Hope for Katie

Last night as we were leaving our Hotel in Indianapolis, we debated on where we were going to eat.  Rob had said something about going to Taco Bell earlier, but no he was thinking Wendy's.  After the day of work that we had had, we wanted the shorter of the two so we said how about Taco Bell.  So we (slightly illegally) walked actoss the street to eat.

as we were waiting in line and for our food, Richard Eberly noticed a ring on the finger of the guy standing behind us with his family.  Richard asked him about it.  The guy said that it was a high school football state championship ring (which is school had won three years in a row). As they were talking and then as Rob got involved, Rob found out about a place that we know we were meant to go.

After walking across the street opposite our hotel we were all wondering what was going on and where we were going.  We ended up at a lodege that was hosting a benefit for St. Baldrick's Cancer Researh and we met a girl named Katie.  Katie is a 17 year old who just made her high school softball team.  But what is so incredible about that is that she has cancer (the same kind that Cami Woods had) and has been going through cemo for years.  The Benefit was that people (men and women) donated $100 to get their heads shaved.  We had six guys that did it, and the rest of us were tearing up watching it happen,

We followed God's leading and siezed a moment and God blessed us more that ever.  Now Katie's family is curious and we have created a lot of buzz in this community.

God leads and we follow

Wisdom from a Good Friend

Today I had a free period so I decided that I would go to the Vera Lloyd and see what was goin on.  When I got there the boys were still playing basketball so I sat in the bleachers to watch.  After they were done, I had to run and take care of some errands, so I started to leave.  As I was leaving so was Jack Cross, a really good friend of mine.  He asked me how things were going:

"They're going.  Just two and a half months left," I replied.

"They sure go by fast don't they?  I don't think I can express to you the feeling that you get when you graduate college."

"You know Jack, as much as I have grown and have this core group of friends, I never saw Monticello as where I would end up.  And it is hard to say that."

"I know what you mean"

We went on to talk about where I am headed.  I really can't say for 100% sure what I will be doing next fall.  Will I be teaching?  Working with a missions organization?  Moving back to Texarkana?   Going to Africa?  I don't know, but what I do know is that I am scared.

Then Jack said, "you know we have talked over the last few years about this being a launching pad.  And that is what it will be for you"

What great words that I needed to hear at that moment.  When I think of those who have been teaching me for the past five years:

Rob

Jack

Karen

Carla

Carole

Mr. Fellows

Chad

Becca

Brooke

The more that I don't want to leave this place.  So my prayer for now is not just God show me your will and help me to follow it, but send people into my life to take the place of those mentors and friends that I am about to say goodbye to.

Thanks for the talk Jack.