Sunday, March 30, 2008

and..

14 visits today! Well, Casey & Jen left me a message, and I've been here twice (morning and now) so really 10 visits! I'm just curious. :)

Hope everyone had a great weekend and has a wonderful week!

ok so who are you?

I've had 12 visits to my page since yesterday but no comments! I'm sure Casey & Jen (the only two who comment) have not come here 12 times!

Well I'm finally off tomorrow. I've worked eight days straight to have tomorrow off. I can't wait to go to church. Time for bed, it's been a LONG day!

Was SO busy at work, I kinda "bumped" a truck backing out of the parking lot (he didn't know how to park!), got home and saw that my Jury Duty check came in, opened it up only to see that they only paid me for one day so I guess I will have to call them up on Monday! I spent four days over there (60 miles round trip a day).

That's all for tonight.
BELIEVE, it's the only way!
Zhohn

Monday, March 24, 2008

Continue to donate, December will be here before you know it (email 9)

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter and remembered the real reason we celebrate. Our Jesus died for us but He has RISEN, He is alive! And I am extremely thankful!

I hope that all of you will continue to save money to donate to St. Jude. I read everyday of more and more children being diagnosed with cancer/leukemia and also daily, unfortunately, many die. Donating a hundred or so dollars to St. Jude and other charities throughout the year may not seem like much but I know that I'm doing what I can. I will not sit back and hear of children (and adults) being diagnosed with this horrible disease and do nothing. Please help, you are someone dear to you may need to walk through the doors of St. Jude one day for treatment.

Mo's Motivation:

8. An immune system: You never give it any thought, but you should be thankful that it allows you to be outside today and everyday without contracting a 'bug' which could kill you. Be thankful that you don't have to wear a mask every waking hour. Jake, and all the kids who take chemo, have to endure daily shots to help with the recover of their immune systems after chemo destroys it.

I can't imagine trying to get a toddler to keep a mask on much less keep them inside. Without our support these kids wouldn't have special playrooms and different crafts and such to do. Little things like this you don't think about, but they cost also.

My motivation: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is the most comment childhood cancer. When I think of ALL, I think of Allie (www.scotthousehold.com). Allie was the first ever site I visited, her mother, Jenny, shared Jake's site and I've just gone from there. Her mom and a friend (Larissa) started Heroes For Children, another great charity to give to. Allie was not treated at St. Jude, but this isn't just about St. Jude, it's about giving innocent children a chance at life. I got a letter in the mail about a week or so ago, from St. Jude, stating that when St. Jude opened in 1962 the survival rate for ALL was only four percent! Today it is 94 percent!!!! Although one in ten children will still die of ALL, this is great news, imagine what the next 40 years will bring! To treat one child with ALL can cost about $270,000 dollars a year.

I also have a St. Jude story to pass on, http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=728efdc1077c7110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&cpsextcurrchannel=1&plt=HHPLMARRGD03110014

This family was blessed, unknowingly, with identical twins. Lauren will give her sister, Kara, a chance at life. It's a great story.

Thank you, all of you. I can't wait until December to see how much TEAM JAKE will raise this year for St. Jude!

Praying & BELIEVING-

Zhohn

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Friday, March 21, 2008

Good Friday

I have mixed emotions about this day, the day Jesus was crucified. Sad because of what Jesus Christ went through for us but also so very happy and excited that HE did die for us. So we would be forgiven and be able to go to Heaven.
One of my favorite songs come to mind today, "By His Wounds". You can watch the video here.


This song is amazing!!!


By His Wounds (Isaiah 53:5)

He was pierced for our transgressions
He was crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed

He was pierced for our transgressions
He was crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed

We are healed by Your sacrifice
And the life that You gave
We are healed for You paid the price
By Your grace we are saved
We are saved

He was pierced for our transgressions
And crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed

We are healed by Your sacrifice
And the life that You gave
We are healed for You paid the price
By Your grace we are saved
We are saved

He was pierced for our transgressions
He was crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed
And by His wounds, by His wounds

What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus


Read these words carefully, "He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our sins" WOW! Never think that you are alone because you are not, God is always with you. Today I give God all the praise and all the glory! Thanks you Jesus! Only by his wounds are we healed, physically and spiritually. And the ONLY thing that can wash our sin away is HIS blood!

And today I share this picture:


To look at this picture moves me to tears, to know that THAT blood, HIS blood, is our way to Heaven. Those nails that went through His hands, the pain that he suffered...all for us!

May everyone be blessed today and always.

Zhohn

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

adding photos...

tonight I'm going to attempt to add a few photos...

While I'm uploading a few pictures I'll give a little background info. My family is VERY close, us cousins were pretty much raised as siblings. There is quite an age difference between the older cousins (like Casey and I) and the "baby" cousins, which are three boys!!! Needless to say, they're spoiled.

the three boys
(L to R) Tylhor, Wyatt & Aaron
Tylhor and Aaron are brothers



Alyssa, sister to Wyatt
(Who will be getting her license on MONDAY!!!)

My mom, Angela

Ok, I have lots more to share but I'm very frustrated so I think I should sign off for now! I've been at this for more than 30 minutes. It's time for bed!

When you add the picture why doesn't it go exactly where the cursor is??? It goes to the top of the post. I think I should just add all of my pics first then type...who knows!

Be looking for a post on Friday, about Good Friday and also my St. Jude email on Monday, which I'm sure will include a few things about Easter.

