There are people we meet in life who have a way of creeping into our hearts and becoming so embedded there, we cease to think of them as just friends, but as family. Tonight I'm thinking of just such a rowdy group who are so dear to me, that if I didn't have a family, I would beg them to adopt me.
I'm talking about the Jones family. Some of you may know Janet, Sport or Mo, but if you've been truly blessed, you've met the matriarch of this wonderful family, Peg. Peg is THE true renegade, from her orange nail polish (with matching lipstick,naturally!) to her unique sense of style ( and oh what style!). She and George would have been perfect candidates for a reality show (if there had been such a thing) when they were busy raising their raucous family. In fact...I don't know if a camera crew would have been able to keep up. I'm not kidding. Their station wagon stories alone would fill three books...all non-fiction 'cause this is the stuff legends are made of.
I met Mo and Janet at Canton long before Sweet Talk Sweet, Rubbish or HEAP was more than a glimmer in their eyes. Those two, along with Peg, were maxi-shoppers with a passion for the unique and an eye for anything deserving to be made into art. Shortly after meeting them, the girls got a booth behind me inside the Civic Center. I counted the days until Canton rolled around, waiting for the stories they would share with me about growing up in the 60's with Peg and George for parents. I sat enthralled while hearing them talk of their childhood peppered with tales of discipline, road trips, and a love of Christ. Their faith was evident without ever having to say a word.
Meeting Peg for the first time reaffirmed everything I had learned about them. She has instilled in them a love for God, family and country while at the same time teaching them that being a woman is anything but a liability and that an imagination (and hard work) could carry them to the moon and back. Even at 80 (hope telling that little tidbit doesn't get me in trouble), she still walks the walk and talks the talk every.single.day!
~I have become a marvel to many, for You are my strong refuge. Psalms 71:7~
I'm telling y'all this because today when I opened my mailbox, I saw an email with the word "mom" and the sender's name Janet. I felt myself stop breathing and for just a moment, I couldn't...didn't want to...open it. I won't share all the email except these four words. Peg has breast cancer. Tough words to type...harder words to say. Would be even harder if it were anyone but Peg. She fought and won the battle with cancer twenty years ago. She is what she is. An unashamedly, Godly, scrappy woman who is facing this without fear, knowing it is in God's mighty hands and that her faith will sustain her. She has complete trust in her doctor, but an even greater trust in her saviour.
~Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Psalms 84:5~
I'm not sure exactly how to word this, but I'm asking tonight that you join me in prayers for this magnificent family. As prayer warriors, let's send them our strength and love to lift them up during this difficult time. Her surgery is scheduled for Monday at 12:30 p.m. and prayers for wisdom and skill for the medical staff are asked for as well. (She still has the same doctor that performed her surgery twenty years ago!) Specifically pray that the lymph nodes are unaffected. Peg is a remarkable woman who is handling this with calm and grace while walking in God's calm and grace. Pray with her that He will be glorified!
~Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord JE-HO'VAH is everlasting strength. Isaiah 26:4~
In Janet's words, ".....what is perfect for her in His eyes is perfect for all of us."
~For He shall give His angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways. Psalms 91:11~
I ask only that you list your name in the comments section, letting the family know you will be keeping them in your prayers or click onto Janet's link to let her know personally. Thank you so much.
I love all you crazy Joneses more than you will ever know.
54 comments:
They are in my prayers.
Cathleen alyce
Tracie
Praying right now
Sue
You are always looking out for others Debbie.....that's what makes you such an amazing woman. Peg and her family are in my prayers tonight.
Thanks for spreading the word.
Kathleen
Deb
Praying for Peg and her family!!! Strength in numbers. We serve a mighty God.
xoxo
Kate
Rachel ;)
Deb, I will definitely keep Peg and her family in my prayers!!!
Blessings~~~ Daphne
Lori
Beautiful post, and a beautiful tribute to a Godly woman who is in His hands. Our prayers will be lifted up.....be assured that He will hear them!
Liz
I love this family too!! Theresa
Lifting Peg & her family up in prayer...
xoxox
amy
Yes Mam of course I will start praying for your Family!!! Thanks for sharing the sweet story with us and rallying the prayer troops!!!
Sharron~
- Jan
Of course!
Cher
Marsha
Robelyn. Robelyn. Robelyn.
Debra
Tricia
shelley
Susie in California
Tracey
Anne
Done, Pam
Lou Cinda
Tricia
I love Janet and her mother sooo much!
Praying for them every day!
Deb, I just love you. You bet I'll be praying for Peg. All. weekend. long.
I hope one of these days someone says this about me "her faith was evident without ever saying a word."
Kathie
my precious friend, *thank you* seems inadequate and yet it's all if have. love.
Wow! Thank you Debbie! It is not easy to capture Mom in words because she is such an extraordinary woman you did a wonderful job. We are encouraged by your prayers and the prayers of others. Look out... revival is about to hit the hospital! Mom will probably pack an orange night gown and a suitcase full of gospel tracts. She loves to spread the fragrance of Christ everywhere she goes! Knowing Mom and knowing the Lord, there are some great stories yet to come! with love and thanks, mo
Sandi
Thanks for the heads up! Peg is an amazing women! I will go over and add my name to Janet's blog! Thanks for the info!
Theresa
aka:TOT
Debbie,
I truly believe prayers help & I see by the comments this awesome lady has a lot of great supporters. I'm praying right along with you all. Lisa
Malisa...even Lurch!
I will pray for your friend. Olive
Done ma'am!!
Hugs..
Deb:) xoxo
Thank you for always noticing what I write, Debbie, and for your kind words about my grandfathers. My heart is with you and your friend. Thinking of Peg and her family...wishing her well.
Tamarah xxx
Theresa xoxo
Nancy
Dawn
Will be lifting up the family in prayer. Please keep us all posted...
hey trash, it's terri from gardenworthy...i email this to Mo yesterday who sent it on to Peg...in typical Jones fashion, Peg said she was having a "bra burning" after surgery!
Sounds a lot like my Moma
Lezlee
Lynn
Many prayers...
Jennie
How good is God to put these lovely people in your life... I will certainly hold Peg up in prayer and stand in faith that God has His will here. It sounds as though Peg is already rejoicing in the victory and we need to just stand back and see the salvation of our God. I love that she knows who she is in Christ and that she will sashay into that hospital in her orange nightgown and expect to see the glory of the God she serves because she sits with Chirst in the heavenlies and she is able to do all things through Christ who strengthens her!
I love you Deb,
Rebecca
Joey
Debbie
Adrienne & Tommy
Sweet Deb, what a beautiful post, thank you and you know it is all true. I was so excited when I met Peg last year. I will be praying so hard!!!! Thank you again. lauri
Angela (hugs)
Keeping them in my prayers!
Lalo...sending love and prayer to you and her...
Zita - Mlle Magpie (xoxo)
God is the great healer. Kim Leggett
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