C Your Way Through-: The Lessons I Learned from Daddy's Girl

by James E. Jones, Jarae' Jones, Dr James Jones Jr

Overview

This book talks about the perspectives of a father and daughter as they deal with the daily struggles of diabetes after learning his only child has Type 1 Diabetes. They reveal how their daily lives change from a spiritual and natural standpoint.

They encourage readers to stand on faith and know that just because you may be temporarily knocked down, you don't have to be counted out because with God you can C Your Way Through.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781481734547
Publisher:	AuthorHouse
Publication date:	04/05/2013
Pages:	58
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.12(d)

Read an Excerpt

C YOUR WAY THROUGH

The Lessons I Learned From Daddy's Girl

---

By James Jones Jr., Jarae' Jones

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2013 Dr. James Jones Jr. & Jarae' Jones
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4817-3454-7

---

Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

A DAUGHTER'S PERSPECTIVE

Diabetes is a condition when the pancreas doesn't make enough insulin or your body stops responding to the insulin that is produced, so that glucose in the blood cannot be absorbed into the cells of the body. Some of the symptoms that I had were frequent urination, tiredness, excessive thirst, and hunger. There are two main types of diabetes, Type I and Type II. Type I is the more popular among children and is often called "Juvenile-onset Diabetes".

I have Type 1 Diabetes. I have had it for four years. You have to get needles when you start but when you get later into it, you can get this thing called a pump. When I first started, I was scared of needles but after a while, I got use to it. Every four months I have to get blood drawn so they can make sure my levels or blood are ok. People my age are supposed to check their sugar 4 or 5 times per day; you really need to check your sugar before you go to bed so that your levels are good when you wake up. If you don't, your sugar can be sky high when you wake up. If don't take care of yourself while you have diabetes, you can spend most of your time in the hospital, with your doctor, or in some type of place that can help you or try to help you get better.

When I first found out that I might have diabetes, my doctor told me and my parents that I had to go to the hospital. I was really scared. When I first got to the hospital, I had to have blood drawn so they could check to see if I really had it or not. When they got my tests results back and found that I did, they took me to a hospital room. I had roommates and sometimes I would be really loud at night. Other nights, they would be really loud because they check your sugar level and iv every so many hours. It seemed like every time we would get settled, it was time to get checked.

Most of the time my grandma would stay with me and my mom until my dad came back from church. I had lots of visitors while I was in the hospital like: Mary Jones-Turner (my grandma), Janelle Jones (my auntie), Javon Jones (my cousin), Veronica Robinson (Friend), Fran clary (an auntie), Terrel heckstall (Friend), Shack Heckstall (Friend), Jailyn Heckstall (Friend) and Joe Ratliff (uncle). when I went to the hospital I missed out on a lot of things. For instance, the night I went to the hospital I was supposed to dance at church so I was really sad because I didn't get to. Since it was during the school year, I missed schoolwork and tests. I was really scared at first but then something just told me, "Don't be scared, it's okay. You will be fine. Just do what they say."

When I first got to the hospital, my sugar level was 411 and they were trying to get it down so I could go home. I really wanted to go home because I missed church, school and my friends. While I was in the hospital, my parents and I had to learn a lot about living with diabetes and how our lives were going to change as a result of this new condition in my life. One of the things we had to learn was calculating the numbers of units I needed to give myself to correct my sugar level. For example, when I wake up in the morning if my sugar is 250 I subtract 135 (optimal sugar level) and I get 115. I then divide that by 35 and I get 3.27. So in order to correct my sugar and bring it down to an optimal level, I would give myself 3 units of insulin. However, if I am eating, I would count the number of carbs in the foods that I am eating. Let's say I am eating sandwich with 75 carbs. I would divide that 75 by 10 to get 7.5. So this would be 8 units of insulin. When I check my sugar prior to eating, I account for my current level and the food that I am about to eat. So using the previous example, if my sugar is 250 and I eat a sandwich with 75 carbs. I would add the two numbers together, 3.27 + 7.5 = 10.77. So I would give myself 11 units of insulin.

With Type I Diabetes, you have to check your sugar levels more often and give yourself insulin shots. After starting with the shot, I moved to what is called the omni pod. It is very easy and convenient. it does all the calculations for me to make sure my insulin levels remain normal. The first day that I tested out the pods was February 7th 2010. It was a big day. I had 3 choices of pods to choose from. So for the weekend, I used the omni pod and I liked it very much so I asked for it. The programming process for the omni pod was not as easy as choosing it to regulate my diabetes. You have to be sure to program the omni pod right so that the time and the insulin amounts are set right so that I am given the right amounts on a regular basis and that took a while. When the omni pod arrived, it came in a bag with the pod, a personal Diabetes manager (PDM) for which you have to purchase batteries, a calculator, a log, a mini notebook and a food book call 'Calorie King'. You have an option of a green or pink bag. I chose pink. You also get choice of green or purple for your calculator and I chose purple. Put the pod on by following these steps:

Step 1: Fill the "Pod" with insulin. The pod automatically primes itself and performs safety checks to prepare for the delivery of insulin.

