"Leap of Faith and into His Will" by Mary LaFrance

Before I started my 13th year as a school district employee in my hometown, I crammed in a few more summertime fun events. A trip to the Washington Coast, lots of horseback riding, more golf and BBQ meals galore. The falls sports would so begin, and the Orange and Black, known as Panther Pride would soon be in full swing. I loved going to all of the football games and remembered the days of playing Powder Puff Football my junior and senior year in high school. Those were the days, and so long ago…sigh. It was a lot of fun to work in the school system that I had gone through as a child, from K-12. Alumni events were a good time to be had by all and I always saw many people at the football games either older or right below me in age. Good times without any government personnel to ruin our fun, LOL!

August 19, 2005, I sang a solo for church. It was the first time I had sung anything in public for quite awhile. I had chosen the song, “He’s Been Faithful”, and indeed He had been exactly that, and so much more. The church we attended had a congregation of over 3,000 members, and 3 services. So, I had to sing 3 times, once per service. As I drove to church that early morning, I prayed and asked Jesus to calm my butterflies, keep me composed, let my humble heart reflect His love, and let me sing to Him and for his glory. I did not know at the time, that the song I had chosen was the senior pastor’s favorite song. When it was my turn and I began to sing, I quickly saw him start to wipe tears from his eyes. I looked away because I knew I would not be able to finish if I kept my focus on his face. After the first service was over, the pastor came and found me. He gently placed his hands of my shoulders and through his tears said, “I have heard my mother sing that song so many times, and it’s been a favorite for years. Today, as I watched you from my front seat, it was if the voice of an angel had floated down from Heaven above. Your countenance, courage and strength in Jesus is showing it’s face for us all to see. Be blessed Mary…be blessed. I had to quickly find a quiet place, so I could release my tears alone with God. Whew! The other two services went accordingly and I drove home. When you realize and can see the power of God’s plan being revealed in different ways, you truly see the timing, the plan and certainly His will for your life.

August 22, 2005, I called Home Depot in Joplin, MO to have them hold a stainless steel BBQ to give my niece Martha and her soon to be husband Nathan for their upcoming wedding gift. In a few weeks from now, my daughter Aliceson, my niece Faith (who was the bride to be older sister), and I would fly to Missouri for the wedding. I was planning a lot of fun things to do with my traveling partners so it would be a memorable trip for all. My sister Debby, the bride’s mom, graciously offered to pick up the BBQ for me and she even gift wrapped it. What a sister…but that is her!

“School Days, School Days, dear old Golden Rule Days.” Yep, the first day of the 2005-2006 School Year was under way, on August 29, 2005. As I walked through the Commons area, the office and on down the hallway to my classroom I worked in, the students were wondering what I had done to my hair. I was working with Special Education students this school year, so I had made up my mind, I would be honest, allow them to ask questions, so we all could move forward together. When I broke the news about me having breast cancer and the girls were sympathetic, and the boys aren’t quite sure what to say, except for 2-3 who became angry at the thought of me dealing with this at all. I told them all that I believed I would survive, that God was and is in control, and I would be fine. They did not have to treat me as if I were fragile, but treat me with respect. One boy, named Fabian, flew into a quite a vocal rage of swear words and stomped out of the room. I quickly ran after him and asked him, “What’s going on?” He explained that it wasn’t fair that I had cancer and was probably going to die. I looked him square in the face and told him, “It’s not up to me to decide my fate, that is up to God. But, if he ever swore like that again in class and stomped out of the room, I was going to pull my wig off my head and stuff it in his mouth!” That broke the ice and he began to laugh saying, “Mrs. L. I believe you would!” Later, on that day, I spoke to several teachers and other adults who had obviously noticed the change in my looks. I told those of faith and the unbelievers all the same thing, “God has me in His hands, and we will all be able to see how my journey goes. Many people are praying and I am blessed and grateful for anyone who wishes me well.” I did end up writing 3 referrals for students who were out of control, and it was a good thing for them to see that I was still very capable of holding them all accountable for their actions. I refused to let them get the upper hand, and so school had started with a boldness for Jesus and a strength that was unshakeable.