life begins...

Clearly, I went way outside of mine, on Saturday.  Writing is one thing, but speaking to a large group of women?  A little daunting. 

But my mother, with her sister Carol on the left and her sister Marlene on the right, were there to help ground me and center me  as I shared my faith story.

As usual, my brain was running on the slow side... my beautiful cousin Pam also came and offered to shoot most of these lovely photos you see.  I, however, was not quick enough to turn the camera around on her- so let me just say how I honored I was to have her and the rest of my family show up.  

The theme for the women's brunch was blessed assurance.  The room was decorated in a springy and colorful way that shed some light on all the gray and cold outside.

Aimee, on the left was diagnosed last fall and shared about how she felt so covered in prayer and how that helped her through.  She shared witty stories of her journey and how a new normal is settling in.  And the young woman, Kylee, in the middle is just 16 years old.  When she was just 3 weeks old she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.  Its propelled her into thinking she will go into medicine and wants to live a life of service.  She is planning a relay for life event on Saturday, May 11th at Moorhead High School.  

The beautiful plant we each received for speaking.

I think the sharing of my story went well.  I wove together bits and pieces of how it seemed to begin shortly after my father passed away in 2010.  I had chosen the word "Alive," to start off the new year, and was diagnosed with stage iv breast cancer 3 months later.  My faith grew exponentially after that and I shared a little about how that came about. 

I worked relentlessly last week on trying to cohesively explain the major bits of my journey.  While I accomplished some of it- I was surprised by how much of the story, seems to still be waiting for me to fully recognize it. 

Perhaps, I need to take the time to revisit this chapter again and see what else it is I need to discover- to know- to understand.  

While I was speaking, Nolan and his team, the Jr. Spuds were skating in a hockey tournament in St. Cloud.  They won first place again!  So proud of these boys- so bummed to not be there.  

So Colton and I hung out all weekend together.  We went to a movie, found out which baseball team he is on, and went to hockey practice.  We ended our weekend with one of our favorite things- breakfast for dinner.  

Speaking of "outside your comfort zone," I'm feeling the yucks again.  But, I am slowly incorporating yucky into every day life and its oddly starting to feel somewhat like normal.  

Blessings on your week everyone!