For This....I Will Beg

It is that time AGAIN! I am honored to be walking for the 3rd year and will continue to do what I can to support this cause and help get the world my grandchildren grow up in to be a world free of breast cancer.

The first year that I walked, I noticed a friend of mine had posted on Facebook that she was doing this Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. She posted that around my grandmother's birthday and she had passed away many years earlier after a very long fight with breast cancer. She was an amazing strong and beautiful woman and every year on her birthday, I wish that she was still here to meet my children and grandchildren.

So there I was, thinking about this beautiful person that I miss always, and there is a post about walking for a cure. Not only that, but the walk is sponsored by the very company that my amazing grandmother worked for. It was the ONLY company that she ever worked for. As a single mother (unheard off in "those days") she raised my father working her way up through the ranks starting as an "Avon Lady" and retiring as a regional director of some sort.

So there I was...and i see the post...and its the same company... Well, I do not believe in coincidences. I believe that post was a God thing and I have been following His voice on this journey ever since. 

You can help me crush breast cancer. Not only have I committed to walking 39 miles over 2 days – a challenge in and of itself – I’ve also agreed to raise $1,800. That $1,800 is so much more than a number. It’s about lives saved, lives improved, access to care for underserved populations and critical research that could change the course of history.

AVON 39 is a movement to take down breast cancer. It’s a force of change, and I invite you to be a part of it with me.

The funds I raise will be managed and distributed by the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade. I'll be one of thousands trying to earn my AVON 39, one of thousands raising $1,800-plus and raising awareness. 

I need your help to reach my fundraising goal, so I can walk my AVON 39. Every little bit helps me and the organizations that will receive the funds. We all know someone whose life has been affected by breast cancer. This is a disease that doesn’t discriminate, and it’s a disease that must be stopped. That’s why I won’t stop until I accomplish – and possibly exceed – my fundraising goal. That’s the Power of 39.

Want to donate? Just click the "HERE". If you prefer to write a check, please contact me, and I'll send you the information and form.

Thank you in advance for doing your part for AVON 39 The Walk to End Breast Cancer.

All in a Year....

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 19:11

As I am reflecting on 2014 and thinking...here it is the end of the year and what have I accomplished? My mind went into over drive thinking about the blessings our family has had in 2014....

• Our year started when Morgan fell and broke her leg....but as a family, we pulled together and took care of her. She healed and moved into a much better chapter in her life (my opinion of course)
• Joe started a new chapter in his career with a position at Weber - Stephens .... Yep.... That's where they make the cool grills!!
• Re-committed my life to be a Jesus follower through baptism at West Ridge Community Church....Can not even begin to explain that day!
• I was asked to take on a ministry team leadership role at church. Not sure what God is thinking but I am attempting to listen closely and follow His lead.
• Joe and I celebrated our second anniversary (smartest thing I have ever done in my life!)
• I walked my 2nd Avon Walk for Breast Cancer...I take credit for that walk but I had so many supporters and could not have done it without every one of them....A special "Thank you" to Joe for walking the last couple of miles with me and pushing me to finish!!! Who is ready to walk in 2015 with me?
• We celebrated Joe's birthday in a hotel room after that 2 day walk and he was happy to take back stage to my sore feet!!
• Said good bye to my kids as they moved out of the house...hmmmm....or should I say that we got the house back to ourselves??!!!
• Had a great time making memories with Taylor Grace at the Barbie Dream House!!
• Welcomed a new nephew to our family....Ethan Alexander Butwan ..... Such a great day for my little sister to become a Mom!! Robin and Chris are going to be amazing parents!
• Began the journey with 12 other AMAZING people to raise money for our Fall mission trip
• Watched my amazing husband work hard to make our house a home!
• Celebrated my last "40 something" birthday!
• Had my last birthday phone call from my Father...Thank you to Erika (if you are reading this, you know why)
• Had an absolutely amazing vacation at Door County with the people that mean the most to me! Cherished time with the kids and grandchildren!!!
• Joe and I both avoided the ice bucket challenge!!
• We had to do an unexpected trip to Wichita, KS to say good bye to my Father. Praying every day for my Mom as she moves forward. 
• I had am amazing tour of the Stewart - Haas Racing facility. If you do not know what that means....it will not be impressive to you.
• I had a great time at concerts with some amazing friends this year....Matthew West and for King and Country (Joe's first concert....we are not counting the George Jones concert)!!
• A week at Sonlight Ministries in Haiti....If you do not already know how that was, see my previous posts!!
• Met our sponsor child in Port de Paix...Berlenda Joseph. An amazing young girl!!!
• Cannolis from Carlos Bakery .... ha ha Shari!!!
• Spent an amazing weekend with women I admire and cherish at the Women of Faith event.
• We had an amazing week long visit from Kaylea! It was great to spend time with this determined little person and get to know her better. 
• We hosted the family for Thanksgiving. Was a great day with a house full but was a little sad that my sister and her kids were missing.
• Welcomed yet another baby to our family. Oliver Blake Miller was born on 12/13/14! I am not the only Grandma in the "sibling set" anymore!! Welcome to the world Oliver and welcome to Gramma-hood Shari. Congratulations Megan and Andy!
• Kathi hosted our annual "Family Christmas" and it is always iffy with the weather and traveling. The weather this year was perfect for the drive and she did an amazing job hosting all of us at her house.
• And through all of these memorable moments, I had a full year of working with a group of amazing people at amazing hotels. We said good bye to a few of those hotels but welcomed new friends to our team. Through the year I had 30 airline flights and about 12 road trips. 

