MS Challenge

Greetings again from this Montana Wife, Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma!! 

It has been 3 years since I set at the computer with my blog open and my fingers ready to put on this page my thoughts and goals.

My life has been sprinkled with challenges and choices. Some of those have been life changing.  

As a teenager I had both legs broken in a car accident and was through the years, given a list of "you will never..." Later I experienced the life changing diagnosis of breast cancer. That "C" word changes life forever!! Many of those "you will never..." became "Oh, yes, I will!!" 

I have spent hours walking hundreds of miles with  the goal of bringing hope to those dealing with breast cancer. I began the walks after my own diagnosis as a way of celebrating both life and the ability to take those steps! The people I met, and the stories they shared fanned a fire deep within my heart and will live with me all my life!!

My Mom and both of my sisters have been diagnosed with Alziemers. Mom passed away 30 years ago, and at that time it was accepted as an old persons disease. My oldest sister lives in a memory center in Oregon. It was after the death of my other sister, from Louie Body Dementia, I committed to working with the Alziemers Association. I have taken on-line classes to better understand this horrible disease and the many forms it takes, to rob families of loved ones. If you are reading this as someone who is concerned about changes in your life, living with someone who you are concerned about, a caregiver, or a patient. Know that there is a 24 hour hot line you can call and there will be someone on the other end of that line who will not only listen but understand.  Call 24/7  800-272-3900

 The reason that has brought me back to this blog is our Granddaughter, Sasha Moody. Three years ago she was diagnosed with MS. Life has changed for her. There is so much to be learned and changes to be made. In 'walked' my latest goal. An add for the MS Challenge Walk popped up on my phone! November 3-6 in San Diego. 3 Days 50 Miles to see an end to MS. Each walker is ask to raise $2500, with that money going toward research. Once again I will walk the miles, as I count on you to help me reach the financial goal. (All donations are tax deductible)

It is my goal to make this a Fun and Educational experience for all of us!!  Keep an eye open for opportunities to join in the fundraising and learning  :) Message me any names of MS fighters that I can take with me on my walks!! 

 Check out my page and join my team!!!     

      https://mssociety.donordrive.com/participant/Laura-Moody

Counting my Blessings

To make this year of training even more interesting and put a little more challenge into my commitment to walk the 3Day 60 Mile for breast cancer I have injured my right knee. When entering the motor home I slipped on some wet grass and twisted it, causing intense pain and a soreness that will not go away. I've tried rest, then exercise and nothing seemed to bring relief and a sense of healing.
Finally, out of frustration and a certain need to get back on the trail I went to see a doctor. She ordered the x-rays which seemed clear and then in for an MRI. With November and the 3Day quickly approaching it was not with great patience that I awaited the results.
As I was in prep for the test the technician ask me if I would like to listen to Pandora. I responded "sure" and requested the Praise and Worship station, which is one of my favorite walking stations. 
As she slid me into position and the machine began to grind I found myself asking God to not let this be something that would stop my walking. The music began and the first  song to filter through the ear phones was "10,000 Reasons to Praise The Lord ". Now, any walker knows that 10,000 is a special number. It is a number that becomes your goal as you begin the challenge of becoming a healthier you.
It is a number that proves you are no longer a couch potato but have entered the world of activity and are headed for better health. This chorus has had a special place in my heart as I hit the trails...Twice now it has come at a time that many would call a 'coincidence, but I see as a "Wink from God" letting me know He is aware of just where I am! I have concluded that if 10,000 steps will start me on the road to better health physically, then listing 10,000 reasons to bless The Lord will surely give me a healthier happier spirit! 
It is amazing the power of the written word, even our own! How often we are blessed and thankful in the moment. Then we go on to new challenges and that blessing is lost or forgotten in the busyness of life.  
Reminding myself of the daily blessings is like the pieces of a patchwork quilt put together with remnants of memorable materials. Alone that memory will  bring a smile to the heart, but when stitched together they bring warmth and comfort to our entire being.
So, I would invite you to join me in my endeavor to list my 'Reasons to Bless The Lord' and remind myself daily it is the little things in life that prove His faithfulness to walk the path before me.

I Saw The Wink

I saw the Wink!!

