Saturday, February 28, 2009

Big Hair and Bigger Hearts

We had a fabulous time redoing Senior Prom last night. I laughed until my sides hurt at the amazing dresses and the hair. Even on a rainy night, there were some impressive achievements in 80s hair recreation! (See Joni's post for more...)R insisted on being in every photo we took at home. I guess he was afraid we would get so wrapped up in our adolescent charade we would forget our grown up responsibilities. :-) K thought I was a real princess. "Mommy, you are so Bee-you-tee-ful," she cooed as I came downstairs.Please note the crown on my head--sized 2T--on loan from my daughter. (I am bummed we did not get pictures with the gorgeous wrist corsage!)
This morning, despite terrible weather many of the same women who had partied like it was 1989 braved the conditions to walk with us. These are my precious friends donning t-shirts they had made for the day. Their arrival was a surprise and a tremendous source of comfort for me. Although I was the 'honoree' I really wanted the focus to be on what God had done.

The residents of the children's home were also there, in addition to my inlaws, parents and former co-workers. It was a surreal moment to stand before my community to reflect on how far we have come. I quoted this verse last week, but I can think of nothing more fitting tonight:

"Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: 'Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, O Sovereign LORD, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant. Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign LORD? What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Sovereign LORD. For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant." 2 Samuel 7:18-21 (NIV)

Although there was a break in the weather for the kickoff ceremony, the rain returned in time for our walk. Despite the cold,steady drizzle, spirits were high. We were wet and cold on the outside, but warm and grateful on the inside.

To God be the glory.

3 comments:

The Amazing Trips said...

I'm just getting caught up on what you have been doing the past few days and I'm so glad to see that your walk went well today. What a wonderful experience for you and all the people involved. I can imagine it was a very happy, emotional time for you.

I'd actually meant to write to you earlier in the week and ask for your prayers for a friend of mine. Deana adopted two little boys from the same birth mother, 18 months apart, and this past summer was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Her children are now 2 and 4.

Last week the doctors told her that she needed to contact hospice because the chemo wasn't working. This week, she and her husband hopped on a plane and flew from CA to TX in hopes that the treatment she receives at a hospital in Houston will save her life.

I'm completely heart sick over what she is going through and we feel so helpless as to how to help, other than offer prayers and solicit prayers from friends and family.

So ... my husband and I (and my cousin who is flying in from SC to run with us > her Dad also has stage 4 cancer) have decided to run a marathon for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in her honor.

I'm hosting various contests each and every week on my blog to maximize our fundraising efforts. Currently I have a PBK bean bag chair and a Melissa & Doug art easel up as prizes. There will be other prizes coming over the next few weeks and anyone that enters the raffle (with a minimum $5.00 donation) can be entered to win.

Over the past 3 weeks we've raised >$5K for cancer research and I am absolutely humbled by the outpouring of good will from so many people - most of whom I have never met.

I pray that the Great Healer will heal my friend so that she can continue being a mom to her two precious boys, and wife to her devoted husband. She has people from around the world praying for her. If you could hold my friend in your heart too, it would be greatly appreciated, JMom.

k and c's mom said...

Oh, how I loved the verse you had accompanying the pictures! Thank you, God, for the blessings you grant us through our families. We are rich beyond measure because of His unending grace and mercy.

Emmy said...

So fun! : )