr. Cantu and using him to perform your mighty works!!!

Thank you all for ALL of your prayers! I will blog the whole magnificent blessing in detail tomorrow! Just wanted everyone to know how blessed, honored, and grateful we are this Christmas!

JESSICA CAN SEE AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jessica's Mom*

Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you"; and their sight was restored!".
Matthew 9:29
"One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!!!."
John 9:25


Special Birthday Wishes to Jessica's godfather-and my brother-Vinnie - Happy Birthday!

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Jessica Needs Prayers

Blessings To All,

To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8


Jessica still remains in ICU. The past few weeks have been really rough for Jessica and it is for those reasons that she still remains in the ICU. Please lift Jessica up in prayer. We all know that she has a strong determination to be well again, but, sometimes things are beyond our control and life and the world get in the way. I have been praying in her room in the ICU non-stop - I can honestly say its the most I have ever prayed in my life. Thanks to all of you for your love and concerns for Jessica. God is an awesome God and we pray to him for all our needs. We are still hoping for that Christmas miracle to unfold - and I can't think of a more deserving person than my sweet Jessica. I Love Her Very Much!!!

With God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26

The hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast. Hebrews 6:19

In God's love, always,
Sarah Gina (Jessica's Mom)

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Jessica - Still in ICU

Hi to all,

To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8

Jessica is still in ICU. The doctors feel that the extra time down there will be to her benefit. The plan is for her to come up to the regular floor in a couple of days. Please pray for the four prayers that need to be answered for her. God is an awesome God and miracles do happen everyday here --- it's Jessica's turn for that miracle!

I would also like to especially thank Dr. Cantu and Dr. Rainbow for all the love and support they have given to me - not only this past week with Jessica in ICU, but during these past four months that we have been here. I could not have come this far without their comfort, strength and wisdom. They have both given me love - as if I am a part of their family! Words cannot express my feelings for them and all the doctors and nurses here as well.

Someone once wrote this and it is so true:

Never give up on the people you Love.
Love is so incredibly powerful.
To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world!!!

***Special thanks to a man named Jesus who helped me yesterday. He was walking behind me as I was bringing some bags up to our room and he offered his help to me. Yes, Jesus, helped me yesterday - and by the way - in talking with him - his birthday also happens to be on Dec. 24th! This man had an amazing story to tell - one that involves surviving a train wreck many years ago - and being in a hospital for one year! He is a living miracle --- and I thank God for putting him into my path yesterday!!! God does work in so many ways and has shown that to me so many times!!! Thank you Jesus!!!

"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me". Matthew 25:40
"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so, some people have entertained angels without knowing it". Hebrews 13:2

Pray for Jessica today,
All my Love,
Sarah Gina (Jessica's Mom)*

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Jessica - Day 4 - ICU

Dear Family & Friends,

To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8


When you persevere through a trial, God gives you a special measure of insight. You become the recipient of the favor of God as He gives to you, and those who suffer with you, something that would not be learned otherwise.

Jessica still remains in ICU. We are praying that after this much needed rest, God will answer the following prayers for her:

1) That the rest she received was restorative and recuperative.
2) That her vision will be restored back to normal.
3) That the pain she was experiencing will be gone.
4) That God will answer her Christmas wish: "To Be Well!"

"He will redeem my soul in peace from the battle which is against me". Psalm 55:18

In God's love, always
Sarah Gina (Jessica's Mom)*

(In rememberance of my brother Charlie who passed away 9 years ago today. xoxoxo)

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Continued Prayers Needed!!!

Blessings to All our Family and Friends,

To order Jessica's necklace, Click on NEW Link Below:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35743111.

To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8

UPDATE ON JESSICA:

Thank you all for your prayers and concerns for Jessica. She is still in ICU and will probably be there till Thursday. The doctors feel that she needs to stay in the ICU where she can get much needed rest and relief from the pain and so she will remain there until they feel she is ready to go back up to the 8th floor.

I have the following prayers on her wall in the ICU:

"News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the epileptics and the paralytics, and he healed them." Matthew 4:23-24
"The Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous." Psalms 146:8
"When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet." Proverbs 3:24
"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22

Please pray that Jessica's prayers are answered. There is power in prayer!!!

With confidence in His word!,
Jessica's Mom*

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Keep Jessica in Prayer Today!!!

