Don't ignore what you are feeling.

I've gotta keep it real so once again I'm laying it all out there......all the things that are going on in my heart and head.   Here's what I am struggling with.  Even though I have moved from Illinois to the Dominican Republic to Las Vegas doesn't mean that I stopped caring DEEPLY for friends and family and friends that have BECOME family. 

Recently my heart is BREAKING for a former student and former co-worker from Illinois.  Sweet, brave Tommy has been diagnosed with Stage 3 brain cancer.  He was a former classmate of my daughter Maddie's.  I have no doubt this tough kid is going to kick cancer's butt.  His family is filled with God's strength, love an determination.  My former co-worker who happened to be one of my older children's favorite high school teachers was diagnosed with kidney failure after being born with just one kidney.  Coach Meyer is the coolest guy, witty, smart, kind and an awesome father.  Our little town of LeRoy is pulling together to do benefits to raise money for the obvious unforeseen medical bills that one top of everything else these families are dealing with, now have that to contend with.

I feel so helpless being so far away......so I pray.  I believe prayer is the strongest tool we have.  But don't stop there.  Do something.  For our ministry Goodness Gracious Ministries is all about feeding the hungry in Las Vegas.  We want to help children and the homeless, especially homeless children.  I order to reach the most people we want to buy a food truck.  We planned a 5K "Run for Their Lives".  You run wherever you are in whatever city or state you live in.  As I was promoting this I have been feeling a sense of guilt because I felt like I was taking away something for all the efforts in my hometown as they raise money for these two amazing families.  Guilt is something ugly I am working on with my Savior right now. ;)   During my prayers this morning He reassured me not to feel guilty but to be an encourager.  So that's what I want to do right now.  God gives us hearts to break for others not to sit by and do nothing.  He gives us hearts to break to DO SOMETHING.  What ever God has laid on your heart whether it's helping someone to get through an illness, feed hungry kids, fight human trafficking, care for orphans and widows or whatever it may be.  That burden He gives you to not just say, "God why aren't you doing something?" but for you to say, "God with your help I WILL do something!" 

So this Saturday, July 18th is Goodness Gracious Ministries 5K "Run for Their Lives".  Isn't it ironic that the name for the  5K that God gave me could cover all those worthy causes I just listed above?   So if you don't feel called to feed hungry kids in Las Vegas, I still invite you to run/walk this Saturday, share what you are raising money for with all your friends, family and co-workers and give to that cause.  If they ALL break your heart.  Raise money for all of them. 

I am praying super hard for the 29 people that committed to the 5K already and for the 11 "maybes" that their schedule clears to allow them to join in.  I pray for the 1,000 other friends that were invited that they are already joining in with other causes so they don't miss out on the amazing feeling when you bless other people and trust God with what He has blessed you with.

Yesterday morning at church we discussed this piece of Scripture.  It was perfect as I prayed for Tommy and Coach Meyer.

1 Peter 5:8-10
⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.