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Hi.

I'm so glad you found your way to my little corner of the neighborhood! Pull up a chair and stay, and let's chat about life on the margins and loving Jesus and, obviously, where to find the best cheese dip and most life-changing books. 

Because I am oh-so Glamorous

While Caden was in the hospital, a sweet friend of my mom's emailed and told us she had nominated me for a contest with Glamour magazine. I didn't think anything of it because 1- I was a little distracted by Caden's surgery and recovery and 2- I can't remember the last time I got dressed up enough to be considered glamorous. My life, in fact, is the opposite of glamorous.

A few weeks ago, however, I got an email from someone at Glamour magazine saying they had selected me as a semifinalist for the Sally-Hansen/Glamour "Best of You" contest. According to the website: "For the past 12 years, Glamour and Sally Hansen have joined forces to honor the most inspirational women from coast to coast." 

Wow. Y'all, I feel so honored even to be considered as a semi-finalist, and also so undeserving. I'm just a mom, albeit with a baby who had some special needs. But so so so many of you guys have babies or children who have been sick, spent time in the hospital, or even had open heart surgery. I know because you emailed and wrote and encouraged me with your own stories while Caden was in the hospital. And each of you helped inspire my strength through that.

The work we are doing with kids in Atlanta can be messy and hard, and exhausting, but someone needs to be doing it. Because these kids deserve someone who isn't going to give up on them, who loves them unconditionally, and expects great things from them. . . And for us, what we do doesn't seem amazing or inspiring. Just necessary. Because we have been given so much, and are loved so well by our Savior. There is nothing to do but to pass that love and blessing along to the "least of these."

So we are just ordinary and I am definitely not glamorous. In fact, I am writing this with one hand while I bounce Caden and try to keep him sleeping for more than 15 minutes. And I think I showered yesterday, but I can't be sure. And I'm still in my pajamas and probably will remain that way until I have to pick Jayci up from school.

I hate asking y'all to vote for me, but I'd really like to win, as it turns out. The top 4 semi-finalists get a trip to NY and a makeover. Can I just tell you how badly I need both of those things (remember the whole not-showering-thing)? Oh and we would also get money for our ministry, which is even more exciting. SO if you have a minute, would you mind popping over and voting for me? Plus, Glamour donates $1 for each vote cast to DKMS, the world's largest bone marrow donor center whose mission is to recruit bone marrow donors to help save the lives of leukemia patients. Also, when you vote, you are entered to win a basket of Sally Hansen goodies. So fun.

And if you wanted to tell other people to vote too, I wouldn't be opposed. Thanks so much friends! Adam and I were just talking the other day about how I have the BEST blog readers . . . y'all have been and continue to be such a continual source of inspiration and encouragement for us!


The first 12 days of 2012

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