Worth Celebrating. July 4, 2015.

July 4, 2015

4^th of July! As I walk around camp seeing everyone sporting their American flag socks, shirts, headbands, underwear, I wanted to stop and really think about the blessing it is to be an American. I have the resources and access to advanced medical technology that can help me in my recovery, I have an abundance of food and water to keep my nutrition at a good level so I can prepare for treatment, I have a computer where I can keep everyone updated via Facebook and various social media, I have the freedom to write a blog where I openly discuss my faith, I could go on for days but the point is I am blessed to be an American.

My GoFundMe page as gone over my initial goal of $5,000! I am lost for words. When I first started the page I typed $500 hundred in the goal box. That’s how much my first surgery was so I felt like if God wanted to bless me with the money to cover that then I’d be super grateful. As I was creating the page Traci said, “Why not go for higher, you never know what might happen!” So I asked her what she thought and she threw out, “Let’s try $5,000!” I stared at her in disbelief. $5,000? I’ve never even had $5,000 dollars in my bank account at once. It was unfathomable but I realized that our God is bigger than a number. So I went with it. The first day it was up $600 got donated. I was stunned at the Lord’s faithfulness. As the days passed more and more generous and heart-wrenching donations were given. The goal of $5,000 started to look like it could actually happen! 9 days, it has been 9 days. $5,636!!!!!! I have no words. I am just humbled by your kindness, support, encouragement, and generosity! I am also humbled by the power and care of our God, that He would use this to help me through this trial. My family couldn’t be more grateful and I can tell you, you sure taught me not to doubt God or His people!

A lot of people that I’ve never met have donated and reached out to me. Initially I was like, well why would a stranger donate to someone they’ve never met? As I dug a little deeper (a.k.a Facebook stalked) I found out that everyone has a connection to me somehow. For example, two girls donated to me because they said they were so blessed by Ty that they wanted to bless me, or a few of my Dad’s students donated because they loved my Dad as a teacher or a coach, even a woman who knew my Mom from her Miss Klamath County days donated. It made me realize that no blessing goes unnoticed. You truly never know how your example and impact in someone’s life may impact another’s. I mean we’ve all had those days when we feel like we have done so much or been such a good example or we’ve done something so nice and we feel like it has gone unnoticed or we didn’t get something in return. I mean that’s what karma is, you help the old lady cross the road and later you win the lottery right? Well first of all you shouldn’t be blessing people hoping to gain something from it. That’s not Christ-like and not selfless! That being said I realized as all these strangers were donating to me, that no blessing is wasted. That girl that you helped move, that old man that you mowed the lawn for, or simply if you bless people just by the way you live, act, and treat others, whatever it is you may have no idea how it impacted that person and how they will use that to impact others!

It reminds me of a poem that a girl in my elementary wrote about a smile chain. The poem took you on a journey following a smile. It started with a little girl smiling at someone like the mail man and then that mail man smiles at the grocery clerk and on and on it goes until it comes back to the little girl. That’s how blessings work you guys! Except it doesn’t always come directly back to you but maybe it goes to someone you love. Like the students of my Dad, my Dad was just a good coach who cared about his team. He probably didn’t even realize he was blessing their lives and now because of his example they have reached out and blessed me even though they don’t know me. I just encourage you to take this lesson and go bless someone. Whether you bless them in a tangible way, or you choose to live out Christ’s example, or you choose to do your best at work or be the best teacher you can be, just remember that although you may not “reap the reward” of your blessing, you never know how far it will travel down the blessing chain.

I got a really endearing letter today from a girl that I knew in Klamath. In the letter she gave me a compliment because after reading the bog about saying what you’re thinking she decided to take my advice! I was so humbled to see that the blog is making an impact on people. But I want to point out that all glory be to Christ. He is using my situation and story to further the kingdom and I take no credit! He has blessed me beyond belief to be able to see even a glimpse of what He has in store for this trial. My battle with Cancer goes way beyond me and I encourage you all to remember that next time you’re going through a trial. The crazy thing is, it may never even be about you! You might go through something that is meant solely for another person watching how you deal. Doesn’t that just make you want to strive to be the best example you can be? It sheds a new light on the tough things in our lives.

“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9

.I love you all, I want you all to enjoy the 4th and I am going to go enjoy my 4th and not think about Cancer for a little while!