I am sorry for the delay in this update, but these past few weeks have been so crazy! My family- both here in Mexico and back in Florida, have been getting everything ready for my homecoming.
My incredible dad and uncle Vinnie oversaw a large construction project in our home and once it was complete, my amazing aunt Carol decorated the room and bathroom for me. Everything on their side is ready!
On this end we were busy packing up the apartment (which as you can imagine after 2 years here—is a huge undertaking!), and saying our good-byes to the people who have become my second Mexican family.
Last week my mom spent 3 hours on the phone with various airlines going over my special medical circumstances. The flights were booked—for today, October 4th. Leaving Monterrey at 12pm.
We called everyone in our family and told them we would be coming home next week! Everyone was ecstatic, but my 88 year old Nanny was definitely the happiest of all! She screamed and laughed saying repeatedly, “My prayers have been answered!!!… My prayers have been answered!!!” It was so cute!
Anyway, on that same afternoon at 4pm I was scheduled to go for some final tests that needed to be done before I could leave.
I was very excited and kept telling everyone there that these were my “last Mexican medical tests”…
…Or not.
One of the tests I had is a Densitometry scan that checks your bone density. My results were not good at all. My scores show the highest fracture risk possible in both my spine and hips. It’s a miracle that I haven’t broken several bones already. We were told I will need to go back in the hospital and have some different types of treatment before it will be safe for me to travel.
Wow. Talk about a quick change of plans.
Needless to say, we were pretty bummed. We had to call back everyone in our family (not even 4 hours later!) and tell them this news—our exit plan has been delayed.
We expected everyone would be upset, like us, and they were… especially little Michelle. But once again, my Nanny’s response was the best and caught me totally off guard. “Its ok!" She said, "Honey, you have been sick for nearly 6 years… if you need to wait 6 more weeks, or however long, you just wait. My prayer HAS been answered- You are better!! Keep trusting in God, because he knows the right timing. You do not.”
Wow. I guess with age comes great wisdom.
For the past 2 years on my wall in my room I have this verse in both english and spanish-
Proverbs 3:5-6- “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
To be honest, I never really paid much attention to what the next part of that verse was though, until now…
Proverbs 3:7-8-“…Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. ….Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.”
Trust, healing and strength... Those are promises I can count on!
Thanks again everyone, for all of your continued support. My hope and prayer is to get to be home before Thanksgiving to celebrate with my family. Thank you for keeping my family and I in your prayers!
In God’s love, Jessica
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18 comments:
That must have been terribly disappointing for all of you that your departure was delayed. I wonder who you might meet over the next few weeks.
That is what we will pray for (believing) - home for Thanksgiving! With God, all things are possible!
We will also pray for the treatments to work and your bones will become strong (they will need to be strong for all the hugs awaiting you when you get back).
Your grandmother is right. God says: I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU .... (and His plans happen on His schedule).
As I am typing this the song is playing "I give my life to the potters hands ... "
You will be able to visit a little longer with your family there. The smell of the freshly painted walls will lessen. You will be able to enjoy some more yogurt. More visits with Cindel. :)
Before you know it, time will pass and then it will be the right time.
Praying for you all and trusting Him who is in control and who answers prayers for His glory!
With love and prayers,
the Turners
I enjoyed our talk yesterday. I lay in bed and smiled for your resilience, your encouragement, your faith and your example.
I remember when you first told me that you were going home. You told me that God told you this and that when you sought confirmation, you got it! God has a reason for keeping you there a little longer. We can trust that He is knitting your bones together to be stronger f9or your return. Can you imagine how hard it would be for you to have hit turbulence in the air?! God's timing is always best, sometimes it is very hard to figure out what His timing actually is and since we need to do some of the more mundane things such as preparing the living quarters, booking flights,etc it can be very hard to wait without knowing.
You are needed in Mexico and I think it will be come very apparent to you when you see why.
You are in my prayers always and now I will add a strengthening prayer for your bones. May God make it clear to you when the right time is and may you be all the more healthy for your triumphant return!
Dearest Jess and Gina, You have come so very far on the healing path. We know that Our Lord is watching over you and accompanying you on this journey. You wrote that your doctors said it's a miracle that you haven't broken several bones already. It seems that there are miracles going on in and around you that you aren't aware of- in addition to the many that you know about!!! You are a very special and blessed young lady. We will continue to keep you and your family in our prayers and our hearts. Keep up the good work, and hang in there!!!! Love always, Angel xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Praying! Hope all is going well and that things are progressing!
