By The Fireside: Honoring Mom

By The Fireside

Who hasn’t sat around a campfire and watched how firelight changes the faces that surround the glowing embers? There is something so mysterious and lovely about the dancing flames and the charcoaled smoke as it rises into the evening sky. The flames - the light - transform ordinary logs of wood into a picturesque bonfire. As indigo ash whispers through the night air, we breathe in a new aroma, resigning ourselves to the blaze.

When we think about community, we often reflect upon the wonderful times we've shared by a fireside...a warm hearth in a friend's home, Christmas morning with precious family, or sweet sharing and song around a bonfire. Perhaps this vision most reminds us of our great cloud of witnesses; the inspiration behind this page. As we share our stories & photographs here, our hope is that we may renew, refresh, and rekindle our friendships by this fireside...

Kenny & Jenn Sinclair

"...if my fire is not large, it is yet real, and there may be those who can light their candle at its flame." — A. W. Tozer, foreword to The Pursuit of God

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Honoring Mom

Many of you have been praying for my mom since she discovered in November, after an annual mammogram, that she had breast cancer. What a journey these past 4 months have been - and what a faithful God we serve! After two lumpectomy surgeries, mom began radiation treatment therapy two weeks ago. She will have 6 weeks total, and is doing beautifully. (We praise God she does not need chemotherapy!) Not only does she look radiant, but the Joy of the Lord is her strength - and it shows through and through. What a legacy.

During mom's two surgeries, we were overwhelmed by the cloud of witnesses that surrounded us with support in tangible ways. Both times, we filled up the waiting room with upwards of 25 visitors each time! Friends brought coffee, bagels, doughnuts and warm hugs - showering us with love and support. They helped the time pass quickly and went before the throne of grace with us as we prayed for mercy, and healing.

After the surgery, when we told mom who had come to visit (i.e. after the vicodin wore off...), she joked that she was sorry to miss out on the party. This gave our good friend, Mary Dudrow, the idea to have a Brunch in mom's honor - it would include all the women who had visited her in the hospital - and mom wouldn't miss the fun this time! Mary has the most incredible, historic, Victorian home (which she and her husband re-habbed to perfection), and was so kind to open it to our family and friends. Here are some pictures from the grand event!