Changes

My intentions of updating this blog each day of retreat were thwarted by a lack of internet. So I attempt here to give you the "Reader's Digest" version which is nearly an impossible task.

I decided before I even left for my fourth Blue Skies retreat that my theme for the week was "Changes." The past year for me has been filled with so many changes...I'm pretty sure on the life stress scale I have lots of points. But all my changes have been positive and they have all been sought. I retired after 34 years as a pediatric nurse last May. After exploring retirement options with my husband, we decided in June to move to Florida after 26 years in Marietta, going from newlyweds to empty nesters there. We bought a house and spent several months preparing for our move in February. I have sorted, purged and sold 26 years of belongings. We sold our home in Marietta and left with tears in our eyes on February 10th. We have been in our new home for two months now and are settling into "retirement." Lots of changes, all good.

The families we serve at Blue Skies have faced life changes as well, but they neither asked for them nor welcomed them. Their lives were turned into turmoil with the news of a devastating diagnosis that put them into the world of being "cancer families", "cancer parents", etc. It's a world none of us can possibly imagine and a world they live in 24/7. It's a world that changes their entire family dynamics for a very long time. Just as an example, a diagnosis of leukemia guarantees a minimum of 3 years of treatment...maybe more. I pray that their week at Blue Skies gave them a small break from the changes and turmoil they were thrown into.

There were changes at Blue Skies as well...memory boxes for the families, cute little touches in their rooms, changes in some roles, a new check in room, new themes, and new meals. But thankfully the one constant is the love we get to share with our guest families and the opportunity to show them the love of Jesus through our service.

The week was fun, exhausting and inspiring and as always, I return home feeling incredibly blessed to be able to serve. I served as a family host this week (definitely my favorite role!) and worked once again with the Blue Birds (children under 4 years old) during the mornings. Salli,(my Blue Skies bff) and I volunteered to host the coffee cart each morning and even got to bring the milk and cookies cart around one night. Along with getting to know the sweet family I served, I loved getting to know my "condo-mates" for the week. I come home with many new friends. And what could be better than that?

Changes...my prayer is that lives were changed this past week. I know mine was.

Here we go again!

Sadly, children and their families are still suffering from the effects of childhood cancer. Fortunately, until this ugly disease is wiped out, Blue Skies Ministries continues to provide week long retreats to bring the hope of Christ to families living through the challenges of pediatric cancer. This Saturday I leave to serve on MY fourth retreat and Blue Skies 25th retreat. On my past 3 retreats I have served as a family host, a member of the food crew and as a director. This time I will once again be a family host...I have to say that is my favorite role. Here is a picture of my first family I was privileged to serve.

 All volunteers will arrive on Saturday for orientation and training before the families arrive on Easter Sunday. I am always amazed at how quickly a large group can gel together and pitch in to serve and work selflessly to assure a great time for our guest families. Families often arrive having no idea what to expect, a little leary of what exactly they have signed up for. My prayer is that by the time they get to bed that first night they know how excited we are to serve them and that they accept all the ministry has to offer.

I hope to post as I have in the past, pictures and stories from each day. Until then, I am packing and preparing and can't wait to get there. I hope you will follow along and that you will pray for both our guest families and our volunteers. Here we go!

Give this Christmas Away...A night with my Blue Skies Family!

My heart has been filled back up to overflowing after a night with my Blue Skies Family. Last night was the 2nd annual Blue Skies Christmas concert with Christy Nockels and Kenn Kington and it was even BETTER than last year...better because after attending 2 more retreats this past year, my Blue Skies family has grown. Last night was a reunion for all of us in attendance...and if you were not there, you were truly missed.  

Like last year, the music was phenomenal, Kenn was funny AND inspirational and everywhere I turned there was another familiar neck to hug. The program ended with my little friend Zoe being on stage...she had planned to sing but got a case of stage fright at the last minute. I personally think if we had asked her to sing from Frozen (Let it Go!!!) there would have been no holding her back! She came all the way from Columbia, SC to share her little self with us. 

The evening is a big fundraiser for Blue Skies. Last year they raised $75,000 which is good but I know it can be even better. I'm praying that number is far exceeded this year! This is the link to their "Christmas Catalog."

Blue Skies Christmas Catalog

This ministry is such a blessing to so many. Gordon and I plan to "Give this Christmas Away" and hope you will join us. If not to Blue Skies, then give it away to the charity of your choice.We are blessed to be a blessing. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! 

How Was Your Week?

"How was your week at Blue Skies?" That is a question I have been asked multiple times since being home less than 24 hours...and my standard answer is, "It was awesome" or, "It was amazing." But what I really want to say is that we need to go to coffee so that I can tell you every single precious story and every single detail of an incredible week that just can't be summed up in one quick response.

