A couple of years ago, I was at the dermatologist’s office for a completely harmless visit. I think I was looking for a new moisturizer or I had some other vanity-related issue. In the course of our visit, the doctor noticed a small mole on my shoulder, told me she didn’t like the look of it and asked if she could remove it. The spot looked fine to me but I figured, what the heck, she’s the doc. I told her to go ahead and take it off and I never gave it another thought.

Until my doctor called me two days later. You know it’s never good news when the doctor herself calls.  “Shelly, that mole we took off was cancerous. It’s melanoma. We have to schedule you for surgery immediately.” Um… excuse me??

Early the next week, I underwent surgery and now I have the nasty scar on my shoulder to prove it. Dan and I spent the next 4 days talking and praying and wondering what the future held – but that Friday, the doctor called with good news. The surgery was successful, the borders were clean, no chemo or radiation would be required. Whew, major sigh of relief and all thanks be to God.

Ever since, I've been very vigilant about regular skin checks. Two weeks ago, I was at my regular bi-annual appointment and my dermatologist found another questionable spot. This one was on my back. She told me “I’m going to take this one off but I’m sure it’s nothing.”

But two days later, I got a call. This time it was not my doctor but her surgical coordinator. It is definitely never good news when your doctor’s surgical coordinator calls you. “Shelly, it’s the same drill as last time. We need you to come in immediately.”

WHAT?? I have to deal with this again? Now? I’m kind of busy here. Besides my usual crazy life, I’m helping organize a national cupcake sale this week and I'm hosting a giant birthday party for my newly adopted children. GREAT.

We went ahead with our week as planned. We did the Cupcake Kids thing:



We did the giant birthday party:




And first thing this morning, I went in for my out-patient surgery. They’ll call me with the results in a couple of days.

No, this was not part of my regularly scheduled program – but it certainly didn’t catch our Lord off guard. There’s nothing about doing His work, no matter who you serve, how you serve or how dedicated you are – that makes you exempt from these situations.

The idea that we serve, we give, we’re faithful with our resources – and then no harm will befall us... well, that’s nice but that’s not the Gospel. There's nothing we can do to earn His love and there is no extra credit for good people. And by the way, there are no good people.

We should never give and do and love and serve because we expect to get anything in return. If you love Jesus, that is enough. And this other stuff is all just part of the job/life.

“Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep… Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told what to do? So you also, when you have done everything you’ve been told to do, should say ‘we are unworthy servants. We have only done our duty.” – Luke 17:7-10, NIV

Seriously folks. I'm going to have to ask that you sit down for this one. Today's Cupcake Kids events (yes, there were many) in support of SixtyFeet.org went beyond what any of us even dared hope for or, sad but true, even pray for.

There were a total of 5 Cupcake Kids events today in 2 different states. Yes, the event in Colorado was hailed out, even though I thought folk in Colorado ate hail for breakfast. Regardless, that event is postponed temporarily. We have totals from 3 out of the 4 events today and it's getting late, so we'll post the grand total tomorrow. Of the 3 events here in Georgia - 2 in Atlanta, 1 in Marietta, we raised a total of $7,700 and the number is still growing and doesn't include one of the Marietta sales. Some of the leftover cakes have been shipped off to Sunday afternoon soccer games with more being baked as we speak to create yet another Cupcake Kids event tomorrow, so we'll just see where we end up after tomorrow. But that's not bad for one day.

Hey, I told you to sit down remember. Ok, while that number is sinking in a bit, here's some photos.

"Cupcakes! Lemonade!" You can hear it, can't you?

Almost too cute to eat... almost.

That's some good marketing in Spring Lake

What helpful counter staff

Cupcake Kids: The Next Generation

We are a little bit speechless right now actually. I've never heard of a bake sale with call-in orders until today. We are incredibly grateful to all of you that showed up this morning for Cupcake Kids and especially those of you that bought $25 cups of lemonade. All told, the kids brought in $260. And after the parent's matching donation that's $520. That's pretty amazing if you ask me. It's like what I imagine a post-apocalypse bake sale would be like - people spending $20 on a cookie because they haven't had sugar in 8 months.

I arrived late on the Crazy Bike and learned that the kids had decided to send the money with me and Michael when we go to Uganda later this month so that we can meet some immediate needs as they come to our attention while we are there. They are very excited about the turnout and response and have decided to do more of them in the weeks to come. Stay tuned for the announcement of the next location and date. And now, the photos. Thanks to Joy and Davis for taking such good shots of the event and sharing their pics with me.

OK customers, come and get it.

Salesforce is motivated

That's good service right there

Woohoo, we met our sales quotas

Here you go Sir, would you like some cash with that?