10 Days of Thanks...Day 1: Jake

       Last Thanksgiving, I was new to social networking.  A friend on Facebook, posted each day in November, something that she was thankful for. I would like to do the same. This year has been my "coming out party", of sorts. So, I would like to indulge some "open" thank you notes. A small gesture to some friends and family that have really touched my life. Impacted me and made me a better person. I know that I stated, in my first post, that I will only write on here once or twice a month. That it still true. I had determined to write Facebook "thank you" notes a while back. So, why not send them out for all to see?!  I have chosen, Jake, to be first. Why? Well, because he made a marvelous homemade dinner Saturday night. It has left me begging for more! Chicken parmesan. Yummy! All joking aside, Jake has done much more than anyone could possibly know. While Mark was at work, during my darkest days, Jake helped "raise" this family......
      I had the great joy of meeting, Jake Allen Romoser, on April 4, 1994. He is my first born child. He is known to some as Jakers, Jakey or Jakester. And, some that encountered him as a child, knew him to be an "old soul". One Thanksgiving, our family sat around the table sharing the things that we were most thankful for. With candles lit, at Jake's turn, he simply said, "I am the white parable". We all just sat quietly for a bit. And, then giggled. After all, he was only four. (There is a beautiful picture of this actual moment! I hope to put it on here, soon!)
      I have wonderful memories of being Jake's mommy. I was a great mom in the early years of his life. Then things got a little "cloudy". When he was in fourth grade, I began my descent into a "black hole". While, I do not remember alot of the bad stuff  (between 2004-08),  my family have helped  to "fill in the gaps".  I was not very nice. I did many hurtful and embarrassing things. Jake was not a "fan" of me. In fact, while he did love me, he also despised me. But, all the while, he did many things to take care of our home. In 5th grade Jake began recording cooking shows. How cool, you might think? Not really. He just wanted a home cooked meal. Something more than pizza. After all, we had it several times a week. What started as a necessity, became a hobby. (He now loves to cook).  Jake would record the shows, write down the recipes, make a list of ingredients and have my mom take him to the store. He made many delicious meals. He still does! He would keep the kitchen clean, fold clothes and play with his brothers and sister. He fed them. And all the time, studied and made excellent grades. Jake became a little adult. He had little need for me,................. or so I thought. He needed my love.
      When I returned home, in the Summer of '08, all of my kids were so glad to see me. But, I knew immediately that Jake was reserved and not so "open" to me. In fact, after I had been home for a couple of months, he yelled at me one day, "You have'nt changed one bit"!!! It stung. As I have shared before, I gained a lot of wonderful "tools" to help in my recovery, while at Brookhaven. But, when I returned home, my soul was still starving. And, I was not feeding it.......yet. I returned, only to retreat back into my "room". He saw this as a strike at what he had hoped would be a "new and improved" mom. He was hard on me. I can now, thank him for that. Although, at the time, he made me angrier. Through my struggles, I was always the hardest on Jake. But, you would never know it today. We are closer than ever. We talk about everything. Shhh! Don't tell him this. But, he loves to come snuggle and have his head rubbed!
      Jake asked Jesus in his heart when he was five years old. He was baptized, at age 8, by Randy Adams, at FBC, McAlester. He has always loved the Lord. He is a leader in our church youth group. He plays in the church orchestra, handbells and sings in the youth choir. Jake has a strong, passionate voice. (My genes!). Watching him rehearse for our church' Dinner Theater, has been a great treat....he can dance, too! Ha! (I am winking at you, Jake!) He plays the trombone in the Jenks HS band, where he is a student leader. He is in AP classes and is currently making A's and B's! (Mark's genes!). He is a member of the Commemorative Air Force. He also participates in a weekly Bible study for young men. Jake has led some of his friends to the Lord this year. He always amazes me. He has a big, inviting spirit about him.
       A woman, in our church, recently shared with me how grateful she is, for Jake. Her grandson is in the youth group. He has Asbergers. She told me that he tells her many times that Jake has helped him. Made him to feel welcome. And, a part of the group. We recently recently received a message from another church member:
 Kari,
You have certainly been blessed with a wonderful family. I wanted to tell you and Mark, that I am so thankful that Jake is a man of wisdom, integrity and kindness. Jake is more than a friend to Wiley Dustin and we have all been blessed by his friendship. Wiley Dustin tells me that Jake is like a personal body guard! This gives Wiley a good feeling, when he believes that someone is watching over him.

This reminds me, that we all have a personal body guard! Christ watches over us, always! All of the time, even in our darkest hour. All we have to do is let Him. I honestly believe that you are here today. Because of your body guard and your family!

Thanks again, for your family, and sharing your families journey.
Wiley Dorrough

Also, my sweet friend, Debbie Williams, is constantly sharing how Jake always offers to lead in prayer, help keep the guys quiet and helps the newer members of youth choir. These are just a few!
      I must now share that Jake is not perfect. You should see his room right now! Oh, boy! But, his heart is right. We have always thought of him as a gentle giant. He is very tall and broad in stature. Always thoughtful. Jake has his dad's dry wit. If you are not listening, you will miss it! He has had some hardships along the way. As his mother, who now sees with great clarity, I know that the enemy will strike any one of us. Even my son. Jake is a godly, young man. Better than me, in many ways. He prays for those that have hurt him. Hurt us. I have been in awe of that. Give him a "shout out" on here! Whether, you know him or not. He would love it! Who wouldn't?! Pray for him just now. God has done and is doing great things in his life. He plans on attending our Alma Mater, Oklahoma Baptist University, in the Fall of 2012.  He is thinking  pre-med! Jake is currently, trying to raise $1200 to go back to Belize in March. He had a great mission experience there this past Spring. Hire him! Jobs, big or small! We need  it! Sending Zach, too...
      Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. Please click to "Follow" in the upper, right hand corner. And, please share this blog with friends and family! Blessings to you all!
       Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you so much for Jake. Thank you, for giving him to us. Please watch over him always. Help him to keep his eyes fixed on You. Bless him and protect him. Amen
GISG! God is SO good!
Kari