Hi to All,

To order Jessica's necklace, Click on NEW Link Below:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35743111.

To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8


SPECIAL PRAYERS NEEDED:

As you know from the blog, Jessica has been having a rough time these past few weeks. Yesterday, it was decided by Dr. Cantu that it would be necessary to put her in ICU for a few days, to give her body a chance to get some well needed rest. Please keep her in your prayers. She is the strongest person I know and she has had to deal with a lot, more than anyone should have to, but she will make it through this! The hope is to maybe bring her back up to the regular floor by Wednesday.
I will keep you all posted!

"Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again, from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up". Psalm 71:20

With love,
Jessica's Mom*

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14 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!!!

This picture was taken by Jessica the Christmas before she became ill. She is in the middle holding the camera in front of her - with her sisters Katherine (left), and Michelle (right) and of course, Molly (her #1 dog)!!!

To order Jessica's necklace, Click on NEW Link Below:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35743111.

To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8


Christmas Blessings to All,

This time of the year has always been my favorite. Not only for the religious significance of the birth of Christ with all of its magnificence and splendor, but also for the traditions of the Christmas season that have been passed down from generation to generation! From putting up the Christmas tree with all the special ornaments you have collected from all the places you have visited or the special ones you have chosen for each child to commemorate the milestones or events of their lives; to carefully putting on display that treasured nativity set and remembering to cover the baby Jesus until Christmas because "he hasn't been born yet"!?! For me, growing up in an Italian family, the holiday has always been about family, traditions, and let's not forget - food - and - alot of it!!!

It is this special time of the year that we remember Christmases past and all of the memories associated with them. In remembering those times it is sometimes hard not to look back and yearn for those happier or easier times. But, if you are a Christian, and you do believe in the "majesty" or "magic" that is Christmas, you realize first and foremost that this is the time of the year that we commemorate his birth and also his "rebirth" in our lives.

It is with this hope, this faith, that we remember to keep "Christ" in Christmas and we remember this one important thing, - that isn't faith believing that all power cannot be seen? It is with this "faith" that we have, in Jesus and his birth, that propels us forward to a new day, full of all things seen and unseen, all powers known and unknown, all dreams real and unreal! May you all find the majesty and beauty and renewal of Christmas this year and always!

UPDATE ON JESSICA:

Jessica has been having a rough patch of days these past two weeks. For her, the daily struggles can be difficult, and then if other issues or problems are added, it can sometimes become too much. Yesterday she had to be brought down again to put in another central catheter to replace the other one that wasn't functioning properly. The fevers are gone and so far the tests are negative for infection, but we are waiting on the cultures. Please pray for better days for her. Pray for her eyes and for the brain to "clear away" the static vision that has been plaguing her these past three months. As I said above, our hope comes from our faith in the knowledge of the power of Jesus and his birth and the power of the renewal of that faith that is always so "real" during this special time of the year!!!

In hope and faith,
Sarah Gina*
(Jessica, Katherine & Michelle's Mom)

"So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of the fullness of God". Ephesians 3:17-19

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Gods Blessings To All!!!

This is my one of my favorite pictures of Jessica. It was taken the Christmas before she became ill. She is in her Christmas pajamas!





To order Jessica's necklace, Click on NEW Link Below:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35743111.

To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8


Blessings to our family & friends,

Thank you all for your special prayers for Jessica. She has certainly had her struggles these past four years, and yesterday was no different. The fever she was experiencing seems to have lessened and tests were run to rule out infections and to try to figure out the source. I will keep you all posted. Dr. Cantu put her on a medication to help ease her pain and to help her get some needed rest. Let's hope it works and that today will be a little better for her than yesterday!

What I have come to realize since we have been here is that God does have better things, or more exciting blessings, in store for all of us. For some it may happen tomorrow. For some it may happen next week, next month or even next year. We don't know when. For some......it could happen today! But the beautiful blessings about this journey called faith is that we can count on Him to never lead us astray. He knows exactly where he is taking us. Our job is to trust in Him and obey.

Please pray for Jessica today. Pray also for Dr. Cantu's other patients that are here as well- Justin Brown from Pennsylvania and Elena Cohen from California. Justin is back for boosters, he did the ketamine coma in July of this year. Elena was one of the earlier coma patients, back in 2007. She periodically comes back for boosters as well! Please pray for all former coma patients and all people that are suffering with RSD, as well as those suffering with Lyme disease, cancer, Crohn's and other illnesses as well! Also, pray for the doctors who are working so hard to find a cure! (Especially Dr. Cantu - who is a tremendous doctor with a heart as pure as gold! He's amazing!)

