Friends and family,

Please forgive the delay in updating the site.  We have alot of plates spinning and much good news to report!  Let me provide you with a quick overview of where we have been the last few months.....and where we are headed throughout the rest of 2012!

2011 - fall highlights

The 4th Annual GoMitchGo Golf tournament was a resounding success.  The good Lord provided amazing weather and Shawnee Country Club provided an amazing course.  This was our most successful year ever for this event and nearly $14,000 was raised to push us towards our million dollar goal.

Special thanks to Dan Overland, Shawnee Country Club, Phoenix Restoration, and all the rest of our players / sponsors.  Truly....we love you and are so very grateful.

What else did we accomplish in 2011?

Your generosity and shared passion to help families fighting blood and bone cancers allowed the us to provide over $25,000 to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society chapters in Okc and Austin.  Additionally, we were able to provide nearly $15,000 in assistance to families in need.  Your efforts allowed us to assist with medical bills for those still in the fight.......and allowed us to ensure that a young man who passed away from this disease was provided a proper funeral service / burial.  I long for the day that we no longer write those kinds of checks.

Spring / Summer 2011 recap

GoMitchGo had several highlighted athletic performances in 2011.  Our own, Mike Thompson aka "IronMikey", finished IM Texas in May proudly wearing our colors.  Over the course of his training, this young man raised nearly $9000 for the cause.  Mike will be back at again for IM Cozumel this fall.  A four time cancer survivor and "veteran" of 78 surgeries......he continues to "keep fighting".  You can learn more about him on the Iron Mikey  tab.

Damien Silva and Jerry Aguilar represent GMG at the South Maui triathlon.  Jerry qualified to USAT nationals with his performance.  I would be remiss without mentioning the 50 brave souls that represented GMG at the OKC Memorial Marathon last May in the worst running weather in history.....proudly flying our colors.....and setting several personal records.

OU Baseball continues their strong relationship with the foundation in Mitchell's honor.  Our friends at Heartland Roofing came aboard to help provide our 3rd annual GoMitchGo day as the Sooners hosted New Mexico in May.  Did you know that the only individual award that OU gives every year is in Mitchell's honor?  The Mitchell Whitaker Keep Fighting award is provided to the Sooner that best embodies a team first attitude, competitive fire, and strong work ethic.  Sooner pitcher, Jordan John, was the winner of the award for his performance in 2011.  He joins inaugural winner, Jack Mayfield, as worthy recipients.

2012  - where are we headed?

February 2012 - Oklahoma Christian School  - Edmond, Oklahoma

Inspired by Mitchell's story....raise over $10000 for LLS Oklahoma via the Pennies for Patients campaign.  Wow.  Love those kids and the great lesson of stewardship that is being tought by their parents & school staff!  Here is a look at our "thank you" video.

March 2012

GoMitchGo 2012 shirts have been ordered and should be ready by the end of the month.  Stay tuned....we will provide order details.  The perfect summer performance apparel for the OKC Memorial.

April 2012 - OKC Memorial 2012 with GoMitchGo. 

We invite each of you to get signed up, buy a GoMitchGo shirt, and run this event in his honor.  This is our "home" course and we will always be a part of this race.  I would love to have 75 folks on the course.  More details on race day logistics as the time moves closer.

April 2012 - Austin MyFitFoods "Iron Mikey" month. 

A portion of every meal purchased with "Iron MIkey" mentioned at checkout goes toward the GoMitchGo Foundation and helps fuel Mikey to IM Cozumel glory!

May 2012 - OU Baseball & GoMitchGo

We will be back again!  Details and dates pending.  Please join us for this amazing event honoring Mitchell.  This sport was his passion and this team was his pride.  Stay tuned.....

May 19, 2012 - Spartan Sprint, Burnet Texas

130 pm - Mitchell Whitaker "Keep Fighting" heat

to benefit the GoMitchGo Foundation

Spartan Blog - My thoughts

What is it all about?

I truly can't contain my excitement about this event.  I have always wanted to honor Mitchell close to his birthday.  This event is a perfect metaphor for the struggles that life can throw our way.  We need to sell out this heat!  The great folks at the Spartan Race have agreed to donate half of the registration cost to the GoMitchGo Foundation.  Get signed up....bring your friends and let's put it all out there!  Details on the Events tab!  We have an FB event created as well outlining instructions for registration!

June 2012 - RocknRoll San Diego Marathon

Tracy will be running her "final" marathon in Mitchell's honor.  We will be flying the Team in Training flag in Mitchell's honor at this amazing event.  I will be running the half because I am the smart one :)

Flip Flop Events, GoMitchGo Foundation, and Tri Coach Steve have partnered together for the Georgetown Triathlon series.

 We will be the honored charity for this new series of beginner friendly & veteran approved sprint triathlons in Georgetown, Texas.  The first event kicks off on June 10.  Fun for the whole family....let's sell these out, get in shape, and support our partners in the battle against blood cancers!  You can learn more about Flip Flop here.  Tri Coach Steve is started to dominate the internet from this page!  We are very excited about this series of events with races in June, August, & October.  More details to come on this awesome partnership.

That is gonna wrap up for the moment.....stay tuned.  Keep doing good....thank you for your continued support.  Come join us at the Spartan race....it will be the best dirty time you have ever had....for a great cause!  Keep Fighting -- John

During a wonderful Christmas Eve service at my Dad’s church this past week a phrase of the Christmas staple, Away in a Manger, got me to thinking again about heaven. The last phrase of the song goes: “Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care. And take us to heaven to live with you there.” This version was worded a bit differently and read: “And FIT us for heaven to live with you there.”

Many of you know that I have a background (BS) in fitness, I know how to be fit…not that I always make the choices to do so, but I do know what it involves. It involves eating right and breaking a good sweat every now and then to increase your overall strength and endurance. However, I do not think this is the kind of FIT the song was speaking of. This is talking about our spiritual fitness. I am sure we can all list many ways to work on our spiritual fitness, reading the bible, praying and spending time with God. Did you know that Christ also uses our trials/suffering to makes us stronger and to prepare us for our eternal life with Christ? Just as a good physical workout can make us sweat and feel uncomfortable in order to achieve our goal…so can a good spiritual workout.

James 1:2-4
“Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.”

Romans 5:3-4
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us-they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.”

2Cor. 4:17-18
“For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.”

