Scan Tomorrow!

If you are like me, tonight you will crawl into bed with a million things running through your head. What didn't I get done? What do I need to do tomorrow? Does my husband have clean underwear? Did I lock the doors? How long has it been since I washed my hair? And so on. But tonight, I am asking you to take a few minutes from your list and pray just a little extra for Steph. Tonight she has one thing and one thing only on her mind. She is thinking about her scan tomorrow. It's kind of a big one. We NEED this to be good. We NEED to hear that the cancer is shrinking...better yet we want to hear that it is GONE!! Steph told me today that she is fighting the devil daily as he tries to convince her that this cancer is never going away. Lets lift her up in prayer. Our prayers are so much more powerful than anything satan could come up with. Continue to pray tomorrow and the days that follow as we wait for the results. I will let you know as soon as I am able!

Fundraiser!

On Monday October 26th, we will be having a fundraiser to benefit Ozark's Care to Learn program. I have mentioned before how important this cause is to me. Care To Learn provides immediate funding and action to meet any emergent health, hunger or hygiene issue a child might have; addressing a physical need, restoring respect, and getting that child back in the classroom. We also are participating in the backpack program which will send home backpacks stocked with snacks and easy to prepare meals for children who may not get meals outside of school.

So please join us at McAllisters in Nixa Monday October 26th from 5-9!!

Prayer Request

WAAAAY back in the old days, I went to high school with Kasey White. Two years ago, through the wonders of myspace, I learned that he and his family had been dealt the devastating blow of a cancer diagnosis. Every parents nightmare...his beautiful daughter Megan had a six pound tumor that had basically swallowed her kidney. They headed straight to St. Jude where she fought the fight and came home cancer free. She is a beautiful and talented young lady that you may have seen or heard on TV or the radio.

They recently returned from St. Jude's after a routine scan (IF you can even call a scan to check your child's body for a life threatening illness routine) with "mixed reviews," as Kasey said. There is a spot on Megan's lung but her brain scans were clean. I am asking you ALL to add sweet Megan, her dad Kasey, her mom Kandice and her brother Danny to your prayer list. Lift them up and pray that God will heal her body. From what I understand, they are going to "wait and see" and then rescan her in six weeks. Please also pray that Megan's family can find peace and rest in our Father's arms.

We are such strong believers in the power of prayer. We see it work everyday and FEEL your prayers all the time. There is SO little I can do for this family so I wanted them to be covered in YOUR prayers. I know personally how comforting those prayers are. To follow Megan's journey click HERE for her caringbridge site. To fall in love with this sweet girl, go HERE to hear her story and watch the video below that aired at Thanksgiving time. (The same time she was on the Today show!!!) She has become quite the little star!

WIN Banquet

Last night I was honored to spend the evening in the company of so many strong and amazing women at the WIN banquet. (Women's Intersports Network) As I looked at the list I realized that I have been blessed to play basketball for THREE of these very women!

Courage Award
I have mentioned Trish Marsh on my blog before. I played AAU basketball for her in 8th grade. She has battled and BEAT breast cancer. Her speech touched us all as she talked about "bouncing back" from the blow she was dealt. She cried as she looked at her wonderful husband (the swiffer master) and her two beautiful children. She talked about her "chemo buddy" and I cried. She is blessed to have an amazing support system and I am so thankful for that.

Senior Sportsman Award

Coach Sue Schuble was my basketball and volleyball coach in high school. She retired a few years ago and is spending her retirement years volunteering ALL over the place! She has a passion and love for animals and nature that so far I have only seen in my OWN child! She has backpacked and camped in ALL 50+ of our National Parks. I was glad to see her and we set up a time that I can bring Claire to the zoo and get a "backstage pass" thanks to Schub!

And of COURSE we can't forget the Most Challenged Coach award! I didn't get a picture because I was too busy taking video! So here they are! My mom presented Steph and then Steph gave a speech that was SO very important! The mic was a little "hot" but hang in there, it's worth it!

Check it out!

THIS was in the Springfield News-Leader today!

The following individuals will be honored at the fourth annual Women's Intersports Network (WIN) Awards Banquet on Wednesday, Oct. 7, for being strong role models in the area of girls' and women’s sports:

• Challenged Award — Stephanie Phillips, Kickapoo HIgh School basketball coach

• Courage Award — Trish Marsh, Missouri State associate basketball coach

• Mentor Award — Barb Cowherd, Drury University Associate Athletics Director

• Senior Sportswoman — Sue Schuble, retired Kickapoo coach

• Corporate Award — Donna Powers, McDonald's

• Bee Payne-Stewart Spirit Award — Linda Dollar, retired MSU volleyball coach, currently city's Director of Community Olympic Development Program

The event, which includes a silent auction in which all proceeds go to benefit WIN of Springfield, begins at 5:30 p..m. at the Doubletree Hotel.

Dr. Nancy O’Reilly, who recently wrote a book entitled, “Timeless Women Speak: Feeling Youthful at Any Age," will be the keynote speaker. Tickets are available at the door.

Ticket prices are as follows:

• Event sponsor — $250
• Team rate (15 or more people) — $65
• Table of 8 — $65
• General public — $15
• WIN members $10
• Students — $5

Very cool! Can't wait for this!!!

Larry Happ

We received news that Steph's step father passed away yesterday morning. The entire family is in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Lawrence R. Happ

Larry Happ, 64, passed away in his home in Nixa, MO September 5, 2009. He was born in Mendota, IL in 1945 where he grew up with his beloved brothers and sisters. He was a graduate of the University of Illinois with a degree in metallurgy. He was very proud of his work as an engineer. He was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Mary Happ, his brother Donald Happ and his daughter Debra Happ. He is survived by his wife Edna, the love of his life. They enjoyed dancing, traveling and spending time with their seven grandchildren. He is also survived by his three sons, Brian, Don and Greg all of Wisconsin and step children Stephanie Phillips and Jon Thurman of Springfield and Ryan Thurman of Fayetteville, AR. His surviving siblings include his brothers David, Norbert and Douglas Happ as well as his sisters Carleen Anderson, Marleen Davis, Angela Happ and Eunice Taylor. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was a very active member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic church in Nixa, MO.

Visitation will be at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Springfield, Mo on Tuesday, Sept 8 from 6:00-8:00 pm with a prayer at 7:00 pm. Funeral and mass will be held Wednesday, Sept 9 at 10:30 am at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton followed by the graveside service at Resurrection Cemetery.

As many of you know, things around here seem to be slightly out of control. At least that is what I would have said a few years ago. With my Uncle Gary's diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and his passing just 65 days later, we were devastated. But let me just tell you, the moments and days that came after his passing were not what I thought they would be. I am surrounded by people who know that our lives are NEVER out of control as long as we trust in the Lord with everything we have. HE is in control and it is obvious as I watch my family heal. One of the most amazing things has been watching so many people come to our aid, Steph being one of them. I can't say enough how truly blessed I feel to be part of this family. I should also make very clear that family doesn't just include those in my bloodline. We have a habit of "adopting" people and we have very special friends who we consider family....for example the Phillips family! (among others!)

Because of the funeral, Steph changed her chemo day to Wednesday so that she could help my mom. Without her and our dear friend Pam (a.k.a. Mimi) the day would have not ran as smoothly...AT ALL! Chemo seems to be really packing a punch on our girl right now. So please pray that it gets better. Steph is SO tough so it's hard to see her feel so bad. She is a fighter and she is fighting harder than ever before. Pray for strength and complete healing!!