In God's love,
Sarah Gina (Jessica's Mom)*

"I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand".
Isaiah 41:10

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Special Prayers Needed Today!!!

Here are Jodi Lepp (left) and Joanne Hartmann (right) wearing their Jessica's Journey Necklaces!




To order Jessica's necklace, Click on NEW Link Below:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35743111.

To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8

Special Thanks go out to Lisa Reber and her Stampin Up Friends for organizing the Vendor Fair in Naples, Fl. for Jessica's Journey Savings Club. I heard it was such a success! Special shout out to Chris Reber & Michael Disk for running the bake fair and for all the people who donated baked goods. Also, special thanks go out to Joanne Hartman, Wendy Ihrig, Laura Meyer, Giulia McCutcheon, Janelle DunFre, Ann Abenanti, Karen & Dave Collins, Jeff & Thomas Reber, Angela Harber, Tonya Baff, Tasha & Patty Baer, Kim, Jodi Lepp, and Nancy Sustersic and everyone else who helped!
Special thanks also to the North Naples Fire Department for coming to the event on such short notice!
Once again, the human spirit of giving is alive and well in Naples, Fl.!!! We are so appreciative to all of you for ALL of your efforts for Jessica and our family!!!


SPECIAL PRAYERS NEEDED!!!!!!!!!!

It was a bad night for Jessica, as last night she started with a low grade fever and other issues surfaced as well. She is a fighter and she will get through this, with God's help. Kindly lift her up in prayer today with special prayers directed towards just helping her get through this day! Thanks so very much!

Jessica's Mom
xoxo

Jesus went through Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the epileptics, and the paralytics, and he healed them.
Matthew 4:23-24

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""The Christmas Package""

This necklace is dedicated to Jessica's struggle with Lyme Disease and RSD. It was made to honor her commitment to Lyme disease awareness by Lymelinks.



To order Jessica's necklace, Click on NEW Link Below:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35743111.

To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8

Special thanks go out to two special visitors that came to see Jessica yesterday. Our dear Dr. Rainbow had told them about Jessica and they came to offer special prayers for her and for her healing! We were honored to have Sister Damiana and Sister Juana Teresa from "The Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ" pray with us! I can honestly say that I felt the spirit of the Lord present in the room yesterday! Thank you again for all your love and prayers and may God watch over your journey to the states in the coming weeks - have a blessed Christmas!

Blessings To All,

"The Christmas Package"

I remember the first few weeks we were here at the Hospital San Jose Tec. It was after Jessica had just come out of the coma and didn't even know who she was or who I was - she had lost her memory! Those three weeks without her memory were tough! I was so distraught; it was a very difficult time! I remember Dr. Cantu (aka Dr. "Green Shirt") trying to reassure me, as only he can, that her memory would come back eventually, but that Jessica's "road to recovery" would be long and hard. That due to the complexity and severity of her illness, and her being one of the most debilitated cases they had seen, that the hope would be, barring any setbacks, to "unwrap" and open a beautiful "Christmas package" with Jessica. That it could take that long but that it could happen!

Let me tell you a story about Jessica and her 1st Christmas and her "unwrapping" her presents:

I remember the first Christmas we celebrated with Jessica - December 1988. As she was our firstborn, it was our first as parents and Jessica was only 11 months old. We had carefully wrapped and put all of her presents under the tree in our very first home on Huntington Road. Since it was her first Christmas and we were so excited, we may have gotten a little carried away - she had 10 presents under the tree! We had waited over 5 years for God to bless us with Jessica and I think we were more excited than her that Christmas morning!

I will never forget her face that morning when she saw the tree and all the boxes underneath it. She didn't know what to do first - so - she ran - or should I say "waddled" all the way over to the tree. We sat her down in front of the tree, got the camera ready, and proceeded to see what she would do next! I remember thinking to myself as she carefully "unwrapped" her presents - Which one would be her favorite??? Would she like the little baby doll that I had chosen for her, or would she like the Little Tykes train set her Dad had picked out for her?

