Sunday, May 31, 2015

Day 7: #Sharingstreak Lindsey Deitz


honoree of the day: Richard Dean Phillips 
Lindsey Deitz's Paternal Grandfather who was a WWII vet and died of mesothelioma.

Lindsey is a neighbor of mine and a very close friend. She has two girls my kids ages and we met one day when our kids were seeking new playmates. We found out that we had a mutual connection because of Young Life! Lindsey went to frontier Ranch when she was in high school with our regional director Lynn Barclay! It is so fun when you have it completely confirmed how small the world really is.


Why are you honoring him? Granddaddy was a quiet, sweet soul who genuinely loved his family. I never heard him say a bad word about anyone or raise his voice. He always had an open lap to hop up in and listen to "The Flying Sandbox" that he would read aloud. Whenever I think I can't play one more board game with my girls, I think of all the rounds of "Candyland" that Granddaddy endured with his grandkids. I always feel like I had a special bond with Granddaddy because I actually am the spitting image of what his mom looked like. I don't know why that makes me feel this way, but it does and it makes me feel like I am linked to a past long ago.

What has helped you through trying times? 
Always, through trying times I reach for my Bible to hear the promises made to us that were relevant then and just as relevant today in our situations. Also, sweet memories of my childhood always make trying adult circumstances seem less daunting. "I have made you; I will carry you; I will sustain you; and I will rescue you." Isaiah 46:4

Favorite quote: "My faith rests not upon what I am; or shall be, or feel, or know, but in what Christ is, in what He has done and in what He is now doing for me."  --Charles Spurgeon

Pump Up Songs-Lately I'm loving "Big Data", George Michael Pandora Station and Missy Elliot when I'm feeling sassy. 

My weirdest Pump Up Song is Lana Del Ray, "Will You Still Love Me When I'm No Longer Young and Beautiful?" (Can you tell I've hit mid-30's angst?) and lastly PM Dawn "Through Patient Eyes"... Seriously if you haven't heard this song from the early 90s Google it! If the songs are wrong I don't want to be right!


Just a reminder about what the #sharingstreak is all about: I am fundraising for families with terminal illnesss for the charity Inheritance of Hope for the Marine Corps Marathon. 

For time period between Memorial Day and 4th of July, I am running at least a mile a day. I am asking for donations to IOH and will share the stories of the donors on my blog. The stories can be stories of hope through cancer, loss, or of military service ideally. 

If you would like to make a donation, that can be done here-----> Inheritance of Hope. 

Saturday, May 30, 2015

Day 6: #SharingStreak Amy Noll

Amy Noll with her Grandpa Whitworth who fought with the Marines in Okinowa and earned the Purple Heart. Amy is also running with Inheritance of Hope in the Marine Corps Marathon! 
Many of you know my deep friendship with Amy Noll as documented through my blog and well--LIFE.

She is one of my closest friends and I can't imagine life without her. She, along with my other bestie Jenn ran that NYC Marathon last year with Inheritance of Hope. Amy has signed up AGAIN with IOH in the Marine Corps Marathon. She is ALSO fundraising but donated to ME. What a friend!

So here is her #sharingstreak story:

Who- My Opa,  Lloyd Whitworth.

Why-  He joined the Marine Corps when he was 17 and fought in World War 2. He received a Purple Heart for injuries he sustained during the Okinawa Campaign during WW2 while serving with the 6th Marine Division.
While he was technically my 'step-grandpa' I never knew the difference. He was a quiet man but was the hardest worker I have ever known. He also loved to hunt and was an excellent marksman. He passed away in January of this year at the age of 89 and there is definitely a hole in all of our hearts with the loss. My youngest brother, John, when he was in high school used to volunteer his weekends to participate in WW2 reenactments near our hometown in Texas in which Opa would go. It was a family affair. While Opa never talked much about when he was in the Marines, he certainly stood a little taller and walked a little prouder when he would go to the reenactments. 


Where I find peace through trying times- Definitely Jesus. His fingerprints are all over my life and I cannot deny how much he loves and cares for me. And also nature. Mountains in particular. All my cares and stress just melt away.


How- In my short 25 years my family has experienced several intense close losses and looking back we  have been cared for every step of the way. 


Quote-my favorite right now- I have two.."Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."     -Theodore Roosevelt  

'Nature desires us to hear and see the great story of God's love to which it points.' -Henri Nouwen


Pump up song- anything Pitbull. Most notably 'Don't Stop The Party.' Cause it's fun to run to.


Just a reminder about what the #sharingstreak is all about: I am fundraising for families with terminal illnesss for the charity Inheritance of Hope for the Marine Corps Marathon. 

For time period between Memorial Day and 4th of July, I am running at least a mile a day. I am asking for donations to IOH and will share the stories of the donors on my blog. The stories can be stories of hope through cancer, loss, or of military service ideally. 

If you would like to make a donation, that can be done here-----> Inheritance of Hope. 

Friday, May 29, 2015

Day 5: #SharingStreak Amy Berry

Amy Berry's Grandfather Fred Cushing Jr. and her girls the last time they saw him alive. 

