This year, our family was given the opportunity to speak at our Division’s yearly Fall Giving Campaign and to finish up the Jordan’s Story that we started last year. (Here is a link from last year’s campaign). Thankfully, this time it was only one time speaking engagement that was made possible in a form of a webinar so that everyone in our Division will have the opportunity to watch the speakers and listen to the messages delivered, all at the same time, regardless of different locations. How I love technology! Truly, wisdom is far more precious than rubies.
There were two important things that my hubby would always remind me before speaking in front of a big crowd…
- To speak from the heart.
- Be yourself.
Easier said than done! With no further introduction, here is the message delivered straight from my heart that day!…
Good Afternoon!
I am Cora Ocampo from Faculty Reimbursement. I am here today to wrap up Jordan’s Miracle Journey.
Many of you maybe are wondering how Jordan is doing after Transplant. He is doing GREAT! Praise the Lord! No more dialysis. He just have to take his anti rejection medications to keep him going. He is thriving and growing straight up on his growth chart. He has a big servant’s heart; he loves to help me in the kitchen, and he loves to help Daddy with anything without being asked. Just last month, he had his 4th Birthday. For the first time, He had his first dip in the water pool (since he could not do it before because of the presence of peritoneal catheter that may cause infection if exposed and soaked in the water pool). He had a blast! It was so much fun to watch him having so much fun with his precious life. He is very busy exploring his own big 4-year old world with so much adventure. He loves to read his stacks of storybooks with me. On the fun side, he loves to pretend that he is a little superhero, Captain America as you saw in the video. He loves to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and loves to play Angry Birds games.
Life has been so much better since we were back to our home and living our new normal life. Home has been sweeter more than ever with our little family. Before we go to bed each night, together we pray that God will take care of his new kidney and that God will continue to give him good health.
From time to time, he still gets into trouble and sometimes life gets so messy. Off course he is a little boy and still a kid. When moments like these happens, it reminds me that life is so short, time is fleeting and know that someday he will grow up. That I have to cherish the wonderful passing moments and to rely fully on God for wisdom and strength to better raise these little children.
We are so thankful to our Wise and Loving Heavenly Father for making ALL things possible and for making ALL things beautiful in His own perfect time. What Love and what Grace He had given to our family on Christmas time. Not a day that passes by that we do not think of the Donor and the Donor’s family for all that they have been to Jordan since Transplant. What a privilege to be able to benefit from the services of our brilliant Doctors, compassionate Nurses and the rest of the medical staff of Levine Children’s Hospital and the entire CHS. We will never forget the time when the Debt Consolidation of United Way stepped up on the plate to cater our desperate need when Jordan was just recovering at home from multiple procedures after being diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease, three years ago. Thank you also to Children’s Miracle Network and Arts & Science Council for all that you do to our community. Thank you, my Finance Family for thinking and praying for Jordan during his most critical condition right after Transplant.
This chapter of Jordan’s long awaited Transplant Story may one day get old and will be forgotten. May we always remember that there are always, ALWAYS so many families out there still waiting for their Miracle Story to unfold. Maybe loved ones, parents or a Mother just like you and me, have been waiting to say the most special words, “My Precious Child, Welcome Home!” May we continue to be the channels of blessings, touching lives and making a difference.
You know God’s Word says in…
Psalm 37… The righteous is generous and gives.
And then in…
Proverbs 21… and he does not hold back.
In behalf of my family and the many families out there who have benefited from your hard earned dollar donations… Thank you for giving generously and for not holding back.
May God bless you more!
I could still remember in December 2010, Cisco and I had a conversation on how we were going to face the many unknowns of the future in a positive way, with Jordan being on dialysis and needing a kidney transplant. When it was impossible to find even just one ray of hope. After so many prayers and heart searching, we came up with a plan that became our New Year’s Resolution thereafter.
To experience God’s blessings, by God’s grace, choose to be a blessing first.
Little did we know that God honored the simple desire of our hearts. It was so amazing and so humbling to know that during the hardest and darkest time of our life, by choosing to be a blessing and by sharing Jordan’s story, it became a silver lining to so many families!
After three months of the Fall Giving Campaign, the result of the contributions that were given through pledges came in. Our Division ranked the highest in the system and actually won the Platinum Award. (Last year was Gold award). Of course, we always wondered, did Jordan’s story made the little influence in the success of the Division? Only God knows. But two things for sure, small acts of kindness AND generous giving can surely go a long way! That an award is just the icing on the cake.
Thank you, my Finance Family for having the biggest hearts to the community, helping the helpless and the needy. Thank you for giving us the opportunity, not just once but twice, to share Jordan’s Miracle Journey story. It surely made the hard times worth it!