Faith of Family and Friends
February 5, 2010
We are all struggling right now with the next lap. It's a tough one and we're looking for motivation to keep moving forward. My sister in law reminded me of the biblical story about Jesus healing a paralytic man. When she heard the story recently, she immediately thought about what we are all going through. The story goes that the man was paralyzed and four of his friends, in an effort to get him to Jesus to be healed, carried him to Capernuum and then could not get the man through the crowd. In their effort to save him, they carried him up on the roof of the building where Jesus was and lowered him through the roof. There are many inferences to be made about this story but the one I'm going to make and the one I hope you relate to is the faith those friends showed in bringing him-CARRYING him- to Jesus. Without their faith, he would not have been healed. Their faith was as important as his in healing him. As my cousin Jon said, we ALL are in this together and our Faith in Christina will not only carry her, it will carry us.
The Friendship Paddle 2009
El Capitan, Sean Robertson writes:
I had a dream that the weather was supposed to be hateful and 11 boats went to the island in crystal shimmering seas with dolphin playing on the bow. Everyone was smiling and the williwaw winds never came and the temperature stayed perfect. The sun rose and a slight breeze touched our backs and the crossing nearly effortless. Tears flowed but they were happy tears. That blue shark knew it was best to show itself and leave just as fast. Then Christina came on a beautiful chariot and landed on a deck awash with love. The flotilla surrounded her and Terance and delivered them to the beach to be enveloped by more love. Is there a God? I don’t know, but I know there are angels and dreams and I am lucky to have met you angels and had this dream.
In Sincere and Heartfelt Appreciation
Since the beginning it seems, The Friendship Paddle always went hand in hand with Tina's battle. I remember just reeling from the news of her diagnosis when HOPE came from this wonderful group of people and lifted us all up out of the mire. The two are connected now and forever.
Words cannot really express the day of the Paddle, except to say this- it will be one of the biggest highlights of our lives. I think I speak for everyone who was involved in this event that the sight of Tina paddling into shore was breathtaking, and moved us beyond words. The smile on her face, the energy of her paddle, the smooth glide of her board; Terance paddling beside her, her closest and dearest friends all on boards right behind, the team of 80+ paddlers-our team's inspiration and guide!! watching from their boats-- and then finally Tina's family and friends surrounding her with enough love to fill an ocean...yes, Sean---THERE IS A GOD.
How can we ever thank these people, these angels!! who came into our lives and brought us to this day? We can only know that their efforts, their energy, their love for Tina and for all those who benefitted from this today and before her ,will NOT go unrewarded. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
We send our prayers for continued good health to each of the paddlers and for the success of the Friendship Paddle in all the years to come.
Love, Always! Shelly, Terance's family and all of our friends on Team Tina.
Words cannot really express the day of the Paddle, except to say this- it will be one of the biggest highlights of our lives. I think I speak for everyone who was involved in this event that the sight of Tina paddling into shore was breathtaking, and moved us beyond words. The smile on her face, the energy of her paddle, the smooth glide of her board; Terance paddling beside her, her closest and dearest friends all on boards right behind, the team of 80+ paddlers-our team's inspiration and guide!! watching from their boats-- and then finally Tina's family and friends surrounding her with enough love to fill an ocean...yes, Sean---THERE IS A GOD.
How can we ever thank these people, these angels!! who came into our lives and brought us to this day? We can only know that their efforts, their energy, their love for Tina and for all those who benefitted from this today and before her ,will NOT go unrewarded. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
We send our prayers for continued good health to each of the paddlers and for the success of the Friendship Paddle in all the years to come.
Love, Always! Shelly, Terance's family and all of our friends on Team Tina.
Latest update from the Paddle:
We had a great night reliving Christina’s Paddle. John McFadden put together a great video of the photos and Tavis Boise contributed with his own version of the day.
We appreciate all you contributed to TFP this year. It was a big year with the 100+ kids paddling in the Keiki Paddle and 70+ in Christina’s paddle. Wyatt Taylor, Hugs for Cubs, and the Kinsky’s have felt our community support and love to help pull them through their battles. While we are experiencing growing pains, we are still grass roots. It is your effort that makes it work. Thank You!
To see the videos go to: http://www.friendshippaddle.org/tfp/currentpaddle.php
Because of the length, we could not embed Johnny Macs video. Click on the link to see it.
I recommend sending the page to your donors. It will give them an idea what you accomplished.
For a written recap, go to: http://www.paddleboard.com/articles/view/347
Enjoy the great weather and low tide afternoons this Thanksgiving. We all have a lot to be thankful for.
Sean
We appreciate all you contributed to TFP this year. It was a big year with the 100+ kids paddling in the Keiki Paddle and 70+ in Christina’s paddle. Wyatt Taylor, Hugs for Cubs, and the Kinsky’s have felt our community support and love to help pull them through their battles. While we are experiencing growing pains, we are still grass roots. It is your effort that makes it work. Thank You!
To see the videos go to: http://www.friendshippaddle.org/tfp/currentpaddle.php
Because of the length, we could not embed Johnny Macs video. Click on the link to see it.
I recommend sending the page to your donors. It will give them an idea what you accomplished.
For a written recap, go to: http://www.paddleboard.com/articles/view/347
Enjoy the great weather and low tide afternoons this Thanksgiving. We all have a lot to be thankful for.
Sean
