I continue to pray for James' recovery and also for Dad and Mom (Doug & Sandy) as they stay by his side and trust in God!

Uncle Scott

James, Doug and Sandy,
We are sending you much love and keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you for all the updates.
Monte, Michele, Nikki and Annie Armstrong

James, Sandy and Doug,

Just want you to know that the Hawthornes are praying for you all of you too!!

Andrea

Hi James, Doug, and Sandy!

Just wanted to let you know our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Tell James I'll be expecting to play a tune with him soon!

Justin and Alison

It good to hear from you Doug. Just know that you aren't going it alone. We feel deeply what you, Sandy and all of the boys are feeling. We are bearing your burdens the best we know how. It is exciting to see your heart and how God is showing himself to you during these times. "Onward and upward" as Aslan said. As hard as it seems at the time, these are the times that God forges hearts that are totally His. "Find Him" during this time. You and Sandy will never be the same. Your Brother Kevin, Teresa and family.

Thanks, Doug, for the heartfelt post today! That was a fantastic reminder and encouragement on so many levels.

Know that your "Journey Family" is standing with you in prayer as you walk this road.

We love you!

Brian & The Journey Church Family

James, My name is Beth Graves and I am having surgery on June 2. I read your story and I am thankful for your faith. It has touched my heart and made my trust in God a little stronger. Remember that if his eye is on the sparrow there is no doubt that he is watching over you.
bethanngraves@tampabay.rr.com

James, you have been on my heart and in my prayers the last few days. I am drawn to God by all that is going on with you as I know you and your family are. I am reminded of his deep unsearchable love and compassion that we can't fully comprehend but know and profoundly experience during times like these. I am also struck by his sovereignty, that fact that he is in control of all things, every detail of our lives are in his intimate care. "My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Ps 139:15,16 Our prayers continue for you and your family, Mike

Wow, your family has a lot of courage, especially MOM! Lots of folks are following this and we can be assured God will turn it all for His glory. If anyone has 5% of brain realestate to spare, it's James. All those cool fiddle tunes he plays made his brain extra large to begin with. Love and daily prayers......Kelly & Tally Wells

Dear James and Family,

We had no idea that you had decided to take this step. We have been holding you close in our thoughts and prayers since learning about your journey. We know that a lot of courage is required right now, but you will find it through perfect love, which casts out fear. We look forward to seeing you when you get back home.

Hugs to you all,
Dick and Lisa

James, somehow it's hard to write even though my heart is filled with thoughts of you and prayers for you. I keep thinking back to last summer and how great of a time we had when you got to stay with us. It's so hard not to be with you right now, I can't wait until we get to see you soon. I'm so glad our prayers are heard by a God who is compassionate and gracious and is a redeemer and a healer. Love you so much it hurts,

Josiah, Sherree and Levi

Hi James & family,
I just wanted to say hi and to let you know that I am thinking of you and praying for you. I'll be keeping tabs of your progress hear on the HV Journal. I can't wait until you're all better so I can hear you play (and blow me away again!) and so I can trade sarcastic comments with you... ;) My best to all of you.
Love,
April Verch

hey Jamesyy. it's Jess. I just wanted to let you know that i am constantly praying for you. I miss you so much. Kev and i miss seeing you everyday before you go to English. You better get back here soon so we can say hi to you again!! I hope you are feeling a little bit better, you are in Gods hands, he loves you so so much. You have such great things in store for you, so you better start getting better so i can hear you play that violin again:) and hear all those nacho libre quotes from my favorite cousin in the world:) love you and miss you tons, you are in my prayers.
Love, your cousin Jess

Dear James and parents,

I'm deeply sorry to hear about the complications in your recovery.... I've been thinking of you daily and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers until you fully recover. Although it might be a little bit before you come back to Bozeman to play your fiddle I'm already looking forward to it!

Irena Beard

As Mother Maybelle would say ....

Let us greet with the song of hope each day,
Tho' the moment be cloudy or fair,
Let us trust in our Saviour alway,
Who keepeth everyone in His care.
---
Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side,
Keep on the sunny side of life,
It will help us ev'ry day, it will brighten all the way,
If we'll keep on the sunny side of life.
---
James, I'm praying for you. Hurry up and get back, there's Jimmy Martin songs to be played! Hi to Doug & Sandy too. I love you buddy. Larry

hi James this is Brienna I hope that you feel better. I hope that we can see each other again and mabe have another fiddle lesson some time if you are up to it.we are going to the first week of fiddle camp I wish that you could be there to teach ur see us because you are the best teacher that I have ever had or ever will have in my whole life. we all miss you so much.

James, Sandy and Doug - Thoughts of you have crossed our minds every day since you left for DC and Boston. You exemplify hope, strength, perseverance and faith through this set-back. Know that we continue to think of you daily (hourly!) and we're cheering you on to a complete recovery!

The Centers
Romans 5:3

James is an amazing young man and such a witness for GOD and all that GOD has a plan for us to be. I know GOD has wonderful healing and plans for his future. He is in my prayers and on my prayer list at Church. I have 10 grandchildren, 6 boys and 4 girls, all live near me except one so my husband and I are a part of their daily lives and are thankful that we are. We can only hope and pray that our grandsons (and granddaughters) can serve as the outstanding example that James is showing. GOD bless
Emilyrae Helfen

James and family, prayers for all from Billings. Hold on with belief and trust. You have been in our thoughts every day.

