Jordan

Hey.  Well there isn't much to tell you now.  Jordan decided he wanted to wait until Monday to get the results.  He wanted to have a good week at school and just live.  Remember, the Dr told Jordan when they went for the first appt that he didn't want to give him any hope.

 

  So we will let Jordan enjoy this week.  Boy do I respect him for not being fearful!  I would have been calling and standing on my head waiting for the results. 

  So I will let you know on Monday.

 Please don't stop praying!  

Hey!

Hey Friends!

  I snuck away to the beach this week:)  I know, rough life.

  Thank you all for asking about Jordan.  I forgot to update.  Right now we are still waiting to hear the pathology report on the tumor.  Hopefully he will hear tomorrow.  Six days of waiting is enough!  So I will post as soon as I hear.  But a praise is that Jordan did excellent with the biopsy!  He hasn't had one ounce of pain.  Glory to God!  He even went to dinner Sat night with the family.  Such a trooper!  When my aunt was talking to him about not having any pain, Jordan said, "Yep, God worked another miracle."

  And my aunt and I were talking about how often we are surprised when God answers a prayer, and just how silly that is.  For example, God allowed Jordan not to have pain after the biopsy.  Why should we be surprised by that?  We asked Him for it.  He is so kind and faithful.

  In my packing to come to the beach, I left my prayers requests for the 40 Days for life at home:(  Be praying for whatever God lays on your heart.  I will fill you in when I get back Thursday.  I was on my way back to the beach house and I passed a Catholic church.  There was a big sign out in front that said, "Please pray for abortion to end."  I couldn't agree more.  Catholics are very involved in the pro-life movement.  Us Christians need to join them.

Suffering and the Sovereignty of God

Here is what I just finished reading.... It is from a book by John Piper entitled, 'Suffering and the Sovereignty of God.' You should buy it! It is outstanding. Mr Piper says, 'I believe the entire universe exists to display the greatness of the glory of the grace of God. I might have said more simply that the entire universe exists to display the greatness of the glory of God. That would be true. But the Bible is more specific. The glory of God shines most brightly, most fully, most beautifully in the manifestation of the glory of his grace. Therefore, this is the ultimate aim and the final explanation of all things- including suffering.' And Christ suffered first. 'The death of Christ in supreme suffering is the highest, clearest, surest display of the glory of the grace of God. If that is true, then a stunning truth is revealed, namely, suffering is an essential part of the created universe in which the greatness of the glory of the grace of God can be most fully revealed. Suffering is an essential part of the tapestry of the universe so that the weaving of grace can be seen for what it really is.' 'According to this divine plan, God permits sin to enter the world, (through Adam and Eve). God ordains that what he hates will come to pass.' Why, so he can display his glory and grace! 'When sin entered the world, horrible, horrible things followed. Diseases, defects, disabilities, natural catastrophies, human atrocities-from the youngest infant to the oldest codger, from the vilest scoundrel to the sweetest saint-suffering is no respecter of persons.' God allows these things yet, Mr Piper continues, 'He does not from his heart afflict the children of men. He ordains that suffering come-though he cause grief-but his delight is not in the suffering, but in the great purpose of his creation:the display of the glory of the grace of God in the suffering of Christ for the salvation of sinners.' 'EVERYTHING-EVERYTHING-that Christ accomplished for us sinners he accomplished by suffering. Everything that we will ever enjoy will come to us because of suffering.' Wow! Suffering is part of God's plan for us. We will all suffer at some point. If we don't, we can't fully comprehend God's grace! Oh Lord, please be with Jordan and Jessie today, and our whole family. We don't know what you have in store for us but we have this opportunity to trust you and know that whatever happens has passed through your hands first. Please guide Dr. Asher's hand and protect Jordan. Thank you for the chance to see your full grace displayed through suffering. May you be glorified. By his grace, Lindsay Jordan's surgery is scheduled for 8 am.  I will update as soon as I am able.  It will probably be late this afternoon, I am taking the girls apple picking today.  Hopefully someone can update caringbridge before I get home so check there. Thank you for all of your prayers saints!

40 Days for Life

Tomorrow's prayer request is....For the apathy of  your people

Oh how I pray that Christians will be awakened to this tragedy and desire to get involved.

No news

Weeellllll, there's no news for Jordan today:(  When he went for the MRI, they told him it was just a formality to have another one before the biopsy on Friday.  He didn't even get to see the Dr.  The nurse told him they would call if there was anything drastically different from the first one he had done.  Oh I hope they call soon and say there is nothing there!

  If not, and God chooses the other way, Jordan will be at the hospital Friday morning at 6 am for the biopsy.

   I'll update tomorrow.  Thank you all so very much for your prayers.

Big Week!

Big week this week.  Jordan has his MRI tomorrow.  Please be praying that God has healed him and there will be NOTHING to see!

It's tomorrow afternoon at 4.  It is in the surgeons office and it's supposed to be a really high quality one.  From my understanding they will tell Jordan and Jessie the results right after they do the MRI.  If they see something, then he will have the biopsy on Friday.  I will update as soon as I know more. www.caringbridge.org/visit/jordanbanks

And Jessie Childress has her surgery on Thursday. She is having a cleft palate repair, ear tubes put in, and her feeding tube replaced. The tube replacement is the same surgery she had the first time that almost took her life.  As you can imagine, Joe and Lori could use your prayers that God will calm their hearts and give them peace. Please be in prayer that it will go well. That Jessie will adjust quickly to life after surgery and that she will be able to eat.  Her caringbridge site is www.caringbridge.org/visit/faithofachild 

The picture above is of our family's HOPE bracelets.

Happy Birthday Mimi

Our Beloved Mimi turned 80 today!!  God has given us quite a gift in this woman!
It was a delight to celebrate her birthday as a family and just spend time together.  That is what she wanted:)  Here we are singing to her.
She got them all in one swoop!  Still got it going on:)
Mimi and Chelsea and April-my cousins, then my girls and Maddie and Bridgett, our third cousins.

  Mimi we praise God for you.  Your gentle and meek spirit spurs me on!  Thank you for how you desire to care for my girls and Tristen and Bella so tenderly.  It is so fun seeing how much you enjoy watching them.  

   I love spending time with you and hearing about how you raised 5 kids and loved Grandy so much. Your example is humbling.  Thank you for truly valuing what is important to God instead of material things.  And thank you for the way you give to and serve others.  You amaze me!

           LOVE YOU!