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

Since 2010, I have found God to continue to be faithful and His grace is sufficient. The rollercoaster ride of life’s ups and downs has continued, but to be honest, who doesn’t live this sort of life? For those of us who have Jesus in our heart, as our Hope, our Strength, our Encourager, and Comfort, we can be sure that each time we are sitting in the front seat of what could be a wild ride, we know without a doubt who is our Guide!

Over the last 14 years, I’ve had some other assorted health issues, besides going through the breast cancer. I’ve had bouts of severe high blood pressure, angina, a mild heart attack in 2010, esophagus issues (ruptured lining), inflammation of the small intestine, duodenum, pancreas, liver and stomach. In 2019, I had throat surgery to remove 13 nodules and 6 had to be left behind because they were butted up right against my vocal cords. Within a year, 11 of the 13 came back, and I vowed to never go through that surgery again. At times, I’ve been unable to sing because it makes the back of my throat bleed. So, I simply give my voice a “rest” (no pun intended), and God has amused me by finding a variety of things for me to do!

In 2013, our pastor’s wife had to fly to Denver for an emergency trip to her parents. She had been in charge of the church prayer chain, and I told her I would gladly take over until she returned. Little did I know, that I would become the permanent manager of this vital piece to our church family. God has used this tool, to further my personal prayer life, and it has opened my eyes to see just how tough some people have it, and I have it so good and I’m so richly blessed. I have also been given many opportunities to pray for and with, other women currently going through any type of cancer. It’s been so gratifying to support these precious hearts as they go day by day on their journey too. Sometimes it’s hard when I hear the struggles some are having, as they don’t have family near them, and their physical well being is so compromised. I am sweetly reminded by Jesus, about my good fortune and the miracles He has allowed to happen.

In 2013 and 2016, I was given the humbling experience of singing our National Anthem for the professional hockey team, the Portland Winterhawks, at the Moda Center. It was nothing like I had ever done before. Both times, there were over 20,000+ people in the stands. I was given the royal treatment, with a huge dressing room, valet parking, free tickets to the hockey match for my family and 4 friends of my choice, free food and drinks, a security guard to take me to the ice rink to perform, and many gift items. Memories galore and my own video of my performance saved on YouTube to watch whenever I want. The team does a Breast Cancer Awareness event called, “Pink the Rink” each October during breast cancer awareness month. They actually turn the ice hockey rink the color pink, with a big breast cancer ribbon in the middle. I found myself looking up in the rafters at the hugh American flag, and I pictured Jesus sitting right above it, so I sang with all my heart to my Savior and King. The first time I did this event, there were about 25 of the Washougal High School students there. When I was introduced to sing, I heard these kids shouting in the stands, “We love you Mrs. LaFrance!” I had to remain calm and cool, and walk to the center of the ice without losing my thought process. They all came and found me afterward and a few of the boys were pretty sure I should audition to sing the anthem at the NFL Super Bowl….silly boys!

As I continued to work in the Washougal School District until I retired in 2019, the high school students kept me so busy! In October, 2018, the ASB advisor asked me if I would please tell the student body about my breast cancer journey for their Breast Cancer Awareness Event on October 13th. I told her I would have to talk to the principal first, because I had a couple of questions, but I would get back to her later that day. I went to see Aaron, the principal, and told him what I had been asked to do. I said, I just had a couple of questions before I agreed to speak. He asked me what were they. I told him, that I could not tell my honest story about my journey without talking about the miracles of God, prayer and how Jesus provided so much for me. Could I talk about these things and could I say that Jesus is the Hope that is needed for each and every person? He looked at me and said, “You tell your story however it needs to be told.” So, I went back to Elizabeth and told her I would be honored and count it a privilege to speak at this event. She said, “Oh thank you, and by the way could you please sing your original song, “She is a Warrior?” I agreed and so I began to prepare. The morning of October 13th, I had my usual stomach full of butterflies. I hauled my guitar, my pink hard hat, and my pink hammer to school to use for my speech. The assembly would be at 10 a.m. that morning. The hour came, and the 1,000+ students and faculty filed into the gym. I looked over in the corner, and their stood the superintendent. I was not expecting her to be there…hum. The Pledge of Allegiance was said, and 2 students sang our National Anthem. I was introduced to the audience and then I began my story. I told them about my surgeries, the long treatment regiment, recovery and all that went with it with details of humor and miracles. At one point, I donned my pink hard hat and held up my pink Tommy Girl hammer. I used them as an illustration to the students and faculty telling them that God was the architect of my breast cancer journey and life. He had protected me from head to toe, and my hammer represented the foundation of my faith that was built upon God’s holy Word. I further explained that Jesus was a carpenter and He used His tools of healing grace, tender mercies and unfailing love to keep my alive and well. It was His will and amazing hands upon me that showed everyone, that He was in the business of doing modern day miracles. I sang the song, and when I began playing, the gym lights were lowered, and 90% of the students turned on the flashlights on their cell phones and began wavering them in rhythm to my voice. Tears streamed down my face and it was hard to complete the song. They gave me a standing ovation which made me cry harder. I left them with these words: “Cancer does not mean a death sentence. Look at me. I was not suppose to live past 2 years, and it’s 13 years later. I can tell you the biggest reason I’m still here and that is because God had a plan, and He isn’t finished with me yet. I want to encourage each one of you to find Jesus Christ. He is the lover of your soul and wants to be your best friend. If you accept Him as your personal Savior, ask Him to forgive you of your sins, and follow Him alone the rest of your earthly days, you will have eternal life in Heaven forever. Come and talk to me anytime at my ASB office, I’m here to listen. They shouted and applauded some more. The principal waded his way through the crowd and when he found me, he placed his hands on my shoulder and said, “Oh my goodness Mary! You rocked this place just now!” I went back to pack up my guitar. The ASB student officers gave me a dozen roses and tons of hugs. A senior boy came down from the bleachers, and he handed me another dozen roses. He told me had lost his mom when he was in the 6th grade from breast cancer. With tears in his eyes he thanked me for speaking boldly about Jesus being our Hope, and that in listening to me, he believed I was a miracle, his mom was in Heaven, and he felt strength and encouraged by being there today. This is what it’s all about folks…staying out of God’s way, serving with humility and obedience to spread seeds of His truth, and giving Him all of the glory, honor and praise! Hallelujah! What a mighty God we serve, for He is faithful, and answers our prayers the way He sees fit. The lessons we learn in His daily classroom are priceless, and I’m so thankful we don’t have to pay any tuition for His teachings.