When you hit those "obstacles"

You may have been wondering who has been judging the sandwiches and the chocolate concoctions and the poems. It's my dear friend Crystal, pictured here. She is one of the most beautiful woman I know. Crystal has a brain tumor, which she's been dealing with for a while. When she has to have chemotherapy, her hair falls out. She jokes that one day she was driving and an eyebrow just flew out the car window. She jokes. And she laughs. And she prays. And she reaches out to people. And she comes here to join us and read your poems and your recipes and your wisdom. She is my friend, and a more beautiful woman you'd be hard put to find.

I think each of you would also be beautiful if you had to face being bald or anything else that might mar your physical appearance. I really believe that, because of what you've shown this weekend. SO as we list the obstacles that are sure to come your way as you venture out to carry out your plan, remember Crystal, and remember you.   

Comments

[Kate (S)]

Wow. Just wow. Reading that... I admire Crystal soooo much and I want to be just like her! :')

[*Rachel*]

What a beautiful story! Thank you, Crystal, for judging these contests and inspiring me and so many others. I'm praying for you! :)

[Abbie]

What a hard fight.. go Crystal! :)

[Therese]

That's SO amazing! :D

[Sylvi!]

Crystal, thank you. I admire you for being brave on such a situation. You are an inspiration to others

[Emilee]

Crystal sounds...amazing! Definitely inspiring, no doubt about that!

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Way to go, Crystal! :) And thank you for taking your time to judge our contests!

[Crystal]

Thank YOU ladies. I have learned a lot from you this weekend. I had a great time joining you.

[Kate (S)]

Crystal- Thanks so much for being who you are. It's truly inspiring and I LOVE your story, of your personality and how you live. You are so gorgeous. Also, thanks sooo much for taking the time to judge our contests! God bless!

[Tori Tj]

Wow, that's an amzing story! Well, I'm here if it's only for the last minute or two :(

[Nicole]

Thank you, Crystal, for staying strong and 'fighting the good fight'! It really encourages girls like us. I hope you've had fun judging all these contests! I'll be keeping you in my prayers!!

Thank you, Sarah Elizabeth - I was surprised at how easily those words flowed out and into my journal (er, Word Document) - only God could have caused that to happen. Evidently He chose this moment to let everything we've been learning kind of sink in - it felt like He was, and is, pulling aside a curtain of vines to reveal a beautiful clearing in the forest.

Abbie, I love what you said in your comment on the last post - wow, that totally opened up my eyes on how God delights in us. I agree with you completely - how wonderful that God delights in us!

[Abbie]

Crystal, you were a great addition - even though we didn't know you were there! =D

[Kate (S)]

Mrs. Rue, will you post all of the poems? Just so we can read them? if it's too much trouble, it's sooooo okay if you'd rather not!
Crystal, I'll be praying for you.

[Nicole]

Aww, I'm sorry you missed most of this session, Tori - but I'm glad you can be here, esp. at the end!!

Here are some things that might happen and try to mess up my plan:

- Brothers screaming or complaining
- Books that are just calling my name, telling me to just take a break...I mean, it’s a Christian book after all, right?
- When there is tension in my family (yeah, with 3 brothers that NEVER happens......not!)

[~** JESUS FREAK~**]

U ROCK Crystal!!!!!!!!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

C-R-Y -S-T--A-L GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO CRYSTAL WOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Natalie]

You go Crystal! I am inspired by you!

[Thandi]

Wow you inspire soooo much...you're simply amazing!