Jamie Thanks You for Your Prayers

Update April 17, 2008

As you can see Jamie is now in the "getting better" mode. It's great to read the progress of her recovery and see she is going to be out at various races sharing her knowledge and experience with us average folks. She will be a huge help to so many even if she doesn't line up for the race. So, again "thanks" will be going in her direction!

But let me tell you a story...

Years ago, I was in a similar situation as Jamie. I had a severely herniated disc in my neck and had lost all feeling in my right ring and little fingers. my right pectoral and triceps muscles had completely shriveled away. I could hardly lift 5lbs over my head with a triceps press and my wife said, "I looked deformed." Our doctor told me I had to have 3 vertebrae in my neck fused and I should have the surgery within a couple of days because I was close to losing the use of my arm altogether. I had several people praying for me. One friend, told me about a bible study at this person's house on Sunday and I should come by for them to pray for me. I thanked him. On Sunday, after church we went to lunch and on the way home remembered my friends offer. As I was driving by the turn to go to the bible study I thought, "You know, I've had so many friends praying for me, I don't really need to go." But then this story popped in my mind. A story I don't think of... Ever!

When Elisha was in his last illness, King Jehoash of Israel visited him and wept over him. “My father! My father! I see the chariots and charioteers of Israel!” he cried. Elisha told him, “Get a bow and some arrows.” And the king did as he was told.  Elisha told him, “Put your hand on the bow,” and Elisha laid his own hands on the king’s hands. Then he commanded, “Open that eastern window,” and he opened it. Then he said, “Shoot!” So he shot an arrow. Elisha proclaimed, “This is the Lord’s arrow, an arrow of victory over Aram, for you will completely conquer the Arameans at Aphek.” Then he said, “Now pick up the other arrows and strike them against the ground.” So the king picked them up and struck the ground three times.  But the man of God was angry with him. “You should have struck the ground five or six times!” he exclaimed. “Then you would have beaten Aram until it was entirely destroyed. Now you will be victorious only three times.”
Tyndale House Publishers: Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 2nd ed. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 2004, S. 2 Ki 13:14-19

When this story came to mind I turned the car around and went to my friend's bible study. They prayed for me as did others and today, I have never had that surgery. It took a while but my muscles came back (although after 12 years I'm still weaker now on the right side), I became an Ironman triathlete and I have never experienced that pain again!

You see, I believe we need to always pray... Keep praying and don't stop praying until you get the result you want. Remember he parable Jesus told about a widow who had a problem and needed the unjust judge to fix it? He sent her away but she kept on "pestering" him until he finally relented and said, "Somebody please take care of this woman!!!" (read Luke 18:1-8)

So, for Jamie... Let's keep praying; striking the ground and being a nag! God loves it when we come to him for all the right reasons and He will answer!

"Father we know you are a good and gracious God, loving toward us and wanting us to live life to our full potential. Will you please heal Jamie fully? Return the feeling in her foot and rebuild the muscles around her leg. Keep her positive and grant her favor with doctors, insurance companies, physical therapists and family and friends who need to continue to care for her. We look to you for her strength and ask you to work this miracle for your glory! Thank you for Jamie and make yourself known because of this journey. We thank you God for all you've done and trust you for all we need. In Jesus name!"

Amen!

Update April 2, 2008

Jamie continues to recover at UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco. The good news is the tumor is out and she has begun her recovery back to a normal life. As I've been telling folks, the surgery wasn't a grand slam home run but it was a home run! There really is no bad news to tell other than she must wait to see how well the recovery process treats her. So, DoxA readers here's what I'm asking of you: Please continue to pray for Jamie's complete healing. That her pain goes away and she is able to quickly regain her strength. Pray for normalcy and ask God to bless both her and Courtney with time that has been lost due to all the hospital stays, travel and inconvenience of these past couple of months. They are encouraged that God has been so gracious to them and much of what they know now is nothing compared to what this could have been. Personally, thank God for your health and the example Jamie has been to you as an athlete showing tenacity and grit to win at the race of Xterra and for the person she is to win at the race of life.

Well, here we are sitting in the waiting room at UCSF Medial Hospital in San Fransisco. Jamie will finally get the tumor that has caused her tremendous pain and discomfort removed from her body. Many of you have been praying for Jamie and Courtney. She is personally grateful and taped this quick video to let you know personally how much you thinking of them means to them. Keep praying!

Comments

[alexsandra]

She is so courageous, inspiring, and filled with faith...."I can't wait to tell you I'm OK"...I can't wait also.

Praying even more.
God Bless!

[Stan]

Dan,

Thanks for the updates and for being there with/for Jamie and Courtney and their family. Chrissy and I are praying for Jamie and Courtney, for good news, for healing, and for the gifts of Joshua 1:9 - strenght and courage.

Finish strong,
Stan

[Marcus George]

Hey Dan,

Thanks for the updates. Jamie is in my prayers and I know that God will use this experience for His glory.

In HIS mighty grip,
Marcus

[Dan Perkins]

Marcus... great to hear from you and thanks for keeping Jamie in your prayers!

[Bree]

That's right Jamie... you are okay! See you in Maui! ha ha... God bless your socks off!