Walk On

"Emily's Entourage" in the blue shirts participating in the JDRF Walk for a Cure in Charolotte, April 19. My mother, Carolyn is in the left foreground, Matt is in the wagon (naturally) being pulled my Emily's sister, Meagen. Emma is to the right of the wagon, and my brother, Brian is in front of Emma with the blue backpack. Emily can be seen just over Brian's right shoulder, with the blond pony tail.

Emily's team had 39 walkers and raised more than $10,000!

Emma with her cousin, Emily.

On Friday, the kids, my mother and I drove to Charlotte for the Juvenile Diabetes Walk for a Cure held on Saturday. Many of you know that my beautiful, 12-year-old niece, Emily, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes just after Christmas 2006. Since then, she and her family have been through the inevitable ups and downs of such news. The fear of the unknown, the worry, the "why me" questions, and the incredible lifestyle changes associated with diet and insulin injections. But through all of the sadness, they have leaned heavily on Christ for their sufficiency. Their church family, their extended family, their friends, and even complete strangers have come along side to offer encouragement and support. Emily has been incredibly strong, taking so much in stride despite the four or five daily injections, the detailed carb counting, the doctor visits, the constant finger pricking, and the feelings of being "different" now from her friends. God has been very sweet to her, placing others in her path who are going through the same thing, providing caring adults in her school who are knowledgeable about diabetes to help in her care, giving her opportunities to attend camps for kids with diabetes so she can see that she is far from alone, and providing friends just like her to talk with.

Now that a year has passed since her diagnosis, home life for Emily and her family is different, the same, and even better. What I mean is that, yes, things are different. There have been huge changes which are noticeable daily. Emily's condition is factored into everything they do, everywhere they go, everything they eat, and everything they plan. But much is the same. They continue to do the things they love. Both Emily and her sister, Meagen, still enjoy dance classes, YMCA scouting, band, swim team and all the things they loved before. Emily is learning how to live with diabetes, not let it define her. And in some ways, their lives are better. They have weathered a severe storm and have seen God's goodness throughout. They have experienced God's provision and sufficiency like never before, and have seen the body of Christ spring into action all around them. They hold tighter to one another and tighter to Christ, living with gratitude for every day.

Emily and her family -- my brother, Brian, my Sister-in-law Elizabeth, and Emily's big sister, Meagen, are an inspiration. This trial has not stolen their joy. They walk on. And so should we when faced with the inevitable suffering of this life. Thank you to everyone who supported my trip to Charlotte with your prayers and donations. And thanks be to God who walks with us and gives us hope.

Dandelion Days

It's that time of year again -- time to mow the lawn! Spring has sprung and our yard is quickly recovering from it's winter slumber. Unfortunately, our lawn isn't the pristine, weed-free carpet you might find in a typical Southern Living spread. No, it's much more interesting! We have a variety in our yard -- crab grass, chickweed, chain grass, clover, and the inevitable dandelions! But perspective is everything, right? As David and I bemoan the constant cutting, weed-pulling, fertilizing, and trimming, our kids are delighted by the little wonders that even weeds can produce. The chickweed sprouts tiny purple flowers that Emma gathers in miniature bouquets for Mommy. Patches of clover hide good-luck charms to be found! Clover flowers are quickly made into flower necklaces and bracelets. Crab grass provides an opportunity for Matthew to make a musical instrument (place it flat between your thumbs and blow for a kazoo-like sound). And of course, dandelions are the best. They love blowing the puffs, but they especially like the stems. My mother taught me this trick that she used to do when she was a little girl. Take a bowl or bucket of water. Then gather as many dandelion stems as you can (the longer the better). Remove the flower heads so all you have is the hollow stems. Then, carefully peel the stem into thin strips (kind of like peeling string cheese). Place the strips into the water and watch! They curl up into tight ringlets, like telephone cords or Shirley-Temple-like curls! The kids love it! They make as many curls as they can, producing a bucket full of "noodle soup"! They could do this for hours!

