Patience...

Today I was reading an advent devotional and I read the following... It reminded me of Laura. She has been living with grace and patience in the midst of a difficult year. I continue to admire how she embraces life in spite of challenges and trials. She is an inspiration to me.

Wishing you all peace, joy and hope this holiday season and in the year ahead.

GFW!

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The Patient Live and Wait in the Present

by Henri Nouwen

A waiting person is a patient person. The word "patience" implies the willingness to stay where we are and live the situation out to the full in the belief that something hidden there will manifest itself to us. Patient living means to live actively in the present and wait there. Impatient people expect the real thing to happen somewhere else, and therefore they want to get away from the present situation and go elsewhere. For them, the moment is empty. But patient people dare to stay where they are, waiting.

O God, help us to be patient, knowing that all good gifts come from you in your own time.

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P.S. She has one or two more infusions with the research drug. Then about a six-month wait and then reconstruction. Please pray that she will remain healthy during this period. And please pray for peace and comfort. Thanks.

Team GoFightWin! at the Atlanta Breast Cancer 3-Day

Our journey began waaaaaaay before last Friday... It began last year. Laura and Angel were diagnosed with breast cancer last fall.

This fall, team GoFightWin! decided that we were going to do what we could to help find a cure for it.

We travelled from various places on Thursday and ended up at Lake Lanier, GA so that we could walk 60 miles to show how serious we are about getting this disease to go away.

Here are some photos from our trip... Neither the words nor the photos adequately tell what it was like, but you can get some idea.

For me, and I think for others, it was an amazing, unforgettable weekend...in many ways.




I saw this as I drove down I-85. It was a sign of what would be in store for us over the next three days.


We gathered in Judy and Pam's room for a little social hour before our evening began.

Then the walkers had dinner at Jennie Clayton's house. She had a FEAST prepared for us. It was YUMMY!

Some of us ended up on her dock for the beautiful view.

And, then... it was time to retire for the evening. Early start the next day.

The whole gang pictured here before we all went to bed.

See what I mean when I say early start? It was still dark when we arrived on Friday morning.

Steve carried the flag representing all the wives who are fighting breast cancer.

Judy seemed to really get into the theme of things.

And Pam made all their costumes.

Normally, 3-Day walkers sleep outside, but our original campsite was "messed up" during the Atlanta floods. So, we camped in a BIG building.

Adrienne found her cozy little spot OUTSIDE of a tent. She preferred it that way.

Along the route on the first day, Angel's family surprised her with those sweet signs and those sweet boys!

Just in case the motorists didn't notice, there was a sign to let them know there were a lot of us coming.

See what I mean?

Day 2 begins.... Buses took us to the start of the walk.

There are still a lot of people walking.

Two of my favorite walkers...

A stroll by the Chattahoochee River...

All along our route -- on all three days -- we were met with cheering crowds. Most of the time, it brought tears to my eyes.

Our cousins met us in Duluth with this sign and goodie bags. They stood there for THREE hours waiting for us!!

At the end of day two's walk, the WHOLE team posed for a photo.

Beginning of day 3.

Mary Celeste's friends met us along the route to cheer us on. Even had goodies!!

Mary Celeste and I walked together down Peachtree. We thought this was a good photo op...

This is just one example of the fun traffic help we had along the route. The dancing motorcycle men (and women) were a HIT!

We're getting closer to the finish line!

Look what we saw on the sidewalk!!!!!!!!!!!

Leesburg sent some medical help! :-)

The closing ceremony...

If you look closely (just about the middle of the photo), you'll see Debbie Bruner holding the GoFightWin! banner that Pam made. Laura took this photo from the stage.

The Atlanta skyline as we head to our homes.

One last team photo -- with some of our supporters!!

An unforgettable weekend!!

Just a quick note...

Team GOFIGHTWIN! completed the Breast Cancer 3-Day yesterday. It was an AMAZING experience.

We have lots of pictures to share ....and perhaps a story or two, but those will come when a real computer is available to me.

For now, know that ALL of us on the team appreciate your support.

Four Days to Go!!

On Friday, October 23, Team GoFightWin! will begin a walk from Lake Lanier (about 60miles north of Atlanta) which will end at Turner Field on Sunday afternoon.

We are excited, nervous, emotional, tired, curious and hopeful!!

If you're in the Atlanta area and would like to cheer us on, please choose one (or all) of the cheering stations listed below to show your support for our team and for the many other teams joining in the fight against breast cancer.

Wooo hooo!!

GoFightWin!

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Friday, October 23
8:45 am - 10:45 am Downtown Buford89 Main St.Buford, GA 30518
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm Suwanee StationStation Center Blvd. Suwanee, GA 30024


Saturday, October 24
9:15 am - 12:00 pm Oreck Vacuums Store & Plaza5005 Peachtree PkwyNorcross, GA 30092
11:30 am - 6:00 pm Duluth Monarch School3057 Main St.Duluth, GA 30096


Sunday, October 25
7:45 am - 9:30 am Lowe's 4950 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.Chamblee, GA 30341
10:45 am - 1:30 pm Atlantic Stations171 17th St.Atlanta, GA 30363

Coming Together to Make a Difference

Saturday, September 19 Evansville, IN hosted a Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. The Race is nation wide event, hosted in various cities around the US. All the proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen breast cancer fund.

I decided to join the race in late August when arriving back at school. I had seen signs posted around the campus and thought I would ask our department if anyone wanted to walk with me. When I talked to our department I already knew several people were interested, however, I had no idea as many people wanted to be involved as there were. Our team consisted of twenty seven people from our theatre department. Every participant had to pay twenty five dollars to walk and then raise as much money as they wished after that.

When we arrived at the race on Saturday we were all overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and support of everyone around us. The community came together over the suffering and pain this cancer causes, and in doing so we were all made aware not only of the strength and courage of the individuals afflicted by this cancer but also of how a community can come together to make such an impact in the fight against breast cancer. It made me proud to know that I was a part of something that really can and does make a difference.

Although the fight is not over, we are winning. After being a part of something like this and seeing, firsthand, the spirit and the determination of so many people, there is no doubt that we will beat this cancer. Maybe not this year, maybe not next year, but it will happen. As long as people continue to have my mother's "GoFightWin" spirit and the support and enthusiasm I witnessed on Saturday, we will win. I realized on Saturday that "GoFightWin" is not just a cheer, it is an attitude. An attitude that I believe will not fail.

(Written by Lisa Kitchens)

Hey People! Here's Something Huge We Could Do!!

Just saw this on my facebook page. Registration is closed for this year (and it's a good thing 'cause I can't ride that far yet!)

But maybe we could try for next year -- or the year after?!!

I don't know all the details, but you can check it out at :

http://www.youngsurvival.org/tour_de_pink/index.html

Hmm. Sounds like fun, huh? ☺

Wondering

I'M WONDERING....

• if it's going to rain.


• what's for lunch.


• who's going to win today's Georgia/Oklahoma game.


• if there will be anybody we know at the 3-day walk.


• if we can really sleep comfortably in a pink 2-person tent.


• if the hot water in the 3-day showers will last until I get through.


• if the meals at the 3-day are as delicious as I think I need.


• if the 3-day is as amazing as the DVD makes it seem.


• But mostly I wonder if this is the year a cure will be found for breast cancer.

-lhk