A message from the Big Guy

I had a chance recently to take a long walk along the beach.  As I have been preparing for the Little Pink retreats, I have had numerous occasions to go to the beach, but have been very busy meeting with people, securing houses, finding financial support, and scouting out the area.  I had been starting to let a little bit of stress creep in thinking about the enormity of what we have taken on with Little Pink.  This week, I had the chance to be by myself at the beach and just take it all in. 

So let me set the stage.  It was a beautiful 80 degree day with just a very light wind- one that you notice, but during this time of the year feels amazing because it is a warm breeze that has not been felt in months.  The sun still had a wink or two left before it went to sleep for the night giving every wave that came to the shore a beautiful pinky/white glow.  The beach was completely empty with just me and the seagulls.  As I was walking along the beach, I started getting rid of the checklist in my head.  Started recentering myself about the beautiful healing nature of the ocean, and went through a list of things for which I am thankful.  Then my mind cleared and the voice was crystal clear, "Take care of yourself, and I will take care of you".   Over and over again, the same statement.  This was the same statement that I heard as I was looking out the window of an airplane 2 months ago, "Don't worry, I got you".  

So what is this voice?  It is the voice of love.  It is the voice of my father.  It is the voice of God.  It is the voice that sent me on this journey originally.  It is the voice of believing. 

So the worry that I was having about securing two final houses in one of our locations- gone the next morning when I woke up and had two generous donors who emailed that they wanted to let families use their houses.  The anxiety about some of the meetings with realtors- gone the next day when I walked in and one real estate agent said "I am part of the Facebook group, please tell me you are here to ask my help!".   This journey has only been possible because of a belief that it will happen- not it can- but it will.  It is God's work and it is meant to be. 

I would love for you to be part of this journey by volunteering or supporting us.  If you are worried about it- just remember the voice, "Don't worry, I got you!"

A BIG DAY!

Families for the first two weeks of Little Pink Houses of Hope Family Beach Retreats in May and June were notified TODAY!  So let me introduce you to the people that will be joining us this summer.  The average age of the breast cancer mom attending is 37 (I agree too young).  The average age of the child attending is 8 years old.  Families applied from 30 different states and Canada.  The majority of women attending are currently going through treatment (surgery, chemo, or radiation).

But those are just statistics.  The real story is that they are moms with daughters who will be graduating from high school next year.  They are mothers with sets of twins (we have numerous families with twins this year).  They are women who have found themselves divorced balancing going through the journey alone and raising their kids.  They are wives with men who have devoted themselves to their marriage in the face of treatment induced infertility.  They are daughters who have mothers who have cared for them while they have undergone treatment.  They are in charge of car pool.  They are wonderful women with beautiful families and they are getting a chance to live stronger, laugh harder, and love deeper this summer at a Little Pink House beach retreat. 

The first retreat is 5 weeks away!  Will still have lots of work to do to get ready for their arrival.  Wondering how you can help?  We have volunteers working hard and are still looking for people willing to help.  We are in need of people willing to volunteer to attend a retreat week and care for families.  We are in need of grocery store gift cards (for perishable items), and financial donations.  If you would like to support one of these families, please feel free to donate at http://www.littlepinkhousesofhope.org/.