Susan G Komen for The Cure

Saturday was the Race/Walk in Chicago, IL - Grant Park. Another opportunity to be there for breast cancer. And was I this year...sadly, no.

I had signed up, donations in, had my team, my shirt and bib, hotel picked out...and from the week's BC walk before, I was still battling cough, cold, etc. And as time brought us closer, it was evident that I had no business being there. I had every excuse to be there...meeting friends in the city, I made the commitment, I posted information on Facebook and I was not about to miss an opportunity...

And then reality and humility set in. Which is better?! To go through with it and get others, potentially BC sufferers in the mix, exposed to my illness and by all accounts get worse myself for the sake of blogging it?! (WHAT?!?!) Or to get better to go to the next walk, rest and get well for not just me, but for my family, which is my main priority anyway?!? (Um, duhhhh!!)

So I am taking time to blog the obvious. We can't do everything. We may attempt to appear like we can, but who is it really going benefit or impress? Not many, if any at all...especially if it can't be done the right way. And isn't that ultimately destructive to ourselves and others? That's not right, either. In the end, what matters is that we are serving others, and that God sees our hearts, minds and intentions...and is pleased with them.

May we be moved to do what we can with what God gives us. Let us not be the detriment that turns others away from Him in our efforts to succeed in this world...there is no success without Him.

I know, pretty preachy for a pageant blog...but if we can't do the right things when opportunities come up, share God, and be an encouragement to others in all we do and say, we shouldn't be doing them.

Matthew 10:33"But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven."

Psalm 19:14 "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."

 

Walk for Hope for Women's Cancers

Today was spent in Glenview, Illinois as a guest speaker and ribbon-cutter for the 17th annual Walk for Hope.  The exciting thing about City of Hope is that it has expanded it's efforts from just breast cancer to all women's cancers.  I have been a walker, volunteer and guest speaker for a number of years for them, and I am grateful for each event and opportunity, as each one brings more funds and awareness to find cures.

We had rain and cold, but it could not dampen the spirits of everyone.  Especially the very gifted chair, Beth, who was ever so kind  enough to "share" her purple boa with me, and to the generous and lovely Karen Rolls, who once again coordinated my part in this event.

We had music, food, entertainment, over 1,000 walkers despite the weather, and of course a sea of survivors to make the event sweeter.

If you couldn't be there, you always can in spirit by visiting:

http://nationalevents.cityofhope.org/site/TR?sid=1140&type=fr_informational&pg=informational&fr_id=1430

to donate or volunteer.

I'd like to add, that there's nothing better than a sweet, older gentleman coming up to you out of the blue, saying, "Thank you...you don't know what this means to me and to my family that you are here.  You did a good job."

May we never forget that we are here for others...to help, serve and love.

Our Check-In Team, before the rain...

Getting the cover on...

Sweet Beth and me, hovering under an umbrella in between stage times...

Dancer's testing out the stage to be sure they wouldn't slip too much!

Blessings!

(Oh, yes, I look tired. I have been very, very sick all week, as well as my family...our daughter was kind enough to share her illness...and I had been up all night before with her and Eric...but duty calls.  :)  Praise the Lord for concealer and mascara!)

Miss Universe, Mrs. United States Way

Any pageant on TV must be viewed in comfies, with junk food and crowns worn in our house.  It is the only way to truly enjoy it!  More than 20 years and counting on that tradition! 

There were years when I held "pageant parties", inviting friends over for whatever was on (Miss USA, Miss America, Miss Teen USA...) and everyone showed up in jammies, we'd order pizza, and I would have nachos and everything fried, and the room was filled with crowns and tiaras. Because every girl should have some bling!  ;)

For Miss Universe 2011, it was no exception, and I really liked the crown I was wearing this year!  ;)