Why we do what we do

In my very first blog post, I put that I am passionate about a lot of causes, but one in particular is the Kyrie Foundation.  Today I was able to take part in my first event as a member of the Board of Directors and I was so glad to be a part of it.  The Kyrie Foundation had its first annual Kyrie Foundation Golf Tournament...and I would say it went well!  I don't know a thing about golf or how to put on a tournament, but I would put it out there saying we did well and that we learned a lot for next year's tourney.  The tournament was held at Sierra Hills Golf Course in Wichita and we had about ten teams taking part.  We served lunch and were able to watch the video that was put together for people just learning about what the Kyrie Foundation does.

Which leads me to my next point.

The Kyrie Foundation was started shortly after Kyrie Dawn Thome joined her heavenly home on April 7th, 2007.  Kyrie had a form of pediatric brain cancer that took her life in just nine weeks from diagnosis to the end.  Her Aunt and Uncle formed the Kyrie Foundation to help raise money for research in the fight against this horrible disease.  When Kyrie was diagnosed, there was very little information for her family to learn about...because it was so rare.  It has become increasingly more common and ten children are diagnosed each day.

I stumbled upon the Kyrie Foundation after Kyrie had passed.  I was forwarded an email and immediately wanted to get involved.  Probably to the point of what some might think was "too involved".  But I knew in my heart I needed to be a part of this.  On Memorial Day, 2008, I made my husband drive me around the cemetery where she was buried because I wanted to put flowers out for Kyrie.  Her story moved me to tears so many times from the first time I had heard it to that point and I wanted to pay my respects.  I know for a fact that Coach thought I was a little out of my mind.  And I also know that he was not alone in his thinking.  For me...the cemetery has always been a place for me to go and talk to my loved ones or those who've gone before.  And it is also a place for me to check in with God.  I wanted to go that day to put flowers out for little Miss Kyrie...but also, to tell her and God that I would do everything I could to make a difference.  Some people feel that way with Relay for Life.  Some people feel that way for abused Mothers or children...or Mothers Against Drunk Driving.  There are lots of causes out there and everyone has their own reasons for getting involved.  Mine with the Kyrie Foundation came from a lot of things...but mainly because I was blessed with three healthy children.  And I wanted that little girl to know that because I was so blessed...I would do everything I could to help others not have to go through what she and her family went through.  In this process...I have become good friends with many people in the Foundation including Kyrie's Mom and Dad. And I am so grateful for my 'unrelated' involvement...and where I am now.

At the beginning of the Veggie tales videos...(children's christian based cartoons) there is a little 'bit' of music played with a picture of a little girl on a swing...(or something like that) and the words....

Why We Do What We Do

come on the screen.  This company puts together bible based cartoons to help children not only learn the stories of the bible, but life lessons through their adventures.  The characters are Larry the Cucumber and Bob the Tomato...and many others.  I absolutely love them!  But it got me to thinking today after this day of goodness thanks to the Kyrie Foundation...

Why Do We Do What We Do

For those of you out there who know me and wonder...this is why I do what I do.
I do it for Coach.
I do it for Brett.
I do it for Tanner.
I do it for Brady.
I do it for Chase.
I do it for Grace.
I do it for all the kids in my life...and there are a lot...that mean so much to me and have the opportunity to run without falling...to play without tiring...to live without hurting.
I do it because I can fight for those who can't fight for themselves.
I do it because God told me to...and I am listening.
I do it because it is good and I know that His light is shining through my every move with the Foundation.
I do it for my friends Lacie and Jordan.
And last but not least...I do it for Kyrie.

I encourage you to find something that you have a passion for...something that needs you as much as you need it.  Find some way to help someone in need.  Embrace the opportunities to better yourself and to help those who can't help themselves.

And always remember why you do...what you do.

Have a Blessed Day!
Amy

Kyrie's Video

Comfort in the Promise

Psalms 119: 50

My comfort in my suffering is this:

Your promise preserves my life

Today's bible verse on http://www.biblegateway.com/ is Psalms 119:160.  I read the passage in its entirety and found the verse above and loved it.