I remember a time when I was pregnant with Mitchell. I had been asked to be a bridesmaid in a girlfriends wedding, we ordered my dress about 5 sizes too big not knowing what I would need by the time of the wedding. I took it in to be altered about a month before the wedding the tailor fitted it to me leaving a little “wiggle” room. I went in for my final fitting 3 days before I had to leave for the wedding…you guessed it, the dress did not fit! I…or Mitchell had grown much more than we had anticipated. Luckily the tailor was able to take it out to make room for my growing belly. In life, Christ is our tailor; He is continually fitting us and molding us. Life’s trails are the treadmill or dumbbells that Christ uses to make us “fit” for eternity with Him.

When I put clean sheets on our guest bed, which would be Mitch’s bed, I always think of how he loved to be home from the hospital and wanted his favorite sheets on his bed to crawl into after the hospital stay. Towards the end when he was really sick I had gone home for a night to be with Meredith. We had purchased new bedding for each of the kids because we were going to be moving to Tulsa (long story). I had kept it all packaged up until our move, this particular night I opened up Mitch’s new bedding and put it on his bed. In my mind I was determined that he WAS coming home to his bed...But just as I was preparing our home for Mitchell’s homecoming, Christ was also preparing for Mitch’s heavenly homecoming…and I am sure His linens had a much higher thread count…

Mitch was fit for heaven at the young age of 10 years and 4 months. When we whispered into his ear…it’s time for you to go be with Jesus, he nodded his head “yes.”

As we approach this New Year I hope you will be encouraged to work on your “fitness” program for eternity being reminded that those times when our faith is being tempted are opportunities to grow and become “fit” for dwelling with our Heavenly Father.

However, this overwhelming feeling I am experiencing is much more than her starting middle school and not having her brother here.  It's about her entering a whole new phase in life.  She is becoming more and more independent and less dependent on us............more specifically, on me.  It takes me back to the time when we taught her to ride a bike.  It seems like just yesterday when John and I were out in the front yard taking off the training wheels, giving all the verbal instructions we could think of then giving them that one last push......(to save on the cost of bubble wrap, we would have them practice in the grass just in case they fell over when we let go of the back of the seat).  The kids would say "don't let go, don't let go" and turn around to realize daddy or mommy had let go at the last driveway.  In no time, they both succeeded at riding a bike and if my memory serves me right we have had very few, if any major bike wrecks(this is only taking the children into account). 

But I am finding myself not wanting to let go of the bike this time.  The bike is no longer her pretend horse Daisy, and she is not riding off into green pastures(she would not find a green pasture here in Texas anyway)to rescue a long lost animal.  This time it is her pretend convertible and she is off to the mall with her girlfriends.  As parents we tend to hold on a little longer to the back of the bike seat when it comes to our children's life and faith.  We continue to want to be in control of steering and braking for our children in hopes of protecting them from disappointment, heart break or consequences from poor choices.  We want them to remember all the things we have taught them about God and life, to pick the right friends, college, career spouse, to follow in our foot steps or maybe steer clear of some of the poor choices we made.  So our grasp remains....if not even a bit firmer than when they were younger.  But there comes a time when we have to release our firm grasp and let go of the bike. 

I'm not quite ready to send Meredith off on her own down I-35 or even across town, maybe we can just start with going around the block. I read an article recently from an online preteen ministry, fourfivesix.org. They explain letting go of the bike in this way: 

"....It means that instead of simply teaching them by providing the right information, we support them by allowing them to learn for themselves.  Instead of simple telling preteens how their faith affects their life, we create environments and resources where they continue discovering it.  Instead of giving them all the answers about God, Jesus, the Bible and the rest of life, we invite them to voice their own questions and even offer their own answers.  Instead of telling them what they should be doing, we create opportunities to discover how God is calling them to bring God's kingdom to life in the world." 

Instead of "holders" we become "supporters"or cheerleaders. We may let go, but we still run along side them encouraging them, helping to direct them on the path God has for them.  There will be times when we may need to help them up from a fall or minor crash(broken hearts from those first crushes).  We are equipping and preparing them for that day when they will ride across town all on their own(because we all know this day will come).  In order for our children to discover the person God has made them to be we have to let go of the bike.

So tomorrow I will start with a small step of letting go of the bike as I send Meredith off to Middle school(the bigger release will come when she heads off to college) loaded up with encouragement and MUCH prayer(you might send a few prayers up for me as well).  If only I could fit in the basket............

*On a side note:

This weekend we went to pick up her schedule and get her locker.  While waiting in line she found a penny(for us this is a "hello" from Mitch)when they handed her the combination to her locker smack in the middle was the #18, Mitch's baseball #......he will be watching over her just from a further distance.

Long post later....

Hey Team!

Great news....the GoMitchGo shirts are ready!  Our band of trusty dusty helpers are picking them up tomorrow and pulling your orders.  Here is the timeline for local pickup, runner / expo pickup, & shipping orders:

Thursday, April 28

Who:  Janna Rothwell & Whitaker posse

Where:  Bethany First Church parking lot - West of Family Life Center

What:  Local pickup for the Bethany/Salon Envy/feel like driving over there crowd. 

When:  245pm til 4pm

How:  If you already paid for a shirt, come grab it.  If you haven't, bring cash or check.  If you want to buy a shirt, bring your money.  We have ~35 shirts available for sale.  All checks payable to GoMitchGo Foundation.

Non - runners who have requested shipping.  Your shirts will be mailed on this date.

********

FRIDAY, APRIL 29 & SATURDAY, APRIL 30

WHO:  ALL RUNNERS FOR THE OKC MEMORIAL WHO WERE NOT ABLE TO PICK UP SHIRTS ON THURSDAY!!

WHAT:  SHIRT PICKUP @ EXPO

WHEN:  EXPO HOURS FRIDAY & TIL NOON ON SATURDAY

WHERE:  TEAM IN TRAINING BOOTH AT THE RUNNERS EXPO

HOW:  YOU, OR SOMEBODY FROM YOUR RELAY TEAM, COME GRAB YOUR SHIRT AFTER PACKET PICKUP.  WE ALREADY HAVE YOUR ORDER PULLED.  IF YOU HAVEN'T PAID...BRING CASH OR CHECK.  ALL CHECKS PAYABLE TO THE GOMITCHGO FOUNDATION.

Special note:  Austin folks....I will be bringing your shirts back with me post race.

More Race day information to come.....stay tuned.

You can vote ONCE PER DAY starting 2/11/11 through 2/18/11, for our entry in the Team in Training "Just go for it" video contest.  You can CAST YOUR VOTE BY CLICKING ON THIS link and voting for my video.  Mitchell loved to compete...so lets win this!

