In God's hands

This article is a companion piece to https://www.summerlandadvocate.com/story/2024/05/22/news/from-near-death-experience-to-lifesaver-thiele-makes-blood-donation-a-priority/6209.html

Before the accident, Jesse had asked Leenda about being baptized. After discussion, he agreed to wait.

You've got to have faith, even in the darkest moments. The Thiele family's faith played a major part in how they reacted to Jesse's accident.

Leenda said she knew how the trauma was handled would have a stronger impact on the family. Around that time, Jim was reading The Bible with kids and they had recently studied the story of Abraham and Isaac and sacrifice.

"I just thought Jesse was going to die. I told Alex, 'You know your dad has been reading The Bible to you. Whatever happens, God will take care of us. If we get to keep Jesse, we will handle it. If we don't, we'll handle it and God will be with us," she said.

Full panic mode. Then the first responders and crew arrived. Leenda squeezed into the ambulance, praying for her son's life. During intense moments, she remembers "speaking Jesse's name harshly," hoping to keep him focused on a familiar voice.

After the accident, Jesse knew he wasn't walking with the Lord. He realized life can be gone in the blink of an eye.

He requested to be baptized again. Leenda was concerned about how he was handling the trauma.

"I think he had anxiety mixed with 'you don't phase me,'" Leenda said. She spoke with the pastor and he suggested Jesse write why he believed now was the time.

Jesse wrote that his accident made him think God had a purpose for his life, after hearing descriptions of the accident.

When he was 12, he was baptized at Lifepoint Church.

"Once it happened, it was a moment of realization. I felt like God performed a miracle. I felt 100% that I was kept here for a purpose," Jesse said.