Not that this week has brought me days of suffering, but I have found myself wondering at times why I feel the way I feel.  Things happen that cause me to feel all twisted up inside.  My chest gets tight...my eyes are tired...my body feels heavy and I would consider it sadness.  And I have yet to find comfort when I am feeling sad about something.  But as I read...I realized that what the author is trying to say is that we SHOULD find comfort in our sufferings because we know that He is behind everything that happens in our lives.  He is creating every step in our lives.  When things go differently than we expect...we tend to have tons of different emotions.  Sometimes it works out for the better...sometimes not.  But we have have faith in the promise.  Standing...standing...standing on the promises of God my Savior...one of my favorite hymns.  I just know that in times of suffering, I have to get better at letting the promise not only preserve my life, but bring me peace. 

The fact of the matter is...we cannot control anything.  We can make choices.  We can do things with a Christ like heart...and there are moments when we do things with a not so God like heart...but we are making choices none the less.  We must deal with the consequences of the choices we make...but all the while knowing that He is ultimately in control.  We have to believe that He is teaching us something in every single moment of our lives.  And if we are open to admitting we are sometimes wrong...and embracing the lesson we are learning through our mistakes...we'll find the comfort through the suffering which is the Promise.  His Promise.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not parish, but have eternal life. 

Believe in the moments that He gives...even the moments of suffering.   Whoever believes in Him shall not parish, but have eternal life...Thank you God.

Have a Blessed Day!
Amy

1 Peter 5-9

Since I have lived in Mulvane...which is most of my life, I can remember the gas station that is on the corner.  We used to have one stoplight here.  One.  We now have a few more...like maybe three or four.  The gas station is at the corner of K15 and Rock Road.  Like I said...I can remember it from my childhood til now.  It has gone through many owners...many names...many paint colors...and yet it still serves the same purpose.  It is a gas station.  It has fountain pop...my FAVORITE.  It has snacks and drinks galore and a few video games inside.  It has an ATM...but I am positive that wasn't around when I was a kid.  Anyway...one of the things I remember the most about this gas station is that at our Town Celebration (Old Settlers Days) there would be a big blown up beer can on the top of the station.  I remember thinking how cool that was...like a big balloon.  At the time, I had no idea what it represented other than it was time for rides and carnival food...kind of funny to think back on that.

I have no concept of time anymore, but it seems like it has been at least a couple of years since it was bought out the last time...and in the last year, the new owner did something I have NEVER seen before.  On the sign with the price of gas...he puts up a bible verse.  Isn't that weird?  I mean...I am all for it...but it just seems so strange for the times.  Then again...maybe it isn't?  Maybe it is a sign of good things to come.  I believe more and more people are becoming outwardly obvious with their love for Christ. 

Last night on the way home from somewhere...Coach said.."Remember 1Peter 5-9."  I said..."Why?"  And he told me that it was the verse on the sign at Midway and he wanted to read it.  Apparently he notices more than I do when Mr. Gas Station Owner changes the verse and he is very good about coming home to check it out.  What a witness.  This man is making an effort to share the word with the people of our town.  It isn't exactly a blow up beer can on top of the building, but people are starting to notice.  So thank you Mr. Gas Station Owner for loving Christ and sharing it with others.

1 Peter 5-9

Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,


"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.  I love that.  We are special...but not any more special than anyone else.  We are all in a struggle...constantly fighting the urges to follow evil.  We are all in the same boat.  None of us are more privileged than another in God's love.  And He gives Grace to those who recognize the fact that we are weak...but He is strong.  We need to be humble.  Such an important character.  No one...in any situation...is better than anyone else.  We are all stumbling.  Different situations.  Different people...but standing firm in the faith because we know that our brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.  It says so in the word.

Have a Blessed Day friends!
Amy

God Gave Me You

Honesty is the BEST policy

Our middle son Tanner has an issue with not telling the truth.  He seems to think that it is better to lie and get into trouble later than to just be honest when things happen.  The other day, I was so frustrated with him and I told my Mom what was going on.  She had a talk with him and told him that Honesty is the BEST policy.  If he needed to, he should write it down on a piece of paper and put it where he can always see it.  So he did.  In his room, on his desk, is a torn piece of notebook paper that says exactly that...

Honesty is the BEST policy

Sometimes I tell lies too.  I don't do it in a mean way.  I do it in the "I am protecting their feelings" way.  Or the "I am avoiding confrontation" way.  What I am learning well into my adult years is that no lie is a good lie.  Even if you think you are doing it for the "right" reasons.  The truth is...