Please consider sending this to your friends & family to cast a vote EVERY DAY on our behalf.  It only takes a minute.

Here is a preview....but make sure you go TO THE LINK (ABOVE) TO VOTE!!

KEEP FIGHTING!

jwhit  

I hope this note finds each of you thawed out from the winter blast that has hit the country the last week.  I wanted to bring you up to speed on the latest developments with the foundation as we speed along through 2011!

Tracy and I had a great time at the OU Baseball Diamond Dinner this past weekend.  Mom & Dad joined us as we visited with our friends on the Sooner coaching staff and players.  It was our honor to present the first annual Mitch Whitaker Award to the Sooner baseball player that represented all those great qualities that Mitchell embodied:  great teammate, fierce competitor, & willingness to place the team above himself.

Jack Mayfield, 2nd team all Big 12 utility selection as a true freshman, won the award.  I thought it was poetice that a young man that went 5-0 on the mound and played 2nd base won the first award....Mitch would have been pleased.  We will post photos on the website in the next few days but you can see a few at this link...just click on the photo gallery tab:

http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/012911aaa.html

UPCOMING EVENTS (mark your calendars):

SUNDAY, MAY 1:  OKC Memorial Marathon.  Come run/walk with GoMitchGo.  Order your GoMitchGo Athletics 2011 shirt.  Details can be found on our Events page.

FRIDAY, MAY 13:   GOMITCHGO DAY - OU BASEBALL vs New Mexico.  This has become a wonderful tradition in which OU Baseball and sponsors make a donation to help cure blood cancer research in Mitchell's honor.  This will be our 3rd year to do this event.  To date, these efforts have raised ~$6500 for the cause!

SUNDAY, MAY 21:  IRONMAN TEXAS - MIKE THOMPSON.  Mike is our first sponsored GoMitchGo athlete that we are supporting as he completes his first full iron distance (2.4 mile swim / 112 mile bik / 26.2 mile run) in Mitchell's honor.  Mike was first diagnosed with leukemia at about the same age Mitchell.  Mike has survived 4 different bouts with cancer over the last 15 years and 78 surgeries associated with his treatment.  His story is a great parallel to Mitchell's journey.  You can learn more about "Iron Mikey" on here.

Mike was featured in Austin Fit Magazine and his efforts are making Mitchell's story known all over Austin!

http://www.austinfitmagazine.com/Fitness/Features/2010/October/A-True-Ironman.html

Great things are happening folks....thanks so much for your support.  More to come...Keep fighting.

Greetings Friends and Family and Happy New Year! I hope this finds you all well and ready to dive into another year. Like many of you, I am looking forward to the beginning of a new year….a fresh start. Although sitting at the back of my mind of each new year is the fact that this will be another year without Mitch we will now embark on our 4th year without Mitch…..hard to believe, but painfully true. However, this year feels different to me, this year I have decided to don a new wardrobe going into 2011.

I am sure many of you have seen the show on TLC “What Not to Wear,” Meredith and I love to watch this show. For many years now it has been our Friday night tradition to get in our PJs and crawl into my bed and watch. Since it would be late some times Meredith would say “Mom, wake me up when they do the hair.” I love how Stacey and Clinton work their magic and turn frump in to FABulous but what I love the most is watching their victims go from low or no self -confidence to having an “I can conquer the world” attitude just by getting a new wardrobe.

I have been participating in a bible study about Ruth (Ruth: love, loss, legacy by Kelly Minter). Ruth was a Moabite who loss her husband, she willing left her hometown to care for her mother-in-law, Naomi, who not only loss her husband but her 2 sons as well. Their journey is a beautiful story of the human experience of love, loss and legacy with the divine hope of a redeeming God. If you are searching for a new bible study to do I highly recommend this one! This study has been an eye-opener and is how the new wardrobe comes in to play for me.

At one point in the story of Ruth her mother-in-law, Naomi, tells her it is time for her to move forward, it is time for her to find a new husband. Naomi tells Ruth to bathe, put on her finest perfume and a NEW dress. This new dress signaled a change, a readiness and availability for something new. She had been wearing her “don’t bother me I’m in mourning clothes” long enough. As I read this I had an “aha” moment. It’s been 3 years (and 3 months) since Mitchell passed away and I am still reaching into my closet to put on my mourning clothes. Some days I will even throw on my cardigan of self-pity. I knew right then and there those words were for me. I am not sure how to explain it but in that moment I felt a weight lifted off of me. The Lord was saying to me “Tracy, it’s time…..you’re going to love the new outfit I have waiting for you.”

God is not asking me to forget about Mitchell and telling me to “move on” (those 2 words have never set well with me but that’s a whole other blog entry). He has not removed my memories of Mitchell, but what He has done is taken the “sting” of his passing away. As stated in my Bible study “……after God has held us, healed us and lifted our heads, that we’d be ready to move forward with Him.” Not move ON but FORWARD there IS a difference and if you have walked the journey of losing a loved one or going through a divorce or whatever your heartache may be you know and understand what I mean.

My heart will always ache for Mitch and I am sure I will still have my tearful days but if I continue to sit all snuggled up in my mourning clothes and my not so cute, self-pity sweater then I am missing out! I am not allowing myself to be available to God and whatever he may have in store for me. I don’t want to get to the end of my journey and find that I was in the right place at the right time with all of the right resources to make an eternal impact but just not willing……still clinging to my wardrobe of mourning clothes.

For many of us our goal at the beginning of a New Year is to eventually be able to be in new clothes(hopefully a smaller size)before the year ends. My goal is to start off in my new outfit.  I am choosing not to dwell in the past clinging on to that old wardrobe, I am folding up that self-pity sweater and throwing it in the back of my closet (you never know when I might need to pull that one out J) and I am putting on the new outfit that God is holding out for me. Do you have an outfit that needs to be thrown out….or maybe even burned? Let God turn your frump into FABulous! And then you just might hear Stacy London’s favorite phrase “Shut the front door!”

Lord, make me willing to be willing!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has past, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Until next time, much love,

Tracy

Learn more about Mike's story here:  www.ironmikey.com

If you want to join the fight and support IronMikey in 2011....just click on the IronMikey tab....select "donate now" and you will be re-directed to Paypal.  Please note "IronMikey" in the notes section of your payment submission.

Stay tuned....more to come on GoMitchGo Athletics. 

***************

9/26/2007

Day 23.........Peace and Patience

Dear Team Whitaker....... I address this a little differently today since each of you is a vital part of our team.  Your words of encouragement, prayers, and support are inspiring and humbling.  Team Whitaker is blessed indeed.  You.........the Body.........are doing the Kingdom proud.  We love you all.  

