Strong Enough
One of my greatest leaders at church who became a great friend of mine is Christina McEvoy. Christina was my Young Women’s president for a couple of years. She is a mother of two and is one of the strongest people I know, physically, mentally, and most importantly, spiritually.
Christina moved to Idaho the spring of my Senior year and we’ve tried to keep in touch through the past three years. I called her the day I got engaged and let her know that, without her strong leadership and help through my high school years, I wouldn’t be in the place I am today. It was that day when she she told me she might have melanoma again.
After a long journey over these past 8 or 9 months, she has been fighting melanoma (the most serious form of skin cancer) that has spread to her lymph nodes and to her lungs. She is currently midway in a series of treatments to help fight back.
Christina, in her blog, wrote, “I am back to feeling optimistic about the future, I am ready to fight this ‘bad boy’, as I like to call it. Cancer will not win. I will come out on top eventually. Someone told me once that during treatment, you will feel like crap, but the cancer will feel even more like crap! I love that! I know that I have everything I need to conquer this-a strong body, a healthy and positive mind, an amazing family, wonderfully supportive friends, and the help of the Lord along the way. In the end, it will be alright. I am not done yet. I have many more things I know the Lord wants me to accomplish, with the most important being raising these 2 boys!”
Christina is a motivation to me. Her optimism in such a critical time is inspiring. She is a fighter, a winner, and most of all a great example for all of us.
On October 16, there will be a benefit run in Kaysville, Utah. I invite you to sign up and run the race in support of Christina’s battle. There will be t-shirts, food, fun, and most of all, a chance to be a part of this trek of Christina’s.
If you’d like to read more about her story, visit her blog, Strong Enough, or website.
Katie,
I’m so tickled, humbled, and not worthy of your kind words. Tears are in my eyes! I’m so grateful that I had to opportunity to serve you so many years ago. You were always my favorite and such an amazing example to the other youth and to us, leaders!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind words and support. I CANNOT wait to see you, it’s been way too long! What a joyous reunion! We are sooooo blessed with so many wonderful friends like yoU!