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AMANDA AND HER STORY
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One of the most compelling moments for me at Camp was that of the story of Amanda. There are those moments in life when you cross paths with someone and wonder what their story is. Amanda was one of those stories. I knew at some point during camp I would be able to heart it since she was on the schedule to speak and when she did, it was AMAZING!
Amanda is 17. Four years ago she was helping in the kitchen at Kids Camp. For the past three years she has been unable to attend. Amanda was diagnosed with bone cancer of the hip when she was 14 and each year it came time for camp she would be unable to go seeing as she was undergoing chemo treatment. This year was the first year she was able to attend camp since her battle with cancer began.
You quickly find how fickle you can be when you think of issues that are in your life and you find someone who is much younger than you and is battling a much heavier fight than you. We can get caught up in our own stuff, but when you hear a story like Amanda's, you can't help but think of how vain you have been.
Pastor Mike Acock (to the left) began a dialogue with Amanda while at Kids Camp one night. In dealing with the Will of God, you would think that no one would serve as a greater example than her. Amanda shared through her uncertainty, insecurity, pain, hardship, doubt and anger. The need to sit through all she has been through and wonder where God is in the midst of it. In spite of all of this one thing remained true about Amanda. She always smiles.
I can say that I don't remember an encounter with her where she didn't smile. How down can we be with rather minor things and she is trooping everything out with a smile on her face.
This served as a HUGE inspiration for the kids especially when we got to the ropes course. As you can see by the picture above, Amanda had her leg removed in the fall of 2008 due to complications in surgery. That didn't stop her though. She tackled both the rock wall and the rope ladder at the high ropes course. You could see all the kids looking at her and thinking that if she can do it, they can to. If Amanda is overcoming this obstacle, then their fear is minor in comparison.
Amanda shared in her session that she continues to do all that she did prior to being diagnosed with cancer. All her activities at school (cheerleading, etc) are still going strong and so is her outlook. To paraphrase her words: "God has a plan for this."
For you and I, the story of Amanda gives us hope. I wanted to share it because it gives me hope as well. You see in Amanda how God gives peace in troubling times. Turns mourning into dancing. Turns all things around for His good. Though times of doubt and uncertainty may come, God ALWAYS proves His faithfulness to us.
You can find more about Amanda and stay posted with what is happening by searching "Friends of Amanda" on Facebook.
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Now playing: Hillsong - In Your Freedom
Amanda is 17. Four years ago she was helping in the kitchen at Kids Camp. For the past three years she has been unable to attend. Amanda was diagnosed with bone cancer of the hip when she was 14 and each year it came time for camp she would be unable to go seeing as she was undergoing chemo treatment. This year was the first year she was able to attend camp since her battle with cancer began.
You quickly find how fickle you can be when you think of issues that are in your life and you find someone who is much younger than you and is battling a much heavier fight than you. We can get caught up in our own stuff, but when you hear a story like Amanda's, you can't help but think of how vain you have been.
Pastor Mike Acock (to the left) began a dialogue with Amanda while at Kids Camp one night. In dealing with the Will of God, you would think that no one would serve as a greater example than her. Amanda shared through her uncertainty, insecurity, pain, hardship, doubt and anger. The need to sit through all she has been through and wonder where God is in the midst of it. In spite of all of this one thing remained true about Amanda. She always smiles.
I can say that I don't remember an encounter with her where she didn't smile. How down can we be with rather minor things and she is trooping everything out with a smile on her face.
This served as a HUGE inspiration for the kids especially when we got to the ropes course. As you can see by the picture above, Amanda had her leg removed in the fall of 2008 due to complications in surgery. That didn't stop her though. She tackled both the rock wall and the rope ladder at the high ropes course. You could see all the kids looking at her and thinking that if she can do it, they can to. If Amanda is overcoming this obstacle, then their fear is minor in comparison.
Amanda shared in her session that she continues to do all that she did prior to being diagnosed with cancer. All her activities at school (cheerleading, etc) are still going strong and so is her outlook. To paraphrase her words: "God has a plan for this."
For you and I, the story of Amanda gives us hope. I wanted to share it because it gives me hope as well. You see in Amanda how God gives peace in troubling times. Turns mourning into dancing. Turns all things around for His good. Though times of doubt and uncertainty may come, God ALWAYS proves His faithfulness to us.
You can find more about Amanda and stay posted with what is happening by searching "Friends of Amanda" on Facebook.
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Now playing: Hillsong - In Your Freedom