Better pull up a chair............today's entry may take awhile........LOL

How is Mitch? 

Well, Mitch isn't here........but isn't in Heaven yet either........I think.  His body is still here but sweet Mitchell is visiting with the Lord right now.  He just looks like an angel sleeping in our room.....albeit an angel with a slight rasp in his throat :).........and he just continues to hang here for a bit.  He isn't in the least bit of pain and is totally at peace.  I must say that our hearts continue to groan and anguish over our precious son......God has certainly been merciful and having him with us in this state, while difficult, is so much better than the pain that he was enduring even 2 days ago.  We have made, as Tracy so eloquently alluded to yesterday, many decisions for Mitchell throughout his life.  At this point, as his physical presence rests on every little rise and fall of the chest...........we are going to let him "leave" us on his terms.  I spend a whole life time teaching him how to fight, finish what he starts, never quit, and go full speed.........so I will let him decide when it is time to "lay his armor down". 

Mitchell is a very linear......logical.....slightly OC......bright and inquisitive boy.  He just does not forget things.......at times to the amazement of his mother and I.......and REQUIRES some type of schedule in order the his world to rotate on axis correctly!  

In light of the boy that I know he is.........and the fact the God made him that way..........I just have to laugh as I picture the exchange that has been going since about 1am yesterday morning: 

Mitch:  Hi......God is that you?  My dad told me "run to the light" while I was in the hospital and that you would be waiting.

God:  Hey Mitch.......how are you my son?  It is great to see you......I have a place prepared for you up here.......you are gonna love it"

Mitch:  Cool.........my dad told me it would be great.  Hey, I have a few questions that I would like answered first........is that Ok?

God:  Fire away........I got eternity, bro......so I will answer them all until you are comfy.

Mitch:  What is eternity?  How does the schedule work.......you know just so I know what is up.........and when we finish that one I would like to know how the weather works up here and on Earth.........what is the temperature up here anyway.......are you in the middle of an upper level low pressure system.........do you get the weather channel up here..........is there cable........can i have video games...........is that really warm feeling that i have inside me the love that i have in my heart for you now being set free in your presence..........where is my grandpa perman........i would like to know where the baseball fields are..........do we get uniforms...........you know that my dad sez there is no place in baseball for white cleats --- so you might want to change up the angels "look" over there........ok, so if eternity means that we never run out of time --- how does that work with scheduling stuff...........why did i have to come up here so soon and what were you thinking when you picked me.........my dad said that you love me more than he ever could - tell me about that........where is jesus at..........when are mom, dad, & meredith getting here?  I have got some more.......but those were on the top of my mind.

God:  Ok.........let me explain My love and eternity.........because you will love the answer........hey Mitch........no need to take notes, pardna........no there isn't a test up here because you already passed it down there! 

Folks - you might chuckle at that example........but I know that is happening as we speak........in very precious tender moments between my son and his Heavenly Father........as his earthly father cries with a smile.  In short, Mitchell is well..........for now and eternity. 

How are we? 

Don't be afraid, for I am with you.  Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I WILL strengthen you.  I WILL help you.  I WILL uphold you with my victorious right hand.  Isaiah 41:10 

We hurt more than words can express.........but we are certainly in the midst of a peace that passes understanding.  I won't write for Tracy since she can do that herself.  As a father, it is very difficult to let go of all the dreams, hopes, and days that you planned on sharing with him in this life.  He and I have a relationship that is very deep.  Many of the trials Mitchell faced during his time here forced him to grow up pretty quick.........but that also allowed the two of us to bond in a very special way.  There is a Mitchell sized hole in me that will take awhile to fill.......but God's Grace is sufficient........and He understands my pain..........and will heal it.  I had many dreams for my son........the foremost among those is that he would grow become a Godly man of influence.  And though it hurts to let the others dreams go.........I am so proud that he got the most important thing right.  Well done, my son.  I love you. 

How are you? 

So many of you dear friends have sent notes, made phone calls, stopped by to visit to express your love, care, and concern for us...........that I just wanted to take a moment to check on you. Team Whitaker is well.  God is good. 

Question for you all:  

Why does it take something like this........that shocks us to our core and makes us ache and yearn.......for us to truly evaluate our life and how we spend our time!?!  Do not let the passing of this boy shake you..........God has a plan.  

A perfect plan that is beyond our understanding.  Mitchell's life is a testament to Christ and should affirm your Faith........or shake you to question why you don't have a daily walk with Him.  This life only makes sense in the presence of the Almighty and the framework which he provides.  Your circumstances can change on a heartbeat.......as our story illustrates........but God does not change.  He is always good.  He is always love.  He is always just.  He is always there. The kindness that you have shown to us........do that for others........when times are good and when the chips are down.  That is what being Salt and Light is all about.  

This life is nothing more than a set of opportunities that we are provided in order to influence others for good......or bad.  

The true measure of your life is rooted in the relationship that you have with Christ..........and how you let that (vertical) relationship shine among (horizontally) those you come in contact with on a daily basis. 

Maybe it is time that we all ask ourselves:  How ya livin'?  

We love you all....john 

gomitchgo

****************

June 2010:  Captex Triathlon with TnT; Sooners are Omaha bound; the move is complete

June started off with a bang and the CapTex Triathlon on May 31st!  I trained with the Central Texas chapter for this Olympic distance event and had "duel citizenship" with the Oklahoma team for this awesome event.  Round 2 of my LLS speaking tour continued as shared our story and Mitchell's legacy with 250 folks at the Inspiration dinner the night before the event.  Getting a chance to thank folks who have joined our battle...and honor Mitchell's legacy.....will never get old.  I was "in" the moment....and the night went well.  I know that alot of folks were moved by our story.....and my hope is that they "keep fighting" with us.

Race day went well in light of the lack of training I had due to work travel, moving, etc.  It was an exceptionally difficult race weather wise....very hot and humid.  I was pleased to finish w/o injury and conquer my "Olympic" distance.  I put Olympic in quotations since the nimrods that organized this little fandango mismarked the swim distance by 350m and the run by 4/10 of a mile.  So I knocked out a 1850mtr swim / 25mile bike / 6.6mile run........and then enjoyed the company of my fellow racers in the TnT tent.

