The End..by, Christina

It's been two weeks since we said goodbye.
It is so hard to end this blog. It has helped so much at every turn. More than anything I want everyone reading this to know how much I appreciate you. Your prayers, love and God's grace has been amazing.
Oh I miss Jared. Kyle said it all...there is a Jared sized hole in my heart. He was my everything. My life will never be the same. He was an amazing, unbelievable person. He made me a better, stronger person and helped me to a better life. A life to worship and trust the Lord at every turn.
Jared is being rewarded now and I am so happy for him. He no longer has Leukemia (oh how he has waited for this day!). I know Jared is rejoicing in heaven. I can't wait to see him there and celebrate together his new, healed body.
I love you all more than words could ever begin to express,
Christina
(I know people check the blog and are not posting, come on..last chance!)

Final Post Part 2

What a journey. Words can't begin to convey the impact these past 18 months have had on me, not only as a sister, but as a believer. I think about later on, how will I ever be able explain to people the loss of my brother Jared, but more importantly the battle he faithfully fought up until November 3rd. But where my memory fails or my words just don't suffice, I will be able to look back on this blog, this timeline, this tool that enabled a way of communication with our family to all of you who have stood in the gap for us; those of you who have continued to keep our arms raised. It seemed with every entry, there were comments of either praise, hopefulness, or encouragement. And eventhough the battle is over, and the blog has served its purpose, your support and words will always remain, and that is absolutely priceless. Jared taught me so much in the past year and half, but it was in his weakest, lowest of lows, where I saw true faith, grace, and strength being walked out, and for that I too, am a very proud sister.

-Jessica



I just wanted to thank everyone again for all the support that you have given to our family. From friends and family to neighbors and doctors and hospital staff, we could not of done it without you. Thank you so very much ! As I have said before, I know there are a lot of things that I will miss seeing Jared do, like become a father and find his way in this world but seeing my son face death, fight an ugly battle against cancer, seeing what the heart and soul and spirit of my son was when it really mattered is more than I could of ever asked for. I am so very proud of him and if I had it to do all over again I would still believe, I would still pray and I would still hope. Love ya much !

-Dianne

Final Post Part 1

For those of you who did not attend the funeral, this is what the Lord put on my heart to speak and I thought it appropriate for my final post.

I remember asking Justin, my husband, and few weeks ago after we found out that the second transplant did not take, to pray that if I had the chance I would be able to articulate to Jared the things that were hidden in my heart. So I would go and hang out with Jared and the words never came and then Jared went back into the hospital last week and still no words. And in the past few days, just silence.

Yesterday as I was preparing the celebration of Jared’s life, I asked the Lord, that if I was to speak today that He would bring the words up out of my heart. But still nothing. Then yesterday as we had our own private time with Jared and as people began to come in, something began to bubble up out of my spirit and it pushed the tears aside and it came rushing through me..it was pride. An overwhelming sense of pride for my brother, for the fight he fought, the man he became and amazing way He loved the Lord and trusted Him. Growing up I always had a sense that Jared would do something great, I always thought, probably like many of you, it would be in the realm of politics, journalism or firefighting. But it was this fight that brought out the greatness in Jared, he did this amazingly well.

So that is why today, I refuse to stand here defeated, I stand here proud of my brother, that he gave his all to this battle and he did it well. Even in the last days when Jared was struggling so much I knew he would have kept going but the Lord in his graciousness and love for Jared, rescued him out of this battle and Jared victoriously went home.

The enemy will not have any part in this, all the honor is given to Jared for how bravely he stood in the midst of this battle, with his eyes fixed on the Lord. All the glory is given the Lord, the author and perfecter of Jared's life, his redeemer and friend, and the one who stands victorious on his throne now and forever more.


I found this passage in Jared's bible, he had written 5/22/06 next to it, it was only a few days after he had been diagnosed. I will end with this, something that resonated in Jared's spirit and is fitting to end with today.

Psalm 112:6-8

"Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever.

He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look with triumph on his foes."

