Survivor

Natalie Elaine Waugaman
2019 Honored hero for Light the Night
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Des Moines, Iowa

Strange symptoms.

Doctor visits. 

Scheduled MRI.

Met oncologist.

Biopsy.

Port placement.

Hospital admission.

Family called. 

It was a long July day. 

Five rounds chemo.

PT everyday.

Tests and scans.

Too many pokes.

Hair is gone. 

Nausea common. 

Prayers surround.

Watchful vigils. 

It was the new normal. 

A clear scan. 

Bell to be rung. 

Cancer-free.

Time to go home. 

She overcame.
Alive and walking.
2019 graduate. 
A healing journey.

She is a survivor. 

   

2019 Light A Candle

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

Living in Sync is excited to announce two 2019 recipients of the Light a Candle Award, each earning a $500 academic scholarship given in recognition of those who have overcome adversity and exemplifies a giving spirit towards others.

Rather than being shut down in the challenges of life, these people embrace hope and a determination to make the world a better place. They embody the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, "It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness."

Meet our 2019 Graduates & Recipients: Megan Grow and Mawa Toure. 

Megan Grow, Southeast Polk High School

“Each and every day, I make it a mission to be there for people who need someone to lean on. I try to make bad days better ones, and good days remain that way.” says Megan Grow.

Megan learned at a very young age, resilience is the key to power through any obstacle and thrive. Born premature, Megan started life with a challenge. It would not be her last. Her parents' divorce, followed by her father “moving on”, was an unbalancing event that could have sent her into a tailspin. Megan has faced health struggles on and off over the years; and it caused her to miss a fair amount of school her junior year. 

Her senior year has been marked by supporting her mother through a serious illness, including a kidney transplant. Megan stayed by her mom’s side in the hospital providing comfort and care. Quick to act and calm under pressure, she was credited in helping to save her mother’s life once when her port had become dislodged.

In April, when it became apparent that her mother would not survive to see her daughter graduate, school administrators and counselors arranged a private graduation ceremony in the hospital so mother and daughter would not miss out on this right of passage together.  Her mother passed away a few days later.

Amidst the stress, Megan has found school and volunteering to be a place of routine and stability. She has been a key leader in Got Bounce at SE Polk High school. “Got Bounce is a group that provides community service but also promotes positive school culture.  Megan is the first student that comes to mind when you think of positive culture.  She is always encouraging to others, a smile on her face and always looking to the bright side of life.”  according to guidance counselor Michelle Feldmann.

Megan is wise beyond her years and is passionate about the medical field. Her plans are to pursue medical school and ultimately care for underdeveloped newborns as a Neonatologist. Megan has been accepted at Des Moines Area Community College and will begin her classes this fall.

Mawa Toure, Roosevelt High school 

Hard work and dedication are two gifts that Mawa has embraced since a young age.  She has been surrounded by a very supportive mother and close group of church members that have helped her to focus on her education so she can work towards her dreams of becoming the first person in her family to attend college.  

Originally from the Ivory Coast, a major accomplishment has included becoming a United States citizen. According to a close church friend, “Mawa has faced many challenges adapting to a new country and culture, yet has developed an outstanding character.”  

Mawa has a strong faith in God that has also molded her and the dreams for her future.  She says she will carry God with her wherever she goes as she spreads a light of hope and kindness through her smile.  She wants to make a positive impact through genuine interactions with others.  

Mrs. Haylett her school guidance counselor says, “Mawa is an outstanding young woman.  Mawa is one of the students I look up to.  She runs into challenges regularly but continues to progress and make gains.  She has the drive and internal motivation to succeed.”

Mawa has been accepted into Marshalltown Community College.  She plans to begin studying towards a degree in Liberal Arts.  From there she would like to pursue further education to become a lawyer.  

Live Ready

Last week I began piano lessons with a 4th grade girl whom I had met and known when she was a toddler. As she sat so tall, with perched eye glasses for her darling brown eyes, I was overcome by how much she had grown up since I last saw her. The energy and curiosity of youthfulness were still there, along with the growth of grace and maturity. 

And then my mind took me down memory lane. I was a good friend of Norah’s mom, Amy, years ago when she sensed a calling to adopt. A young single woman at the time, I struggled with her desire to adopt when I knew how challenging it was to be a single parent. That is, until Amy shared how God had been at work in her heart. 

She said two things that set the tone of this whole overseas adoption journey. First, a quote God had used to spur her on to such a task: 

“A true Crosswalk is obeying where we have revelation in spite of the apparent contradiction in what we cannot explain. To obey only when we see that there will be a favorable outcome is not obedience. Obedience is supposed to be expensive. To embrace what He has shown us and to obey what He has commanded us, often in the midst of unanswerable questions, is an honor beyond measure.” Bill Johnson

And secondly, she said when praying the same argument of being a single parent, the Lord told her one parent was better than no parents. Alrighty, I thought. How does one argue with that? I was clearly won over to walk alongside her journey. 

I watched Amy work very hard, fundraise and save to make this adoption possible. She made multiple trips to Russia in the process. It was a labor of love quite literally. 

And then the trip came that was going to bring her little girl home from the orphanage. The medical process was intense there as well as upon her return to the U.S. She took extra time off work to help Norah bond with her new momma and invested in her physical needs which included leg braces. If I had one word to sum up Amy in this, it would be devoted. 