****************

Sooner Baseball - GoMitchGo bands - "keep fighting" - Fathers Day in Omaha

Well....the Sooners got on a roll and put it all together during the regional.  It was great to watch faces of young men that I have to come to know have success.  It was even better to watch a coaching staff enjoy the same thing!  All throughout the regionals in Norman and Super Regionals in Charlottesville........you could spot our "GoMitchGo - Keep Fighting" bands on many of the players.

Mitchell Whitaker has a framed #18 jersey in the OU locker room.  The OU staff has announced that the Mitchell Whitaker Courage Award will be given annually to the Sooner that best embodies strength in the face of adversity.  When Mitchell passed away, I received a call from Coach Golloway seeking my permission and a favor.  Coach G wanted my permission to change his #29 for the 2008 season to #18...w/o a name on the back......in Mitchell's honor.  It would be tribute to Mitch and allow him to "see" all the fields of the Big 12.  The ultimate goal:  Get to Omaha.  Take Mitchell along for the ride.

So if any of you choose to repeat the sports radio and internet chatter questioning Golloway's "character"......I suggest you keep it buttoned up around me unless you need help with your healthcare/dental deductible.  Nuff Said.

Well....it wasn't meant to be in 2008....or 2009......but 2010....had everything fall into place. 

Promise made - Promise kept. 

Dad and I were headed to Omaha to root on the Sooners.......on Fathers Day.  Just another sign that my Heavenly Father has it all under control.

Providence....not  coincidence

As I boarded my 4th Southwest flight in 6 days (work)....I was a little emotional as I reflected on Mitchell's last season of baseball.  I just flat out was gonna miss him on this trip......and it was Fathers Day weekend as well.  Ugh.  It is always great to spend time with my Dad during baseball season....a common language and common understanding of how the game is be played......is perfect for the male species.  It means we can spend a few hours w/o really talking and have a great time.  Chicks don't get that....nor were they made to understand it.  :)

Fathers Day morning in Lincoln, Nebraska was a wet and dreary affair.  However, we both got out and ran 5.5 miles for to start the morning off and were looking forward to Rosenblatt.  This was my 5th trip to Omaha....but Dad's first.  There is no better athletic event in the world in my opinion.  Baseball at it's highest "pure" level.....and 8 teams and fanbases pushing, yelling, & rooting.....to take the title.

We arrived early for BP and made our way toward the OU dugout to visit with players and coaching staff.  Ryan Gaines, Director of Baseball Operations, was the first stop........followed by Kaleb Herren, #18, who knows full well that wearing that number is serious business :)  We had a good half hour visit during the rain delay.  Dad took lots of pictures and we were both struck as to how awesome the atmosphere is on that stage.  Gaines approached me a bit later and says "Hey....don't be surprised if ESPN wants to visit with you during the game.  They are always looking for human interest angles for each team and Mitchell is the obvious choice for us.......so heads up."

On cue....OU's SID plops down beside me with ESPN's Kyle Peterson in tow.  We visit for a bit and agree that we will go "live" during the 3rd inning.  Hmm....although my heart misses my son.......I now get to speak of his courage and my love for him on national TV. 

Providence....not coincidence.

10 minutes later.....Rick Turnbill and his son, Brady, age 10 show up.  Brady is a baseball terror.....and knows Mitchell's story from his parents.  Rick has said that Bradys wants to meet "Mitch's dad"........and now he stands in front of me.  Same height....just right....just like another 10 yo ballplayer that has been on my mind the entire trip.  Shady Brady and I talk baseball for awhile....and joke....and hit it off.  We agree to hook up with the Turnbills once the game starts and poach better seats.  A spitting image of Mitchell at age 10.....with me in Omaha.....on Fathers Day.

Providence.....not coincidence.

As we finally get the game under way and make our way to out seats......I plop down beside to young men.  Look to be age 13.....both ballplayers.  Real baseball players can always spot other real ballplayers.....regardless of age.  The hat is worn right......not like some wanna be weakstick MTV washout faux hit pop rap star.  Dillon and Drake were, in fact, 13 years old from Plainview, Oklahoma.....at their first CWS....and wanted to talk shop about the teams.  I was happy to oblige...since this is exactly what I would be doing with Mitchell.....discussing infield footwork, guessing pitch selection by player positioning, & arguing balls/strikes from left field.  Talk turned to kids and my wrist band.  I told them about Mitchell.....and told them that this band is what the players were wearing.  They were very attentive and respectful as explained Mitchell's story (products of good parenting) and said "we are sorry for your loss".  I hooked them up with some bands and told them about the website and facebook group.

3rd inning came and went......Espn came a calling.....as my section did a group think freakout as I left them and went to the camera for my interview.  The rumor spread amongst our section that I was Chip Glass, OU MVP from the 94 national title........I just said "nope....I am Mitchell's dad."  hahaha.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6KlAHBINlM

Providence......not coincidence.

****************************

School days for Meredith

As the Texas heat wore on........with a heapin' helpin' of humidity.......the start of the school year was just around the corner.  Meredith had made some lil chick friends in our neighborhood to bring the first day of school anxiety level down a bit.......for mom and dad.  I don't think Meredith was ever worried.  The kid just goes with the flow, man.

As we walked her into class during the "meet your teacher" and "transfer student orientation" days.....we couldn't be help but be struck by the fact that Rowe Lane Elementary was recognized by the Leukemia Lymphoma Society as the #1 fundraising school in the Austin area during 2009 / 2010. 

Providience......not coincidence.

****************************

September 19, 2007 - rewind

I hate September 19th.  It will.....for as long as I live be my saddest day.  It was the last day that we truly had "Mitchell"........the last day I got to joke with him.....the last day that I got to have him kiss me.  September 19, 2007, started off as a great day.  Mitchell was feeling better after a surgery to drain his lungs and he was able to sit up most of the day.  He was talking, joking, watching tv, eating, and working to conquer a Lego project on his little hospital bed table.  I came in to relieve Tracy at 230pm.  She headed home to pick up Meredith and spend the night in our bed.  Dad was coming up in the evening to help out with Mitchell.....because it become a 2 person job to move IV poles, medication poles, etc for bathroom breaks during the night.

Our friend Trey Wells came by to visit.....and talk about life.  We had a fun time until lights out around 9pm.  I could tell Mitchell was restless and uncomfortable....but he slept off/on until about 11pm.  The next 6 hours was hell.  He was in pain......and was sick to his stomach every hour.....his legs hurt and he was sore from his bed.......so here we were......3 generations of Whitaker men......trying to save the youngest among us.  At one point, after we had been up to use the restroom....again.....I just told Mitch that he needed to just walk in place for little bit to help out his legs.  He did it.....and I have never been more proud of 10 steps in place in my life.....as I watched his little legs that were wasting away from this cursed damned disease move up and down slowly.  He looked up at me with tears in his eyes.....in pain....at his father......and sobbed:  "I did it for your Dad."

