This past Friday night was the Garland County Relay for Life, and we had a great time participating with our Anchor of Hope Cancer Ministry team. We're so proud of all of our survivors and caregivers, and enjoyed spending the evening with them. The fact that it was 99 degrees when we arrived at Oaklawn at 5:00 (according to the thermometer in our car) put only a slight damper on the fun. Thankfully, once the sun went down, it became a little more comfortable!
Our family was so pleased to be asked to be Honorary Chairs for the luminary ceremony. We were called to the stage, where the emcee shared a brief synopsis of Hannah's story. We then lit a tiki torch, which was carried across the field and used to light the large cauldron in the middle of the track. We were honored and humbled to be asked to participate in this way.
This year, for the first time, the Relay for Life committee sold luminary bags that you could personalize yourself. We got one of those and Bethany and I decorated it. In the picures below, you can see the front and the back of our personalized luminary.
We didn't make it all night, like we did last year. Our Anchor of Hope team sponsored the Musical Chairs event at 1:30 a.m., and we left shortly after that. We just had too many other things going on this weekend to miss an entire night of sleep. Next year, we plan to be out there all night again.
If you've never been to a Relay for Life event, I encourage you to go to one in your area next spring. It's an incredibly inspiring, moving, encouraging, uplifting, and entertaining event. And you will come away absolutely amazed by how many people's lives are touched by cancer. As I've said before...I had no idea.
But there is Hope. And that Hope is not found in the American Cancer Society, although I am all for raising money to find a cure for cancer. The only true Hope is found in Christ. I am so thankful for that Hope.
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure..." Hebrews 6:19
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