Because of Christ, we have a better forecast and a cloudless future.” -Dr. David Jeremiah from Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World
On May 18th, Blake and I celebrated 13 years of marriage. As I anxiously checked the weather forecast for our May 21st Relay for Life, I was taken back to that day 13 years ago. It was an exceptionally rainy May much like the one we had this year. I remember how disappointed I was when the weather did not cooperate with my plan, my expectation for a beautiful, outdoor, Hawaiian (but in Maryland) wedding. My mom has taught me well that Plan B is usually Plan A, and now I live with Blake whose mantra to life is expect the unexpected and somehow still always be prepared for what comes. Yet the struggle to hold onto my plans loosely is still very real, y’all. Just as was true that day 13 years ago, we don’t really have any control, nor do we know what is best. But we do trust the ONE that has the ultimate say and realize that all these events that are planned for rainy days might just be moments, moments to see beauty that might have looked completely different had the sun been shining on them.
This year’s Relay for Life 2016 was no exception to the rule that May in Maryland and I do not get along. Other than the brief bit of time when the rain stopped so we could set up our tents, the rain was constant. But that did not stop those that work so hard to make it such a special event, and it did not stop so many of our sweet friends from coming out to show their support and add to the fun of the day. When asking my kids to reflect on their favorite parts of Relay this year, my daughter quickly responded with “face painting” but I have a hard time believing it wasn’t the moment she rocked out in the rain. (Check out the video for more on that beauty!) For my son, it was a chance to hang out with his buds and the rain wasn’t the least bit of a concern.
Our Pinked Perspective Team raised $2086.00 for the American Cancer Society and gathered a whole lot of memories for our family. To check out a Flipagram slideshow video of beautiful moments set to our family’s most recent anthem by For King and Country, click on the video link below.