He managed as much of a smile as he could........body shaking.......seeking approval from me that he already had.  I held him close....kissed his lips and the top of his head and told him:  "You sure did.  I am so proud of you....and I am sorry that you have to go through this.  I love you, buddy."

The night drug on.....and Mitchell continued to get worse.  Thursday morning, September 20th.......we were admitted to the PICU........where he was placed on a ventilator....and sedated. By late Saturday, September 22nd............we knew that he would not be making a comeback.

Mitchell passed away at 308am on Thursday morning, September 27th........but the boy that I knew was gone after September 19th.

My prayer is that in my weakened condition.....with flaws that embarass me to the core.......I can look up at my Father, through tears, and because of my obedience say:  "I did it for you Dad." 

He loves me.....and knows what is best......and my obedience, not my performance, makes Him proud.  Giving the life of His Son for me, and you, provides me with all the answers that I ever need.

Providence.....not coincidence.

Be gone - September 19th. 

Live on, Mitchell Whitaker.

Keep Fighting.

We were so happy with the turnout of folks that ran with GoMitchGo at the OKC Memorial marathon.  We even had Seth Carley blaze to a top 10 finish from over 10,000 runners in the half marathon.  This is going to be an annual event and we would love to have hundreds of people wearing our colors next year.  You know.....we all have our "story" in life....and I just continue to be amazed at how closely woven together we all are.....even when we are unaware.  The Master has His hand spread all throughout His creation.  

These thoughts were going through my mind as I ran North up Lincoln....right past OU Medical Center....where I had made far too many trips.  I remember driving out of that hospital parking lot at 345 am on September 27, 2007....after watching my son pass away right in front of me......trying to console my wife....and swearing that I would never drive down this road again.  Well....not this time 13th street....I am running past you now....with lungs filled.....heart aflame.....carrying a legacy of life......that was meant for greater things than could be contained on the 11th floor.  I have never been at greater peace in my life....than inside that building.  My Father had is arms around me and my son during those dark days.  I say a prayer for those at OU Medical Center.....and press on.  Go Mitch Go.

I can't pretend to speak for other folks....but for me....I will never get past not having Mitchell around.  I guess the best way to describe losing your best friend and only son is that......it is always there....it always hurts.....but the number of days in which it is unbearable....stretch out as time goes by.  I don't ever want the pain to dull.....but I wish I never had the pain....which creates a special kind of hellish equation that is impossible to solve on some days.

I still know the exact height that Mitchell hits me when we hug.  I can feel the shape of his head on my fingertips...I know every curve of his neck.....collarbone....shoulders.  I still know the things that he would laugh at....the music that he would like....and I am keenly aware that I have not played a game on "our" Xbox 360 since he passed away.  

May is baseball....plain and simple.  I understand.  I can play it.  I can coach it.  I love it.  Everything makes sense between the chaulk.  It is the greatest time of the year and the hardest time of the year for me.

May 14 was a great day.  The Lord blessed me with a great dream.  Mitchell was in it....and I could actually feel the hug that we gave on another.  I know that there has to be some metaphor/symbolism in dreams.....so the fact that I am fighting through a crowd to get to Mitchell in this dream is pretty much standard formula.....but what made it so special.....is that once I got to him......we both just smiled in our long embrace as Mitchell plainly said:  "It's alright Dad.....it is all good.  I'm all good."  I awoke with a start....my heart racing.....and torn between genuine thankfulness for the blessing and heartache.  Such is the road I travel.....

May 15 is a special day...but didn't start out that way.  Mitch would have been 13....and quite frankly....I didn't want to see / talk / hear from anybody.  I just wanted to shut the door on the world.....which continues to move along.....wth me as a prisoner.....while my son is frozen at 10.  

Closing the world off wasn't an option today....because OU Baseball and Power Roofing were having the 2nd Annual LLS Awareness Day in Mitchell's honor.  Mitch's relationship with OU Baseball has been well documented on this blog....but honestly...I thought maybe that it was starting to wane.  Outside of the coaching staff and 2 seniors.....none of these kids were really around whenever Mitch was alive and running around at OU Baseball camp. We thought it would be a good idea to bring some of our "keep fighting" bands to the team.....just to keep Mitch's memory alive.....even if only for this day.

We arrived at the park....took some cookies and the reminder bands to the locker room while the team was taking BP.  I head up the tunnel to visit with the coaching staff.....whom have become good friends of our entire family.  I visit with Coach Golloway and start to pick his brain about "how" this team lost the game the previous night.  We have similar thoughts about some choice words that need to be said to address the problem of "taking things for granted".  Coach Whitaker is happy to give a pre - game talk in left field......while choking back emotion....and looking at bunch of young mens faces that could very well be Mitchell.....in 6 years.....IF he were still with us.

I lock eyes with every one of them (looking up at most of them) and proceed to bring the gospel about the privilege of health, the privilege of baseball, the privilege of brotherhood / team mates, and the absolute necessity to never take time for granted.  None of us is guaranteed another second....and they have a jersey with my sons name on it in their locker room as a testament to that fact.  I encourage them that they can best honor my NAME and my SON.....by taking every single practice, every pitch, and every second that the uniform is on their back......to display every ounce of talent that they have been given.   I share the "keep fighting" story....not to cheapen it.....but to illustrate my point.  The message resonates and the story continues.......(more on that later)

OKC in the rearview mirror

All the boxes are packed.  We just have one last stop to make.....out to Mitchell's gravesite.  I have never been one to be too sentimental about death.....especially the death of those saints that you KNOW reside in Heaven.  In all honesty, Mitchell has never been better.....he doesn't miss me at all (eternity = no concept of time).....and last time I checked...Heaven is supposed to be pretty good.  His marker is gorgeous....but it holds nothing special for me other than a spot to quietly remember his life.  Mitch's body matters not.....the marker matters not.....however.....leaving the history, the support system, the school, the church, and the known......is a bigger pill to swallow.  

I will always love Oklahoma....but my heart is in Austin, Texas.  It suits me just fine.....and we are ready to start this new chapter of our lives.

June / July / August coming up tomorrow night.......

Next month it will be 3 years since Mitch passed away.  On one end, John and I's world stand stills and on the other, time flies as this month Meredith will turn 11, an age her brother never made it to......

