Where do I begin?

Where do I begin? Thank you. Thank you. Spring, our little talks, our dreams, our songs, my writings, our songs, our hopes, our fears. Thank you first and foremost for seeing a vision for something beyond what our current reality could produce. After I finished my fundraiser here for my friends, I never considered what it felt like for them. To receive. Now I am in awe. I am humbled. Hopeful.

To my parents, wow. Your love creates a covering over me where I am free to feel my pain and grow from it. Your example of faith has given me courage to give in the midst of this long journey. And give, I have tried to do.

To my family, I am in awe. You each are so special to me. I had no idea that you would give so much for my family. I feel blessed and loved beyond anything I have ever asked or imagine. How much like our God!

Baltimore was a success. In my stress I would whisper, "favor, favor, favor", and amazing things happened before my eyes. Strangers gave train tickets, Pastor and Mrs. Jackson met me at a gas station and added me to their prayer chain. My Aunt Marcie picked me up and hosted me in the middle of the family grief over my grandfather's death (and life). My cousin Tim entertained me daily and nightly ended each day in worship with their family friend Jeremy (amazing guitarist). Sometimes friends would come by and join us. My cousins Matt & Steph, Andy & Kristen, Meredith & Jason... each contributing to me in amazing ways . (Jason, thanks for the ride to the train! I just made it) Marcie loaded a duffle bag with clothes exactly my size from the second hand store and dropped it off at the hospital to Todd while I was in with my doctor. The love from Paul, Barbara and cousin Natalie. Meeting up with my best friend from Lenox... Elizabeth Herbert (who works in the ER at Johns Hopkins should you see Hopkins 24/7 on tv this summer). Lizzie told me..."I explore because of you. My whole family knows who you are. " I had been looking for her for 25 yrs and the only one who knew that was Father.

More favor... Kelly, the young Irishman carrying my bags running down the escalator at Union Station in DC...Alim, the young Korean student on the metro who will be out here in SF in Aug, Kallie, the Christian cancer survivor who prayed for me on the train, Kelly the ticket conductor on the train who's wife has suffered cancer and is at Johns Hopkins. The man sitting with one other person at a ten person table who suddenly came towards us with a chair, asking:"do you mind if I set this here?" randomly after Todd thought, I wish I could get a chair for Kate to sit down. (That morning a man died of a heart attack during the alter call on sunday. Please pray for his family. We had been with him 10 minutes prior. His name is Darryl and he has two teenage sons. HIs wife was by his side. We prayed with those around us, 2500 people completely quiet as team members from Todds work tried to revive him. He died on scene. )

Oh, and getting in to Dr. Julie Freischlaig, my new surgeon, who happened to know the original doctor that had explored my situation and recommended surgery. And who has redone many of his surgeries. Wow. She will be fitting me in her schedule for Thoracic Outlet Surgery on the left side because she "trusted me". The brachial plexus approach would not have covered the entire area. This does not cure RSD (only God can do that), but should allow me to sleep on my side, lift my left arm without the blood draining and allow me to hold a telephone, type for much longer, play more bass on the piano (most importantly).

I am blessed beyond measure. There are so many more stories.

Since I got home just a few days ago, we were led to host our Friday nite service (an indoor campfire service to describe it briefly) for the summer. This will hopefully give my west coast parents Warren and Becky a break. They are key in our lives here. Our family at Santa Rosa Christian Church is blessed by what you have created for us.

I know that this was not about me, but what God will do in all of our lives individually when we love one another as Christ loved us. I feel your love LOUD AND CLEAR!!!! And, I will let y ou know when I am coming home so we can all be together at last.

Thank you for your sacrifice. I pray God multiplies your gifts in the spirit of reciprocity and you will be abundantly and richly blessed beyond what you could ever ask or imagine!!!!! (without the religious undertones... may you find what you need under your doormat.)

(PS. My personal garage sale is this Saturday. My kids have done one fresh-squeezed lemonade/popcorn stand and are continuing to raise money also. My goal here is also to earn enough money to fund the schooling I need to finish my certification as a life coach and provide an ongoing income for my family from home that is not physically laborous using the sensitive heart and mind God gave me. LOL. I believe the tuition remaining is $5000 and I can go as I can at my pace over time. After surgery of course! )