It is one of the BIG 10.  God makes it pretty clear how he wants us to live our lives and he gave us the 10 commandments as a start.  He also expects us to live as he lived and love as he loves.

I am trying.  But I fall short.  Lying is such a horrible thing to do.  And at the time, I can make anything seem not so bad...but when the truth comes out...it appears as horrible as it was in the first place.

Moral of my story...I am going to have Tanner make me a sign for the kitchen to remind me that Honesty is the BEST policy.  And someday...I know that with God's help, I'll get it right.

Have a blessed day!
Amy.

Thall Shall Not Lie...

Make the Most

In the car on the way to Kansas City this weekend, I heard this song by Carrie Underwood called Temporary Home.  I had heard it before, but the kids were asleep and Coach was in drive mode...so I really 'heard' it this time. 

When the big sunglasses trend came out several years back, my sister and I stood our ground on our little brown and black sunglasses.  Every single time we tried them on...we felt like bugs.  I means seriously...even Jessica Simpson and Eva Longoria looked like bugs in them.  Beautiful...disgustingly perfect bugs.  Eventually, we caved.  Me first because I am always one to follow the trend...(with the exception of this summers' reappearance of the "romper"...No thank you)  Chele followed this summer with her first pair of 'bigger' sunglasses.  My sister and I could not be more different...which is so much fun most of the time.  She is very reserved...quiet...not a spotlight kind of girl.  And I love her for everything she is.  Back to the buggy sunglasses.  I am so glad for them!  On our way to Kansas City, I heard several songs that just absolutely brought me to tears.  And Coach doesn't care if and when I cry...but it was happening a lot.  Whenever I am overly grateful for my situation...I tend to tear up.  Oh lets face it...I cry all the time.  I cry when I am happy...sad...excited...emotionally moved...angry...frustrated...I just cry.  So...Big, Buggy Sunglasses are my friend in hiding my tears and my tear stained face. :)

Back to the song. 

This is my temporary Home
It's not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I'm passing through
This is just a stop on my way to where I am going
I'm not afraid because I know
This is my temporary Home

Ugh.  Tears.  I won't even begin to write the verses down...they are so unbelievably sad.  But what an incredible concept.  We are only here for a little while...and this is just a stop on the way to where we're going.  I love it here.  I absolutely love it here.  I love my husband...I love my boys...I love my friends and my family.  I love my life.  But, we all know there are days when things get tough.  When we feel overwhelmed.  And to remember in the midst of our sadness...our anger...our frustration...that God has us here for just a little while before he brings us home...sends chills down my spine.

I think we need to make the very best of this life here on earth.  We've been given the opportunity to be here...to love here...to share His love...and to be the best people we can be.  We need to continually try to shine His light to let others know in their darkest hour...that the pain is temporary.  Coach said something yesterday to one of the boys after they got hurt that really made me think...

I know it hurts, but that will go away.  Pain always does.

This coming from a man who lost his Dad when he was 19 years old.  I know that the hurt is there.  I know that he misses him so much that it hurts.  But the hurt goes away...and he knows that this is his temporary home.  He'll be with his Dad again someday and I know that I know that I know...that in Heaven...we'll not hurt anymore.  Something to hang onto for sure.

Have a Blessed day!!!
Amy

A "Royal" Vacation

A couple of weeks ago, Coach suggested that after all the ball tournaments that we've been to...we do something different.  We needed a mini-vacation.  So we decided to do what we do best...BASEBALL.

We found a weekend Royals game to take the boys to and off we went.  Besides the fact that we sat through 100 degree temps and then a rainstorm...the Royals won and it was Fireworks Friday.  It was an AWESOME night and the boys had the time of their lives.  I looked like a wet dog when we left...but the boys will never forget that night. Brady has now been to a Major League game and life is good.  He came home with a new dinosaur from the Dinosaur restaraunt and some Royals socks.  Life as he knows it...is Good.  We left Friday and got back late Saturday just in time for a friend's pool party.  It was a perfect ending to an incredible trip.  I wanted to let you know that I was gone and wasn't avoiding my blog.  I just needed a little time away with the Men in my life...and I knew you'd all understand.

I wanted to share a couple of the memories with you and promise to be back tomorrow in full swing.  Hope you all had a fabulous weekend!  We did! 

So grateful for all of my blessings...Thank You Lord.

Amy