Amy Berry is a dear friend who works with me here in Asheville on the Young Life staff. We run hard in life together in Asheville since we have kids that are similar ages and we love to laugh at exactly the same things.

Amy's husband Phil is the director of Camp Ridgecrest for Boys where Asher has spent two weeks of the summer for the last three years AND HE LOVES IT LIKE WHOA. 

We love the Berry's and are so grateful for their friendship.

Late last year, Amy's grandfather and the patriarch of her family passed away and it affected her deeply. She is honoring him with a donation to Inheritance of Hope and with today's post. 

Who- My grandpa- Fred Cushing, Jr.

Why- He died in November at the age of 96 and was just an incredible man- great father, grandfather, great-grandfather, business man, World War 2 veteran, loving husband and super sharp to the end.  He was a lover of learning and reading and the outdoors.

Where I find peace through trying times- Jesus and my family have helped me through my hardest times; 

How- knowing that my Hope is in Jesus and his death on the Cross and life with me now

Quote- my favorite right now: “We spend most of our lives trying to make things happen for ourselves and for the people we love. But life is not reduced to what you give or know or achieve. Nor is it reduced to your mistakes, your failures, or your sin. Life isn’t even defined by whom you love. Rather, it is defined by the God who loves you. In other words, you are not the central character—not even of your own life’s story. This is not meant to demean you; it is meant to set you free.”  From Sacred Thirst by M. Craig Barnes

And this from the Bible- Job 26:14And these are but the outer fringe of his works;
how faint the whisper we hear of him!
Who then can understand the thunder of his power?

Pump up song- phew....that's hard.  Really any Whitney Houston song like "One Moment in Time" or Mumford & Sons "Roll Away Your Stone" or "Let's Go" by Trick Daddy (that's pretty varied I'd say)

*I love that those are her pump up songs. That sounds just like me! 

This is the final donation so far! I am running every day and I would love to run and pray for you and your family. I would love to post and share tomorrow about someone in your life! MAKE A DONATION TODAY! 



If you are wondering what Inheritance of Hope is all about and what kind of impact it is making: Here is a blog post from a family that JUST came back from a retreat. Inheritance of Hope is all about leaving a legacy and changing lives. Creating hope and hope for the future. It is REAL! 

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Day 4: #Sharingstreak Diane Hidey


(R) Diane (L) sister Janice

Diane Hidey was my mentor throughout college. In my junior and senior year, we would meet for breakfast weekly and read books together and talk about my life and how it was maybe falling apart and what direction it should take instead.

Diane has been SO GOOD to me over the years. In fact, 14 years ago--Diane was a bridesmaid in my wedding-even though she would have much rather read Scripture or something. She is just one of those people who puts on a dress and walks down the aisle of life with you just to let you know she stands by your side.

This is what she is doing with her sister Janice. Janice has stage 4 breast cancer. She is a teacher and an incredible woman of God who has influenced countless people for Christ. She is fighting for her life and she is loved deeply by Diane and her family.
Person you want to honor:  Janice Hidey

Why are you honoring her? She's the best sister, she's the primary care giver for my Mom and she's battling Stage 4 Breast cancer

Who has helped you the most to find strength through trying times? My strength first comes from God. He shelters me and hems me in behind and in front. So I turn to the Bible for words of comfort and my friends for a shoulder to cry on. I've also found that In hard times it helps to get the focus off of me and go do something that helps others. Volunteer, give your life away to others and the burdens we have get shared with many. 


Favorite quote: "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." 
--Jim Elliott


What is your pump up song? Born in the USA--Bruce Springsteen

Thanks Diane! 

I have only one more donor to go in the sharing streak right now!

I am looking for more. Do you have a story to tell? 
Click here to donate and I will be in touch to share your story! Keep the #sharingstreak alive!  

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Day 3 #sharingstreak: Andrea Reynolds


Andrea with her mother (on the left)
A post from Facebook that Andrea shared late last year. I love this! 

Andrea Reynolds is a friend of ours from Columbia, SC. She went to high school with Matt and works with my sister-in-law Mary Lane. We love her!

Andrea's mother is very sick with cancer right now and has been in a battle for her life for the last year or so. It has been wonderful to watch Andrea's love for her mother come through our friendship through Facebook. She is an amazing daughter and loves her mother very much.

She said this in a message to me about Inheritance of Hope and the #sharingstreak, "I am happy to help such a worthy cause. My mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer in September and has moved in with us so we can show her love and hope as well as the love of Christ. 

Going with her to chemo and watching her battle is a very eye-opening experience to this brutal disease. 

It affects so many lives and families and anything that can help those families have hope is worth our time, effort and money. Your dedication is inspiring and you don't know how many lives you touch with your determination! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!"

We have raised $409 so far for families with terminal illness. $1100 left to go and 30 days left in the #sharingstreak! Will you GO STREAKING WITH US?

Click here to join in!


Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Day 2: #Sharing Streak Cal Rains


(L) Me and Caroline Rains at Saranac Lake in 2010 and (R) todays run

Todays donor, Cal Rains wasn't able to get his questions back to me in time for today's post but his daughter is one of my favorite all-time Young Life friends so I can share that I am so grateful for them and their support of me running for Inheritance of Hope and Young Life. 