To our shock and amazement, it was neither! You see, she was more interested in the boxes and the "unwrapping" of them all! She didn't care what was inside the packages, only how to get them unwrapped. I remember saying to my husband David that we could have saved a lot of money and just wrapped empty boxes and she would have been just as happy!

So, while we are here in Monterrey, that is what she and the doctors are doing as well! Just as Dr. Cantu had said in the very beginning, the hope is to carefully "unwrap" the present, piece by piece, and eventually open the new "package", one that will hopefully be "empty" or free of pain and sickness - a new Jessica, a new "unwrapped" Christmas package"!!!

Please pray for Jessica today and the struggles that continue from yesterday. Pray for the eyes, the pain, intestinal problems, headaches, and the continued improvements. Pray for these "pieces" of her illnesses to continue to be "unwrapped" or torn away and for a beautiful new Christmas package to unfold!!!

In God's love,
and in anticipation,
Sarah Gina (Jessica's Mom)

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

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19 Days Till Christmas!!!

SPECIAL NOTICE: I have just heard from the Mah Family at Lymelinks that they have brought in extra help - so if you want to order Jessica's necklace for Christmas presents, they can be ordered thru this weekend at the link below and they will arrive in time for the holiday!!!

This necklace is dedicated to Jessica's struggle with Lyme Disease and RSD. It was made to honor her commitment to Lyme disease awareness by Lymelinks.
To order Jessica's necklace, Click on NEW Link Below:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35743111.

To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8

FUNDRAISER TODAY IN NAPLES, FL:

Holiday Bazaar & Vendor Fair
Today = Sunday- December 6th - 2:00 - 5:00 PM
Indigo Lakes Clubhouse-Naples, Fl.
Call Nancy (419)350-9058 for gate code

***Put on by Lisa Reber & her Stampin Up friends, and, Joanne Hartmen & Team Jessica!!!***

Over 20 Different Vendors - Door Prizes every 15 mins.!
Bake Sale run by Oak Ridge Middle Schoolers!
***Bring your family & Friends!!!***

Hi to all our family & friends,

Please pray for Jessica today as she has not been feeling very well these past few weeks. The gastrointestinal problems coupled with the pain she has been experiencing on the entire right side of her body and the severe headaches and vision problems, have made her feel like she "has been hit by a bus". Dr. Cantu ("Green Shirt") gave her a booster yesterday and he is trying everything he can to get her to feel better. Dr. Rainbow also came by, as she does every day, and brought her custards and some other things to try as well. Thank you all for all your continued prayers for Jessica's healing! Pray that she feels better really soon.

I can't believe how quickly the holiday season has come and how very soon another Christmas will be upon us! We have decided that it is important for us to be together for Christmas, as we have never had one apart, even though the past few have not been all we had hoped for with Jessica so ill. So David has checked with his doctors and is cleared to come to Mexico for a few days with our other daughters Katherine and Michelle. I can't wait to see them since the last time we were together was in August before coming to Mexico! I have a small "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree in our room that was given to us by Pastor Browning when he was here from N.Y. Dr. Rainbow also bought us balls and tiny lights for the tree. The "angel" topper to the tree was given to us by Cecilia when she was here. So, when the family arrives, we will have "Christmas in Monterrey". It will certainly be a different type of Christmas for us, but, as long as we are all here and spend a few days together as a family, that's what is most important!!!

In God's love,
Jessica's Mom

"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy". Titus 3:4&5

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21 Days Till Christmas!!!

SPECIAL NOTICE: I have just heard from the Mah Family at Lymelinks that they have brought in extra help - so if anyone is wanting to order Jessica's necklace for Christmas presents, they can be ordered thru this weekend at the link below and they will arrive in time for the holiday!!! Thank you and God bless!!!

This necklace is dedicated to Jessica's struggle with Lyme Disease and RSD. It was made to honor her commitment to Lyme disease awareness by Lymelinks. I have heard that people are already receiving their necklaces thru the mail and it is beautiful. They feel that it is another way for them to feel "connected" to Jessica from afar.

To order Jessica's necklace, Click on NEW Link Below:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35743111.