Ron & Marcia Anderson (Haley's Grdparents)

James, we love you and are praying for you daily. God has an amazing plan for you with everything that you are going through. We can't wait to see you, love you.
-Garrett and Stephanie Blue

Hello James:
You have the whole state and beyond praying for you Bud. Praying and thinking about you every day. Please give your Momma a hug for me. We love you James, hurry home.
Love the Reyhers

James, this is Mia's dad. Our whole family has been praying for you. We know you are in great hands, both the doctor's and the Lord's. Can't wait until we hear you fiddling again. God bless you.
Nonie Orosco

Dear James, Just rest, rest, rest, and let your body heal. Recovery can be slow at times, but can also make suprising leaps. You'll see! Hope you feel more comfortable soon and that those darn headaches disappear. I hear all the nurses have fallen in love with you--why am I not surprised?? Take care, dear James, and know that we are all thinking of you and praying for you all the time. Love from Anna and Parker

Hi James,
I hope you are feeling better today! Please rest and know that Nikki and I have you in our thoughts. I know I will be sharing the stage with you soon enough! Feel better and we'll talk soon.

Adam

Hi James, prayers your way buddy. You will be up and out of that hospital in no time.

Carol

Hey James! I'm praying for you! everyone prolly says that... but its true :) Im Jens friend :) I work at the Deli with her... anyways, I read in one of the things here that you wanted ice cream and gummi bears.... wow.. I love that... its my all time fave. You rock! Keep up the good work!!! The gummi bears say HI...fyi ;)
God Bless!!! :)
~Ruthie Nixon

James---I had no idea you were going through this. You are a trooper! Thanks much to your folks for chronicling events for the rest of us.

Get well soon! (sounds trite, but definitely is exactly what I mean!)

My thoughts and love are with you at this time.

Starr McMullen

James!

We're praying like mad for you, imploring God to heal you up to "better than new" status ASAP! While we know that you've got a challenging road up ahead, we also know that God hasn't and won't leave you--He's with you every step along the way.

We'll keep the prayers coming...you keep on trusting God and getting well.

Give your Mom and Dad a hug from us, would you?

Love you, brother...can't wait to see you.

Expectantly,

Brian Hopkins

Dear James,

You are constantly in my thoughts and prayers and I know that God is holding you and healing you more every day. I know what you and your parents are going through isn't easy but I would encourage you to hold on to hope, and be patient as you heal. It takes time. You will have an amazing story to tell as people hear your beautiful music.
I love you, Aunt Steph

Dear James,

You are in my prayers.

God Bless,

Karen Penner
Weiser, Idaho

Dear James and family,

We are holding you all in our prayers--just learned today about what's been going on. Our church family at Bozeman United Methodist are praying for your speedy recovery too.

With much care,
Rilla and Carl Esbjornson
(Jesse's Bozeman "Momma Rilla" and "Uncle Carl")

Dear James,
Mike and I heard about your situation today and have started praying for you earnestly. We also contacted Kelly and told her and she is also praying for you. (We live in Wyoming.) Of course, I posted it to my facebook profile, too. We all have access to this journal and are glad you have this tool. Meanwhile, rest up, look up, and keep on trusting Jesus to get you and your family through this trial. May Satan be defeated and Jesus glorified now and forever.
Love in Him, Lynne Baber
P.S. Kelly is playing the violin again!! I'll let her tell you about her new venture.

James! Soo many people love you dearly and are lifting you up. I can't wait to see you pull through this with incredible strength. I admire and love you soo very much. And I miss you like crazy. Gods' got you in His incredible loving embrace. I so want to hear your sweet voice so keep getting better so you can call me! haha Miss you.
JenJen

We've rec'd many notes from our praying friends, people you don't know, that are lifting you up in prayer. We hope you can feel the power of all these prayers and can rejoice in knowing God loves you so very much. Grpa and Grma Newville

What a wonderful report to read from you all @ the end of my"Mothers Day" from heaven

...seeing & hugging Emmy for the first time since early April,

being strong enough to WALK with help from friends(last week was in a wheelchair to go to Kerri's graduation) to the track to watch her run her fastest mile ever!

To see repeatedly of God' provision for my every need-even realizing that the hill of the BZN hospital is the very hill my own dad held me close as a child so I wouldn't fear the noise of the 4th of July fireworks...

The very hill I sat on in my sick bed of BZN hospital 3 days earlier,so discouraged & truly alone.

God knows your goings & comings & tired Headaches too...and holds you in His lap until you are strong enough to move forward again! Much love!

Rosie Keller.
PS James...I have a name of a tune for you to write for me...per Granny Betty: "Driving Miss Rosie"...I envision an air & a fart(s) inthe skillet!(what she calls reid!) tune! Joy to you!

