May 31, 2008

We did it! Today was the "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" walk. Mike and my mom and I got up early this morning and made our way to downtown Cleveland. I didn't sleep very well last night so I was able to hear the rain pouring down. At first, I prayed for clear sunny skies for this walk. But then, I was reminded of the Mercy Me song "Bring the Rain". I have lived these last few months by that song so I decided to apply it to today as well. If that's what it takes to praise Jesus through it, then let the rain pour! When we picked my mom up at her house this morning, I joked about how those dark skies seem to still follow me. Wouldn't you know it, though, literally just as the walk itself started, the sun came out! People clapped their hands and cheered, and I told my mom, maybe I am going to start having this follow me now instead of the rain! It was a beautiful day to be outside. They gave me a Survivor sash to wear, and I think I was one of the youngest survivors there. As I walked, I thought of many things. You know, I was diagnosed on September 14, 2005... just three days after my 25th birthday. I was rediagnosed on September 13, 2007... just two days after my 27th birthday. The very timing of this makes me feel like Satan was attacking my life. During a time to celebrate my life and the years I have lived, I was told I would not have many more. The Bible tells us that our bodies are living sacrifices to God and that we are His temple. Cancer is an attack on our bodies, and I very strongly believe that cancer is a weapon that Satan has come up with to attack God's temple. That is why I clung so much to the verse "It is better to take refuge in the Lord that to trust in man." ( Psalm 118:8) Today also made me proud to have overcome Satan's plans. I finished chemotherapy one month ago. The medication I am on has a side effect that makes my joints and muscles ache. For me to have been able to complete this walk so soon makes me realize what I big God I serve.

We walked as part of the 95.5 The Fish team (this is our local Christian radio station). I have been able to email back and forth with one of the radio hosts and she even had me be in a short radio commercial to promote this event. I am so thankful for all of you who supported us in doing this walk, both with sponsors and prayers. The people who walked before me helped make it possible for me to have walked today. I have said before that I did not want to be an advocate for cancer, but I wanted to be one for faith in Jesus Christ. I realize that God has given me an avenue to do that, and it just happens to through my circumstance.

My mom, me, and Mike                 Inside the Indians' Stadium                    Balloon release

Our walk around the warning track in the stadium

This was on a billboard we passed while we were walking... it says: "Amy wants to see the world and be a princess." We got laugh out of it!

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