Wow....what a list! I know I have missed many many other amazing moments. As I think back over the year, I am realizing how many people have showed me support, friendship, love, encouragement and honesty. I am truly blessed...not by things or events but really by the people that have found their way into my life. 

My goals for 2015....the traditional "eat less" "exercise more" "spend wiser" etc but the #1 goal I have is to share Jesus in everything I do. I am counting on the honesty of those in my life to keep me on track next year.....go easy on the food part!!!

Love you all....Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Tami and Joe

Haiti Lesson #30....There is No Place Like Home

My life will never be the same because of this trip and I want to say thank

you for your prayer, encouragement, and/or financial support. Without

your partnership my mission trip might not have been possible. Thank you

for investing in me for the Kingdom’s sake! I know that God wants me to

be bolder about sharing my faith – not just in Haiti, but right here in Elgin.

May the Lord bless you and your family for blessing and being a part of God’s 

transformation of not only my life, but many of the Haitian people through 

Sonlight Academy. Please don’t stop praying for the Haitian people. Pray that they 

would hear and accept the gospel and pray for growth for those that

have accepted Christ. Pray also that God’s Glory would continue to be made

known among them.

Haiti Lesson #29....There is Always a Reason to Celebrate

Also that everyone should eat and drink and take 

pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man. Ecclesiastes 3:13

Our flight to leave Port de Paix was moved up one day. We were sad to leave the kids and Sonlight early but I think most of us were also missing family and ready to head home. We flew out on Friday and stayed over night in Port au Prince on Saturday night. We stayed at Mon Chez Moi Guest House. It is a complex that is like a hostel.....a large house with several rooms filled with bunk beds and a community dining room. Meals were served family style for dinner and breakfast on Saturday morning. They also served the darkest thickest coffee I have ever tasted. The complex was surrounded by a high wall topped with razor wire. I do not know exactly what type of danger was outside of those walls that required razor wire. I do know the that inside the walls was a great pool for us to relax and enjoy!! We had a very relaxing afternoon just hanging out with each other, recapping our experiences from the week and celebrating our week. 