BELIEVING!

Zhohn

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

St. Jude (eight of 26)

This post is late but it is here! For those new to my blog this is the story behind this-

When I got back from Memphis I was reading over Mo's motivations that she wrote. She had wrote one for each mile, which was 26. I decided that I would send out an email to family and friends every two weeks (26) and include one of Mo's motivations and something from myself. I'm asking everyone to save at least five dollars every two weeks then donate in December, if you do this then you should be able to donate $100. This is the eighth email:

I'm a day late with my email, just busy right now! I hope everyone is enjoying the nice weather. I heard all of you in up in Monroe got some SNOW the other day!!!

Mo's eighth motivation: 8. St. Jude: The slogan at St. Jude is "hope". Imagine being told your child has cancer and for the most part there is no cure. Then, imagine entering a place where "hope" abounds. Everyone is obviously doing their best to see that your child survives. This hope that was given is why our family continues to support and love St. Jude and all the people in it. Be thanful for St. Jude.

Just by reading this you can "feel" the love and the thanfulness that Jake's family has for St. Jude. Another reason we need to continue to support St. Jude, not just for the future but for what they have given already. Not all children survive cancer but with St. Jude most are given many months and even years with their families. Just the other day I blogged about HOPE. We must remember that hope starts with us. We must continue to raise money for research. These children have touched me so and I HOPE that they will you to, and that you will get involved in one way or another.

"And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you."Psalm 39:7

I really don't have a specific motivation this time except I'm asking you to visit some sites, you will be motivated!

Ethan, who I'm sure I've mentioned before. http://www.ethanpowell.com/ His parents have HOPE, they BELIEVE and they are holding on to their FAITH. They are awaiting results of his spinal tap today. He is only a year old and and was diagnosed at two months. They have all been through so much, his entire family needs prayers.

http://www.stjude.org/ you can always browse their website and find some very interesting news.

Corbin, www.caringbridge.org/la/corbin Corbin is cancer free, THANK GOD, drop by his site because his Mom should have had his baby sister, Esther, today!

and of course, JAKE, my sweet Jake, I have never met Jake and he has touched me so. He is the only reason that I went to Memphs in December, that i'm exercising and losing weight to run in the marathon this year, and that I'm involved in fundraising and research for cancer! www.caringbridge.org/la/jakeowen

Please continue to save your money. I think the '08 Marathon page will be up in May!

HOPING that a cure is found very soon,

Zhohn

Thursday, March 6, 2008

it's late..

Ok, I just typed an entire blog and it disappeared! I was saying...

Please stop by and visit Jaxon . He was extubated today and is breathing on his own!!!

I have been walking at the park a lot lately, the weather has been nice. My cousin from Texas has been visiting for about a month and we have been walking together. She leaves tomorrow so I'm going solo now! I hope I continue to walk at the park, but it gets boring walking alone. I made a deal with myself (ha ha) that if I walk alone at the park for an entire week then I can buy an ipod. I don't mind buying it if I'll use it! I WILL complete the half marathon in December. One of the main reasons I want to run this year is that after I got home last year and was reading Mo's motivations I realized what I missed out on. I want to run and read the motivations at the same time! I want to actually be able to look left and see such such, not just read about it!

Anyway, I've rambled on enough here. I hope everyone reading (Casey only? lol) has a great day.

Until next time, BELIEVING-

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Well...

If anyone is wondering, I'm home! But come to find out I didn't even need to go today, isn't that something? They picked so many jurors yesterday and today was just more questioning for them. I have to go back tomorrow morning at 9 again. I'm actually anxious to find out what sort of a trial this is. So, I'm off again tomorrow!

I'll let everyone know how it goes.
Have a great day!!!
Zhohn

Monday, March 3, 2008

Drama?

I do not like drama (at all!) but it seems to always find me! :)

Today's drama:

I moved about a year ago but I never changed my address (yeah bad on my part, same parish though-only about 10 miles!). Anyway yesterday Casey brought me a slip to pick up a registered letter that had went to her moms (my old address), today I went to the post office and picked it up. I opened it and it was a subpoena for Jury Duty for TODAY! So I hurried home and called the Judge's office, his secretary says, ok come in tomorrow for 9 a.m. and we'll recall the warrant.....WARRANT? WHAT? oh and by the way, they are still picking jury member so expect to be here a while!!! Oh my goodness!
I can't believe that I let this happen! I know that it is our civic duty to serve as a juror but I hope that I do not get picked! I'll post tomorrow, if I'm not in jail. ha ha

Other than this, life is great. I'm very content with my life right now! Which, if you really know me you know it won't last for long. lol. :)

Oh, and isn't my weight loss ticker cool??? I love it!

A few friends to check on:

Jaxon, I shared his story before. He has the same cancer as Jake had. Really needs some prayers.
www.caringbridge.org/visit/jaxonburns

Ethan, little E is so precious. He is from La. and has been fighting cancer almost since birth.
www.ethanpowell.com

A few ANGELS, please let their families know you're thinking of them:
Jake www.caringbridge.org/la/jakeowen
Madelyn www.caringbridge.org/tn/madelyn

Blogs that I really enjoy:
Mo www.mojoy.blogspot
Casey www.caseyjo18.blogspot.com
Heather ^Jacob^'s mom www.faithfulfroggers.blogspot.com

Love to all-

P.S. If you're reading, please sign in!