Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Rose Garden

The roses started coming about noon today. Then they kept coming. I joked with someone that I didn't get the memo about the roses. Then she said, "Oh really? The memo's in my car, do you want to read it?" It turns out Teresa Cook who works with my mother-in-love Judy really did send out a memo to try and fill our house with pink roses. Her goal was to reach one hundred roses a few roses at a time. There is now a garden of roses at our house that stretches around the living room and spills into the kitchen. There are hundreds of them!

I have a few prayer points for you tonight. For my memory to be better under stress. As Bryn said this week, "My daddy has a bad rememory." For Katelyn, that she still be able to be a kid even as she has added responsibilities as the older sister. Bryn has had some anxiety leaving me lately (like when she goes to school); please pray that she not imagine anything bad happening to me too. You can pray for Jess to be peaceful and comfortable. I'm sure Jess was listening today to people talking to her but wasn't able to show it at all today. Finally, it's Jadyn's birthday tomorrow and I want her to feel like a million bucks. She is very excited about her birthday and has been counting down the days for weeks. You can pray for the tons of other family we have too-- this week has been hard on all of us.

So what did her dad in Portland say? He started off saying the right things. I had never met him before, but I had a really good conversation with him (even though I was nervous) When I asked for permission to ask Jess to marry me, he said yes. That was good too. Then he said the wrong thing; not to me but to Jess. He called her up and told her congratulations. When she talked to me about it, I was somehow able to recover from the shock and convince her that her dad was simply confused. I also asked her step-dad for his permission too this time with no bean spillage. Tomorrow I will tell you how I proposed to her.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers throughout the day. We have learned so much from each of you; your strength, love, devotion, faith, I could keep going on. We pray for peace and comfort for the whole family. October 29 will be a day of happiness for Jadyn. What a special little girl to have amazing parents. Jess will live on through her girls. We love you!!!!
Amy, Aaron, Jadyn's favorite book buddy Kaitlyn, and Camden

Chris and Julie Medley said...

We are praying as you have requested. Thanks for the specifics and for being transparent, even to a host of people you don't know personally.

G Pierce said...

Our hearts ache with you Jake...not for Jess because she is going where we can only dream about right now, but for you and the task you have ahead, and for your precious family. May God be your shield and the lifter of your head. May he sustain you and give you clear thoughts and immeasurable peace.

I love the words to the song "Homesick"... In Christ there are no goodbyes. In Christ there is no end. So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have, to see you again. And I close my eyes and I see your face, if home's where my heart is then I'm out of place. Lord won't you give me strength to make it through somehow, I've never been more homesick than now.

You and your family are loved...

Erik said...

Amy and I prayed for you guys tonight. We love to know what each day brings. Keep the requests coming. We also are really enjoying the fun stories!

Anonymous said...

Jake, thank you for sharing and thanks to all for the beautiful flowers! I love the picture that you have posted - we are all so fortunate to have each other.

Praying and thinking of you, always.
Love,
Janette

Anonymous said...

H A P P Y

B I R T H D A Y

J A D Y N!!!

Thinking of you!

Love,
Janette, Gene, Ryan and Mark

Anonymous said...

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRINCESS JADYN...

WISHING YOU A DAY FULL OF SMILES


Payton Smith & Coach Lisa

Anonymous said...

Jake,
Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you. Happy Birthday Jadyn!

The London Family

Anonymous said...

Although I don't know Jess well, I feel as if I do. As a mother of three girls also, she is an inspiration to me to live and love every moment with my girls because we never know when the Good Lord will need to take us. I pray that the girls will always know and feel their mothers love even if she's not there to speak and show it. I pray for the peace and comfort each of you will feel knowing you will have "The Best" guardian angel watching down upon you. We'll keep praying for the miracle to keep her wonderful soul on this earth...With all of our love and faith!
Kendall, Bob, Deyton, Dawsen & Delaney Deller

Anonymous said...

Breakfast Table
Chris Rice

Was it a million miles to Heaven
Too far to hear my lonely song
Or is it just my imagination I hear you humming along
I only hold you in my dreams now
I wake up with cold and empty arms
Lord, help me get through this long night with You
And soon as the morning comes
Soon as the morning comes

Save me a seat at the breakfast table
Save me a dance around the Milky Way
And save me a thousand years to whisper in your ears
All I’ve wanted to say
Save me a smile and an angel’s feather
Save me a walk down the streets of gold
And baby, we’ll change our minds just like old times
And maybe we’ll just fly away
Or maybe we’ll stay
My lucky doll, you’re in Heaven before me
You were my taste of Heaven here
Remember we loved to talk about it, we couldn’t wait to get there
So you go on and find your way around now
But remember I’m here missing you
Do me a favor and say hey to Jesus
And tell Him I’m missing Him too
Tell Him I’m missing Him too

Anonymous said...

I am lifting your entire family up in prayer right now...especially Jake, Kaitlyn, Bryn and precious little jadyn. I can almost hear our Father in heaven saying to Jessica...

"Well done my good and faithful servant, now come and enjoy your reward in heaven...come and share in your Master's joy" For here, there is no sorrow, no pain and no disease. I will restore your body and renew your spirit...here is your crown of righteousness and upon it is many jewels. Come now...my child, you are safely home.

In Him,

Lisa Smith

Anonymous said...

Hi Jake-
Our small group way up here in Michigan has been praying for your family. Today I sent the precious picture of your wife and daughers to them, so they would have faces behind the names they are praying for.

Just remember, that as far as the east is from the west and then some, is how much God loves all of you.

-Michigan

Anonymous said...

