Sunday, November 9, 2008

The Sunday Evening Post

I thought I would post early tonight as I have a moment despite the girls being still awake. Our family really enjoyed church today. I'm going to put this in my own words but what my sister Sarah got out of the message was that in order to truly tolerate someone you have to love them completely even though you know they've done things that are simply not right. I think she and I know each other's faults really well but we were still able to reach over and give each other a big hug because we love each other too. I am so glad she was able to stay longer with my nieces Elizabeth and Vanessa and my mom. Today they all left back to go back to Virginia (my sis) and Maryland (my mom).

Today Bryn cracked my up when she named one of her stickers. It wouldn't stick so she called it Stickless the stickless sticker.


I think one of the greatest things Jess taught me was selflessness. The first year we were married if I was thirsty I got a drink of water for myself. Jess would ask me in a voice cracking from lack of water (not really) if I wanted to ask if anyone else wanted a drink. I'm a slow learner so it took me awhile to realize the answer to that question was not "no."

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are covered in prayer as the week begins, Jake. I'm glad your mom and sister got to stay this week. Jessa sure did love your sweet sister, Sara.

Love,
Aunt Sandy

Anonymous said...

Jake,

You and the girls are in our prayers. Please let us know if there is anything that we can do. I am glad to here how much fun soccer was this weekend. It is always nice when you see your team starts to do something new.

elizabeth castolenia

Anonymous said...

Jake
I know you are planning to go back to work this week, just know that you are in my and Jacque's prayers. Just hang tough and you will get through the day. It was good to see you yesterday at the carnival. Talk to you soon.
Jay

Tessa said...

Praying for you tonight, Jake. I got a call from a fine woman at FRBC who reads your blog and wants to start backpacks at another Arlington school. I bet Jess is just smiling. I can hear her say, "Good Tess. That's great." Makes me happy. I hope it makes you happy, too. LOL, Tessa

Anonymous said...

"Everything was created through him and for him.
He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together."

Jesus, thank you for holding everything together even when the world seems to be falling apart around us. Please let Jake feel your arms around him tonight, holding him as he sleeps. May he rest without interruption and sleep deeply knowing he is safe in your arms.

Jake, Jessica, Kaitlyn, Jadyn, and Bryn were created through You and for You. You existed before anything else and You hold ALL your creation together.

Creator and Sustainer, please sustain the precious Kaylor part of your creation this week.

Thank you Jesus. Amen

Wendy Smith

Kim B said...

Your blog was passed on to me from a friend of a friend of a friend.... I never met Jess but I see she touched many lives. May God's grace and peace be with you and your girls as you navigate this time.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path.

Anonymous said...

Jake,
I have put my faithful post it notes everywhere I will be today. (something happened to the memory around 40!) Each one has a different prayer for all of you. Like Sandy said you are all covered in prayer today. I think I'll add a first post it that prays for me not to lose the post-its! So thankful for the extra time you had with your mom and sis.
Love you all
Stegall's

Al Rearick said...

Slow learner? Nah, just a guy. Spoken from experience there.

Really loved what you started the post with. It's something I definitely need to learn.

Selflessness.... I feel guilty that here it is a week and I still haven't made the time to walk the hundred-or-so steps to your house to introduce myself and tell you face-to-face how much your blog has meant to me, how much Jessica's story has meant to me, how much y'alls testimony has inspired me. I hate it that we can live so close to other people and yet see them about as often as we see out-of-town relatives. Reading this blog has made me resolve to change that.

My prayers continue to be with you.

In Him and around the corner,
Al

Lynne said...

Jake --- keep up the good work... you are all in our thoughts and prayers.

As you tell the stories about Jessica and your family we are all reminded how she continues to touch us in so many ways.

Love,
Lynne and Dave

Amy said...

Praying for you all every morning around 8am your time. I'm so thankful you posted about church. I really prayed you all would be hugely blessed.
Love,
Amy