God Bless!
Have you seen this? Interesting read. Who knew all this was going on?
http://www.squidoo.com/templejerusalem#module17351052
Lots of pictures.
Mark 5:19
Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
Still praying ....
http://www.cell.com/trends/neurosciences/abstract/S0166-2236(11)00139-1
Resolvins, including D and E series resolvins, are endogenous lipid mediators generated during the resolution phase of acute inflammation from the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Resolvins have potent anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution actions in several animal models of inflammation. Recent findings also demonstrate that resolvin E1 and resolvin D1 can each potently dampen inflammatory and postoperative pain. This review focuses on the mechanisms by which resolvins act on their receptors in immune cells and neurons to normalize exaggerated pain via regulation of inflammatory mediators, transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels, and spinal cord synaptic transmission. Resolvins may offer novel therapeutic approaches for preventing and treating pain conditions associated with inflammation.
Just a little speed bump on your journey and sign that says "SLOW Curves Ahead". So as you continue this journey know that we will see you soon and wait with hearts of faith and hope and joy!
Saw your Dad at Carol & Ray's 15th Anniversary party. Was so nice to chat about your return! Love and long distance hugs,
Nancy & Joe
Hoping and praying you will be back BEFORE Thanksgiving!
http://www.wildcondor.com/lyme.html
She overcame lyme disease
hi Jessica
I followed your story with this blog. It is amazing to see your progress although you could not go home until now. Please contact me by email.
daniela.c.seiler@gmail.com
take care wish you only the best
daniela
http://thecripplegate.com/i-can-do-all-things/
I Can Do All Things
by Nathan Busenitz
...
By now, you may have guessed that the verse I am describing is Philippians 4:13. There, the Apostle Paul writes, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
Now, if we read Philippians 4:13 in isolation, apart from its context, it’s possible to see why so many take it as a declaration of personal empowerment.
Out of context, the “all things” seems like it could refer to whatever someone might want to accomplish—from winning a football game to losing weight to getting a new job to gaining material wealth. Out of context, it is often treated like a spiritual boost of self-confidence that can be applied to any ambition or aspiration in life.
But in context this verse has a very specific, defined meaning—one that most Americans don’t want to hear about, but one that is very important for us to remember as believers.
Out of context, Philippians 4:13 is used as a blank-check promise for whatever is desired. But in context, it is a verse is about contentment. It’s not about your dreams coming true or your goals being met. Rather it’s about being joyful, satisfied, and steadfast even when life is hard and your circumstances seem impossible.
You see, this verse is not about winning the football game; it’s about how you respond when you lose the football game, or get injured for the season, or fail to make the team altogether. It’s not about getting that new job, that new house, or that new outfit; it’s about finding your satisfaction in the job you already have, in the house you already own, and in the wardrobe already hanging in your closet.
This is not a verse about being empowered to change your circumstances; rather, it is a verse about relying on God’s power in order to be content in the midst of circumstances you can’t change.
Consider, for just a moment, the context of Philippians 4:13. Writing to the believers in Philippi, Paul says:
(10) But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.
(11) Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
(12) I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
(13) I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
You can see there, that when the apostle says, I can do all things through Him who strengthens me, he is speaking about contentment. In any circumstance, he had learned to be content by depending on Christ who gave him the strength to persevere in any situation.
And that is a perspective that we are called to emulate. In fact, if you look at verse 9, right before the verses cited above, Paul says:
(9) The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
He tells his readers to follow his example, and then he immediately talks about contentment. Clearly, the attitude that Paul possessed is one that should characterize us as well.
Still hoping and praying ... home for Thanksgiving!
Hi Jessica and Sarah,
Just thought I'd say hi. I hope you had a good week.
Take care Wil
wilance@yahoo.com
you look great jessica, you made a lot of progress, you are amazing and your mum is just so good, her love for you canoot be expressed in words she does everything for you without tiredness....
The Lord has promised good to me...
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...
as long as life endures.
Happy Halloween! This month just flew by. Hope all is well and that your bones are strengthening for your trip back.
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