Dare to Dream: Staying Focused on God

Wednesday, 12 September 2012

Staying Focused on God

The following is a devotional that I shared at school and is a reminder that in all we do our number one focus needs to be on God.

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Do you think God gives us dreams to pursue? Has God ever put a dream in your heart that you had no idea how to achieve? I have had many dreams in the past that could never have been attained without God’s involvement. I want to share my journey of my current dream because this is a journey that involves a number of very special people and I would like you to join me on this journey to my dream.

Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. It borders Tanzania and Kenya; the summit is 19,336 feet high. I became aware of this enchanting mountain on a mission trip to Kenya six years ago. The following year, I decided to do some research on Mt. Kilimanjaro. During this process I became intrigued with the idea of climbing the mountain. At the time this seemed like an unrealistic dream. Some of the barriers were cost, time for training, and finding climbing companions.

Soon thereafter, both of my daughters got married and then 2 ½ years ago I was diagnosed with ITP, an autoimmune blood disorder. Although my extremely low blood platelet count did not cause me pain, for which I am extremely grateful, it was serious. I underwent many treatments that were only temporarily effective. Last summer I had my spleen removed which improves the diagnosis for 50-60% of patients with ITP. However, the surgery did not have the positive outcome I expected. This left me wondering what other options were left for me. The one treatment I most dreaded, low doses of chemotherapy, has been the only treatment that has worked successfully with no side effects.

It has been eight weeks since I have been off chemo; I am rejoicing to have healthy levels of platelets again and more energy. Many people have prayed for my health in the past year and I want them to know how deeply grateful I am. I believe God has restored my health and given me a new lease on life. I want to live each day with purpose, passion and praise.

In January, I felt a need for a new challenge. Since my energy level increased, I was excited to have a more intense workout routine. I went to my first spin class taught by my daughter, Ashley. Fifteen minutes into the class, she began encouraging us to increase the tension on the bike as she said, “Climb, Climb, Climb!” Those are typical words to hear in a spin class but for me it was as if a light went on in my head. Immediately I began smiling from ear to ear as I was sweating and realized my dream from 5 years ago was reignited!

I was hesitant to share this dream with anyone because I thought they would laugh or think I was crazy. Since this dream persisted, I began asking God to work out some critical details and give me some much needed confirmation. First, I asked my wonderful husband what he thought of my new dream idea. He was very supportive; his only request was, “Just don’t ask me to go with you.” Within two days I had a friend who was not only willing to go on this journey with me, but Jana was excited to do so.

In the last three months, I have already learned so much. I have spent many hours researching, shopping for mountain equipment, and meeting people who have made this climb. While some of them made it to the summit, others did not due to extreme altitude sickness. I have heard some frightening stories and stories of courage, challenge, and triumph. The more I learn, the easier it is to become fearful. I think fear is the number one reason people do not attempt to follow their dreams. So I am taking this challenge believing it will be an exciting opportunity to grow and stretch myself in ways I can’t yet imagine.

“Trust in the Lord and do what is good; dwell in the land and live securely. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires. Psalm 37:4-5

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
1) PRAYER SUPPORT
2) DONATIONS FOR A VAN FOR HOPE

Mountain of Hope

I have a number of goals for this climb, but the one I want to share with you is for Hope. As you know, Hope Peacock, one of our amazing grade 4 students has been in the hospital since before Christmas. Her little body has undergone extreme trauma yet she has already improved more that the doctors ever thought she would.

Hope’s discharge is planned for mid-May. As a school, we would like to be able to provide Hope with a wheelchair accessible van. The cost of the van is $60,000. The Peacock family has applied for $20,000 from a Children’s Charity in Calgary to help with the cost. As a school, I would really like to see us provide the other $40,000. The good new is that we have already raised $25,000 from our generous parents since December. We still need $15,000 by mid-May.

I have challenged the elementary students at chapel this past week to join me in helping fundraise for Hope. I will ask the secondary students to join this challenge as well. If each elementary student can bring in $20 we can easily reach the goal of $5,000. If each secondary student brings in $20 they can reach the goal of $5,000. If the students can pitch in and raise $10,000, a generous parent will provide the remaining $5,000. That would give us the needed $ 15,000 for the van. The Peacock would like to put on the side of the van – donated by Bearspaw Christian School.

Together we can reach this goal and every student, staff, and family at BCS will know they were part of God’s provision for Hope. As Gabi (Hope’s younger sister) put it in a recent prayer, “Lord we see that you have moved that mountain (of Hope getting better) a little bit. And we ask that you will still move it all the way!”

If you would like to contribute to this MOUNTAIN OF HOPE, please make your cheques payable to the “BCS Crisis Care Fund”. Alternatively, please use the online donation format and direct your gift to Crisis Care Fund. If you require additional information about the Crisis Care Fund and how the school is responding to special needs, please call the school office.

You can follow Hope's progress at http://www.facebook.com/groups/274810535916900/doc/299438726787414/.

Thank you,

Judy Huffman

Dare to Dream

Wednesday, 12 September 2012

Staying Focused on God

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