Florence, SC Children’s Photographer: Praying for Jude

Let me introduce you to a pretty awesome little man. His name is Jude, and actually, if you could stop reading now for a few minutes and say a prayer for this little guy, that would be great. He’s in the middle of treatments today and while I don’t know all that that entails, I do know that prayers are needed…strength and comfort for him and that the treatments will do their job and KILL the ugly cancer cells that have taken residence in his precious little body. Prayers also for strength and comfort for his mom and dad, Teena and Ty, because I can’t imagine what it’s like to watch your baby go through something like this. Pray that they will be able to be the comfort that Jude needs them to be right now. That they will be strong for him and that Jude will feel their incredibly deep love for him. Pray for Teena, as she is so very close to giving birth to their third child, a daughter. Sitting around in a hospital is never comfortable or fun, but I imagine that sitting around in a hospital while nine months pregnant watching your three year old being treated for a disease is pretty rough. And also pray for Jude’s big brother, Titus…for understanding as his family is in a pretty crazy spot right now.

Now let me give you a little bit of background information. The kids and I have home-schooled with this family this year. We have attended co-op together every Thursday morning, and while I never had the chance to be in any classes with their kids or Teena, Clara Beth was in a science class with Titus and Teena. And ever since Christmas I’ve watched every Thursday as Teena’s belly got more and more Fabulous. Seriously, this woman has the BEST pregnant belly EVER! How Gorgeous is she?! A few weeks ago Teena noticed that Jude just wasn’t right. He wasn’t acting like his normal self and he didn’t feel good. I do not know all of the specifics, but I do know that through a series of doctors visits, Jude was diagnosed with leukemia. They spent a lot of time in Columbia and continue to travel back and forth for treatments. It’s so clear that God has His hand all over this entire situation by many little things that are coming together. One big thing, though, is that sweet little baby sister that is about to be born. I don’t understand the whole cord blood thing and how it works to help kids who are sick, but I do know that this little girl is getting ready to help her brother in a big way. There are a million more things I could tell you about this family, but for now let me just tell you this. Jude is an AMAZING little guy. He’s funny and sweet and he LOVES his Mom and Dad and big brother, Titus. He has maybe the coolest hair in the world. =) He likes to ride his bike and swing REALLY high and do the “underdog”. He likes the BIG burritos at Chipolte, pepperoni pizza, eggs, and popcorn and right now due to steroids he’s eating like a 17 year old boy. He is the sweetest thing. Please continue to keep him in your prayers.

And I’ll close the blog post with the Bible verse that is attached to all of Teena’s emails:

“You keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3