Caroline was in a car accident in high school during a rain storm and her car ended up in a fence on the side of the road. The fence posts went through her windshield and cut her very badly. She persevered and she is beautiful inside and out! 

I was so privileged to walk through life with her during high school and I get to see her around town now as young adult and she is so much fun. Her brother Cole ran cross country in high school and at Clemson and I get to see him now as a student at UNCA. This family means the world to me and I am so grateful to them for their support! 

I only have two more donors left in the tank right now! I need more to keep going! Want to join in? Donate today! 

Monday, May 25, 2015

Day 1: #SharingStreak Ri Lamb

(top L)Me wearing my fathers 1982 Marine Corps Marathon shirt, (top R) my father in a foxhole in Korea, (bottom L) my parents looking super dapper at a formal military gathering, (bottom R) my Father's Change of Command Ceremony when he was the Commander of the 25th Transportation Corps in Seoul, South Korea. PRETTY AWESOME HUH?


Person you want to honor:
My husband Don. Served in the Army for 36 years. We have lived in twenty-something places together in his military career. 

Why are you honoring them? 
He is my hero. I can always trust him. He has given his life for our country and I can't imagine life without him. He is always encouraging me. He is so faithful and trusting. 

Who has helped you the most to find strength through trying times? 
Besides my husband--My children, my mother, my grandmother. And Jesus. 

How?
Having a strong faith...whenever we moved--having a strong faith gave me the ability to see how somethings would never change no matter where we were. Being an Episcopal, I knew that my parents were saying the same prayers and reading the same Scriptures I was even if I was half-way across the world. 

When my sister-in-law died, it gave me great comfort to go to a church in California and to know the service to find the same prayers and Scriptures that we have at home. It was peaceful at a time of grief. 

Favorite quote:
"Love one another as I have loved you"

Something you want others to know/be inspired by/find hope in today:
I love your running! I am inspired by the way you have run for charity. Particularly for Inheritance of Hope. By how persistently you train. How you have encouraged your children and friends. It's infectious. 

Here's a fun quote "When you find yourself spending more time worrying about your body odor than you spend on God's call for your life, then it is time to reexamine your priorities." --Bishop Scott Benhase 

What is your pump up song? 
Sweet Caroline and Forever in Blue Jeans--Neil Diamond


Want to join in the Sharing Streak? 

Friday, May 22, 2015

Hope will Endure

My friend Rachel posted on Facebook a few months ago, "I know many of you are seeing the cryptic messages being posted so we might as well tell you the news. I have breast cancer."

She went on to share the course of treatment and how it would look and what she anticipated and how her friends and husband were there for her. She said they were beginning treatment immediately and it would last until late Fall.

She is my age with two children, a boy and girl and her husband is on Young Life staff. Not to project too much but it has looked like looking into a mirror. And this mirror reflects the reality that if this were to happen to us, we couldn't afford a whole lot of fun in our lives.

And our lives are built on the reality that Jesus came to bring life and give it to the FULL. Should a cancer diagnosis change that? For us or for our children? The answer is NO! But how?

Thankfully--there is an organization like Inheritance of Hope to help solve that question.

I have started fundraising again for the Fall. I am running the Marine Corps Marathon on October 25th. And I am doing a running streak (AGAIN) from Memorial Day to the 4th of July.

But I have been humbled through this process of running and running for Inheritance of Hope and I don't want to let the running streak be about me. A part of the #rwrunningstreak with Runners World is that you are supposed to post a picture to Instagram daily with info about your run.
Last years Run Streak was completed on a run with my sister. 

I would like to use the opportunity to tell the stories of donors to Inheritance of Hope. Almost everyone I know has been impacted by cancer. Additionally, one of the reasons why I am running in the Marine Corps Marathon is that my father is retired Colonel from the Army. My heart is strong in the Armed Forces. If any donors would rather talk about how their family has been impacted by military services and/or loss, I would love that.

This platform is for YOU. To share and share how grief through cancer, fighting, serving and persevering has actually created HOPE. Because God doesn't want us to sit still in our grief, he helps us to endure until we have hope.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer says this, "There is nothing that can replace the absence of someone dear to us, and one should not even attempt to do so. One must simply hold out and endure it. At first that sounds very hard, but at the same time, it is also a great comfort. For to the extent the emptiness truly remains unfilled one remains connects to the other person through it. It is wrong to say that God fills the emptiness. God is no way fills it but much more leaves it precisely unfilled and thus helps us preserve, even in pain, the authentic relationship. Further more, the more beautiful and full the rememberences, the more difficult the separation. But gratitude transforms the torment of memory into silent joy. One bears what was lovely in the past not as thorn, but as a precious gift deep within, a hidden treasure of which one can always be certain." 

So starting Monday, I will share the stories of pain and triumph. Rememberances of love and treasures. It will be a Sharing Streak! As long as I have donations, I will share. $50 donation to Inheritance and your story will be told. And our stories have to be told. The loves of our lives need to be remembered and cherished. And hope will endure.

Donate to Inheritance of Hope