As Jule* approaches her 50th birthday this year, she realizes she has faced one type of health struggle or another for many years of her life. Her beautiful smile and positive outlook on life would cause you to think she’s
As Jule* approaches her 50th birthday this year, she realizes she has faced one type of health struggle or another for many years of her life. Her beautiful smile and positive outlook on life would cause you to think she’s
Mel,
I admire the great work you are doing. Your stories have blessed many people and God has used your words to share His great work. Thank you for sharing your heart and the words of others with the rest of us.
Teresa
The website is such an inspiration. I love the “O” symbol. It’s identifiable with you. A good way to brand your cause. Congrats!!!!!!
Great work for 2013. Looking forward to more interviews of overcomers in
2014.
I am so proud to be a part of this project. I am sure I speak for all of us when I say you inspire us Melony!
Hi Melony! I really enjoyed this article and I really needed to hear Cindy’s story. As someone who has dealt with a progressive disability it is very hard indeed to keep ourselves from just giving up on things we enjoy doing or even life itself. I am hearing impaired and in just this last year have begun to face my biggest fear of going completely deaf. So reading about Cindy’s “can do” attitude and “don’t give up” philosophy is very inspiring to me. “Do the best you can with what you have for as long as you can!” is something I need to hear at least once a week! Thank you Cindy and Melony for sharing. God Bless, ~Marcie
Such an amazing story of highs and lows both emotionally and physically. And a huge testimony to the strength of God through Cindy!. Great article Mel!
Our bodies will fail. I am very encouraged by Cindy’s strong steely resolve!!!!
also…..for some reason, Michael J Fox just came to mind. another great example of someone who is publicly dealing with a progressive disease
My sweet sweet friendshine Cindy!!! Her positive attitude and faith in God makes me SMILE and encourages me to press on when things get tough! Thanks for sharing her story.
Another great article. Thank you for sharing Cindy and her overcoming story with us!
Cindy is an overcomer. Working with her everyday, I never knew how hard her struggle really was. She doesn’t allow it get in the way of enjoying everyday. As her relationship with The Lord has grown deeper and stronger, she shines brighter. Way to go, Cindy. Keep going strong, Cindy!
Kandy is obviously an inspiration to many. I find it amazing and inspiring that she has so much to offer. It is true, that every person is a gift and each and every person contibutes to our world in their own unique way. Although some not visiable, each person has strenghts and weaknesses. It is how one chooses to use them that makes them a winner. Thanks for sharing and may God continue to use Kandy to bless others.
Shelly
Kandy has definitely made a positive influence on so many by using all her talents to the best of her ability. She exudes love to all in her own way.
Happy, happy Birthday Kandy!! God doesn’t make mistakes. Kandy is perfectly and wonderfully made. We should all be such avid servants for The LORD. Thanks for sharing Kandy!
Kandy….Happy Birthday!!!! You are a great inspiration to a lot of people. … Jeff
Kandy, thanks for being a loving, caring human being. God has richly blessed you and mankind for knowing you.
It was so great to meet Kandy and her mom at the Overcomer luncheon. They both are marvelously strong, amazing women!
Melony – You were one of my very first friends in Georgia oh…not so long ago! 🙂 Thank you for you (and your writings) and sharing Taylor’s story. You are so right that we need to listen more to our teens. They all have a story to share and a lessons we can learn from.
I am happy to read the wonderful story you put together regarding Taylor. Excellent work! I haven’t seen or heard much about you in many, many years and only hope life has been good to you. Thanks again, Rob
Enjoyed, enjoyed and enjoyed. What a Beautiful young women.
I am so glad you shared this story that so many can relate to-my husband being one. He has a form of leukemia where his blood platelets are very low, and I, along with others, are inspired by his positive attitude. I appreciate Taylor’s fighting spirit and her ability to share her positive outlook with others. Thanks, Melony, for your good work!