Devoted to choose Norah and embrace all that choosing her meant. The rescue. The nurture. The compassion. The bonding. The growth. Of course, I’m sure there’s more that happened behind the scenes than I’ll ever know. Yet, I’ve seen enough to know a miracle when I see one. 

Right down the same line of Jesus choosing us. He said yes when God called him to such a task. Devoted. Yes, He does all this and more for each one of us to be called his own. 

It’s a miracle. And you’re a miracle. 

Living ready means open arms to his choosing. Open arms to his devoted love that rescues, nurtures, and grows us up. And, as Amy, open arms to be used to do the same for others.

What the Young Teach Us

Last week I helped lead a Project Timothy Leadership Bootcamp for young people. A gathering of 105 youth who are committed to their faith and growing in relationship with the Lord and each other so they might fulfill their purposes for this generation. It was a privilege to participate in worship, conversations, and prayer that touched deep places in our lives. It was holy and beautiful community.

A few things they taught me:

Show Up. There’s something special about the spontaneity of young people. They are unreserved, unabashed, and free-spirited. And they love to be in on the action. I, too, want to show up without reservations and whole-hearted.

Live in Unity. I saw youth from all over the country coming together as a family. You didn’t have to dress or act a certain way to be welcomed in. It was enough that you were there and you are accepted for who you. In fact, our differences are part of the joy of being together. I, too, want to live in unity and experience each person’s uniqueness as the gift it is.

Pray Always. Day and night, in vans and lawns, on couches and floors, during worship, small groups, and workshops, it’s always a good time to pray. Through sin and repentance, anger and forgiveness, fears and joy, it’s always a good time to pray. They listened and cried out, they encouraged and shared hope. I, too, want to lean on the Lord and bring all things to him in prayer.

“Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” Mark 10:15

May all these things prepare my heart to be a little more childlike that I may receive and walk in the kingdom of God in fullness.

2018 Light A Candle

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

Living in Sync is excited to announce our 2018 recipient of the Light a Candle Award, which is a $500 academic scholarship given in recognition of someone who has overcome adversity and exemplifies a giving spirit towards others.

Rather than being shut down in the challenges of life, this person embraces hope and a determination to make the world a better place. They embody the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, "It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness."

This year's recipient is Terriance Foster, senior and 2018 graduate of North High school.

"I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it." - Maya Angelou

He may be the youngest of eight children, but Terriance is not one to be overlooked or left behind. He is determined, self-sacrificing, and a leader in his family as well as North high school. Terriance has persevered hardship and loss and it has shaped him into a stronger and more compassionate person to others in need. 

"I have not met a stronger, more positive, or loving student than Terriance. His smile is infectious, his attitude is inspiring, and his love has no bounds." shares Mrs. Rost, a teacher at North. 

Terriance has grown up with a mom who made life happen for her children even when she didn't have anything. This meant seeking and providing a home and food so they wouldn't go without. It wasn't easy by any means and included going in and out of shelters. These survival experiences shaped Terriance to be an overcomer with a drive to make a life for himself. 

In December 2017, Terriance suffered a devastating loss through the unexpected death of his brother, Jay. He didn't let the shock and grief process shut him down; Terriance knew he needed to stay focused, positive, and graduate high school. And that's exactly what he's done, often being the source of comfort for his family. 

Terriance has given to others through baking cookies and pies for homeless shelter, as well as preparing meals for kids who don't get enough to eat. He has helped with the Polar Bear Closet and Pantry giving to those in need at school. In his words, "Overall it's just a blessing to help people in need and to see their facial expressions when things are accomplished."

Academically, he has shown dedication and the perseverance to reach his goals. "Terriance has maintained a great GPA, has been involved in multiple activities (including Student Leadership, prestigious internships, and multiple sporting teams), and challenged himself with AP courses." says Mrs. Rost. 

Terriance has been accepted into Des Moines Area Community College and looks forward to pursuing a career in sports communication. He hopes to someday be a sports commentator or journalist. 

Today

I will trust you with the little and the big. 

I will trust you with my fears. 

I will receive my gift of limits. 

I will receive your grace sufficient.

 

I will be present. 

I will be grateful. 

I will look for beauty.

I will laugh out loud. 

Today, I will live a good day. 

A Second Breath

Photo by Marc Sendra martorell on Unsplash

Breathing is the source and sustenance of living. When breath is gone, there is no life. More than once in Natalie’s cancer treatment, oxygen was provided to assist when she was too physically weak to breathe. It was always accessible at the head of the hospital bed, a hand reach away. We can’t live without breathing. 

Given by God, breath was breathed into humankind at creation. 

One day the Eternal God scooped dirt out of the ground, sculpted it into the shape we call human, breathed the breath that gives life into the nostrils of the human, and the human became a living soul. Genesis 2:7

Given by Jesus, a second breath was breathed into humankind at redemption. 

Now He drew close enough to each of them that they could feel His breath. He breathed on them: Welcome the Holy Spirit of the Living God. John 20:22

As real as our physical need for breath, so is our spiritual need. In Jesus’ words, we need to experience a second birth. A second breath of life. 

I tell you the truth; only someone who experiences birth for a second time can hope to see the kingdom of God. John 3:4

Just as a deep breath invigorates our physical life, so is a deep breath of the Holy Spirit to our spiritual lives. 

Tired? Anxious? Running on empty? Here's to living our best and breathing deeply. 

For in him we live and move and have our being.