I've had an exhausting day today...nothing in particular, I have just been overwhelmed with sadness for people I don't even personally know. I know that sounds ridiculous. The story is long and a little confusing but to try to make a long story short....there was a family that attended our old church whose daughter, Kayleigh, was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia while on a trip to Disneyland a little over a year ago. Her family has been through more than I could ever imagine. They created a Caring Bridge website which allowed the church to follow her treatment and to know how to specifically pray for Kayleigh. Well, this family asked us to pray for a family friend (the Ives family) whose daughter, Sydney, was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of 9. This little girl reminds me of Payton in so many ways. Her story is heart-wrenching. I follow her Mother's journal daily, pray for them and then sit at my computer and cry. Then, a few days ago, a friend of mine sent out an email asking me to pray for a college friend of hers who was just diagnosed with some rare form of Lymphoma. The college friend, Stephanie, has 2 boys and just had a baby girl a few months ago. Now, at the age of 35, she is fighting this rare form of cancer.

I'm overwhelmed. I don't know why I feel so burdened by all of this but my mind will not allow me to stop thinking of these children, families, parents. I'm emotionally drained. However, the faith of the people dealing with these horrific diseases is absolutely amazing to me. I'm in awe of it. I wish I had that kind of faith. I want that kind of faith. Does "that kind of faith" mean I have to endure what these families are enduring? In my humanness, that scares me. But, I still want that kind of faith. The kind of faith that is a bright shining light in the darkness of this world. The kind of faith that shows the world I am different....only because Jesus is my Savior. The kind of faith that makes others want to have a relationship with Him.

Please pray for Kayleigh, Sydney and Stephanie and their families.
Kayleigh: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kayleighinaz
Sydney: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sydney98
Stephanie: www.stephanievest.com