My son Derek was with Bryn at Fielder Road ECC in the froggy and carebear class. You and your family have been such a testimony to me as I have watched your strength and dependence on the Lord. Thank you for letting God use you!! I pray for you as I read your blog and will continue to do so.
Shannon Rosales

Lynne said...

You are all in our prayers...special hugs for Jess and for the birthday girl.

Happy Birthday Jaydn...

Love, Dave and Lynne

Anonymous said...

THank you for posting the beautiful picture. Would love to see one with Jess and her daughters.

Anonymous said...

Dear Jake and Jessica,

I’m sure by now you may consider it normal for complete strangers to contact you. Being one of those strangers, it is a little weird for me.

I work at Alvarado High School and a woman in my district emailed about your family on October 20th. I looked up Jessica’s blog and began to read.

Something about Jessica and your family touched my heart. I felt compelled (and that is the correct and only word for it) to read the entire story. I have read all three years’ worth of posts.

I have come to hold all of you in my hearts and think of you often.

Jake, I don’t know how you do it. You are an awesome testament to what unconditional love is.

I’m hoping that you will read this to Jess (as I have come to know her through her blog).


I am amazed by you and I am in awe of your faith.

In 2007 in particular, I noticed that you made a point of being thankful for “this moment”. As a mother of young children, I try to do that too. They grow up so fast and the joys always outweigh the frustrations and tantrums. As I was reading (and since), I caught myself using this phrase over and over. When my son was having a hard time or when he was doing something amazing, I would hear myself say, “Thank you God for THIS moment.”

I read the post from January 30, 2008 and was blown away. What an amazing faith you have! I don’t know if I could be that grateful, thankful, composed, and rational in the face of the journey you have trekked.

I wanted you to know this because you are an inspiration, not just to your family, friends, church family, or those closest to them; you are an inspiration to me – a stranger who has never seen you, who doesn’t know what your voice sounds like, who would love to have known you personally. You and your journey have touched me in a way that I cannot explain. I will carry it with me forever. God does work through you.

I pray for you and your family,
Dennise Warren

Anonymous said...

I know God has His loving arms wrapped around you all as He carries you through this unwanted phase of your journey. Jess has fought the battle and done it beautifully; now she can rest. She will never be forgotten - her faith, her love for her family, her strength, her determination, her grace, her dignity, her kindness, her smile - what an amazing woman. She will live forever by the heartprints she has made in each of you, in each of us. My prayers now are for her loved ones to find the strength you will need.........

In God's Love,
Barbara Payne

Anonymous said...

The girls and I are praying for y'all through this extremely difficult time.

Peace In Christ,

the gillum girls

Tijera B. said...

Mr. Kaylor, I'm not sure if you even remember but I definitely remember you. My name is Tijera and you were my 8th grade English teacher about 5 years ago. I just wanted you to know what you and your family are in my prayers. You are very strong in your faith and I hope that you continue to hold onto that. Your daughters are beautiful and Bryn has gotten so big. I remember when she was born. The Kaylor family has a spot in my heart and I really felt that you needed to know that.

-Tijera B.

Anonymous said...

TELL God what you need ...

THANK Him for what He has done ...

THEN the peace of God that exceedes our understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

O Lord, we need YOU. Be Emmanuel, God with us, as we seek to accept your plan. Grant comfort, discernment, and mostly Your peace... please.

Thank you for your unfailing love. Thank you for loving us even when we raise our hands and vioces to you in angry moments when we simply don't understand ... when it all seems unfair. Thank you that your thoughts are different than ours, and your ways are beyond what we can imagine. Thank you for Jessica's days on this earth ... she used them well.

Abba, hold us now. Bring us YOUR PEACE, we pray.

Amen.

My heart aches and words fail ~
Just know I will contine to lift you up to the Unfailing One.

Wendy Smith (aka: Zena)

GloryandGrace said...

Everyone's comments thus far have echoed the words on my heart. My mom forwarded me Debbie Witte's email update yesterday, and I have been in continual prayer ever since.

The Christian life is so foreign to that of the world...we mourn yet we rejoice. There will be days when we want her here, but we also envy that she gets to see Him first, just like you mentioned.

We rejoice and hope because the Savior has paid what we could not, and through Him we have eternal inheritance. Jessica truly is by her Savior's side, praising Him for all eternity...

May you experience true rest, joy, and peace even in your mourning and in the inevitably difficult days ahead.

Thinking of the words to the song my mom and I sang at your precious wedding ceremony almost nine years ago:

"Oh, to know the power of Your risen life
And to know You in your suffering
To become like You in Your death, my Lord
So with You to live and never die...
Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You
There is no greater thing
You're my all, You're my rest,
You're my joy, my righteousness
And I love You, Lord"

Anonymous said...

I would first like to send my condolences to you and your family. After reading this entry I felt a need to comment. In 2006 a very special near and dear friend was killed. I noticed that my memory was fading, and that I was having several problems trying to recall events. My short term memory was also effected by this traumatic event that I witnessed. I no longer felt like myself. It wasn't until this past summer when I went to a brain research class at the PDC that I found out the real reason for this memory problem I had. I discovered that there is a part of the brain that is affected when you experience any traumatic event. It's called the hippocampus. I only wished that I knew that then. If so, I would have been able to better understand myself and not think that I was losing my mind. I hope that in some way this helps you.

Avry said...

I do not know you personally but found your blog through another forum. My Thoughts & prayers are with you & your family during this difficult time. My you have peace & know that there are people across the world that you have touched. Thank you for sharing your story.
Avry Byington
Utah