There are a lot of days that I have felt an unbelievable amount of love and support in the last nine months… But today probably takes the cake.❤️

Back in January, about five people told me to fill out the Rainbow Restoration golf tournament application for local moms battling stage iv cancer.  Boy, am I thankful for those people for introducing me to such an incredible event because today was absolutely unforgettable. 😌

The first time cancer affected me personally was when I was in second grade. In spring of 1990 my dad was diagnosed with stage one prostate cancer. For 34 years cancer has been part of my immediate family. To be honest with you, I knew nothing about what stage one or what stage four meant until August when I was diagnosed. My dad passed away in 2007 with stage four prostate cancer. I was 25 when he passed away and I still never asked the questions to figure out exactly what these medical terms even mean regarding staging. In my mind, stage 4 was the end. 😇

Fast forward to being on the other side of it. When my cancer was found it was already found in other organs. It was already “advanced” or metastatic or stage iv. Surely they don’t mean this is the end?! It’s just the beginning. Y'all just found this stuff. I’d been complaining of symptoms for nearly 11 months. No way this is the end. I’ve been trying to fight this stage 4 metastatic cancer ever since. The battle is tough. Not just physically but mentally. Cancer has taken so many things from me. My cancer has also given me things. Most importantly, a faith that goes beyond understanding. The blessings poured out when it is not deserved or earned continue to humble me. 😍

Today’s golf tournament was probably the top experience of that mainly because these people were essentially strangers loving on my family.  🎉

You all know how grateful I am for my/jesses family support, friends support, church support, school support and even the Run Hard community support. We have been blown away month after month on how God has blessed us with things handled and taken care of and you guys have stepped up and made it happen most of the time without us even asking.  Meals… Gift cards… Plane tickets… Mortgage payments… Laundry services… Literally unending Venmo.🥰

 I probably have had 300 people who have given meals to my family by way of bringing us food, mailing us gift cards, paying for our bill while you see us out, or Venmoing us to cover a meal. It is seriously,  seriously mind blowing the love. 🤯

Today we experienced love in a whole new level where we didn’t even know these people. They just heard about our story and poured on the blessings. I want everyone I know to hear about this tournament that has happened for 13 years. It will give you tears in your eyes and a welling in your heart to know the love that they give mom‘s that’s future dreams are shattered when they hear the words you have stage four cancer.  🥺 (please read this about the tournament!).https://columbiametro.com/article/rainbow-warriors/ 

To be a Rainbow Warrior beneficiary today showed my children a generosity in a whole new level. The boys said “this was the best day ever!” And “our family is so lucky” (I’m sorry, what?! how many of your friends’ moms have cancer?!) but to them they were loved and shown generosity when they earned absolutely zero of it. They saw Jesus. 🙌🏻

I saw them laugh and smile and play and hug and try new things and people bless them. It reminded me so much of Jesus. We think we can earn or deserve love and approval and it truly is just free - we do nothing to deserve it. The generosity poured out today from sponsors and participants and committee members is something my family will never forget. I’m so thankful to be a rainbow warrior 🌈