Beautiful Bonnie

Since last fall I have been following a very special blog. All of the blogs I follow are adoption blogs, all except for one -- Bonnie's blog is different . . .

Bonnie's blog puts life in perspective for me. Why? Because while I have been working through the paperchase and the waaaaaiting that international adoption requires. Bonnie has been going through surgery . . . and chemo . . . and more surgery . . . and radiation . . . and waiting. Waiting for the chemo to be over . . . . . . waiting for the radiation to be done . . . waiting to regain her strength . . . . . . and waiting on test results. This past Tuesday after an eleven month long gut wrenching, hair losing, faith testing battle, Bonnie got the news she was waiting for. . . there are no more signs of cancer. Victory in Jesus!

It kind of puts my wait in perspective.

Bonnie is only in her 40's, she is a daughter, and a wife, and she is a homeschooling mom to four beautiful children (She graduated her oldest shortly after her battle began!). Bonnie is a sister, an aunt, a teacher, and she is my sister's best friend. The list goes on . . . but most of all Bonnie is a child of God. . . and He has been, as Bonnie calls Him, "My Very Present Help".

Bonnie's mom and children, and beautiful smiling Bonnie!

The battle has been tough . . . and all I had to do was read it. Bonnie was living it. Her husband, and her children, and her mom were living it . . . minute by minute, day by day, sleepless night by sleepless night. Through the highs and the oh so lows. Each day a battle, and each day Bonnie found another reason to praise her Lord. She never stopped. Never. Not through the loss, or the fear, or the pain. . . and there was much . . . she never stopped finding reasons to praise the Lord. He was and is her Very Present Help.

Bonnie & her husband Tim

God prompted me to look up the meaning of "Bonnie" yesterday. I should have known -- Bonnie means beautiful! Bonnie you are beautiful. Inside and out. You are a beautiful example of how God desires us to trust Him. . . Your courage and humility are beautiful. Your ready smile is beautiful! The way you honor God in all circumstances inspires me to be a better me! Your written words have
caused me to think twice, on more than one occasion. Your battle has caused me to grow. Your faith has given me a new perspective.

Thank you Bonnie for your faithfulness. Today I celebrate LIFE with you, my friend.

In Bonnie's words . . . He is faithful!

Blessings!

T~

P.S. Bonnie, may I steal a picture of you off your blog? Pretty please? Mission accomplished!