On Friday evening, we gathered in Gene and Rob's room for our final time of devotions together for the trip. Our conversation that evening surrounded the subject of how we would spread the word. We talked about how we would prepare to talk to people about our experience. How we would share what we saw and how we would glorify the Lord during those conversations. I hope that I have honored God through these lessons I have learned. I hope that they will continue the conversation as people read them and that everyone will understand that as I have written these lessons, I have felt God telling me what I should be sharing. I have started some of these with my thoughts in mind and by the time I end....God has taken over. As people have asked me "How was Haiti?" since I returned, some are interested in the suffering and hardship and others are genuinely interested in the people, the mission and how God used us. I love the opportunity to share the things I saw, felt, learned and experienced....especially the moments that I truly felt God there with me.

Haiti Lesson #28...Sometimes a Little Buzz Can Be a Good Thing

I searched and searched and could not find a scripture to go with this lesson. In Haiti....a buzz means you have electricity and if you are from a cold climate in the US....a buzz is a good thing!!

In Port de Paix, there is not a readily accessible power system like the ones we have in the US. Electricity comes from batteries or generators and most homes do not have power. Sonlight has a couple of very large generators that John and his team work on every day to keep healthy. The businesses and some homes in the neighborhood, including the Holiday Beach Hotel (love saying that!!)

These generators cause a constant buzzing or humming sound. The first couple of days I thought I would go crazy from listening to it but I quickly realized the gift that comes from that sound....AIR CONDITIONING!!! The first 2 days we were in Port de Paix, the weather was beautiful....warm and breezy. About the 3rd day, the breeze stopped and the air because very humid , heavy and still. Getting back to our rooms at 8PM and turning on the air conditioning was a little slice of heaven and all the buzzing all day was completely worth it!!

Sonlight Generators

Outside Lighting at the Hotel - Works from 7PM-7AM

Haiti Lesson #27.... Every Lesson is a Gift

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17

I went to Haiti on a mission trip to serve others and I found that I was the one that received the greatest gift. The children in the 4th grade class showed me how amazing children are...how honest, genuine, sincere and loving they are. They loved me without knowing me. They shared themselves with me through hugs, kisses, conversations, small gifts of letters, art work and candy. One little girl even gave me a couple of her hair ties. 

It is possible that they have changed my opinion of "sticky fingers' for life. My granddaughter has been here visiting with us for the week. She is 4 and very shy. I have found myself having more patience this week than I ever have. I have enjoyed the cuddling for longer hours, giggled and played more freely and just loved her. That is the gift I received from a very special group of 4th graders. 

On this Thanksgiving Day, I am of course thankful for God and His grace, my family and friends and even the dog and our cat. But this year I am most thankful for the lessons I had a chance to learn in a place like Haiti, the team that journeyed with me and the new people I met there. My ego is smaller, I am judging less, my self is less the center, many fears have been overcome, I am more open to others and willing to share my heart. I hope that these lessons AND gifts will stay with me for life. I pray that what I experienced changes me in a way that will lead me to show love to all I meet from this day forward as freely and unconditionally as that small group of 4th graders showed me.

 

Haiti Lesson #26....Encyclopedias Have Naked Pictures

During my final day in Mme Ryan's 4th grade class, she introduced the students to encyclopedias. She passed out one volume to each student. The first task she gave the kids was to look through their volume and find a historical person. The students found Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Edison. Next, Mme Ryan asked the kids to find a place. Right away, someone found Chicago. They then looked for an animal...Muskrat and Lion where discussed. As the students where searching through their volumes, several students realized that their where pictures of naked people in their books. Soon the class was laughing and each of the kids was on a mission to find ART in their books. 

I really enjoyed spending time with Mme Ryan. This is her first year as a teacher and 4th graders can be quite a handful. At the beginning of the week I wondered why she would choose to do this job. Shortly after moving to Haiti, her and her husband found out that she will be having her first baby in February. On this final day in the classroom, I could see the love she had for these children and I could clearly see that they love her so much already. I have prayed for her and her husband many times since I have been home. I am in awe of their decision to move to Haiti and take on the role of teacher, mentor, missionary, messenger and example of Jesus for the amazing kids they spend every day with. God has a plan for them and they are obediently following.

M'yse and Mme Ryan

I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me. Psalm 119:30