I came across a devotion I wanted to share, I found it very fitting.  John and I had a conversation a while back.  I had just given him news that we(GoMitchGo Foundation) had just raised $6000 more dollars in Mitchell's honor to go towards research to find a cure(We have now raised close to $400,000 almost half way to our 1 million $ goal).  His response was "You know we could have decided to just blend into the woodwork." And we COULD have....believe me there have been those times where we could have and wanted just crawl under the nearest rug and sit down and quit,  but with the grace of God and the love and support of family and friends we have "Walked On" or as Team Whitaker likes to say it "Kept Fighting."

I hope you will find strength in this devotion as I did. As always, "Keep Fighting"

Tracy

"You have rescued me from death; you have kept my feet from slipping.  So now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light." Psalms 56:13

Walk On!

One of my frineds has experienced the death of two children; another friend has two prodigals.  Though both her children were raised with the truth, they are far from living it; one has declared himself an atheist.

  With many trials, the pain feels compounded because one crisis often produces a financial crisis; the pressures mount, and you have a marital crisis!

  One of my friends going through a crisis game me a card that she said had helped her.  The front said, "When you feel as if you are going through hell," and the inside read, " keep walking!"

  There's much to be said for this stark advice.  Keep walking.  Keep putting one foot in front of the other.  Keep holding on to Jesus one moment at a time.  Keep standing when you want to sit and quit.

  Bathsheba in the bible did this.  The most powerful man in her world saw her in her most private moment(taking a bath), called for  her, and then convince her to sleep with him.  Her husband was at war, and when the king called him home to cover up the pregnancy that resulted from the king's night of sin, the loyal man would not sleep with his wife.  So the king had him sent to the front lines, where he was killed.

  David and Bathsheba's baby died shrotly after birth.  All that is enough to crush even the strongest woman.  But Bathsheba mourned, then she married the king and later gave birth to the next king of Israel, who went on to build the first Temple of God.

  Keep walking.

If you would like to join us in our fight by donating or participating in an event see the donating and even pages

It seems like forever since I last sat in front of the computer to post a note on our blog.  Many thoughts have filled my head, but time....and sometimes my heart would not allow me to sit and share.

As many of you know Team Whitaker recently relocated to Texas.  From January til now it has been quite a whirlwind, but things are finally beginning to settle down and after living apart for 5 months we are now all together again.

Since John had already relocated for his job, I did most of the packing(but for those of you that know me even though I may have complained about it....this is how I really prefered it).  I was grateful for John's parents and my girlfriends who came to my rescue many times.  I had packed most rooms and left Mitch's room to do last.  I guess because I knew it would be the hardest, but I also knew that for many of the items that went in the box they wouldn't be coming out.  John's mom and dad came to help one day, sweet Martha grab a box and said we just need to do this.  We both cried the whole time.

As we have been unpacking, Mitch's things have been set aside...in "his room" which is now our guest room.  I have not let John take any of his things to the storage unit or put them in the attic.  Weird, I know.....I can't explain it.  Maybe it is because doing this would make it final.  I am sure the staff at "Clean Sweep" would tell me "The memories are in your heart and your head and not in these things."  But as a mother our nature is to nurture and this is my way of nurturing Mitch for now.

I was reminded of this nurturing instinct of mothers shortly after we moved in.  It seems that a mama bird had found our chimney as a safe haven to lay her eggs.  We could  hear their little chirps each morning and evening.  They would usually quiet after she would feed them, but once in a while they would cry long before she came back.  What they didn't know was that she was sitting outside of the chiminey guarding/protecting them from intruders.

And that's what we do we meet their needs and protect them the best we can.  I think in the back of my head there is a thought that maybe some how I could have protected Mitch from getting cancer....maybe I should have breast fed him longer or not exposed him to certain things.  So now I protect his things from some how getting ruined or thrown away....Yes, crazy I know.  Truth is( and I have read it over and over) there is no certain cause for childhood leukemia. There was no way of protecting him from this.

I am grateful for a God who provides His grace and His word to protect me.  I came across this scripture the other day.  Words He spoke to Rachel after the death of her children.  "Do not weep any longer, for I will reward you......There is hope for your future," says the Lord. (Jermiah 31:16-17)

As we continue our journey on a new path down south I praise the Lord for His love, guidance, protection and for His promise of hope for the future.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers and if you are ever down this way our doors are always open!

Much love,

Tracy

SATURDAY, MAY 15TH - 6PM - Go Mitch Go Day - OU Baseball vs Memphis

Mitchell Whitaker turns 13 on Saturday, May 15th. OU Baseball and Power Roofing have chosen to honor Mitchell's legacy during the 2010 season. Power Roofing has pledged $25 for every homerun hit by the Sooners. OU has declared Saturday's contest as GoMitchGo Day in an effort to raise awareness for leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood cancers.

Power Roofing will present a check to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society in Mitchell's honor prior to the start of the game. 

John will be throwing out the first pitch after a short program that details Mitchell's relationship with the OU Baseball program.

If you can make it....come on out....it will be a great day.

MONDAY,  MAY 17TH - ALL DAY

Eat more chikn!  Once again, our friends at the Chic Fil A location @ Rockwell and NW Expway is sponsoring GoMitchGo Day!!  Come by all day long on Monday - tell them you are with GoMitchGo and 15% of your ticket will be donated to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society in Mitchell Whitaker's honor!

We hope to see you there!

Keep Fighting.

You can order GoMitchGo Athletics shirts via the "Gear" tab.  Item descriptions and very specific ordering instructions can be found on the "GEAR" page for this order.

Keep Fighting -

John

Welcome to the new website.  As you may have noticed....we aren't just a blog anymore.  This new site will help expand our reach.  It will now be the home of the GoMitchGo Foundation and allow us to more efficiently keep you up to speed on our events, causes, concerns, and thoughts as we continue on this journey to honor Mitchell's life.  We are humbled by all your support, love, and prayers over the past several years and hope you continue to "keep fighting" to raise awareness and find a cure for leukemia.

All new blog entries will be made from this site.....so just click on the blog link up top.  All previous entries from the original blog can be found by clicking on the "archive" button on the right hand side of the page.

Poke around....let us know what you think.  Make sure to check out the Team tab.  GoMitchGo Athletics 2010 will launch at the OKC Memorial Marathon.  Come join us and run for Mitch!

You can also follow us on Facebook.  The facebook link on this page (to the right) will take you straight to the GoMitchGo Foundation group on Facebook.