As a pediatric nurse and now pediatric nurse practitioner there is nothing more daunting than child hood cancer. I don’t think most people realize that the diagnosis of cancer in childhood means that the child’s life comes to a SCREECHING halt. Life that revolved around school, birthday parties, and learning to ride a bike all stops and the focus becomes FIGHTING. It’s all about doctors appointments, treatments, blood counts and just staying ALIVE. Same for the parents, too. To have FOUGHT and WON is not something most adults can get-let alone most teenagers. As teenagers are pretty self centered it does not surprise me that many of Taylor’s friends didn’t get it. But instead of having a bitter pity party-THIS girl took her gift of another shot at life and is using it. A maturity that many adults do not possess. We are all blessed to be alive-took me YEARS to get this. And she gets it now. She will bless many others-of that I have no doubt.
and can I add….I can not even begin to imagine the terror and agony her parents had to have suffered through. I have three kids and three times a day my heart leaves this house and goes out into the world…and that is terrifying enough…
Taylor, You truly are an inspiration. The servant’s heart is the strongest heart there is! God specifically chose you to do His work. WOW! Thank you for sharing your precious gift with the rest of us <3
Taylor, what a beautiful young woman you are! You have taken your diagnosis and turned it into a positive! I can see in your eyes, the spirit of a fighter! There is something to be said of a cancer diagnosis, it changes you for better or for bitter! You have to choose better and it is a choice you have to make every day.I admire that you are giving back to other children with a cancer diagnosis. You may not see what a difference you are making in the lives of these children, however, the money you raise will touch many lives!
I pray that God bless you as continue on your mission to become a oncology specialist! Healthcare definitely needs caring people like you! May all your dreams come true, sweet girl!
Taylor, you are an amazing girl. God has blessed us with you. I pray that you have a full life and are able to fulfill all your dreams. You are as beautiful as you are courageous. Melony, I had no idea that so little money is spent on childhood research. Thank you Taylor and Melony for sharing this breath taking story with us.
Hi Taylor,
Thank you for sharing your story!
Like you I have been through this battle with cancer. In 2003 I went through the Chemo and radiation, two major surgeries and a divorce in 2004 after 29 years, not by choice.
I asked the same question Why Me? Why the cancer, why the divorce? Why did I have to go through all of this? Yet in the midst of all of it, the Lord made it known that He was with me.
One of the things to happen to me as I was going through radiation treatment, as I was sitting, waiting for my turn, a young child, maybe five or six years old, waiting also for treatment, came over to me, simply laid her hand on mine and simply said, “It’s going to be all right!” For me, it was the Father speaking to me, that He was there and it’s going to be ok!
During the chemo and radiation, the surgeries, and the many days spent in the hospital, I had many opportunities to reach out and to touch others, to share hope, both to young and old and to be encouraged myself. That I was to focus on others and that brought healing to me also.
I am on full disability, can’t do some of things I used to, but I can do what I have been called to, to write, to exhort, to encourage others on this path called life, to be an encouragement to others, to share that we are never without hope.
The writing, the columns, the website, and the Coffee Cup Ministry, a ministry of hanging out in coffee shops was born. It is a ministry of listening, of exhorting and encouraging others, to let them know we are not without hope. I have the opportunity to encourage the writers, the musicians, etc in their gifting’s and talents!
I am blessed, I have three awesome children and three great grand kids. They have seen that the events of the last ten years have made me stronger, that the Lord has used all of it. That what was meant to destroy me, did not.
Each day is a gift and opportunity to start fresh and see what is in store for that day. That it is one day at a time, a day to touch others with hope.
Thank you for sharing your story, for the work that you do with Curing Kids Cancer and for sharing with high school students about appreciating life.
I will be praying for you as you continue your volunteering and as you pursue the dream of becoming a Child Life Specialist in Child Oncology. Indeed you would be able to encourage and lift up other children who are fighting cancer. Like me, you will be a able to share, because you have been there and you will be speaking from your heart, not theory.
I will be lifting you in prayer daily Taylor, as well as your family. Again thank you for sharing your story!
Blessings and prayers,
Paul
I remember sooo many people moving to Atlanta, living in school gyms, YMCAs, churches, really nowhere to go…I think we probably have more giant weather events like this around the corner with global warming.
This inspiring story is proof that “we can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us!”
