Leather Jackets and Little Girls in Dresses

Yesterday was a wonderful day! I arose as usual at 6:00 am and spent time with God in my prayer chair. I can't believe how long my prayer list has gotten. So many people to pray for, and so many blessing to lift up. Then I went on my walk and listened to some amazing praise music that D (Danielle) added to my new ipod. I think my neighbors have sort of gotten used to the bald lady who walks around singing and grinning and sometimes crying and raising her hands in the hood (that's short for neighborhood). They're polite and smile alot when they pass me and I haven't noticed a sherriff's car tailing me, so I guess I'm okay.

Yesterday I got to go the church and lead Beginnings Class again, and it was such fun. Beginnings is a class that asks the basic questions about the Christian faith and is designed for people who are new Christians. But the reality is, it's a good place for anybody to ask questions they would not otherwise feel comfortable asking, like who is Jesus and why should I care?We've got 9 folks in there who are asking great questions about believing in God and Jesus and what the bible says and what it all means in this world we live in. For me, the conversations just make me stronger in who He is.

But perhaps the best thing about my day today is all of you. Because through you, I get a dose of serious hope that we're all going to be okay.

I had dinner with my good friend Jane. Now she's a trip. I've watched her grow so much in the last 6 months. It's like she's on God Steroids! We went on a mission trip together in March, and she's been running with God ever since. She has this big smile that will just make your day. We spent our dinner time talking about her most recent trip back to Mississippi, the site of our mission trip in March. She and her husband were part of a team that went back to complete the work we began in March. If you are sitting there right now wishing you had something to smile about, go do something for someone else who really needs help. Or hang out with people who do alot for others. Watch how they smile. You'll say - man, I want some of those kind of steriods!

And then when I pulled into that parking lot last night for class, a friend who I admire alot passed me on his motorcyle. He was wearing a leather jacket (of course) and had a big ol' grin on his face. His name is Scott, and not too, too long ago he was facing his own very serious health scare. A young man with a beautiful wife and two of the most precious little girls you've ever seen. And through all of it, he has just grown and grown and it's a wonderful blessing to see. About a year ago as I talked to him, I realized God had given him a passion for teaching and I could see how it had changed him. He glowed. And when I look at him and his family, I realize, wow - God has to be real. That glow doesn't just come from wearing a leather jacket and riding a bike (motorcycle).

Then last night as I was leaving, I got to meet a precious little girl in a pink dress. I was excited to meet her because I had heard so much about her from her mom and dad. Her mom and dad told me that she was a miracle birth- a true blessing from God. At a very late age and after years without being able to have a child, their life changed forever because of this baby. Through her birth, they realized that there had to be a God. So they came to our class to find out more.

As I travel this road with cancer, I am made stronger ever day. And I delight in all you and how you allow God to enter your lives and turn your inner challenges into triumph. You may be thinking that someone who's battling an illness doesn't want to know about the places you're going or how much fun you're having. But I want to know. I like seeing God's print on your travels.

God bless you guys.


Grace and Peace.