It's a story that starts with God's provision of just the right number of volunteers and just the RIGHT volunteers for the six families that we served. It was such a beautiful melding of gifts, talents and hearts that were combined to meet all the various needs of our guests.

It's a story that includes six families in various stages of a journey they didn't ask to take, that of pediatric cancer. Love and hope were provided to all, some of whom were out of medical options for their diagnosis.

It's the story of being equipped to step out of our comfort zones to provide a week of rest, compassion and extreme fun for all. I think about the sweet teen girl who has been an amazing big sister for many years to her younger sister who has been blinded and disabled by a nasty tumor. She loves to fish! While her mom was ministered to in "Pamper Me" time, a volunteer cared for her sister while another group of volunteers arranged a fabulous fishing trip for her.

It's the story of  a week that reminded us all of God's love and redemption as we worshiped overlooking his creation...and of public professions of faith through baptism.

My heart is full...but it is already missing my Blue Skies family. I am so thankful for this ministry and so blessed to be able to be a part of it. How was YOUR week?

A Lesson Learned and a Deposit in my Faith Bank

Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory ...

One month ago I was feeling very discouraged about our upcoming retreat...volunteer signup was practically non-existent and I just couldn't figure out WHO at this point would sign up. Kids are in school, families have taken their vacation time and after all, we only had a month left. Our Coach for the week, Stefan, was very trusting and reminded me that this was GOD's retreat, not ours, and that he would provide. Although I wanted to believe that, the controlling side of me was speaking to God and telling (not asking) that if He could go ahead and send those volunteers NOW, I would really appreciate it.We had 8 guest families signed up, excited for a family vacation and a break from dealing with cancer. I have lost many hours of sleep while fretting over this. When will I learn???

The past 10 days that provision has been realized. Not only do we have SOME volunteers but we now have PLENTY of volunteers...including kids! Kids are what it is all about. The guest family kids don't really want to hang out with me, they want to hang out and play with other kids.

 Thank you Lord for sending the children! Stefan was right! And I have gone from worried to excited...and humbled by my doubt.

The directors leave a week from today. I have NO DOUBT that this is going to be a wonderful week. He who is able to do immeasurably more is in control, and thank the Lord for that! This has been one big deposit in my "faith bank" that will hopefully grow, immeasurably more.

A Journey Comes to an End...A New Journey Begins

Very early this morning, my Blue Skies buddy Brayden's 5 year journey with brain cancer came to an end. He, like every other child diagnosed with cancer, was a mighty warrior. As his mom has noted, he never really realized just how sick he was, often worrying about other children who were also sick. He leaves a legacy of courage, love and laughter. He leaves a broken hearted mom and a 3 year old brother who won't understand for a very long time exactly what happened to his brother.

I am not sad for Brayden. His suffering has ended, his body is healed and he has joined his best friend Nolan in Heaven. Nolan and he were diagnosed with the same diagnosis within the same week and lost their battles within just a few months of each other.

 My heart breaks for his mom, for Nolan's mom and for all the parents who have had to take this journey they never asked to take. Ironically, September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month. 46 children are diagnosed with cancer each day and 5 children die from the disease each day. Very little research is being done on pediatric cancer. This too, breaks my heart.

I met Brayden and Nolan when I served on my first retreat with Blue Skies Ministries. What an honor to be able to serve these families! In just under a month, I will be serving again, this time as a director. I already know that we have six families excited to come to the beach for a week of fun and healing. I have spent many sleepless nights worrying about HOW we are going to serve them. We need a LOT more volunteers! The fall retreats are typically smaller because kids are in school and parents are back to work. The families that we can accommodate desperately need the time away; they need to be able to come and rest, relax, play and heal. The directors are committed to making it a memorable time for them. The themes are set, the meals are planned...we just need a few more hands. Does this stir anything within you? We would love to have you on our team, serving families just like Brayden's and Nolan's. It promises to change your life forever.

Overflow...Where Did You See God Today?

Dinner is over, the food is put away, the dishes are washed; the evening activities have ended and the "toys" have been picked up. Usually around 9:00 p.m. the work is done for the day. That is when the volunteers gather for "Overflow", a time to decompress and enjoy the memories of the day. While we were gathering, a slide show of pictures from the day was playing and once we quieted, Coach Mike asked the same question each day; "Where did you see God today?"

I see God in creation...in the amazing sunsets he provides for us every night at Port Saint Joe.

I see God in volunteers who are being obedient to the call to be the hands and feet of Christ here on Earth.

I see God in these precious children who prayed over Kayden when he was in pain...and in Kayden when he prayed over my cut thumb.

I see God through the heartfelt worship of his people.

... and through changed lives...many were baptized this day.

It's a worthy question at the end of each day,  for when we are intentional in looking for God, God will be most evident and we will come to know Him, not just know OF Him.