Author: kathryn

kathrynhttps://prayforanne.wordpress.comTeacher, servant & child of God
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Anne’s 1st day of school!

I really can’t imagine a better situation for Anne. She is part of a small group of students most of her day. She only stays half the day; she is getting loads of therapy from qualified therapists, and her teacher is excited by the challenges Anne brings to her classroom!

After a brief rest period at home, Anne had a speech therapy session this afternoon. I thought she might be overwhelmed and overtired from school, but she did GREAT! She was calm and focused. She was able to attend to tasks for a longer period, and she was able to do certain skills that she has never been able to do before.

But I think I was most encouraged by a phone call from a friend early this morning. She just called to say that she remembered that this was Anne’s first day of school, and that she had felt led to pray for us all morning. Her prayers reminded me that our family is never forgotten by Jesus – that He sees us and is interceding on our behalf.

Thank you to all of you who have prayed for Anne. We are most grateful!!!!

-kathryn

Looking back at 2010

Eric shared a verse with me tonight. It pretty much sums up our year…

2 Corinthians 4:16-18: So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Eric said at Thanksgiving that he was thankful for this year. It is not what we would have chosen for Anne or for our family, but we’ve seen God deepen our dependence upon and love for Him through this ‘light and momentary affliction.’

We are grateful for God working out His purposes through us and for the love and prayer you all have given to us.

Here’s to a joy-filled 2011!

Love, Kathryn (for all the Jacksons)

Anne’s imagination

Merry Christmas!

Anne: What do I have behind my back, Daddy?
Eric (thinking really hard): Is it a bouncy ball?
Anne: It’s not just any bouncy ball. It’s a magic bouncy ball. Whenever you bite it, it turns into an elephant!

We all had a wonderful day, except for Canon who had a 101 degree fever. But he’s starting to feel better now.

Update from Neurologist

Here is an update from our neurology appointment this morning… The doctor walked into the examination room and began to ask questions about Anne’s history – and after about 5-10 minutes of his thorough questioning, Anne began to have one of her “episodes.”

The doctor said, “well look at that, she’s having a seizure.” It was one of her longest yet – 3 to 4 minutes – and the doctor took thorough notes through it all. He said it looked like a left-sided partial seizure. He prescribed medication, scheduled an EEG, and now we’ll add neurologist to the long list of doctors that we see regularly :-)

Anne’s seizures have been very inconsistent, so the fact that she had one WHILE THE DOCTOR WAS IN THE ROOM – was a miracle – and a direct answer to many prayers.

The good news is that they appear to involve a small area of Anne’s brain, are relatively mild and were diagnosed early enough to prevent future damage – at least we pray that is the case!

Thank you for your prayers!!! -kathryn

Struggling with Christmas

I just got home from our church’s Christmas program rehearsal. Three of us are particpating in it, so it was a busy night!

Tonight’s rehearsal crystalized some thoughts for me – as I’ve been wrestling with why I’m struggling with Christmas this year. I didn’t want to put up the tree, but I did it- for the kids’ sake. I didn’t want to deal with presents or wrapping paper. I don’t like seeing all the lights. It’s all so painful – b/c it’s all tainted with grief.

I think for the first time in my life, I find myself wanting to push past all of this christmas-y stuff – and find Jesus. I have this image in my mind of unwrapping this huge box that is covered with commercial christmas paraphernalia. And the box is really hard to unwrap and open – layers and layers and layers of paper and packing tape and packing material – to finally uncover the tiny Christ child – hiding in the bottom of the box.

Thinking of the Holy Night of Christmas requires discipline to be still – but thankfully, it is where I’ve found comfort this Christmas season…

And I’ve needed comfort… I am taking Anne to the neurologist tomorrow morning b/c we think she might be having seizures. We’ve been calling them “episodes.” She’ll zone out and jerk her body slowly. They last anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 or 3 minutes and they are SO difficult to watch. It’s just a painful reminder that my sweet little girl has a serious brain injury.

Will you pray for us tomorrow morning?

  1. that the neurologist will have wisdom to properly diagnose Anne, and
  2. that I wouldn’t get so anxious when these episodes do happen, and finally,
  3. that they would DISAPPEAR :-)

Trying to find Jesus at the bottom of the box… -kathryn

Visiting school

I’ve been greatly encouraged today by all of your guestbook entries and emails to me – THANK YOU! A friend from church even brought us dinner tonight. God continues to shower His favor upon our family through you all…

Anne’s visit to her school went really well today. She was visibly excited this morning, and said multiple times, “I can’t wait to go to school Mama!”