Step 2: on your PDM go to "more actions" and select the option that you are going to remove the "pod" from site (where you currently have your pod on your body). Then select "Yes" to activate the pod.

Step 3: put the "Pod" on the site and then select "Next" and then "Start". The cannula (needle) is automatically inserted and insulin delivery begins.

Step 4: Say "Yes" or "No" to let the PDM know if the cannula is inserted in your skin correctly. If it inserted properly, click "Yes" and then your PDM will go back to the regular screen or if you click "No" then you have to go back to Step 3.

When you are not diabetic, you can go as you please and eat what you want, but as a diabetic you have to count your carbohydrates. I keep track of my carbs in a binder but some people have books. Some people think that I can't eat or drink certain things because I am diabetic like regular soda or sugar gum but if you weren't in the hospital and did not get the education about living with this condition; then you don't know what I can or can't have. Sometimes people don't understand why I have the Pod and why it sticks through my shirt. When I get in the pool, they ask, "what's that thing on your stomach or your leg?" I just tell them it is medicine and I have to put it on. When people keep asking me about my diabetes or my pod, sometimes it makes me a little annoyed or it makes me feel bad that I have diabetes.

I remember the day before I left the hospital when people came to visit me; I was walking, dancing and entertaining people. no one really believed I was sick because I acted like and most people treated me like, the same girl before we found out about the diabetes. The first time that I went to someone's house after finding out about my diabetes, it was Fran Clary's. I had a sleepover with Zykyah, my cousin. We had a lot of fun but of course when it came down to eating, everyone was worried out of their minds about what they could eat. So, I had to help them figure out how to read the carbs. It is really simple; you look at the serving size and then go down to regular carbs and you count those. Then you add those up. I had fun and my friend/cousin had a blast with me even though I had diabetes and had to take shots, she still cared for me and played with me the same way.

Right now, I have had diabetes for four years and I've been very good at what I do and maintaining my diabetes. I have had my insulin pump for two years and I like it. Every day I wake and before I go to sleep I pray not just for me but for everyone who has my condition and anyone who has something worse. This is what I say:

Lord I pray that they can find a cure for everything that's out there or at least let the people have enough strength in their bodies to go to sleep and awaken in the morning. Let them also be able to wake and take their medicine. Also, let them be able to have the courage to be the same person and not have to be someone that they are not deep down inside because of their medical condition. Also, let everyone know that being afraid of being themselves is wrong and if people don't like them for who they are, then they need to let them go. And finally, lord I ask that you help all families that are going through the same conditions or worse ones than mine.

in Jesus' Name Amen

CHAPTER 2

A FATHER'S PERSPECTIVE

On October 7, 2008 life seemed to be relatively good. I had no major problems outside of the normal brokenness that I wrestle with being who I am from day to day. It was a normal Tuesday night of worship. I was celebrating my 2nd Pastoral anniversary, the energy and atmosphere was simply electric. My mentor and friend, Dr. Joe Ratliff acknowledged my family and as he got to my daughter, she began dancing with great jubilation in her seat. That night all she kept saying was she could not wait to praise dance so that her uncle Joe could see her! My daughter's name is Jarae' Emoni Jones at the time she was 7-years-old and she loved to praise dance for God! her group, God's little angels, were scheduled to dance the next night.

"A Day I Will Never Forget"

The next day Jarae' had a doctor's appointment. Cheryl and I thought it would be good to get her checked out because she had been very thirsty lately and we noticed that she was having a little trouble holding her bladder. I thought to myself, it's no big deal just some form of a bladder infection. I was so confident that the procedure wouldn't take long. I assured my guest preacher that I would be able to pick him up for lunch that day. As we arrived at Rae's primary physician it did not take her long to make a decision that Rae needed to go to King's Daughter hospital immediately. She wanted to have her checked out for Juvenile Diabetes. As I drove over to the hospital fighting back the tears, I began to pray out loud that whatever it was, it was not something serious. Upon our arrival at CHKD, the hospital wasted no time going to work on Rae. As they secured her in the bed and they pulled out various needles, my heart dropped as I watched my little girl prepare for this unexpected ordeal. My heart had simply been broken into so many pieces!! At that very moment I put my sunglasses on to help hide my tears but behind the shades I was afraid, bewildered and stunned. This storm truly blindsided me. If you live long enough you will eventually have to deal with an unexpected crisis. These crises often show up uninvited and unannounced. A crisis can come at anytime and the only thing that we can control in the time of the crisis is how we will respond. It was confirmed that Jarae' e. Jones had Type 1 Diabetes.

CHAPTER 3

THE CONFLICT

Job 14:1

in Job 14:1, it reads "Man born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble. Being in ministry for the last 20 years, I thought I was prepared for anything. I had studied under some of the greatest scholars and had been mentored by some of the country's greatest minds but none of those giants could prepare me for this next assault.

Here was the conflict that I found myself dealing with:

1. I had preached the funerals of young men whose lives had been taken by tragedy. I was able to encourage their parents to keep pressing on.

2. I was able to grow in my faith and discover my calling as a result of the death of my father.

3. I survived my mother being diagnosed with cancer and was able to help pray with her for her healing.

4. I had survived the pain of fractured relationships and imperfect people.

I went through all of this with praise on my lips!!! I counted it all joy to suffer these experiences. "Yet this time, I had a problem with praising God!!!"

