Face to Face with a Lion.

I've never been face to face with a Lion. Literally, that is. But I've certainly faced the figurative lions in this life. 

Whenever I think about the lions I face, I always think about Daniel and the Lions Den. I can imagine the fear that Daniel felt when he realized he was surrounded by hungry lions. 

He didn't move. He couldn't breathe.

I know what that feels like. 

Paralyzing fear.

Not being able to breathe.

Why?

A lion that is called Cancer.

I woke up this morning feeling nervous and anxious. Nervous and anxious, because my dad has a PET scan New Years Eve at Sloan Kettering in New York City. This scan is going to let us see if that cancer has found residence in other parts of his body. He hasn't had a scan since August, when we first found out about this lion. 

This scan is necessary. 

This scan is nerve wracking.

But, I find myself going back to Daniel in the den. He was surrounded by darkness. He was surrounded by hungry lions. He was alone. He was scared. 

What Daniel did next makes the story such a good one.... 

Daniel got on his knees in the darkness of that cave and 

p r a y e d to God. 

He probably didn't speak. He simply poured out his heart. Daniel knew God was the only source of strength he could rely on during this time. He knew God would never forsake him.

This past weekend we had Christmas at Papa and Nana's in North Florida. It was such a good weekend. Full of love, laughter, food, presents, shooting guns, four wheeler rides, and front porch sitting. 

I kept thinking about how awesome it is to be surrounded by the ones you love and the ones who always have your back. 

I am so thankful for my family. 

  

I'm thankful for doctors who are keeping my Dad in good hands. I'm thankful for a God who has the whole world in His hands.

And if you're wondering about Daniel in that den full of hungry Lions.....

God shut the mouths of each one. 

On Tuesday, Dad will have his PET scan. On Thursday, we should know the results. 

I'll hold my breath. I'll drop to my knees. I'll pray for God to shut the mouth of the cancer lion. 

Because this is how we feel about cancer.

We are loaded. We are Kickin' Cancer.

Merry and Bright

As 2013 comes to a close, I think about all of the things that made this an extremely eventful year. A year of good laughs, eye-opening experiences, and some tears too...

1. I went to Haiti for the first time this year. I spent a week with the Mission of Hope Organization. I was blown away by the beauty of these precious people. I can't wait to go back for 2 WEEKS in 2014.

2. I directed Vacation Bible School at my church this past summer! Over 500 children, youth, and adults all loving and praising Jesus! It was an amazing week! {I'll be the Director again this year!!}

3. I spent a very fun weekend back in The Woodlands, Texas with some family friends I've grown up with! Nick and I have been friends for 20 years!

4. We found out my Dad has Metastatic Melanoma. {Not a good thing, and I refuse to Google it.} Cancer sucks. He has been sticking to a very strict diet and has lost a bunch of weight. I pray God has His merciful hand in all of this. Emilee created a benefit horse show "Kickin' Cancer" at her school, St. Andrews University, and it was a huge success! Lots of money raised for Cancer Research! 

5. I turned 22 this year!! {I don't know about you, but I feel old...} I celebrated with my sweet family and my Nana who turned 77 this year. Our birthdays are 55 years and 5 days apart.

6. Mama and I spent many nights at football games cheering for our favorite football player! We love #37!! Go Huskies!

7. Rhett's best friend, Sam, was diagnosed with Lymphoma! The Wainman family is like extended family! We are on #TeamWainman and we are all going to KICK CANCER to the curb!!

8. I am 2 semesters away from graduating from the University of Central Florida! I love Elementary Education and cannot wait to start my internship in 2014!! 

9. I LOVED cheering for my UCF KNIGHT boys as they kicked butt on the football field this year! Can't wait to watch them play in their first ever BCS Bowl Game in school history! Go Knights! #ChargeOn #BeatBaylor

10. I'm so thankful for all of my family and friends and the memories I've made in 2013!! 

Here's to 2014!! A year of more good memories, graduating from college, and experiencing all that this life has to offer! I hope that this holiday season reminds you to stop and thank God for all the things in your life! He is Good and His love for us never ends!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

Advent: The Coming of Christ

The season of Advent is here. The word Advent means "coming". Advent candles remind us that Christ came into a world of darkness, or sin, to be our light and that He will come again. Join me in reading scripture and the story that forever changed the course of history. Each night I will give you a continued part of the Christmas Story and a message of how the significance of that Christmas night is deeper than any manger scene. My prayer is that our hearts hold true to the meaning of Christmas, the point of it all, and the greatest gift ever given.

Day One

His name shall be called 'Immanuel', which means 'God with us.'

God sent the angel Gabriel to Mary in the village of Nazareth. The angel said, "Greetings! The Lord has blessed you and is with you."

You may hear "Jesus is the reason of the season" said this time of year. These words could not be more true. Jesus is the greatest gift ever given to this world. He came to us in a desperate, dark time. The world was drowning in sin and ignoring God in every possible way. God sent His Son to rescue us, when we needed it most. God could have sent us His Gift in a fiery blaze or a raging flood. He knew that would not capture our hearts. He chose a quiet, still night. He chose the little town of Bethlehem. He knew that there would be no room, still He sent His Gift. The insignificant arrival of our King is where the significance of His Glory begins. He is magnificent because of the manger. He is crowned our Savior because of the stable. He is the greatest gift ever given. He is God's only Son. He is Jesus. He is the reason for this season.

John 1:1-5

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.