God Works in Mysterious Ways

Maddy is still "on schedule". Her blood work came back good on Friday. We took advantage of this and the beautiful weather to get out a little this weekend. We went to the Outlet Stores in Angola to get a few new Spring outfits. Then, our family went out to eat supper at Ruby Tuesday. While at supper, we were once again reminded of God's presence in our lives. Half way through our meal, our waitress came up to our table and said that a gentleman at another one of her tables asked her to give us something as he was leaving the restaurant. She slid a $100 bill across the table to us. This complete stranger did not say anything, did not give his name, and was gone before we could say anything to him. All I could say was "thank you" to our waitress as she stood there about in tears. This was yet another act of kindness and generosity that our family has been blessed to experience. We sat wondering what this person was thinking and what made him perform this act of generosity.

Russ and I have always believed that everything happens for a reason. There have been many times in our lives when we wondered "why" only to realize later that God had a plan for us. (What's that country song about unanswered prayers...) When Maddy was diagnosed with leukemia, our first reaction was to ask "why". Now we have faith that this is part of God's plan for Maddy and for all of us. It may take us a long time to figure out what this plan is and we may never fully realize it, but one thing is for certain... we now realize we are surrounded by God's presence each day and our lives have already been changed for the better. Our family says "I love you" a little more, we pray together as a family a little more, we recognize what we are thankful for a little more, we play together a little more, and we appreciate the little things in life (like the generosity of a complete stranger) A LOT more.

Our hope is that Maddy helps others experience God's presence. Instead of feeling sorry for her, we hope when people look at Maddy with her little bald head and her toothless smile, they realize just how precious life really is. We hope they see the strength that God has given her. If looking at Maddy causes just one person to realize this, then maybe it will make this journey worth taking.