The conflict arose as a result of my daughter's medical challenge. As a pastor, I have encouraged so many others in their times of pain to keep the faith and praise God through it. However, in this most darkest hour, praise was the last thing on my mind. Several questions were racing through my mind as I sat there with my baby girl.

1. Why not me?

2. Is her sickness a result of something I had done?

3. Why her and why now?

4. How can I preach "hope" when I am doubting God myself?

In moments of great conflict, testing and trials, these questions seem to occupy or consume our thoughts. The old saints use to always say, "Don't ever question God." At that very moment, I was not questioning the power or presence of God but the plan of God. This was my 2nd pastoral anniversary. It was suppose to be a great time of celebration not a time of devastation.

Key Thought: God can mix celebration and devastation together to produce revelation. It is in moments of conflict that God shows us who he is and develops who we are. All of us will eventually have to deal with a storm, a conflict, or a tragic situation. When such occurs, we must seek to find God in it.

God is the ultimate Developer. Like a good photographer, he does his best work in the darkness. Therefore, if you are walking through the darkness now, don't complain but celebrate because "God is developing you."

CHAPTER 4

COMMITMENT

"Daddy tell them I have to get back to dance tonight."

Psalms 37:3-5 (NIV) Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:

As one who has given himself to the study of leadership and religious scholarship, I thought I had a handle on commitment. our world is filled with many people who can talk a good game. They have great plans, ideas, and schemes but very rarely do these people ever finish anything they start. I call these individuals "Spiritual hustlers." People who are always seeking to make a bargain or cut a deal with God! Rarely do these individuals just commit to God because they love God. I see people week after week who put God on the bottom of their list of priorities. Everything and everybody matters more than God. Many of us are easily distracted or sidetracked. It has become so easy for some of us to make excuses to God about why we can't do any better or our lives are simply in bad shape.

These are just some of the things that sidetrack our attention from God:

1. Pain

2. Bills

3. Lies

4. People

5. Parties

6. Money

7. Sports

8. Clothes

9. Work

10. Sickness

For so many of us any excuse is a good excuse when it comes to God!! However, as I watched the medical staff at CHKD hold my daughter down to give her the necessary shots needed in order to stabilize her condition, "The first and most important thing on her mind was getting back to church that night to praise dance." This for me was the truest form of commitment I had ever seen. Her concern was not on how she was feeling but rather on what she had to do for God and for God's people through dancing. I must admit I was completely taken back by this because as her father, all I could think about was "God touch my daughter in order that she can handle whatever you are allowing to come her way." All I kept thinking was she is so young to have to deal with so much. Yet on her mind was "let me up and let me out of here!!!"

I could further understand if she did not want to stay at the hospital because:

1. She wanted to play basketball.

2. She wanted to play her Wii.

3. She was going to have a sleepover.

But not her—the one thing that mattered the most at that moment was not the "pain and pressure" but her PRAISE!!!!!

So as a result of watching her commitment, it reshaped my understanding of commitment.

What is commitment?

1. It's finishing what you've started. Life is tough for the best of us. However, commitment says, "I refuse to quit." Often times we quit just before our breakthrough simply because we didn't finish the job. Don't throw in the towel until God says it's over. There is still time on the clock and the game of life is not over yet.

God declares to your today, that there are some things in your life that you have left undone.

• Finish the diet

• Finish the album

• Finish your education

• Finish your house

• Finish the training

• Finish the treatment

• Finish the counseling

• Finish the process to reaching your goals!!

If God started it then you should let him FINISH IT!!!

2. Commitment is—not allowing your pain to hinder your pursuits. Often times we allow physical, spiritual, emotional, or financial pain to hinder us from reaching our goals and laying hold of our pursuits.

Commitment is the seed that pushes us pass the pain we are enduring because we are so focused on the prize.

Key Thought: Don't allow PAIN to rob you of the PRIZE. "Pursue it and you will possess it!"

3. Commitment is—remaining consistent even when your conditions change. In life change is inevitable. Seasons change, people change—but God remains the same. So often our focus shifts as our circumstance changes. One of the most pivotal things my daughter taught me that night was—even when life changes, our focus doesn't have to change.

• Stay focused

• Stay faithful

• Stay free

Commitment is realizing the "No" is not an option!! I saw all of these qualities in her eyes.
(Continues...)

---

Excerpted from C YOUR WAY THROUGHâ?" by James Jones Jr.. Copyright © 2013 by Dr. James Jones Jr. & Jarae' Jones. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

---

Table of Contents

Contents

SPECIAL THANKS....................     vii     

DEDICATION....................     ix     

FOREWORD....................     xi     

A DAUGHTER'S PERSPECTIVE....................     1     

A FATHER'S PERSPECTIVE....................     9     

THE CONFLICT....................     11     

COMMITMENT....................     15     

COMPASSION....................     21     

COURAGE....................     23     

CHAMPION....................     27     

SEE IT THROUGH....................     33     

ABOUT THE AUTHORS....................     35