I've been debating about writing a blog on this subject for a couple weeks and in all honesty still praying, editing, and trying to determine whether or not to post this. If you are reading, obviously it got posted :) The inspiration behind this post is Sara Walker. Our Sunday school class did a donation only photo shoot fundraiser type thing for the Walker family a few weeks ago. I've known the Pigg family since junior high. Mrs. Pigg was my algebra teacher, makes amazing M&M cookies :) and I played softball with Dinah and Sara. Sara was a fellow lefty who after she graduated, let me use her glove since my right shoulder just wouldn't cooperate. The options were surgery, sit out, or play with another arm. . . I opted to play with another arm and thanks to Sara for letting me have her glove for a season of ball so I could learn how to switch throwing arms. I was so excited to wear "Sara's" glove :) Michael graduated with my brother and Mr. Pigg was always there as well cheering us on in our various sports. I was able to play both softball, basketball, and travel softball with Dinah. I also went to college for a couple years with both the Pigg girls and thanks to their generosity because I had nowhere to live for a couple weeks one summer, lived with them while taking a May-mester class at Lipscomb. All that time together during those years has left me with some fabulous memories. Who would have known however, that our paths would again cross here in Florence, Alabama. I have spent time with Dinah since being here, Olive garden is our favorite :) on the rare occasions that our schedules allow but in all honesty I haven't seen Sara since college that I can recall and have never personally met Brian or her boys. Sara and I have had facebook conversations but haven't actually seen each other in years. I can still remember exactly where I was sitting when I got the text about praying for my sister. I had switched phones and lost a bunch of numbers during that process (I have no one's number memorized) and had no idea who it was from. It was a 615 number, meaning Nashville TN, and there were only two people I could think of that had sisters with Nashville numbers who had my number and I didn't like either option that was in my head so I waited in the orthodontist parking lot for the text reply, praying the whole time. I find it so not fair that my strength has increased a million times over thanks to the words written by Sara throughout her journey and ultimate victory in her battle with cancer. I can't deny the fact however, that her strength in her circumstances, her unrelenting faith, and her willingness to share the entire picture of her heart, not always the positive, but the reality, has strengthened and drawn me closer to my Father in heaven during my own not so outspoken trials. Selfishly, I will miss her writing. I always looked forward to her updates and how God was working in her life. It gave hope that He could work in my dark circumstances as well. Her life still inspires for the record, death hasn't diminished that. . . And I am just one person. . . for anyone watching the numbers at the bottom of the screen of viewers online at her celebration of life, I'm sure these same feelings (even on a more intimate level for those who knew her better), apply to thousands (over 4,000 at one point) of others who were drawn to her and encouraged to follow with her in her journey. I have included a group of collages in this blog. . . The first two come from the first shoot we did (before and after the messiness). . . It was so encouraging the turnout in support of Sara and brought me to tears when the event was over. She inspired the activities. . . I just wanted to capture all of our children having fun so in my mind came up with a 50 foot slip n slide, (courtesy of my own childhood memories of another dear grandfather type friend who passed this month as well and taught me how to slip n slide at an early age, and nicknamed me slip n slide btw. . . and when he met Addisyn called her little slip n slide) silly string, cupcakes, swimming, bubbles, and had a blast in fellowship while I took pictures. The last two collages come from a second Sunday School get together following her death. The first one is the little kids, the second collage is of the "big" kids :) Our class had such a great time the first time, we offered again to come to our house and just have a good time. Again we had a fantastic turnout. So the reason I share is in honor of Sara, the initial idea was all a result of an inspiration to do something small for a friend. . .it was such an enjoyable event we did it again, and even more so I personally savored the day, enjoyed time with our children, didn't focus on pictures although obviously took a few, and fellowshiped with each other because of the bond we have in Christ and our Father in Heaven. It gives us all hope. . . and a hope that even death cannot take away. Thanks Sara for that reminder, and her entire family for displaying that same hope on Friday. If you'd like to view or read more, at the bottom of this post are links to Sara's website, caring bridge page, and even her celebration of life. And to Mr. and Mrs. Pigg, Dinah, Michael, Brian and kiddos/families. . . any time you are in town or on this side of the river and want to slide down a big ole silp n slide come on over. I think all the kids (and even adults) would have a blast!!!

The First shoot. . .Pictures of kiddos for those who wanted before we got all messy :)

The second slip in slide day!!!! Savoring this day for sure!!!! :)

If you want some encouragement and proof that God is alive and working in our lives regardless of circumstances you can visit any of these three websites and read about an amazing Christian woman, in my opinion :) 

To visit Sara's Website you can go to: http://www.savoringtheday.com/

To visit her caring bridge site which was also updated by her sister during the later part of her battle with cancer visit  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sarawalker/journal

To watch her celebration of life you can go to http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/25088570