A Proud Sister,

Joanna Waters Hildebrand

How do you encapsulate the last 18 months and really the last 29 years in a few sentences? One thing was that as weird as it sounds I wish Jared could have posted his last blog. Then I found by accident a posting he made Aug. 30, 2006 that shows his heart.(please look at it) For many of us we will go different directions so please know the gratefulness of our hearts for standing in the fray with us. Growing up, we always taught our kids that to love the Lord with all that is in you(and your neighbor as yourself) is what everything in life hinges on(Matt. 22:36-40). Anything else, fame, riches, success is a side issue. To see that having transpired in Jared's short life (and my daughters)has fulfilled my hearts desire in this life(though now I look to the next generation). As our paths diverge I would leave that with you as the all in all of this life. Please continue to stand with us for though we don't grieve as those without hope we do grieve. We no longer have a wonderful son in this life to enjoy yet we have gained a precious daughter, Christina(remember her). I better stop.(Icould go on world without end. just ask my kids)We love you much. Terry

Sharing Our Pictures of Jared...

The Army of the Lord

2Kings6:17 "And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man and he saw. And behold , the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
This may seem like an odd request but we know there are many who have kept up with this blog but never posted. So we would like to have our eyes opened to the Army of the Lord that has been encamped around us all these months. So would you mind posting a comment, or your name, or anonymously. I have heard sometimes there is a problem being able to post a comment on the blog. If so you can go to Fort Worth Star-Telegram obituary and the have a guest book that is easy to get on. There was also a really good article on Wed. about Jared that they ran. We are still trying to get together a final post and try to put some other pictures of Jared, Christina, and family on it. Your support and prayer are still being experienced here for which we are grateful. The Waters

For the past couple of days we have been making arrangements for a time that will honor Jared. We had nothing in place yet the Lord has provided so amazingly again as He has from the beginning. As we were talking about the details, what we really desired is to point to the faithfulness of our Lord to Jared and us all these days as He will all the rest of our days. This is another brief post to let any local people know of the arrangements we have made. The viewing or wake(whatever it is they call it)will be Tue. Nov.6 from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. The service will be at the same place on Wed. Nov 7 at 1:00 p.m. The burial will be private.
Location is: J.E. Foust & Son
523 Main Street
Grapevine, Tx. 76051
Please continue to pray and stand with us. We do not do it alone. Love, The Waters
Also in a few days we will probably post our last blog.

Your name is Jared

The name Jared means: to bring down, cast down, put down , run down, sink, subdue, take down. I was able to say to Jared yesterday you have fulfilled your name. He has kept the faith and never wavered. He has fought the good fight. This is the hardest thing of our lives. Today, at 6:22 a.m., Jared went to be with the Lord. It was a peaceful transition for which we so thank the Lord. Christina will post a blog in a day or two but asked me to let everyone know about Jared. You all have been so faithful and we will never take it for granted. So please continue to pray for us as we walk a different path now. Love to all, The Waters

Never the less, revisited

Jared made it to the Harvest Festival at Grace as you probably figured by some blog posts. I would have said forget it but that is why Jared is where he is. He was able to see Elijah (Tigger) and Aubrey(a pumpkin) and have some cotton candy. He had to be on oxygen at a pretty high flow so logistically it was a challenge but worth every effort. Yesterday we brought him back to Baylor/Dallas because we could not keep his oxygen level up and it was getting a little nerve racking to Jared. Since we have been here his demand continues to go up and his oxygen level in his blood goes down. The reason being the blasts in his blood are 92%. The doctor explained they are very sticky and as they build up in the lungs they prevent a good transfer of oxygen. Jared is continuing the new treatment that started a week ago though the doctor said we should be seeing some effects by now but we are not. Dr P.(Luis) continues to try to pull cards out of his sleeve for which we are grateful and Jared and Christina continue to fight and we continue to back them. RN Ron, the first RN Jared connected with up here was taking vacation days but when he heard Jared was back in he came to work and requested to take care of Jared. It just an example of how these good folks up here view Jared(and Christina). We are walking two roads at the same time (don't ask me how), the Lord is well able to deliver Jared out of his enemy's hand, and that is what it will take, never the less if He does not Jared will not bow down(neither will we). Kyle posted a good song which is our testimony, blessed be the name of the Lord. So, continue to stand and fight since Jared and Christina are and pray for the Lord's presence to be real and palpablefor them. You all are our great encouragement in the Lord. Love, The Waters