She will be in an orthopedically impaired class that is made up of multi-aged kids. Most of the kids attend a general ed classroom in the morning, so Anne will be in a small group of 2-3 kids for much of her school day.

At school, she was able to talk semi-appropriately with the students in her class. One very sweet 5th grader said, “Wow, she’s smart for a kindergartener.” That was encouraging to hear :-)

Anne’s teacher is already thinking of creative ways to incorporate therapy into her school day. We’re going back on Thursday so Anne can participate in the class’s holiday party.

All in all, it was a wonderful day in the middle of a difficult week – and I’m grateful!

thank you all! -kathryn

Dark days

Sorry that we haven’t posted in a while… Sometimes we don’t post because there just isn’t much to report – or it could be because we’re insanely busy… But this time it’s because I’ve been unusually sad. I don’t know whether it’s the Christmas season or other circumstances, but I just feel spent and downcast.

I’ve experienced enough dark seasons in my life to know that it won’t always be like this! One day I’ll look back at this Christmas, and be SO thankful that I’ve lived through it and don’t have to go back :-)

But something I read tonight encouraged me a little… It’s from December 13th’s entry of Streams in the Desert:

“Sometimes the darkness in our lives is worse, because we cannot even see the web we are weaving or understand what we are doing. Therefore we are unable to see any beauty or any possible good arising from our experience. Yet if we are faithful to forge ahead and ‘if we do not give up’ (Gal. 6:9), someday we will know that the most exquisite work of our lives was done during the days when it was the darkest.”

Oh I hope it is true!

…I am taking Anne to visit her new teacher tomorrow. Please pray for God to use her and the other students in Anne’s class for good in Anne’s life – and for God to use Anne for good in their lives as well.

Forging ahead :-) – kathryn

New & Wonderful Things

12-5-2010

Today was a big day for our family. Canon was baptized, and (along with several other children in our church) made a public confession of faith and was accepted into church membership.

It was the first time Anne has been to a worship service in a while. Since she’s become more emotive and vocal, we’ve only taken Anne to Sunday school. So, this morning, as I was wheeling Anne into worship, she exclaimed, “I’m so excited to be in church, mama!”

As everyone was singing, Anne looked down at the bulletin and pointed to one word in the middle of the page. “Mama, help me read that ‘G’ word. What does it say?” I replied, “G. O. D. God.”. So Anne repeated while everyone was singing, “G. O. D. God. G. O. D. God……” Out of all the words in the bulletin, little Anne points to God. You gotta love that!

When Pastor Pete got up to introduce all the children who were becoming members, Anne called out, “Hey Pastor Pete!” And after Pete introduced all the children, he asked, “Did I forget anybody?”. Little Anne yelled out from the middle of the congregation, “ME!!”. Everyone laughed, and sweet Anne did something new – she felt embarrassed.

Lots of new and wonderful things from Anne today. It was a good Sunday for the Jacksons :-)

-kathryn

God works all things together for good…

I can’t believe how this week has flown by. It’s been another busy week full of appointments and therapy. Anne continues to do well – taking each new place and person in stride.

Eric and I have been reminded this week of the ways God is using Anne’s injury for good…

First of all, we see good for Anne. Before, Anne was very shy and reserved. She saved her affections for a select few. She was paralyzed in a way by her concern over what others thought of her. it was our constant prayer that God would remove her self-absorption. Anne’s injury has helped to remove her self protective filters, so she is free to express what she feels. What we are left with is an extremely loving little girl.

Secondly, we see good for Kate. Anne was very controlling of Kate before the accident. Without Anne’s constant directing, Kate has blossomed into more of herself – which is a highly energetic, fun-loving, spirited little girl.

Lastly we see good in how God is shaping our character. He is molding Canon into a more compassionate little boy and rooting out the selfishness in Eric and me. It is painful, but good!

I’ll end with a brief bit of news. After a marathon meeting with the school system- at which we outlined all of her goals and requirements, Anne is set to start school in January! Everyone from the school system has been wonderful and has really strived to provide the very best services for Anne. I could not be more pleased :-)

Thank you for your continued prayers. We are grateful beyond words for the constant encouragement we receive from your comments and prayers for our family. Humbly, kathryn