Chandra's Journal
July 31, 2005…
Psalm 40:1-2 says “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.”
I’ve read it several times, but today it resounded with truth in my heart. This weekend my family has been given a firm place to stand. The Lord’s church has surrounded us yet again and been the arms and feet of God. We had three fundraisers this weekend for Canon’s campaign, all three were huge successes increasing both Canon’s fund total and, more importantly, our hope and faith.
The first fundraising event for Canon was a lemonade stand, initiated by Dane and Dayton McIntosh (9 and 7 years old), and organized by their parents, Dean and Rhonda McIntosh. Rhonda is a true saint who offered to keep Canon in her home while I taught school last year. The McIntosh family has adopted Canon into their hearts as a son and brother and has been a blessing from God from the beginning of our relationship… and they just keep giving. They set up outside Walmart on Saturday at noon with the help of Brian and Pam Moore and their girls Madison, Taylor, and Riley. Canon and I went out there for the first 45 minutes or so (unfortunately we had to take a naptime leave), and then returned for the last 45 minutes. I couldn’t believe the energy that the kids maintained from the beginning to the end! They stayed so excited and motivated in spite of the fact that it was downright HOT! Drew was able to stay for the whole time and commented that so many friends from church and schools that we have taught in came out to support Canon’s cause. It was so much fun to see familiar faces walking up to buy lemonade from Dane and Dayton! But equally energizing was the number of “strangers” who simply read about Canon in the newspaper or received a flyer in their neighborhood (also passed out by Rhonda, Dane, and Dayton) and came out not just to pay a dollar for a cup of lemonade, but several made larger donations because their heart was touched by a little boy who is so very loved. One parent came out and said that, after reading the article in the paper, her kids wanted to do something to help. So that morning they washed cars and then brought over $85 to give to Canon’s campaign! That’s why I use the word “strangers” loosely… can we really call someone who would do that a stranger? The total raised at the lemonade stand was $2500 (but this morning I heard that an additional $500 was given to the boys later, so I think it’s now changed to $3000)! I told Drew last night that I’m so glad that the lemonade stand was our first event. It accomplished so much… First, it taught us that two children can be teachers and examples of initiative and sacrifice. Second, it showed us that there are so many in our community whose hearts will connect with Canon and that will respond when simply asked. Third, it taught us that no idea is too small to make a difference! Thank you Dean, Rhonda, Dane, and Dayton, Brian, Pam, Madison, Taylor, and Riley for sticking it out in the heat all afternoon just because you love us! Thank you Jennifer Little and Gina Jenkins and Jere Lamberth for your additional help out there and to everyone who came out for lemonade!!! We love you!
Our second fundraiser this weekend was the luncheon at church today hosted by the Mitchell/Hairston life group. I wish I had a list handy of everyone in that group so I could thank each of you by name for setting up food, tables, pouring drinks, cleaning tables, unstacking and stacking chairs, and all the thankless tasks that you were doing to make the lunch a success! It was a huge success! I don’t know what the total amount raised was, but Drew said they sold over 300 tickets at $7.50 each and I was told that several people made donations over the ticket price. Also, Drew’s grandparents, Marvin and Estalene Morrell, came to the lunch bringing a $700 donation from our family at the San Jacinto Church of Christ! Thank you! Also, I saw several boxes, beautifully decorated with pictures of Canon, glitter, stickers, etc. by Jennifer Wade and some girls from our youth group (I’ll find out your names, too!), encouraging people to make additional donations of cash or coin. I’ll be sure and let you know when I hear the final total. It was so surreal to walk around the corner after picking Canon up from Bible Class and see an enormous line of people forming for this lunch today and to know that, sure they’re hungry, but they’re HERE because of my son. They made plans ahead of time to be here today because they love my son. I took my video camera through the line of people (twice, because after I was done the first time, the line suddenly doubled!) thinking about what my friends Bob Fenley and Jim Bret Campbell had just said in our class about how God is giving people an opportunity to store up treasures in Heaven through Canon’s plight. The thought crossed my mind that these faces will be standing in line with us in Heaven because here they are, storing up treasures by showing love and support to my family. I’m not sure I had one decent conversation with anyone without crying simply because I was so overwhelmed and felt so undeserving of all that is being done for us. The food was EXCELLENT and the turnout was… astounding! Thank you, everyone involved, so much for finding our struggle worthy of so much effort on your part!
The third fundraiser this weekend took place at the congregation where I grew up, the Leander Church of Christ (just northwest of Austin). I get teary again now when I think of how much that church means to me. My foundation as a Christian was fostered by my parents, and my church family in Leander. I remember playing with horny toads in the back lot during Mother’s Day Out; I remember drawing pictures of our preacher during the sermon; I remember losing teeth in the church building; I remember the first time I ever went BEHIND the puppet stage… WOW, it changed my whole world! I remember each class, each teacher, each life lesson like it was yesterday. The congregation is of moderate size, probably about 300, and comprised of salt-of-the-earth people. These people, though I have only been a visitor for the past five years, had agreed to set aside time for a special contribution today for my family. They gave in excess of $7,500 for my family. I’m completely humbled by your pure generosity and continued love for me. I don’t know how to say thank you to people who have done more for me in my life than I could ever repay. I love you all dearly.
I can’t wait to give Daddy a final total of Canon’s account when we get all the funds collected and sent in. God has truly amazed us this weekend and I pray that I will not doubt his power again. Thank you God!!
He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
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