Grandma's Visit

Grandma's arrival on June 20th.

Petrified wood museum in South Dakota.

Road trip to Rapid City, South Dakota!

Full Throttle Saloon in Sturgis, S.D.

This donkey...let me tell you about this donkey. Apparently he is a pet at the saloon and even featured on their TV show. Ok, he was just creepily hanging out in the parking lot when we pulled up. I got out of the car to take a pic and he comes over to me, so I hop back in the car. Then this donkey OPENS MY CAR DOOR with his mouth. I kid you not! Freaked me out, so I locked my door and he did it again (only unsuccessfully)!

Perry and Lisa.

Sturgis.

Us in Sturgis.

Check out the beautiful sky.

Lunch time!

The Black Hills.

Can't really see, but in between those trees is Mount Rushmore.

Driving through Custer Park.

From the hotel...got this pic off their website, it did not look this nice. It was much more rusty in person.

They claim the slide is 180-foot, Perry said it's not really that big. None the less, it scares me because I'm scared of drowning and of heights. ALL THREE of my kids loved it. Such little dare devils. So I was dared to go down this slide, I ended up making a pinky-promise with my mother in law, and she and I both went down it. Oh-my-gosh, the stairs were wobbly - as was the slide - I was so shaken up when I got off the slide...never again! I did end up reporting to the manager the bad condition of the stairs/slide. Very concerning and was worried about someone getting hurt.

We came by back Full Throttle on our way home to get souvenirs. 

Love these colors.

Gorgeous.

Perry and I also had our anniversary on the 23rd while in Rapid City.

Overall, it was a very nice visit with Lisa. We miss her already.

Can I Just Say...

Why in the world did I think I could
Only get to know you when my life was good?
When everything just falls in place
The easiest thing is to give you praise
Now it all seems upside down

'Cause my whole world is caving in
But I feel you now more than I did then
How can I come to the end of me
But somehow still have all I need?
God I want to know you more
Maybe this is how it starts
I find you when I fall apart

Blessed are the ones who understand
They've got nothing to bring but empty hands
Nothing to hide and nothing to prove
Our heartbreak brings us back to you
And it all seems upside down

'Cause my whole world is caving in
But I feel you now more than I did then
How can I come to the end of me
But somehow still have all I need?
God I want to know you more
Maybe this is how it starts
I find you when I fall apart

I don't know how long this will last
I'm praying for the pain to pass
But maybe this is the best thing that has ever happened to me

'Cause my whole world is caving in
But I feel you now more than I did then
How can I come to the end of me
But somehow still have all I need?
God I want to know you more
Maybe this is how it starts
I find you when--
You will find me when--
I fall apart

- Josh Wilson "Fall Apart"

I love those words. Love. This song is incredible and I can relate. 

"Why in the world did I think could only get to know you when my life was good?" - Guilty! Because, ya know, if life ain't good then God must not be real or He must be mean, out there trying to getcha. Why does God allow bad things to happen to us? Does it mean He must not care? Let alone love us? Why Lord, why?! 

"My whole world is caving in but I feel you now more than I did then. How can I come to the end of me and somehow still have all I need?" - Amazing. Even when our world feels like it's falling apart, somehow still our needs our met. Somehow in the midst of our chaos and pain, we can come to know God in a very real way, on a very deep level. 

"I don't know how long this will last. I'm praying for the pain to past. But maybe this is the best thing to ever happen to me." - Humbling. In Jesus, there is always hope. Whether we end up getting our way or not, I know good can come from our pain. Good in all different kinds of sorts of ways! And if my pain and suffering has brought me closer to Jesus, then yes, it could be the best thing that's ever happened to me. 

I just want everyone to know, don't lose hope. THIS IS ALWAYS HOPE. Ask those close to me, I say this all the time and I genuinely believe it! No matter the diagnosis, no matter what they say, no matter how hopeless it feels - there is hope! Draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4:8). Take this opportunity to grow in your relationship with Jesus. I have never heard Him talk so much as I have this last year and a half. 

The road is long and curvy and I don't see the end in sight. My suffering hurts - oh, my heart aches. But He is sufficient, He is enough. This goes to show how GREAT and POWERFUL and MERCIFUL and LOVING He is that He can be my all-in-all even when I'm in the trenches. 

Don't. Lose. Hope.

Relay For Life

Relay For Life

June 6th-7th, 2014

Hope.

Macie & I before the survivors lap.

The balloon release.

The names of caregivers...My familys names are up there!

2013 Mr. Relay "Queen"?

Mr. Relay contestant. 

Mr. Relay contestant. 

Mr. Relay contestant. 

Mr. Relay contestant. 

Mr. Relay contestant. 

Mr. Relay contestant. 

My team leader put my name on a luminary. 

:)

The new Mr. Relay!

Zeke wanted to light the luminary with my name on it.

Asher wanted a turn too.

The luminaries all lit at night.

Why I'm Participating In Relay for Life

Tomorrow I will be walking in a local Relay for Life. I'm sure some are wondering why as I did not do the suggested radioactive iodine treatment, and the American Cancer Society encourages radiation and chemotherapy. 

The first reason is actually quite simple. I'm still relatively new to the state and this would be a good way to plug in, and possibly meet other cancer survivors.

Another reason for joining is just to raise awareness. Regardless of where you stand on treatment debate, cancer is on the raise. In five years, it will replace heart disease as the #1 killer in the US. I hate cancer. I love people. So regardless of what treatment protocol you chose, I care about you and I hate the disease that has taken up residence in your body.

I could talk about health and natural approaches to healing, but I'll save that for another post. This is about coming alongside others in love, let's raise awareness, let's support each other in this journey - yes, educate yourself on all your options, please, educate! - but no matter what, I support you. 

#cancersucks