To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8

Blessings to All,

Upcoming Fundraiser in Naples, Fl.:

Holiday Bazaar & Vendor Fair
This Sunday- December 6th - 2:00 - 5:00 PM
Indigo Lakes Clubhouse-Naples, Fl.
Call Nancy (419)350-9058 for gate code

***Put on by Lisa Reber & her Stampin Up friends, and, Joanne Hartmen & Team Jessica!!!***

Over 20 Different Vendors - Door Prizes every 15 mins.!
Bake Sale run by Oak Ridge Middle Schoolers!
***Bring your family & Friends!!!***

UPDATE:

I can't believe that Christmas is only 3 weeks away. This is the season of Advent. It is the time of the year that lays the foundation for the celebration of Christmas. As we wait for that special day, we remain hopeful in the promise that God made to his people - the promise of restoration through the birth of our Lord Jesus. This was to be our gift from God - the true gift of "love". It is the most special time of the year that we rejoice and pray and give thanks for everything in our lives. It is a time of expectation as we wait for the coming of our Lord.
During Advent, we have the chance, once again, to receive Christ anew in our lives. To refresh and restore our faith with that ancient truth and future hope.

That is our hope as well for Jessica. To try to restore her body back to better health; and to renew our faith as well during this Advent season to know that all things are possible through Him who was born over two thousand years ago! As you know, Jessica has been struggling this past week with her gastrointestinal issues. She is also still experiencing problems with her vision and that has been very hard on her to say the least. But, just as we are waiting in anticipation for the "coming" of our Lord Jesus, so to, are we waiting for Him to do the impossible, because we know, through our faith, that all things are possible with Him!!!

So we ask that God bless you all this Advent season and in the coming year and may you all feel renewed and refreshed in His love!

Special thanks to Pastor David Long of the Union Church in Monterrey. He brought communion to Jessica and I yesterday and we are so very grateful to him and his wife and the entire congregation - they have all been a blessing from God to us!!!

In God's love, with hope,
Jessica's Mom


"Nothing is impossible with God" Luke 1:37

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MY 100th POST TO THE BLOG!!

HI TO EVERYONE,

I can't believe that today marks my *100th* post to Jessica's Journey Blog --- Amazing!!! I thought I would re-post my 1st post that I made to the blog back in August. This journey - Jessica's Journey - has been taken by Jessica & our family, and ALL of you as well. I would personally like to thank you ALL for always being there for us and for sharing with us this most incredible journey! Our hope is to one day bring Jessica home healthy and well and to reunite her with family and friends, and also, introduce her to the people she has never met that have rallied around her in her time of need, and will join us in welcoming her home! What a glorious day that will be!

Here is my 1st Post to Jessica's Journey Blog:

To all our family and friends,

In exactly ten days from now - on Aug. 20th - Jessica and I will begin the journey to Monterrey, Mexico. It is our hope that this treatment will restore renewed health and well-being to our Jessica! Please know that we will carry with us all of your hopes and prayers, and I know they will strengthen Jessica in the difficult days ahead. It is our hope that by updating this blog daily, you can take this next step with us too, just as you all have been with us these past 3 years! Till tomorrow and in God's love.....

Please pray for Jessica today as she is still having a rough patch of days and is not feeling very well. On this 100th posting, let me just say that as her Mom, I have found over 100 more ways to admire my daughter! She is an amazing person who has been through so much, but has persevered with such determination and courage that I am so blessed to be called her Mom!

To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8


To order Jessica's necklace, Click on NEW Link Below:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35743111.


THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT DURING THIS MOST DIFFICULT TIME. WE ARE HUMBLED TO HAVE YOU ALL TAKE THIS INCREDIBLE JOURNEY WITH JESSICA. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!


May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall softly upon your fields,
and until we meet again,
may God hold you
in the palm of His hands!!!

Till tomorrow and in God's love,
And with my 100th Post to all of you,
Sarah Gina (Jessica's Mom)

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Blessings to All!!!

Blessings from Mexico,

To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8


To order Jessica's necklace, Click on NEW Link Below:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35743111.


SPECIAL THANKS TO GCFD & OTHERS:

Special Thanks go out today to Bill Castoro - 2nd Assistant Chief of the Garden City Fire Dep't. in Garden City, N.Y. He organized and rallied the volunteer fireman to go out and sell raffle tickets for a 50/50 raffle to be held this month with proceeds going to Jessica's Journey Savings Club. We would like to personally thank him for all his efforts and all the members who went out and sold these tickets to help our Jessica and our family! We would also like to thank Marianne Quinn for selling 100 tickets to friends and family on her own and Cecilia Arango and her staff from Cecilia's Salon in Garden City, N.Y. who also sold 5o tickets to their patrons as well!!!
Words are not enough to express our heartfelt THANKS to you all for a job well done! May you all have a blessed Christmas, a joyous holiday season and a healthy New Year!!!

