Never Stop Dancing

He’s just five years old.

Cancer invaded his brain and spine

His world flipped upside down.

Yet He’s never stopped dancing.

Countless tests and seemingly endless pain

Numerous trips to the hospital and utter exhaustion

Too much time spent away from friends and family

Yet He keeps dancing without a care in the world.

His mother is patient

His father is strong

His sister is understanding

Their strength fuels his hope and the dancing continues.

Then one cold January Day

After months of waiting, wondering

The tests come back cancer free

And everyone dances.

Joy fills the hearts of many across the country…across the world.

Shouts of praise go up

And even though relapse could happen

Rusty’s hope will keep him dancing.

It has been a complete pleasure getting to know the Schultz family these past few months. Today is an amazing day as their 5 year old son has been declared cancer free. So many are rejoicing today and while we will keep praying for continued healing, we are dancing with joy that so many prayers for healing have been answered

Does Anybody Hear Her?

“Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see? Oh does anybody even know she’s going down today? Under the shadow of our steeple with all the lost and lonely people searching for the hope that’s tucked away in you and me. Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?”

I sometimes find myself so wrapped up in what is going on in my own life that I forget to take the time to look around me and notice what is going on in the lives of others whether I know them or not. I listened to a sermon back in September that talks about how often we are so focused on where WE are going that we don’t stop to see/help the people GOD has placed in our path. We miss opportunities to talk to them, ask them their names, or see if they simply need prayer.

Sometimes I think we believe we aren’t equipped to get involved or serve others. We leave the “evangelism” to others because we feel inadequate. I certainly have felt this way. What I have learned over the years, however, is that the simple act of saying hello or asking the cashier how her day is going can mean a lot. I get it in my head that God wants big and bold gestures and while that may be true, He also works in the small things. We don’t have to be over the top in your face Christians to show others the love of Jesus.

I experienced this when I was in Africa last January. My team and I had just left one orphanage where it was clear the kids were loved by the staff and, for the most part, had access to food and education. We were in awe of how much the kids loved Jesus despite their stories and it was so easy to sit and talk with them. 24 hours later we were ushered into a Children’s prison. The kids in the first center were in there for various reasons ranging from suspected murder to not properly greeting a relative. We learned there was a large culture of abandonment and most often it was as if these kids were “thrown away” when they were no longer of use to their parents. Any slip up led to them being thrown into one of these centers. I know for sure that I was nervous entering this situation. I had no idea what I could say or do to improve their situation. As the morning progressed, however, I realized that they just wanted someone to see them. They most likely knew that we weren’t there to fix anything, but it was enough that we came and played soccer with them. I watched girls’ faces light up as we painted their nails and laughed with them. I watched boys delight in teaching some of the team to play the drums. It was a good day because someone took the time simply to say, “We are here and we love you. We See You.”

It is my goal to take the time to see people around me. I want to show love even if it is as simple as saying, “How is your day today?” It doesn’t have to be as complicated as we try to make it. People just want to be seen. 

2013

2012 was a year of change and accomplishment. So much happened in my life that really made me grow stronger in my faith and see myself as someone with value and worth. I have spent so many years struggling to move beyond my past and embrace the amazing future I know lies ahead of me. Last year I graduated from college, moved out of Wisconsin, and entered a community that really made me re-evaluate a lot in my life. I am really working hard on getting healthy, doing everything I can to remain connected within the community that has so lovingly welcomed me in, and realizing that I want to do more to give back as I am continually blessed each and every day.

So what I want for 2013 is to continue my health journey and to find as many opportunities as possible to volunteer and make the world better somehow. If anyone has any suggestions for local or global volunteer work, please let me know!