Thy Word

People say a lot of things to you when your child (or you, for that matter) gets diagnosed with cancer.  “God won’t give you more than you can handle.”  “God has a purpose in all of this.”  “God will give you the grace to get you through it.”  “God allowed this to happen because he knew you could handle it.”

These are all well-meaning comments (though I don’t entirely agree with that last one).  However, things that I wanted to hear more were “We’re praying for you.” Or, “I read [insert specific Bible passage] today, and I think it really applies to your situation.” 

Today I would like to share with you the Bible passages that helped me hang on to my insanity, even if it was only by a thread.  They can help you, too, when you’re going through a tough time (I like to imagine I’m listening to the Bible on CD, being read by Morgan Freeman : ).

Ps. 46: 1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed and  though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.  Selah.”

John 16:33 “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Jer. 29:11 “I know the thoughts I think towards you, thoughts of peace and not evil, saith the Lord, to bring you to an expected end.”

Matthew 18:19-20  “Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my father which is in heaven.  For where two or more are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.  ”

Philippians 4:4-9 “Rejoice in the lord always and again, I say rejoice.  Let your moderation be made known unto all men, the Lord is at hand.  Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  Those things, which ye have both learned and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

Do you have any Bible verses to share?  Please do!

SHOES

Being the parent of a child with cancer is unlike anything you can imagine.  It is hard, frightening, grueling, and yet it is full of hope, and meeting new friends and amazing people.

I copied this poem from another parent’s website.  Perhaps you can gain a little insight.

Shoes
I am wearing a pair of shoes.
They are ugly shoes.
Uncomfortable shoes.
I hate my shoes.
Each day I wear them, and each day I wish I had another pair.
Some days my shoes hurt so bad that I do not think I can take another step.
Yet, I continue to wear them.
I get funny looks wearing these shoes.
They are looks of sympathy.
I can tell in others eyes that they are glad they are my shoes and not theirs.
They never talk about my shoes.
To learn how awful my shoes are might make them uncomfortable.
To truly understand these shoes you must walk in them.
But, once you put them on, you can never take them off.
I now realize that I am not the only one who wears these shoes.
There are many pairs in this world.
Some are like me and ache daily as they try and walk in them.
Some have learned how to walk in them so they don't hurt quite as much.
Some have worn the shoes so long that days will go by before they think about how much they hurt.
No one deserves to wear these shoes.
Yet, because of these shoes I am a stronger person.
These shoes have given me the strength to face anything.

Helping Out

     This week we are gearing up for a St. Jude Trike~A~Thon.  Emma will ride in her second Trike~A~Thon on June 24^th.  I felt like this would be a good week to highlight a way for others to help.  In the last year I have met hundreds of people who would love to help find a cure; they just need to know how.

     I have decided to do a charity highlight once a month.   What better place to start than with the hospital that is God’s hand in saving my daughter’s life?

PLACE:  St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN.

MISSION:  The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay.


HOW TO HELP:  St. Jude offers numerous donation programs.  Their biggest fundraiser is the Thanks and Giving program in the fall.  There are Give Thanks Walks across the country, as well as merchandise for purchase.  However, you can donate year round through their website, their Hope Gift Book, or the Memphis Marathon.  They also offer Trike~A~Thon's for daycares and preschools, and Math~A~Thon's for school-aged children.

     If you have a heart for these children, but would rather help kids a little closer to home,
then consider donating to, or volunteering at, a local Children's Hospital. 

WELCOME!

So many people won't even speak about pediatric cancer.  It is a painful subject; a parent can't bear to imagine their own precious child going through something so terrible, so they choose to ignore it.  Parents whose children do have cancer don't talk about it because they just can't wait to be done with the process, and so they ignore it so it won't consume them.

I am taking a stand.  I won't ignore it, and here is why.  Without awareness, how can money be raised?  How can prayers be sent up?  Did you know that only 3% of the funding for the American Cancer Society goes towards pediatric cancers?  Pediatric cancers are different from adult cancers, with different treatments and outcomes.  We must raise greater awareness, so that more money can be raised.  With more money, there can be more research.  With more research, perhaps someday there will be a cure.

In the meantime, thousands and thousands of children are living with this monster.  Did you know that 1 out of every 330 kids will be diagnosed with cancer?

And that is why I created this site.