Upcoming Fundraiser in Naples, Fl.:

Holiday Bazaar & Vendor Fair
Sunday- December 6th - 2:00 - 5:00 PM
Indigo Lakes Clubhouse-Naples, Fl.
Call Nancy (419)350-9058 for gate code

***Put on by Lisa Reber & her Stampin Up friends, and, Joanne Hartmen & Team Jessica!!!***

Over 20 Different Vendors - Door Prizes every 15 mins.!
Bake Sale run by Oak Ridge Middle Schoolers!
***Bring your family & Friends!!!***

UPDATE ON JESSICA:

Jessica is currently on a different medication to help her with the problems she has been having with her stomach and intestines. We are also trying another sleep medication to try and get her some sleep - let's hope that it works! She received a booster yesterday to help alleviate some of the pain she is experiencing. As you know, and, as the doctors originally said when we first got here, Jessica's journey to wellness would be long and hard. She has been ill for quite some time and the body gets tired. We have seen the progress made and we know that God has brought us here to Mexico for Jessica to have a fighting chance to hopefully see the "light at the end of the tunnel". We pray for that every day, as we know you all do as well and we thank you for all your continued prayers.

The one thing I have realized is that God is pleased with us when we have faith. We must walk by faith and not by sight! Try to stop "biting your nails" for the weariness that comes with the worries of the day. When the tests come, try to relax and say to the Lord: " This is Your battle! This is the need you have asked me to put in your hands. I am trusting you for it. I am waiting for you to do it. I am willing to wait on You to do the impossible! " For, just like Mary & Joseph, we believe beyond what we can see, for nothing is impossible with You, Creator and Sustainer of all that is and will be!

"Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for You".
I Peter 5:7

All my love,
Jessica's Mom

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25,000 Views of the Blog!!! 4,000 Views of YouTube!!!

Hi everyone,

To view Jessica on Fox TV, Click on Link Below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW_vstm0bS8


Sorry I didn't blog yesterday but Jessica is still experiencing intestinal problems and it was not a very good day for her. Coupled with that, as you all know, she does not get much sleep at night and when you add upon that any other problems, then there is no sleep to be had at all! We have tried many different medications for sleep since we have been here, but to no avail. Also, her body reacts differently to certain meds and that really complicates the issue! So, yesterday, I hung a sign on the door which read "No visitas" or "No visitors" - except for Dr. Cantu ("Green Shirt") or Dr. Zavala("Rainbow"). Some days you have to do what you need to do to get by! I must say that Dr. Cantu is an amazing doctor and a very special man! He came back to the hospital at midnight to help Jessica with her problem after I had called to tell him she was not doing well! Jessica says he is her "hero". Dr. Cantu always comes to Jessica's rescue!!!

Special Notice About Jessica's Necklace:

I have heard from Brian Mah at Lymelinks that all the necklaces they had prepared for the beginning of Jessica's campaign have sold out!!! Amazing! Thanks to all who purchased from the first batch made! They are currently starting to make another batch. As soon as they give me the link for the new batch of necklaces I will post it on the blog. All orders received by November 23rd, should be received within one week. Keep checking back for the new link for Jessica's necklace in the coming days!!! Also, please pray for Brian's wife Michelle - apparently she was bitten by a black widow spider! She is OK, but is resting, as you can imagine! Take care Michelle! Hope you are better real soon!!!


Thank you once again for all your support, love, concerns, and continued prayers for Jessica. We are comforted by all of you and by God, as we realize that He does indeed have control of all of life. He knows the times and the seasons; he knows the predictable and the unpredictable! Our times and our trials are in HIS hands. Even when we are sad, mad, or confused, He is with us!
Whether we are on cloud nine and enjoying all of His blessings, or, caught up in a terrible predicament, He has not let us go! By His grace, He remains "for us"!

If God is for Us, who can be against us???
Romans 8:31

Happy December 1st!
Only 24 Days till Christmas!
Love always,
Sarah Gina & Jessica

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