Sunday--The Lord's Day--March 6

Hey--It's me again. Since it is Sunday, I thought we would begin the blog with our bible verse.  " Good people suffer many troubles , but the Lord saves them from them ALL."  Psalms 34:19
Did you notice it says ALL not some??? Praise God!!

Even though it is Sunday, I still had rehab.  They do not believe in a day of rest around here.  Today I walked 180 feet on my walker without assistance.  The second time I walked 200 feet on the walker with no assistance.  I had to sign my name on some insurance papers and did an adequate job.  I believe they can read it. My fine motor skills are returning gradually.  I stayed up in my wheelchair most of the morning without any problems.  I went downstairs and ate lunch with Jamie and Mia in the cafeteria.  It is so good to get out of this hospital room.  Mia loved visiting her Pawpaw.  She is so beautiful and full of life, such a joy!!

Will blog more later--Jacque  

Saturday--March 5

I have this poem that more or less expresses my feeling for everyone who has been praying for me.  It reads as follows:

I said a prayer for you today
And know God must have heard
I felt the answer in my heart
Although He spoke no word
I didn't ask for wealth of fame
(I knew you wouldn't mind.)
I asked Him to send treasures
Of a far more lasting kind.
I asked that He'd be near you
At the start of each new day
To grant you health and blessings
And friends to share your way.
I asked for happiness for you
In all things great and small
But it was for His loving care
I prayed for most of all.

Jacque :)

Day 10 of rehab

Hey this is Jacque again. Now that I am better, I shall take charge of the announcements regarding my health.  I do this to ensure accuracy,please be advised that Laure is typing this and that I have no control over her spelling nor her punctuation.

Today on day 10 I was able to walk 50 feet, 60 feet, 65 feet, and 75 feet on a walker without assistance.  The therapist can not believe how rapidly I am improving.  I credit this to God, the prayers that have been offered for me, and my determination not to let this thing beat me.  I have more feeling in my hands and my legs with each day.  That is an indication, that the nerves are healing.  Please continue to pray for me and I will try to do my part.  God may have given me a boat but I believe that He expects me to row.

Love to all of you--Jacque

ps--Go Winnfield Tigerettes--State Champions 2A Girls Basketball--We are so proud!!

Bible verse for the night:  " I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me."
Phillipians 4:13

March 3--Jacque's Comments

Hey everyone it's me.  I just wanted to stop and thank everyone for all the prayers.  I am so humbled over the prayers and concern shown to me during my illness.  On the first day of rehab I was unable to get out of bed and into the wheelchair without the help of three people.  I also was barely able to stand erect between  parallel bars without assistance.  On this ninth day of rehab I am able to get in and out of bed and into the wheelchair without assistance.  I also took 37 steps and 40 steps unassisted using a walker.  This may not seem like much, but the therapist say that the other patients they treated who had my condition took over a month to get this far.  I know my success is due to the grace of God and to your prayers. The doctor says that I am running a marathon not a sprint and it will be some time before I am fully recovered. This experience has increased my faith and I hope I will be a better person as a result.  I do know that things would not be as good as they are without the prayers that have been sent up by you to our God.  The Lord does not promise us a rose garden but he does promise to give us the strength to get through our trials so long as we stick with Him.  Again thank you so much for caring about me and my family. I hope to see everyone soon.  Love to all of you--Jacque (typed by Laure :))
Thought for the night:  "The circumstances in our lives seem random and unplanned--but someday we will see the order of God's hand."  Sper
Opps--I almost forgot to thank some of God's angels for their help today.  Rayford Riley came and gave me a much needed haircut.  He was accompanied by Carrol Varnell and Glenn Gilcrease.  We all had a great visit.  It was just like being in the City Barbershop in Winnfield. Friends like this are rare and very much loved.  Good Night and God bless.

March 3

Good morning to all.  This is the second time I have typed this blog this morning.  I have finally figured it out.  What happens is that I get dropped from the wireless internet.  Oh well, lets try it again.

Jacque had a great night.  The itching seems to be better.  He took his first shower today and had no blood pressure problems.  Praise God.  He ate a great breakfast.  He is gaining a lot of his weight back.  The bad thing is that I am gaining mine back too.  After breakfast we always do our bible reading. Now I let him pick out the verse for the day.  Then I write the verse on his dry erase board that is on the wall in the hospital room.  Today verse is, "And this small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory , much greater than the trouble."  The nurses and the therapists come in each morning and read the quote for the day.  Jacque also listens to some gospel music on his ipod.  We do the spiritual workout before the therapists do the physical workout.  It seems to be working-Jacque is getting stronger every day.

Yesterday we had alot of visitors that came to visit.  My niece Delle and her husband Justin Fontenot came.  Justin hunts with Jacque so they enjoyed talking about the deer woods.  Vivian Adams came by and brought us hot fudge sundaes.  And of course, our angel, Jamie came by and shaved her daddy and washed his hair. We are so appreciative to everyone who takes time to come by.  The visits help the time pass quicker.

Got to go will blog more later.  Laure :)

March 2

Good morning to you all.  God is good. Jacque had a good night's sleep and so did I.  He just got back from rehab-11 am--and is resting and waiting for his lunch.  He did great in rehab and is now walking forwards and backwards.  He said he has more feelings in his hands today.  Everything is improving.  We are so blessed. WE GIVE GOD ALL THE GLORY.  Tomorrow he is going to try to take his first shower.  They tried last Tuesday, but his blood pressure dropped real low(80/30) and they had to stop.  He has not had any blood pressure problems all week--so they will try again tomorrow. He is gaining weight.  I weighed him yesterday and the bed scale said he weighed 160.4 pounds.  He weighed 150 last week.  He weighed 175 when he got sick. So you can see, he is getting better and better.

Jacque and I got a beautiful email from one of his high school friends.  She talked about how the bible messages were so uplifting to her.  She went on to say that, giving God the glory for Jacque's healing was helping others to understand how important God is to having real peace in this life. Sometimes we don't understand why bad things happen, but if going through this terrible disease brings just one soul closer to the Lord, it was all worth it.  I have always been a blooming optimist--when life gives you lemons--make lemonade. It makes life so much easier. My faith is what gives me my strength.  I am nothing without my God. His spirit lives in me. That leads me to our bible verse for the day--Jacque picked it out--because it has to do with walking!!!
" But those that trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed.  They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary and they will WALK AND NOT GROW WEAK."
Isaiah 40:31

 Have a great day--We are going to have one too.  Love--Laure and Jacque :)

March 1

Isn't it funny that today is the first day of March and Jacque is MARCHING!!! Yes, he is really walking with lots of help, but still walking.  He is moving his feet on his own.  His knees are no longing buckling.  He can feel his right leg but still has little feeling in the left, but it will come too.  Kelly Lawrence came to visit and got to see him walk. The therapist asked if Kelly was Jacque's son!! They both had a good laugh over that.

The case manager came in and told us that we were cleared by the insurance until March 9th. The insurance company will then reevaluate us on March 9th to determine if we will stay longer. Our goal is to be able to walk with a walker whenever we do leave. Wouldn't it be great if it was March 9th!!! No one seems to think it will be that soon--but I can pray!!!

Jacque and I are so thankful for all the prayers.  Jacque is still getting cards!!!! I read him everyone's emails.  We appreciate everyone's concern. 

God bless you all.  Bible verse for the day, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you;  He will never leave you or forsake you.  Do not be afraid ; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8