“Let the peoples praise You, O God;
let all the peoples praise You.”
~Psalm 67:5~
Written by Connor Corkern’s Mom about Jadon and his Family
Tomorrow a very dear friend of mine will take her 2 year old son to Michigan to have half of his brain removed in hopes of relieving his tired little body of seizures. Let’s talk about courage, stength? Faith? Boy, does she have it all.. I’ve known Monica for most of my adult life. We have had many ups in our single life finding the perfect mate, both have a need to work with children with special needs, and are both mothers who would go to the ends of the earth to help her child. She is simly amazing. She has effortlessly made HUGE decisions all in trying to cure her son. She has tried many remedies to help sweet, sweet Jadon. Nothing has helped. She gives me courage and helps restore my faith.
Jadon was born in August of 2008. I can remember being so excited because Monica was going to have two boys, just like me. Little did we know that our similarities would keep on going…unfortunately. Jadon was diagnosed with infantile spasms when he was 5 months old. These spasms, have turned into seizures that have taken control of his life, along with his families. I HATE that Jadon has to go through so much so young, but I know that he was once a brave soul, just like my Connor, who came to the Earth to help people find compassion, love, and renew their love in the Lord. Luckily Jadon found the perfect parents, and best big brother Jacob. They give Jadon such unconditional, unfailing love that I’m in awe of.
They take off tomorrow on a jet plane. Are they going into the unknown? Yes. Are they scared? Yes. But are they hopeful? Absolutely yes. I told Monica that I was extremely worried about coming home from China with a blind Connor. I was worried that our community would think they did all of this for nothing. Even though Connor came back with some vision, he is still legally blind. I know that our community will stand by us no matter what. We live in a wonderful place where people genuinely care for one another, they look out for each other, and deeply love their neighbor. Even if they’ve never met.
So, as you go about your day tomorrow my friends, please say a silent prayer for my friend Monica, Adam, Jacob, and beautiful Jadon. Just imagine laying your child into a stranger’s arms to cut into their brain. But imagine the strength of a mother hoping to cure her son’s epilepsy. Thank you my friends. love you all. love you most Monica.
Jadon’s Story: Tomorrow is the day
We are leaving for Detroit tomorrow. I can’t believe it is already here. I really don’t have much to say because this is starting to feel like a dream. Anyway we are having a prayer send off tomorrow at 2:00 in the parking lot at house on the rock. We would love to see you there. I’m very excited that the community can all come together as one and pray for me. It’s awesome and I can’t wait to see everyone before I leave. Well I’ll update you once we get to Detroit. Right now I’m going to snuggle with my mom in the rocking chair while she holds me just a little tighter tonight. Thanks all of you for your prayers. I can’t believe how many people are praying for me and how many people truly love me. Love you all!!! Jadon
I think we can all admire the strength of this family. I hope you will keep them close to your heart and in your prayers throughout the coming days.
Thought for the Day: It’s not easy being a mom
Judith Viorst once wrote an essay based on interviews she had with children. The subject was “What’s a good mother like?”Viorst reports that the children expected their mother to get angry from time to time. “She has to,” said Ted, “or she’ll faint from holding it in.”
“But it’s best to remember,” said Randy, “that when your mother starts to act real weird, you have to look scared and serious. Don’t giggle. When mommies are mad, they get madder if you giggle.”
“My mommy got so mad,” said Megan, “that she yanked the plate off the table and all the mashed potatoes flew into the air.”
“And why,” Viorst asked, pretending she’d never heard of such shocking behavior, “why would a mother do a thing like that?”
“Well,” said Megan, “she told my older brother, Mike, he’s 11 years old, to eat the potatoes on his plate and he said ‘Later.’ And then she told him again to eat the potatoes and Mike said ‘Soon.’ And then she told him he had better eat those potatoes right now and he said, ‘In a minute.’ And then she stood up and Mike finally took a bite and told her, ‘How can I eat them? They’re cold!'”
It truly is not easy being a Mom! But how blessed we were to have our mothers. In this country, we will honor our mothers on Sunday, and I think it’s certainly appropriate. Paul said we as Christians are to “give honor to whom honor is due” (Romans 13:7), and I can’t think of anyone any more deserving of honor than our mothers. I hope that you will honor in a special way those mothers who are like Hannah.
In I Samuel 1, we have recorded the birth of Samuel. Before he was born, Hannah prayed a vow to God. She said, “O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.” (I Samuel 1:11)
The Lord heard her petition and she was blessed with the birth of Samuel. Hannah didn’t forget her vow to the Lord. She took her son Samuel to be trained at the feet of Eli, the priest of God. From a very young age, Hannah made sure that her son was preparing to serve the Lord.
I heard about a preacher a number of years ago who came home after preaching a gospel meeting, and he was asked how it went. Rather discouraged, he said that he had only baptized one young girl who was about 12 or 13 years old — all in all, comparatively speaking, not a very successful meeting. But, after that girl grew up, she married and became the mother of five sons who became gospel preachers. What a great impact that young lady ended up having in the world!
I know that mothers — especially mothers of young children — sometimes get discouraged because they wonder if they’re really accomplishing anything. Let me assure you that if you are instilling within your children a love for God and His Word, you’re accomplishing something. It may be years down the road before you see the results, but you’re having an impact. You’re making a difference.
Give honor this weekend to your own mother — and to those mothers around you — who, like Hannah, have vowed to give their children over to God.
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Jadon’s mother, Monica, has shown such strength. What a mother! Jadon was blessed to have a wonderful, strong mom who knows God and trusts Him enought to surrender her two year old for brain surgery this week.
Anna Lee
I need to update you on Joey Messina’s wife. She came through brain surgery which seems to be a success. Joey and the family are thankful for your prayers.
The Prayer Link 
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