Jarod

Jarod was born on September 8, 1999 just after midnight in Opelika, Alabama.  We were just about to celebrate our second anniversary.  I had a dream when I was pregnant with him that I gave birth to a full size house!  The Dr. laughed at me and said that was the first time in all his years that he had ever heard that one!  I think it was all the horror stories of child birth that other mothers around me continued to share.  I guess it's a right of passage or something - but they scared this poor girl to death!  I would cry myself to sleep, terrified out of my mind.  I begged God to give me a good experience and even if not - to help me keep my mouth shut to future mothers out there.   God answered my prayer.  Jarod was 9 lbs. 8 oz. and 23 1/2 inches long.  I decided that with an epidural - yes - I could even give birth to a house!  No horror stories here!  God is good.  Jarod came into our lives and changed them forever.  I love being a mom!

  

Jarod was a surprise.  A pleasant one, of course.  He was God's perfect plan.  He turned 3 while we were living with my mom and caring for her while she was sick with ALS.  He couldn't have been much older as we were only married a little over a year when I became pregnant - but I could not have handled a child any younger and taken proper care of my mom too.  He kept us on our toes for sure - but he was a joy to my mom.  He kept her laughing and kept a very hard situation, pleasant.  He was our entertainment and our sanity.  He helped keep us so busy we didn't have time to have a pity party.  He was our miracle.  I know that God's timing was perfect - and although God is not finished with my son - His first plan was fulfilled by being in that house and ministering to my mother in a way that no one else could.  I love him for that.

Singing to Grandma

Because of my mom's death, this 3 year old had a lot of questions about life, death and eternity.  He understood the authority and importance of Christ at a young age.  It was talked about constantly as my mother faced death.  I remember one day, when mom was not doing so well, I mentioned to Jarod in a conversation that Grandma was going to go to heaven soon.  Jarod became so excited, ran into my mom's room where she was laying in her hospital bed and shouted, "Grandma!  Did you know that you get to see Jesus soon?"  He was thrilled for her.  The faith of a little child.  During this time he had also asked me why we can't see God's eyes.  He's amazing.

Russell baptized him Easter 2005.  5 1/2 years old.

He grasped the understanding of salvation early.  He loved the Lord and at age 4 1/2, he went into his room and prayed to receive Christ all on his own.  Russ and I were shocked!  That wasn't the way we had anticipated it happening.  So we watched him for several days and saw God do a transformation in his life.  It was awesome.

 

 2005 was a big year for Jarod.  He was in Pre-K and he became a big brother!  It took a little adjusting, after having us all to himself for so long.  But his adjustment was more with me than with his sister.  He loved her!  He took to being a big brother just fine.  He is still a great brother.  A bit bossy at times - but he looks out for her.

Jarod has proven time and again to be our flexible child.  Change doesn't seem to phase him much.  If you have read our "Story of Us", you know that we have had a lot of changes and challenges over the years, but he just goes with the flow.  God knew he needed to be that way.

Jarod is very smart and does great in school.  He loves being outdoors and he enjoys drawing.  He is very talented in that regard.  He LOVES to read!  I can hardly keep up with all the books that come in and out of this house. He loves pirates and adventure, mystery and suspense.  He also enjoys history.  He loves being outside and he loves hiking and swimming. When we were in Oregon in the summer of 2008, he was introduced to horses.  We had a really hard time getting him away from the barn.

He is now 17 years old, in the 11th Grade and is driving.  He has spent the last two summers in Maine as a counselor at an all boys camp.  He enjoys hiking, camping and being outdoors.

Russ and I stay on our knees, praying that God will see him through it.  That God will see us through it!  Knowing that EVERYTHING that comes into his life - good or bad - is meant for a purpose.  To make him into the man that God needs him to be later.

Easter 2014

I know that God has great plans for Jarod, as He has already been using him in a mighty way in the lives of the people around us.  I'm am truly thankful for my son and all that he is becoming.

Fall 2016