August James Gang Update

Hello Everyone!

We are so sorry it's been so long since our last update. Pleaes forgive us! The days seem to fly by without our permission!!! Our newest arrival, Isaac Benjamin is now nine weeks old and such a gem. The older kids adore him. We can't begin to describe how blessed we are - four beautiful and amazing kids.... Wow.

We have so much to share. We will try to be concise without leaving out important details.

Since our last update:

Another HUGE question has been answered: why the rapid deterioration of Jonathan's bones all of a sudden????? Hemophiliacs take clotting factor intravenously to help replace what their bodies don't make. For most people this treatment should be half gone in about 12 hours. Well, after extensive testing it has been discovered that Jonathan's body metabolizes this replacement twice as fast!!!! This would explain why, although he was taking "shots" four days a week, he was continuing to bleed into his joints and his body was responding almost as though he had had no treatment at all. He will now take treatments everyday. Truly, he needs a miracle in his body. I was praying for him the other night and felt so challenged by God to trust Him for GREAT things. While I am thankful for modern day medicine, it is truly not our source, nor are our doctors, our Makers. It's easy when you have to see doctors SO much to begin relying on them for your wellness. I know God is ABLE to do great things. I know He is WILLING to do great things. I know He has PROMISED to do great things. The question is: will I BELIEVE Him? We cannot even begin to express our gratitude for you standing with us - believing with us and even FOR us when we have struggled to believe.....


How is Jonathan now? It is soon time to try to walk! What???? Yes, it is time. In order for that to happen, the plan is for Jonathan to be admitted into a physical rehabilitation facility in New Orleans where he will stay for one week to one month or however long it takes him to begin walking to some degree. We expect this to all take place at the end of September. Jonathan can't walk on crutches anymore or use a walker. His elbow has deteriorated so much that he cannot bear weight on it. He will require daily help from physical therapists and parallel bars. While the thought of him being gone that long is the last thing either of us wants, it is the next step. We won't be saying goodbye to the wheelchair forever as his other ankle still needs so much repair, but this is definitely a step forward. The therapy will be very painful for Jonathan, so please pray. We will keep you posted when all of this transpires.

Jonathan went to Houston last month to get a second opinion about his elbow. He has to wear a brace to keep it at a 90 degree angle at all times (which is his normal range of motion) in order to keep it from breaking. The kids LOVE to wrestle him and love on him and it has become increasingly risky and tremendously painful to not have it stabilized. Even shaking a few hands is painful. Just as we thought, it is beyond saving - he will have to have it completely replaced sometime in the next few months. Stay tuned for the updates on that - a very complicated scenario.....

Jonathan has also begun working again as much as he can, which is extremely minimal but his faithfulness and determination amaze me. He's so brilliant and never gives less than all. I load him up in the van with his wheelchair, he drives himself to work where his assistant unloads him, he pours himself out - pain and all, then comes back home to be amazing husband and daddy of four. How many of us want to try that one? While he is working, his compensation is complicated, as it is for anyone who runs their own business. Showing up to work doesn't necessarily mean getting a paycheck. I know it goes without saying, but we continue to covet your prayers for our family's financial provision. We still have a very long road ahead of us.

Our sewage situation was resolved - Thank you to Cal and Brandi Shoemake and her dad, Frank, from Lakeside Plumbing.... what a blessing....

Thank you again for all of your amazing friendship, love, encouragement, support, sacrafice and ultimately for believing. Your actions speak so loud....

To make tax deductible donations for those of you who have inquired, you can make checks or money orders payable to Hope for Hemophilia, PO Box 2584, Mandeville, LA 70470. This is the foundation that has been set up on our behalf and in the future will be used on behalf of our vision for a great life for hemophiliacs. It has been amazing to see how many people have given - even those we have never met.

We will definitely be in touch more often. If you would like to email us directly, you may:

Jonathan: jdjinvest@gmail.com
Carla: carlakennedyjames@gmail.com

Love from all of us!

Jonathan, Carla, Hannah, Ezra, Isabella and Isaac James