This site is still very much a work in progress....aren't we all (insert smirk).....but we hope you like what you see.  Check back often.

** Team Whitaker

This evening I read a story about a man, a father, here in town, who killed his 9 year old son, yes I said KILLED and later heard about a woman, a mother(in another state) that sold her 5 year old daughter to be a sex object and later they found the little girl's dead body. I am not sure if I can even put my feelings into words right now. In hearing this, I felt nauseated, a lump came up in my throat and I had to fight back the tears. So many thoughts came into my head.....one word kept repeating itself in my head.....WHY. Why in the world were these people allowed to be parents?! Why was this man allowed to have a son when obviously he was not father material, while was my son taken from me......WHY was this man allowed to be a father when we have a precious friend, a father of four, lying in a hospital bed fighting for his life after suffering a brain injury. Why was this woman allowed to have a precious daughter, when my friend is not able to have babies... WHY!?

I have not been one to ask God why......I believe that He loves me and that He knows and wants what's best for me. This emotion tonight came as a shock to me, I just do not understand. Do not misunderstand me.....I am not turning away from God I do still believe He loves me and His plan is what is best for my life. But I am after all only human. Some days I wish my time to meet Jesus would come soon so I could get my questions answered.

No special encouragement from me tonight.........just a mother missing her boy, wishing he were here and wondering WHY me?

2 years ago today we were wheeling into the PICU at OU Medical Center......trying desperately to save a life that Christ had already called home. 2 years ago today....as I watched him fight, claw, battle, and suffer.....was the first time that I told him that it was "Ok.....to let go. If you see Christ.....if you see a Light.....just run to it. We will be just behind you.....and we are so proud of you, son."

Time keeps moving on.....but the love of Christ remains the same. His good, pleasing and perfect will continues to play out in this life regardless of our circumstances. He has shown me much in the weeks leading up to this event.....and I don't know if I have ever felt closer to Him than I do right now. The Lord MOVED me this morning while listening to Matt Redmans new release "we shall not be shaken". Tears streamed down my face as I worked out.....as the words from this great artist became mine.

Father.....I love you.

Father.....thank you for this life you have given me.

Father.....thank you for giving your Son for me.

Father.....thank you giving your Son for my Son.

Father.....thank you for giving me Mitchell....and allowing me to see YOUR love for me through my relationship with him.

Father.....I praise you for working in my life.....feet made of clay....failures on display....but fighting to the end. I love you.....You are mighty to save, You alone are worthy, and Your love never fails.

GoMitchGo.....keep fighting.

1) The Team Whitaker household is quite busy! Work, school, homework, dance, Team in Training, PTO, LLS etc. calls our names daily. John and I have also founded the Go Mitch Go Foundation in Mitch's honor and we are busy planning our 2nd Annual Go Mitch Go golf tournament(to be held Oct. 5th @ the Shawnee Country Club).

2) We are now almost 2 years out from Mitch's passing.......some days the pain is still as strong as if it just happened, but there has been healing. I can only speak for myself, but I think John would agree, we have less tearful days which I guess could be labled "good" days. So when it's been a "good" day it's hard to sit down and blog......blogging most always make me cry.

In 17 days it will be 2 years since Mitchell went to his heavenly home..........I cannot beleive it. Time has flown yet for us in a sense it is frozen. Last month Meredith turned 10...... she is growing like a weed. I told her one day before her birthday that I didn't think I would be able to let her turn 10. Her reply: "You let Mitchell." We are frozen at age 10 with Mitchell.........I have watched his buddies all grow, some of their voices are even changing.......we still have size 8/medium clothes and size 2 1/2 shoes hanging in the closet. Some day the time will come when we will have been without him longer than we had him with us.......that makes me sad.

We continue to have an amazing amount of support and we feel very blessed. The other day I was cleaning out a closet and came across a huge stack of cards, I have been collecting them since Mitchell passed away. These are cards sent just to me, I decided I would count them.......232(I received 2 they day I was counting). Do I ever feel loved! These women who sent them to me some are good friends others I do not even know, but each time their words have been just what I needed. I beleive they were being obedient to God as He gave them words to say or put the perfect card in their sight.

The card I received that day was no exception.......the words were just what I needed to hear. I want to share that with you.

The card read: "The most beautiful stones have been tossed by the wind and washed by the water and polished to brilliance by life's stongest storms."

She gave me a scripture reminding me that God wants to replace our ashes with beauty.......not put it on top of the ashes but replace them all together.

Isaiah 61:3 "To grant [consolation and joy]to those who mourn in Zion-to give them an ornament[a garland or diadem]of beauty INSTEAD of ashes, the oil of joy INSTEAD of mourning, the garment[expressive] of praise INSTEADof a heavy, burdened and failing spirit-that they may be called oaks of righteousness[lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified".

Wow! I should be amazingly beautiful by the time I die! Smile

Praise the Lord for His love for us! We have had a couple of people send us this song just today. I am warning you, you will need a box of kleenex. This song was written by Steven Curtis Chapman who lost his 5 year old daughter in a car accident. I have heard a lot of songs since Mitch passed away, but this one not only spoke to my heart, it spoke the words of my heart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9JTwJ_1lzE

Much Love,

Tracy

Always gonna be another mountain. I'm always gonna want to try to make it move.

Always gonna be an uphill battle. Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose.

Ain't about how fast I get there. Ain't about what's waiting on the other side.

It's the Climb.

Life is a climb.....we are surrounded by mountains, some big, some small, some that are new others that we climb daily. Some provide beautiful scenery and a peaceful place to pitch our tents to take a rest. Some a not so grand scenery with many "rocks" or "cliffs" that we must manuever. However, sometimes we do not even realize we are crossing these mountains except when we feel weak. It is on these mountains where friends and family can help us with encouragement and even a hand to hold, but ultimately it is only God who can get us to the top. "I will lift my eyes to the hills-from whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, maker of Heaven and earth."Psalm 121:1-2

So I beg to differ with Miss Cyrus as she states "Ain't about what's on the other side," for me it's ALL about what/or who is on the other side. Yes, life is a climb, it is during our journey that we learn many lessons, when we grow and transform into the person that God wants us to be. But it's knowing what awaits me on "the other side" that gives me HOPE to complete my journey. I have a "room" prepared just for me, by my Lord, Jesus Christ, where I will pitch my tent and rest eternally with Him........hopefully right next to Mitch's room......

Go and climb those moutains, but remember it's not all about the climb, but about what IS waiting for you when you finish!

Happy 4th of July!

Tracy