CHAPTER 1

A DAUGHTER'S PERSPECTIVE

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

I have Type 1 Diabetes. I have had it for four years. You haveto get needles when you start but when you get later into it, youcan get this thing called a pump. When I first started, I was scaredof needles but after a while, I got use to it. Every four months Ihave to get blood drawn so they can make sure my levels or bloodare ok. People my age are supposed to check their sugar 4 or 5times per day; you really need to check your sugar before you goto 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 ofyourself while you have diabetes, you can spend most of your timein the hospital, with your doctor, or in some type of place that canhelp you or try to help you get better.

When I first found out that I might have diabetes, my doctortold me and my parents that I had to go to the hospital. I was reallyscared. When I first got to the hospital, I had to have blood drawnso they could check to see if I really had it or not. When they got mytests results back and found that I did, they took me to a hospitalroom. I had roommates and sometimes I would be really loud atnight. Other nights, they would be really loud because they checkyour sugar level and iv every so many hours. It seemed like everytime we would get settled, it was time to get checked.

Most of the time my grandma would stay with me and my momuntil my dad came back from church. I had lots of visitors while Iwas in the hospital like: Mary Jones-Turner (my grandma), JanelleJones (my auntie), Javon Jones (my cousin), Veronica Robinson(Friend), Fran clary (an auntie), Terrel heckstall (Friend), ShackHeckstall (Friend), Jailyn Heckstall (Friend) and Joe Ratliff (uncle).when I went to the hospital I missed out on a lot of things. Forinstance, the night I went to the hospital I was supposed to danceat church so I was really sad because I didn't get to. Since it wasduring the school year, I missed schoolwork and tests. I was reallyscared 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 andthey were trying to get it down so I could go home. I really wantedto go home because I missed church, school and my friends. WhileI was in the hospital, my parents and I had to learn a lot about livingwith diabetes and how our lives were going to change as a result ofthis new condition in my life. One of the things we had to learn wascalculating the numbers of units I needed to give myself to correctmy sugar level. For example, when I wake up in the morning if mysugar is 250 I subtract 135 (optimal sugar level) and I get 115. I thendivide that by 35 and I get 3.27. So in order to correct my sugar andbring it down to an optimal level, I would give myself 3 units ofinsulin. However, if I am eating, I would count the number of carbsin the foods that I am eating. Let's say I am eating sandwich with75 carbs. I would divide that 75 by 10 to get 7.5. So this would be 8units of insulin. When I check my sugar prior to eating, I account formy current level and the food that I am about to eat. So using theprevious example, if my sugar is 250 and I eat a sandwich with 75carbs. I would add the two numbers together, 3.27 + 7.5 = 10.77. SoI would give myself 11 units of insulin.

With Type I Diabetes, you have to check your sugar levels moreoften and give yourself insulin shots. After starting with the shot, Imoved 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 levelsremain normal. The first day that I tested out the pods was February7th 2010. It was a big day. I had 3 choices of pods to choose from. Sofor the weekend, I used the omni pod and I liked it very much so Iasked for it. The programming process for the omni pod was notas easy as choosing it to regulate my diabetes. You have to be sureto program the omni pod right so that the time and the insulinamounts are set right so that I am given the right amounts on aregular basis and that took a while. When the omni pod arrived, itcame in a bag with the pod, a personal Diabetes manager (PDM)for which you have to purchase batteries, a calculator, a log, a mininotebook and a food book call 'Calorie King'. You have an optionof a green or pink bag. I chose pink. You also get choice of greenor purple for your calculator and I chose purple. Put the pod on byfollowing these steps:

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

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

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

Step 4: Say "Yes" or "No" to let the PDM know if the cannula isinserted 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 andeat what you want, but as a diabetic you have to count yourcarbohydrates. I keep track of my carbs in a binder but some peoplehave books. Some people think that I can't eat or drink certainthings because I am diabetic like regular soda or sugar gum butif you weren't in the hospital and did not get the education aboutliving with this condition; then you don't know what I can or can'thave. Sometimes people don't understand why I have the Pod andwhy 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 themit is medicine and I have to put it on. When people keep askingme about my diabetes or my pod, sometimes it makes me a littleannoyed or it makes me feel bad that I have diabetes.

