02 November 2008

Time

I have been spending a lot of time the past few days thinking about Jessica and the impact that she made on my life. Her love for Jesus and her family and friends should challenge each of us to be better people.

When we first joined the Edge Sunday School class at our church, I remember Jessica and Jake always making a point to speak to David and I and ask how we were doing. Jessica was one of the few people that would wait for an answer to that "how are you" question and then she cared how I answered it. Then, weeks later, she would follow up on what I had said. She had a genuine interest in those around her.

Later, after she had been diagnosed with cancer, when I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, Jessica cooked my family dinner. I remember that she brought us beef and broccoli and an Oreo cookie pudding dessert. She had gone to much effort to make sure that she made us a homemade dessert that was egg free so that Kirstyn could eat it. I remember feeling very special and very grateful that she cared like that for my family even though we didn't know each other well.

Then, Jessica and I served in MOPS together. While we were both serving on the Steering Team, Jessica was my small group leader. We were able to get to know each other much better during play dates at Chick-fil-a, mom's nights out over dinner, and, one time, we scheduled a pedicure night and Jessica and I were the only ones that made it. We had a great time talking and laughing, mostly sharing stories about our girls. I also remember her encouraging me to start exercising. I had started a morning boot camp program with some other women from our Sunday school class and Jessica shared with me how she was getting up almost every morning at 5:30 to go to the gym to get in her workout. Her determination was impressive.

Tomorrow I will be wearing my Journey with Jessica t-shirt to MOPS and I know for sure that because of the impact that Jessica has had on me, I will be a better wife, mother, and friend.

sign

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jess's story is a little too close to home for me to deal with - I have skimmed the site (through yours) on several occasions and am devastated to see that yet another wonderful, young, and beautiful person was taken by this disease. I keep her family in my thoughts and prayers.

Unknown said...

she sounds like an amazing woman.

Jaimee said...

I just went over to read about her story. She sounds like an amazingly strong woman. Her testimony will surely help others to find strength in Him.

Alpha 1 Vann Clan said...

You are right--She was so interested in the answer to "how are you". What a nice tribute to Jess.
Kim

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