It's been nearly two years since Jake Finkbonner contracted strep A, a vicious flesh-eating bacteria that nearly killed him.

Jake and his family recently sat down with KOMO 4's Kathi Goertzen and shared the latest in their remarkable story of survival. Jake's journey brought a community together and left many believing in miracles.

Jake has come a long way. Now he can even play flag football with other 7 year olds, running up and down the field and keeping up. That in itself is something special for Jake. For his parents, it's a dream.

It was during a basketball game two years ago that Jake bumped his lip, which became infected with the destructive flesh-eating bacteria. The germ spread within days, ravaging his cheeks, ears, scalp and neck. It nearly killed him.

And those vivid memories of his brush with death have not left him.

"Once the body feels like you just need to go to heaven, I just think that the holy spirit inside of your heart just rises up," Jake said.

They were days of uncertainty and profound faith. More than 20 surgeries at Children's Hospital in Seattle saved his life.

"He said (after) your spirit leaves your body, you can see down on Earth where you died," said Elsa, his mother. "He said you can see yourself. He said he saw himself."

The people of the Finkbonners' home town of Ferndale rallied and wanted to fight Jake's battle with him. His story spread around the Northwest, then around the country.

"There was a lot of work, a lot of prayers from family and friends and a lot of inner-strength from all of us," said Don, Jake's father.

They are still inspired by Jake's courage through so many surgeries.

"I'm sort of proud because I know I can make it through," said Jake. "And I know I can make it through other ones and soon it will be all over."

When asked whether he gets scared, Jake bravely said no.

"Not really scared," he said. "I just get a little nervous."

Jake has had skin grafts and implants to stretch the remaining healthy skin. This spring, Jake's eyes will be the focus of reconstruction. His doctors are gradually and masterfully creating a new face for Jake.

"It's hard for us to see the big picture and think of how much he has changed until we pulled out his first grade pictures," Elsa said. "I think it's a huge improvement."

Though the Finkbonner family is once again trying to live a normal life, they know they will never be the same.

"It's always been a miracle to us. We've been blessed," said Don. "We now know what life is about. It's about God, family, friends and community. We're truly blessed."

To learn more about Jake's story or to contribute to his medical costs, visit his Web site.