Day 45: Dinner and a Hair Cut.....{Part 3}

After my wonderful time getting my hair cut it was time to get ready for the fundraiser my mom had put together for me. My family has deep country roots and so she planned a night of "Dinner & Dancing" with a good ol' country bad.

We first had a baked potato bar with all the fixings. Country music artist Gary Lear performed for us during our dinner. If you haven't had a chance to listen to his music, you need to. You can visit his website here: Gary Lear's Web Site

Here is a quick way to listen to his music. For you country fans - you are going to love it. :-) (For those of you who are getting this delivered via email you are going to have to go to the blog to be able to hear his music. Be sure to mute my background music so you can be sure you can hear his. :-) You can do that if you scroll to the bottom.

After dinner was done people kicked up their heals to the Northfork Country Band. The lead singer being Bill Long.

Jason and I just felt so blessed that so many of our friends and church family came out to see us. It was kind of like a reunion. I saw people there that I haven't seen in years. There were people there that have known me since they were my kids' age and it was just very neat to visit with them all.

There are so many people I need to thank for their time, help, donations for the silent auction, food, and the list goes on an on. Please know that you all are in Jason and I's prayers. Literally - Jason has a notebook that we write everyone who has done anything for us - from meals to money and everything in between - and we pray over those names often.

Thank you again for everyone's love and support for us through this journey. We could not do it without each and every one of you. Love you all and blessing to you.

~Andrea

Day 45: Dinner and a Hair Cut.....{Part 2}

So, as I shared in the "Part 1", Friday was hair cut day. My long time friend, Pam, had offered as soon as she heard I was diagnosed to cut my hair for me, and continue to cut my hair as needed, through the chemo process. I tell you what, the hour I was in her chair was just so relaxing to me. We talked about all kinds of things.

I do have a prayer request for Pam and her husband. They started the process of an international adoption over 3 years ago and they are still waiting for their baby girl to come home. Please, please, please lift this family up in prayer. I know we have to trust God's timing in all of this but I know first hand the power of prayer. I know He can bring this baby girl home to her mommy and daddy who are here waiting.

The second prayer request I have for this family is financial support. Me being me, of course I had to ask Pam if she and her husband would be willing to adopt another baby in the meantime. (Hey I have four kids ;-)  In no way was I saying to give up on their little girl - but they have had a homestudy done every year for the past 3 years, their paperwork done countless times, they are this perfectly wonderful couple just waiting to fill their home with children and I know there are children out there waiting for a mommy and daddy.....it seems like such a tragedy to me that they don't have a child yet. She told me that they would be willing to adopt another child in addition to their baby girl but they have invested everything into their first baby girl.

I am determined when I am well and done with my chemo to help them get the financial means they need to bring a baby home. If you are reading this and have a heart to help the orphan and the families who want to bring them home, please email me. Our church has recently started a Faith In Action ministry that is trying to do just that and we can use your help. I know we, as the Body of Christ, can do this! If you have fundraising ideas - let me know.

Anyway, when my friend, Pam and I parted ways she said that she had asked God for the words to encourage me through this time in my life - like she hadn't already done enough - but then she reminded me of something from when I was in high school that brought back a ton of memories that I had actually not thought about in years. I use to run all of the time. Well, I actually played volleyball, basketball, and ran in track. Running wasn't my favorite of these three sports - basketball was hands down - but I like to win and so that kept me going in track. Basically I loved the race but didn't like the training so much. Most of my running career I suffered from severe shin splints. They were so bad at several points that I could barely walk. But I would go down early for practice every day, stick both of my legs in and ice bucket until my legs were numb, let the trainer tape my legs up to just below my knees, and then I would complete my workout. I pretty much did that for all 4 years of my high school running career. It was extremely painful pretty much all of the time. No wonder childbirth wasn't ever that bad for me.

So, God laid it on Pam's heart to remind me of my perseverance through that time. As I thought back on what I did every day I honestly can't tell you why I did it. I just knew that was I had to do to get the job done and so I did it. Kind of like me going through chemo now. I don't know how I really get through it but I know it is my job now to do it so I can be well again and so I do it. I am just so amazed how God taught me all these lessons throughout my life to prepare me for things like battling cancer. I am grateful for the heart He has given me. I am grateful for my fighting spirit, the endurance that He blessed me with. People use to think it was crazy that I was a distance runner and now I know why He did it. So, I could run the distance now.

I am grateful for my friend Pam and for her seeking God for the "perfect" message for me. Through her faithfulness and obedience I was truly blessed - and I got a cute hair cut. :-)

Love you all and wish you a very blessed day!

~Andrea

Fundraiser

Hi Everyone! I just wanted to let everyone know that a dear friend of mine has graciously set up a fundraiser for us along with another man in the community that was recently diagnosed with Lymphoma. I have had some friends asking for the specifics on this event and so I just wanted to give you all the details.

What: They are calling it a "Spaghetti Western". There is $20 charge for all you can eat salad, pasta, and non-alcoholic beverage along with a silent auction.
When: Sunday, March 6, 2011 from 6pm until whenever people stop coming.
Where: Domiano's on Main St.

There is also the "Night of Worship" going on the same night at our church which we will be attending as a family and then we will head over to the dinner. The worship event tarts at 6pm as well and the price of admission are 2 non-perishable food items. We would love to see you at either location and thank you so much for support.

Many Blessings,
Andrea