When I started this blog and was training so hard for my first 3Day walk for breast cancer I  shared several times about the "Winks of God" along the way.
Life has been a little crazy since that first blog. So many things have happened to cause twists and turns and some pretty steep hills and quick descents in the road in this 'almost' year since that first post.
I completed that walk with the love and support of so many of you, old friends and new in September of 2013. It was an incredible journey that changed my life in so many ways. I was able to take two very dark times in my life and use them as fuel to create an experience that will forever shine light into those dark areas.
It taught me that through strength in training and determination I could do things I would have only dreamed of before. But most importantly, I found a true meaning of commitment to others. On days when it would have been easy to find an excuse for trimming a couple miles from my walk...it was my commitment to so many, and the trust you had shown in me that would remind me "my excuses were invalid."
Those 'Winks of God" (coincidences you may call them) always seemed to come at precisely the right moment....
  My favorite was the time I was checking my pedometer..sure I must be close to my 10,000 steps..and Pandora chose at that exact moment to play "10,000 Reasons to Bless The Lord"
The morning I had decided to take a walk up a mountain trail and met a gentleman whose wife was battling breast cancer. I left the encounter with her name for my shirt.
The morning I slowed to walk with an older lady...her daughter I would learn,had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. She was thrilled to tell her she would be carried on my shirt for 60 miles...
  The time I was on a LONG walk and feeling a bit tired and Chuck called to tell me his plant manager was making me PINK grips for my walking sticks...
 The moment shortly after starting when my phone 'pinged..you have a message' I stopped to find "a donation of $120 has been made to your acct"
The morning of a 17 mile when a little boy stuck his head out the window to say "I like your pink shirt lady" and I smiled all the way home...
I could go on and on..(I trained for 7 months ) But each of these experiences were opportunities of a reminder that He knew exactly where I was and what I needed to spur me on.
Following the walk our house sold and 2 weeks later Jim had a total knee replacement. Our neighbors left the day we signed papers and offered their home as a place of recuperation. Wait...did you see that wink?
Shortly after his surgery another friend offered 5 weeks in his condo in Florida.
SOOO..here we are in sunny Florida while Montana has been covered with snow and the cold has been record setting. Two months of additional recuperation time for Jim and a welcome respite from the busyness and stress of the past few months.
Periodically the thought will cross my mind that I am without a home to call my own. When someone asks "where do you live" I am in a quandary. A curious place to be at my age to be sure.
A few days ago a friend of another time in life informed me that she was going to, at sometime during this year surprise me with a blessing. She had made a decision to start the new year on a positive note, and was choosing the first five people to recognize her offer. She then ask for a favorite scripture or saying. Several went through my mind and I was at a standstill as which to choose. Then it happened..I remembered another time of decisions to be made..(when we lived in the same little town as my friend)...Jim's job was gone. Where would we live and where would we go....only this time we were living on a farm with cattle, and 5 children."What do we do???"
We were impressed to read the first chapter of Joshua in the Bible. There was much in that chapter that spoke to our hearts (go ahead...read it!) As I re-read it now and got to verse 9 I am pretty sure God smiled and gave me a wink.  The message to "Be Strong and Courageous and not to fear because He will be with me WHEREVER I go" was received loud and clear. I stopped to join Him in a smile and a time of peace.
For this moment I may be a Vagabond, traveling from place to place, but I am not lost and without a compass. He knows where I am and has my route and destination chosen. I just need to follow closely to the path and watch for His footsteps!! (Please Lord, no detours!!)
So thank you Gwen for being a part of this wink!!
I think there were two!
 First, my "chance"of seeing your decision to be a blessing.
Second my remembrance of Lakeview and another time of challenge and promise.
 I'm sure I feel Him smiling just knowing I caught the wink, and His gift of peace has been delivered, received and opened!!
How about YOU....have you shared a Wink with God lately?? Have ya taken time to look??   
Message me an share your wink!

Finding your passion...

For several years October has been know as Breast Cancer month and the fight to bring an end to this disease which affects so many lives. Everywhere we look our world has been "pinked". We  are given opportunities to participate in a walk or a run, raising awareness and funds for research, education or practical help to the victims.
In the recent years many other foundations have come forward in an effort to gain warriors for their battles.
The Saturday following my Susan G Komen 3Day walk to help in funding research to bring an end to breast cancer my daughter ran a 10K to bring awareness to Domestic Violence. It seems October is also Domestic Violence month... I have pledged to add Purple to my Pink. One in Four women will deal with this monster in their lifetime....then you add the children and men who battle with their monsters and it is indeed a sad story.
Today my husband found an article declaring October Down Syndrome month and a walk to bring awareness to Down Syndrome. (no color mentioned)
Add to these Heart Disease, Prostrate Cancer, ALS (Lou Gerigs Disease), Infertility, MS,  and the list goes on and on....and the months each claimed with a cause.
I'm sure as you consider the needs and think of those you know or love who have been affected by one of these diseases you can relate at some level. Why not choose to be a part the fight. There is someone in your world who needs you to be their inspiration and encourager! You will be amazed what you learn about yourself as you choose to honor someone else!!
Find your passion..step out of your comfort zone..and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime.
If you are the one in need of inspiration and encouragement reach our and be aware!! Sometimes our needs are met in the most unexpected ways!!