Side by side





This past weekend by far was one of the most wonderful, exhausting,( physically and emotionally), but so full of fun.  Thursday afternoon we set up The Swanky Steer, and started the business that Erica and I both have dreamed of for years.  I couldn’t help but be a little nervous at the beginning, thinking...

•would people come
•would they like our stuff
•would the credit card machine work
•would we have enough merchandise 
•would we be successful 

And all these “would be” statements proved to be true!  People came and then came back 10 more times over the course of the weekend, we had plenty of merchandise to offer, and the precious, compliments given, meant the most to both of us.  We had so much fun talking with all that stopped by, hearing their stories, helping them find the perfect outfit, and spending time with our family.  




Our guys were our biggest supporters, helping set up, watching the kids, bagging purchases, tearing down, grabbing food, and more.  We were all “side by side”, working together, the entire time and that brought me to tears several times.  Not only during this business journey have we been close, but throughout my treatment road, these friends have been by our side each step of the way.  

The story in the Bible that I thought of after this weekend is when the Jews rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. They stood right beside each other.  They worked together, priests worked with rulers, perfume makers worked with goldsmiths, and people from other places came help.  

And the same happened with us.  
Erica and I worked side by side, setting up, wrapping up purchases, closing up for the night, and then returning the following morning. 
Our sweet friends came and offered their time to help us launch this business, tagging clothes, preparing bags, folding tees, pricing jewelry, etc.  
We’ve all heard that it takes a village to raise a child.  
And let me just say that it takes an army to start a business.  Literally...the vendors, the UPS man, our families, friends, and more, have given their time to raise this business from the ground up, and we commend them all for loving on us during this journey.  They have stood by our side, as we’ve tried to create a community where we can love on others and share His goodness.  



So many that came by, stepped into our 10x10 set-up, carrying worry, loss, happiness, excitement, loneliness, and lots more emotions that we never knew of. 
 And as I stop to think about the broken walls of Jerusalem when they crumbled, they are just like all of our broken lives.  So many are fighting big battles daily, with new diagnosis's, family issues, and just plain brokenness.

  Just last night I went to a visitation of a young mother that passed away.  I’ve just prayed constantly for her family and young child, that God will wrap His arms around them, giving them the guidance to raise this precious girl.  He’s so good and I just know that He will walk with them every second of the day. 
 Side by side, that’s how this family will get through these hard times as they grieve the loss
of their daughter, sister, mother, and friend.  

What would we do without our God?  

I don’t see how someone can go through a trial without having Him to lean on.  

I know I’d crumble.  

I’d be in a heap on the floor. 

He’s carried me so far during my 37 years and I have faith knowing that He’s not going to leave me now.  

Zach Williams has a great song called “My Liberty” and I can’t help but love it.  




Running to Him, Wild and free.... 
And having so many by my side, have made this journey unforgettable.

So week 2 of the chemo drug, Xeloda, began today.



  My hands are peeling some and my finger nails and toe nails are acting up again.  During the Taxol chemo treatment, all of my finger nails lifted from the bed of my finger and have never grown back together.  So right now I have a thumb nail hanging on my a thread and I’m about to lose both toe nails. 



 Gross? Right!  But thank God for summertime and flipflops.  I mean what if it was 20 degrees and I had to wear socks and closed toed shoes?  
So once again, God is all knowing and knows my exact needs.  

Last Wednesday when I went to check in with my doctor after my first round of this new chemo drug, I saw a new lab nurse, who was going to get a blood sample to check those levels.  She really struggled accessing my port, which led to my nerves being shot.  Tears came on like a waterfall, and finally one of the other ladies who always accesses it, moved me to her little room, flipped me upside down so the blood would start flowing. I called His name and all my fear went away, as the blood starting flowing almost immediately.  I hugged her neck, and thanked God for having her there at that time to take my worries away.  

So side by side, the nurses, doctors, receptionists, and other staff, have been there for me. All the way.  

June is a big month with Father’s Day, our anniversary, and my birthday.   I can’t wait to celebrate these three occasions, “side by side” and “hand in hand” with my tribe. 
I’m so grateful, blessed, and lucky to have another day of life on this beautiful Earth with precious people that I hold so dear.  




So do me a favor!  Find your “side by side”
people.  
Give them a squeeze and thank them. 
 We are never promised tomorrow. 
 Never forget that!  

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.”  Ecclesiastes 4:9

















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