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

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

Lord I pray that they can find a cure for everything that'sout there or at least let the people have enough strength intheir bodies to go to sleep and awaken in the morning. Letthem also be able to wake and take their medicine. Also, letthem be able to have the courage to be the same personand not have to be someone that they are not deep downinside because of their medical condition. Also, let everyoneknow that being afraid of being themselves is wrong and ifpeople don't like them for who they are, then they need tolet them go. And finally, lord I ask that you help all familiesthat are going through the same conditions or worse onesthan mine.

in Jesus' NameAmen

CHAPTER 2

A FATHER'S PERSPECTIVE

On October 7, 2008 life seemed to be relatively good. I had nomajor problems outside of the normal brokenness that I wrestlewith being who I am from day to day. It was a normal Tuesdaynight of worship. I was celebrating my 2nd Pastoral anniversary,the energy and atmosphere was simply electric. My mentor andfriend, Dr. Joe Ratliff acknowledged my family and as he got to mydaughter, she began dancing with great jubilation in her seat. Thatnight all she kept saying was she could not wait to praise danceso 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 praisedance for God! her group, God's little angels, were scheduled todance the next night.

"A Day I Will Never Forget"

The next day Jarae' had a doctor's appointment. Cheryl and Ithought it would be good to get her checked out because she hadbeen very thirsty lately and we noticed that she was having a littletrouble holding her bladder. I thought to myself, it's no big dealjust some form of a bladder infection. I was so confident that theprocedure wouldn't take long. I assured my guest preacher that Iwould be able to pick him up for lunch that day. As we arrived atRae's primary physician it did not take her long to make a decisionthat Rae needed to go to King's Daughter hospital immediately.She wanted to have her checked out for Juvenile Diabetes. As Idrove over to the hospital fighting back the tears, I began to prayout loud that whatever it was, it was not something serious. Uponour arrival at CHKD, the hospital wasted no time going to work onRae. As they secured her in the bed and they pulled out variousneedles, my heart dropped as I watched my little girl prepare forthis unexpected ordeal. My heart had simply been broken into somany pieces!! At that very moment I put my sunglasses on to helphide my tears but behind the shades I was afraid, bewildered andstunned. This storm truly blindsided me. If you live long enoughyou will eventually have to deal with an unexpected crisis. Thesecrises often show up uninvited and unannounced. A crisis can comeat anytime and the only thing that we can control in the time of thecrisis is how we will respond. It was confirmed that Jarae' e. Joneshad 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 andfull of trouble. Being in ministry for the last 20 years, I thoughtI was prepared for anything. I had studied under some of thegreatest scholars and had been mentored by some of the country'sgreatest minds but none of those giants could prepare me for thisnext assault.

Here was the conflict that I found myself dealing with:

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

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

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

4. I had survived the pain of fractured relationships andimperfect people.

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

The conflict arose as a result of my daughter's medicalchallenge. As a pastor, I have encouraged so many others in theirtimes 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 withmy 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 questionsseem to occupy or consume our thoughts. The old saints use toalways say, "Don't ever question God." At that very moment, I wasnot questioning the power or presence of God but the plan of God.This was my 2nd pastoral anniversary. It was suppose to be a greattime of celebration not a time of devastation.

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

God is the ultimate Developer. Like a good photographer, hedoes his best work in the darkness. Therefore, if you are walkingthrough 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; dwellin the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Take delight in the Lord,and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit yourway to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:

As one who has given himself to the study of leadership andreligious 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 dothese people ever finish anything they start. I call these individuals"Spiritual hustlers." People who are always seeking to makea bargain or cut a deal with God! Rarely do these individualsjust commit to God because they love God. I see people weekafter week who put God on the bottom of their list of priorities.Everything and everybody matters more than God. Many of us areeasily distracted or sidetracked. It has become so easy for some ofus to make excuses to God about why we can't do any better or ourlives are simply in bad shape.

These are just some of the things that sidetrack our attentionfrom 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 comesto God!! However, as I watched the medical staff at CHKD hold mydaughter down to give her the necessary shots needed in order tostabilize her condition, "The first and most important thing on hermind was getting back to church that night to praise dance." Thisfor me was the truest form of commitment I had ever seen. Herconcern was not on how she was feeling but rather on what shehad to do for God and for God's people through dancing. I mustadmit I was completely taken back by this because as her father, allI could think about was "God touch my daughter in order that shecan handle whatever you are allowing to come her way." All I keptthinking was she is so young to have to deal with so much. Yet onher mind was "let me up and let me out of here!!!"

I could further understand if she did not want to stay at thehospital 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 thatmoment was not the "pain and pressure" but her PRAISE!!!!!

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

What is commitment?

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

God declares to your today, that there are some things inyour 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 yourpursuits. Often times we allow physical, spiritual, emotional,or financial pain to hinder us from reaching our goals andlaying hold of our pursuits.

Commitment is the seed that pushes us pass the pain weare 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 yourconditions change. In life change is inevitable. Seasonschange, people change—but God remains the same. Sooften our focus shifts as our circumstance changes. Oneof the most pivotal things my daughter taught me thatnight was—even when life changes, our focus doesn'thave to change.

• Stay focused

• Stay faithful

• Stay free

Commitment is realizing the "No" is not an option!! I saw allof these qualities in her eyes.