The Maple tree in our front yard is also a source of multiple wonders. Matt has finally figured out how to climb up by himself, and shimmies quickly up whenever I open the front door it seems! Emma soon joins him (with a little boost from Mommy), and they perch themselves on the limbs and pluck "helicopters" to launch. "Helicopters" as you may know, are the seeds that the Maple produces. When tossed into the air, they spin and twirl to the ground, rotating like a helicopter propeller. Then they play pirates, look for woodpecker holes, bugs, or just enjoy the view! Several days ago, the kids invited me to join them in the tree. I used to be an expert tree climber (just ask my Mom who can probably attribute most of her grey hairs to the huge Tulip Poplar in our front yard growing up). No problem, I thought! I grabbed a limb and hoisted myself up pretty easily (I've still got it, I thought!). I sat with them a while and then decided to get down. Hmmm. . . a little trickier. I dislocated my knee two years ago, so simply jumping was not a good option lest my leg buckle. So I opted to swing down. I grabbed a nearby limb and jumped. Ah, yes, it was that moment that I realized that I'm not ten anymore as I felt every muscle down my triceps and under my armpits pull like taffy that's been sitting out too long! Ouch!! But, I didn't let on to the kids. I want them to think that their Mommy can still keep up with them. Truth is, my arms are STILL hurting three days later!! Oh well, it was worth it. I even got to launch a few helicopters!

Unfortunately, our fallen world now produces thorns and weeds, but isn't God amazing that our hearts can find delight even in these things -- as long as we have the perspective of a child. It takes maturity in Christ to see God's goodness in the "weeds" we encounter in our lives. It is interesting that true, Christian maturity requires a child-like faith. These Spring days of crab grass and dandelions are a lesson to us grown-ups that it's that simple, child-like faith that delights the heart of God!

They're Baaa-aaack!!!

I LOVE being a stay-at-home Mom, but some days I can understand the allure of remaining in the workforce. When I was working in Charlotte, the office I showed up to every morning in my nice, pressed suit was clean and bright. There was always fresh coffee brewing, and free juice compliments of one of our biggest clients, Coca-Cola/Minute Maid, in the break room. Occasionally someone would bring in hot, fresh bagels from one of those fancy boutique bakeries! Yes, there's something nice about spending your work day in an orderly, clean, civilized environment!

Fast forward to 2008. . . Now I'm in charge of my "work environment" which seems like it should be a simple task since I'm physically at home most of the day. What I have found, however, is that besides the two little tornadoes at home with me all day, the laws of physics themselves are conspiring against my efforts! I can spend an entire day cleaning, vacuuming, doing laundry, dusting and organizing, step back and admire my accomplishment, and the next day my home will look like, as my Grandma Campbell used to say, the wreck of the Hesperus again! And not just in the big things like unmade beds, dirty dishes, or clutter but even the small things, like dust! Where is it coming from?! We have hardwood floors through 90% of our home, AND we have three air purifiers which are supposed to drastically cut down the amount of dust. So, how is it that a day after I dust the ENTIRE house, I am finding, not just surface dust, but dust bunnies!? They congregate under the tables, camp out under my bed, and bounce across the floors like miniature tumble weeds through the hardwood desert of our den! I am tempted to say that it's just the law of atrophy at work, but at the rate in which they show up, it's like a conspiracy! My home seems to have been designated a dust-bunny sanctuary (maybe I missed the letter from Al Gore) where they are free to roam and multiply! I find myself fighting this battle daily. Every time I think I am making head-way, I have to start all over again.

God has woven the story of redemption into the fabric of creation. The law of atrophy tells us that things don't get better over time and on their own! But as we see Spring budding, we are reminded that the winter of atrophy in our souls has been conquered, and new life is available to us through Christ. But the world is still groaning, and although our sins have been forgiven and God sees us as perfect through the work of His Son, that doesn't mean that we don't still have to fight our fallen nature daily! The battles of my flesh keep coming back, and once more I must fight them. Just when I think I've conquered a particular hill in my life, it shows up again, or a new one presents itself. It's like that children's song, The Bear Went Over the Mountain (to see what he could see). And what do you think he saw? Another mountain! Frankly, it gets tiring. But every time I suck up a dust bunny in my Electrolux, I remind myself that one day I won't have to fight those battles of the flesh anymore! God will provide the perfect work environment for me in whatever place He is preparing, and atrophy will be a foreign word. For now, I'll suit up for another day on planet Earth, toast myself a cheap, Food Lion bagel, and do my best to fight the good fight to the Glory of the One who reminds me daily that He has already won the war.