Sitting here in Dillon tonight, I realized that I have been praying for you ,James, and your family, constantly ever since Owen called me this morning. With all of your God-given gifts, the one that has most lingered in my thoughts is your amazing kindness. The healing is happening and grace surrounds you. All of us who love you are holding you in the light minute by minute. In prayer, Jeannie James - speaking for myself, my family and all the Dillon Junior Fiddler Family.

Dear James, Sandy, Doug and family,
Please know you have so many people who love and care for you. We pray that recovery will be complete. Our best to you. Reneé Westlake and the music staff at Bozeman Public Schools

Thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers!!!! I am upstairs and remembering a signature I saw on the ceiling in this room about 10 years ago!!!!
You and your family will always so very special in our lives here in Montana
God bless you and keep you
Mike and Terri Kelly

Hi James.
Mike Baber here. Just want you to know that we love you and pray that you get right back to health as quickly as possible. We trust God for everything to flow smoothly as you move ahead with healing. I sure miss getting to visit with you. It'll have to wait until we make another trip up to Montana. Wyoming is nice but we miss our friends. Remember what I told you when we visited one time. Your music does not define you. We enjoy you for who you are. One of his children that needs some healing. We'll keep praying.
With love from all the Babers---Mike

My thoughts and prayers are with James and the family. I know God has everything in His hands, I will continue to pray for all of you.

Melany
NC

Too James and the rest of your family. With Laura and I being away in Portland for school we were unaware of this surgery and found out via facebook. We will join with all the others in prayer and trust James to God's care.

Doug, Sandy, James & family. We're praying like crazy here in Bozeman. Just sent your update to the Journey prayer team and have my facebook friends praying as well. I'm sorry for this set back and my heart breaks for you all right now. God has always had incredible plans for James' life and today is no different! He's a great kid and God is going to do GREAT things in him, thru him and for him!

As parents of a son that is a "fiddler" and a member of Texas Old Time Fiddler's Assoc., just wanted to say "hello" from Texas and we wish you the very best. May God continue to Bless and Keep all of you.

Margie & Johnny Crisp

Hey James..uncle Kevin here. The other Schlenders back here in Montana are thinking about you and praying for you constantly today. We can't wait for you to get back here, where you belong. I don't know why God is allowing you to fight another big battle when we all thought (hoped)that the surgery was the last big physical battle of your life. That might be an unrealistic hope, but that is what we want for you. We think that you have been through enough. But God knows. Just know that the God who wove you in your mothers womb is right now putting you back together. His thoughts toward you today are more numerous than the sands. He is going to make you whole. Your body has gone through a lot, your whole life. And you have been amazing, at how you have handled the challenges and excelled and grown through every one of them. You already are an awesome young man of God and I am so excited to see the man you become. I am honored to know you. Press into Him. He said if you seek Me, you will find Me, if you search for me with ALL OF YOUR HEART. We love you with all of our hearts. Uncle Kevin

James - I am sorry for your setback. I have been monitoring your progress for a while now. I look forward to reading of your recovery. Stay strong and positive. God bless. Jon Farmer

Sorry to read about this latest bump. I'm a fellow HVJ "club" fellow, and have been following James' journal. You have been been good at journaling. Who knows for sure how the outcome is gonna be, but, it probably gonna be really good, just probably will be. I don't know exacty why, but this bump made me think about one of the most rewarding things I've ever done.....got to work with a young man...young...he just turned 40, Adam. Adam has MLD (metachromatic leukodystrophy). It is a brain deterioration disorder. Adam wanted to do a triathlon. My daughter had been working with him doing horse back riding, running, and swimming. My daughter and Adam's mother asked me to help him do a Triathlon. Although Adam has this brain issue, some processing issues, he is such an artist and has the most wonderful, positive attitude about life you could imagine. The people around him have nurtured that attitude with super success. We trained and trained, and after the second attempt, Adam completed a triathlon. The, little (actually big) brain issue did not keep him from learning what he needed to do.....and the smile, grin, on his face when he completed the event, you could not believe. We were even able to arrange for Adam to get special recognition award during awards presentation. Yep, I have a hunch whatever this setback is for James, he's strong and he's gonna go on to do great things, in a sense, just like Adam. Yeah, he's gonna pull through this with the postive support he has around him...positive vibes to you all from the mtn in New Mexico....Barry

Dear Susan and Doug,
I was sorry to read the latest post this morning. You are all in my continued prayers. Love, Miss Linda

Sandy and Doug: Well, we've been praying for you and James every day of course and we certainly hope that his recovery continues on without any more bumps along the road. You don't need those! Jesse was so pleased to play for James and said he wanted to do that again because he thinks it helps him heal. These musicians you know! Our continued love and prayers are yours and remember that you all are surrounded in God's loving arms receiving his peace, protection and comfort. Love, Becky and John

Praying for you and your family. Please let me know if I can do anything for you guys! Love you all.
Kerri K.

Hey James,
We are so sorry to hear the news this morning about the stroke. We are all so very happy to hear that the area affected was five percent. We know that with your strength, spirit, and God's help you can make it through this. I miss seeing you at school and look forward to seeing you as soon as your recovery allows you to come home. We will be reading your mom's postings and praying for you!!
Love,
Madi, Sue, and Bill