March 27, 2012

With the wet weather and sicknesses lingering, this weekend amounted to a lot of down time in pj's and reading books.  I was actually able to finish Wednesdays Were Pretty Normal by Michale Kelley.  It is the story of his son's battle with leukemia and how he beat it, but not before his family had to turn their faith (noun) into faith (action). Real faith is hard.  It's something you have to fight for .  It's something you have to choose.  And you have to fight and choose in the face of evidence rather than with the evidence on your side.  By definition, faith is believing something to be real or true  even though you can't see it." (157)

It hit home for two reasons.  Recently, my husband alluded to the same thought as I contemplated a job change for next year and also because we dealt with my mom's stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis seven years ago. So, I've felt that same sense of drowning in a sea of unknowns that only He could begin to dissolve and bring me to the surface where I could breathe deeply his peace.
Kelley writes, ". . .I realized that faith had never been hard.  It had never been work.  But it surely was now.  But this was a moment when we couldn't just have faith; we had to choose faith.  It had to be as conscious as any other decision; choosing faith was hard. Annoyingly hard. Frustratingly hard." (11)

I've always known we are children of God, but Kelley made me realize that poverty opens the door for us to realize it fully--and it is in our weaknesses and moments of the terrifying unknown that we too are poor--poor in spirit, poor in heart, poor in health and we must choose faith.  This definition of poverty was new for me in concept--but one I know I've felt before nonetheless.

A verse he used that made me reflect on what my own mom's cancer did to our family, our community of friends:  Galatians 6:2: "Carry  one another's burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." It was that reminder to be there and to make yourself available to those facing trying times. I know my mom was blessed by an outpouring of  dinners, and hand-made blankets, and pink hats and ribbons and all were appreciated; however, the physical presence, that text message, that email, card in the mail, surprise visit--all probably mattered so much more. We are the hands and feet of Jesus.  And believing in Him in trying times is hard work:  "This is the work of God--that you believe in the One He has sent. (John 6:29)

And ultimately, Kelley asks the question that is asked by God:  Do you trust me?
"Trust is so important that God will fight us for it." (233)
"As God fights for our faith, we are forced to reckon with our own lack of faith.  We are forced to realize the path of selfishness and self-preservation we have been on. . ." (235)

I liked the way Kelley tied scripture into each chapter as he told the stories of Jacob, Moses, Paul, and others that shed new light on the bible stories I've read as a child but so much more wisdom to be gained now as an adult.  This book brought me back to my mom's days of sickness--what lessons did I learn? What lessons have I learned as a result of my mom and how she dealt with everything?  What lessons did my dad teach me during his journey?  How was my relationship with my husband altered, how am I different as a mom? 

So, although the book was about a little boy who triumphed over his leukemia, it really was more about that journey and the lessons the daddy learned...and  how his faith was rocked and put into action. A lesson for us all.

  I stayed up too late finishing this read.  I always like Piccoult  and she does not disappoint with her skill of masterful storytelling through the points-of-view of multiple characters.  She does this with ease and usually this is what I enjoy most about her novels.  While I liked the overall story line and its complexities with dealing with organ donation and "pulling the plug," I had problems reading about the main character, Luke and his experiences with living with wolves. . .not problems I guess, I just found it a little. . .much.

All in all, though--I enjoyed the story and am so glad I finished it because. . .

comes out today!!  I will have a new book to read on my nightstand by another favorite author.  Only this book is the end of this series, so it will be a sad read knowing that there is nothing more to come: (

October 22, 2011

 Did ya'll know that the month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness month?

I must admit, this month became of much more significance almost seven years ago when my own mom was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.

Scary. Scary times.

Fortunately, thanks to her great team of doctors but mostly God from above, today she is celebrating being seven years cancer free.

My mom became involved with a local support group while she was going through her treatment.

Every year, The Power of Pink is held to earn funds to go to their center.

 Community members knit and donate scarves for ALL women who have been touched by this horrific disease.

They even let you take one to encourage and show lover for patients that may not be there.

 Someone knit all these water bottle holders.
In pink, of course.

It has become my daughter's favorite school day accessory.

 They play games to get the crowd involved.

 The best part?  The raffled gift baskets they have that have all been donated.  

There were so many to choose from. . .

this year I gave my money to my daughter to put into the raffles because I knew I had a football game to attend.  I had been absent for the last two, so with dad working, I knew I had to step up and be there.  He was counting on it.

I digress, my daughter had twenty-five tickets to place freely wherever she wanted in whatever interested her...or whatever she thought I might like--if she thought that at all.

 She won herself two of the items that she wanted so badly.

It was hard to watch her disappointment when she didn't win--knowing she should be thankful and satisfied that she had won at all.

Difficult concept for an 8-year-old but she handled herself well in the scheme of things.

Isn't that book beautiful?  It looks great in her Paris themed bedroom!!

 There were three moments where I was bombarded my feelings of joy and thankfulness.

Three times throughout the afternoon, my name was called to win gift baskets that my daughter had chosen with such love.

I won:

a beautiful pink jewelry set, and two different baskets filled with relaxing bath goodies.

As of yet, I am not a bath person--but to know she read the words, "de-stress" and "relax," and thought this is what my mom needs...

made me feel very proud actually.

She could have spent all those tickets on herself and I would have been none the wiser.

I'm sure grandma encouraged her into the right way of thinking--but I was so surprised each time my name was called!

 These sweet things were all vying for the coveted role of wearing the most pink. . .the lady on the far right took layering to a whole new level!!

My mom and I sporting our brand new shirts given to us by my dear friend, Elizabeth.

For the month of October, a friend and her husband are selling these for $15.00 and $4 from each shirt will be donated to The City of Hope. 

You all know how important the City of Hope is to me if you remember how we took our son there this summer fearing he might need treatment there.

If you're interested in a shirt, let me know and I can get that out to you. . .

Also, for my local ten readers (smiling), if you haven't eaten here--you should!  

Tony's has generously donated ALL the food for the Power of Pink since it began many years ago!  The french dips and potato salad are delicious and I love that they support community causes close to their heart!

Breast cancer is a disease that will touch all of us in one way or another. 

We might know someone who has it,

or we might be the one someday.

Take some time today to review how to do a self check.

Make an appointment for your mammogram.

I started mine last year at 35 because of my familial history.

Don't be afraid, be proactive--

early detection is key!!