Your story echoes that of so many girls/women in our society. I can’t wait to read the rest of your story to see how you overcame. I teach high school, and see so many girls that are in similar situations. Your list of “reasons” as to why you stay in an abusive relationship seems to reflect so many others. I hope that I can share your success with others. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Melony,
Just finished reading this post and looking forward to reading part two.
I am so glad you are taking the stories of others, of the journeys, of the things that they have gone through and have overcome!
I know your blog is going to touch the lives of many.
I am over in Kennesaw house and pet setting and will take the next couple of days to catch up with the rest of the posts on your website!
Paul aka The Mayor
I think that honestly, a lot of this goes undetected. Law enforcement can only reach so far. People need more of a heart change. They need Jesus. You cannot legislate or regulate morality.
I’ve just read this. This hurts my heart as my daughter was in an abusive relationship for 5 years. I’m very happy you overcame!
This is such an encouraging story. It reminds me of the bible story where 2 women both claimed to be the mother of the same baby. The king could determine the real mom by watching to see which woman was willing to give it up. Awesome!
Amy-perfect! I LOVE that story. It’s a parent’s heart at its finest.
I have the awesome privilege of taking care of families who have had the courage and love to adopt a child. I am still amazed at God’s hand in these families as the children almost always resemble one parent. I don’t know why I continue to be amazed by God’s hand in this. He can move any mountain and make a family out of unexpected places any time he chooses. Some say that the child just has mannerisms like one of the parents…nah. It’s God doing what He does best. And the same holds true for children of different races and cultures, too. Just look and you will see God’s work!
Very loving story. God giving us the deisres of our heart rings loudly in this stroy.
I just read this and love that he “looks just like dad”! That’s how God works things out!
Mama Furr is by far the strongest woman I have ever met. She is one big ray of Sunshine wherever she goes. God bless you, Jule Furr! Lots of love from the Barto clan.
I first met Jule when her son, Christian, was in my two year old preschool class. With all the struggles she was going through at the time, she was still an encourager and great preschool Mom! I am blessed to have been a room mom with her as Christian and our daughter, Nicki, shared the same ECS grades! Jule, you are definitely a gift from God to our family! Love from the Hood Gang!
God is so good. We could all use a dose of that Sunshine! Thank you so much for sharing your heart and trust in The Lord. His love endures forever…
Susan and Laine,
Isn’t it a joy to know Jule? She has taught all of us so much about the heart of an overcomer!
Stacy,
God has been so good to Jule, and she knows that despite all that she has been through!
I met Jule at my kids school, and fell in love with her, she is all this and much more, my kids came across her during school stuff and fell in love with her as well. She always has a smile, and makes you feel like you are the only person in the room, she is amazing, and I agree God’s chosen one, Such a blessing, and the most courageous women EVER…
Jule is a ray of sunshine to all she encounters! She brings laughter, joy, a huge heart and a sense of what is possible to all! She exudes a life lived without regret and one lived for Christ and loving others. She is a definite blessing in my life!
Angie and Jan,
You both captured what makes Jule so special – her smile and her huge heart!
Our family met the Furr’s through baseball and what a gift and a blessing they are. Led by Mama Furr of course! I have seen her sit in 100 degree weather, sick as a dog, without complaint, to watch her baby boy play ball. And I saw a team of ball players share a national championship with her – rejoicing that she made it to watch them. Thank you for honoring her spirit and zest for life. Everyone who meets her leaves being better than before.
My aunt Jule is truly an inspiration, and I don’t know where I would be without her. She is a wonderful blessing in my life. Thank you for sharing her story!
Jule is a truly remarkable woman! My family has had the pleasure of taking a couple of beach trips with her and her sweet family. Her light most certainly shines!
I am Jule’s cousin only two years younger. I remember learning about Jule being sick so young. We have never lived any closer than 4 hours away from each other. We visit on occasion, and I enjoy taking my nearly 85 year old mother to see Jule and her Dad (my mother’s brother). I’ve never seen anyone with the drive and determination that Jule carries. Not only does she carry it, she freely gives it to others. Jule has always been a beautiful person inside and out. The last time we visited I was going through a painful divorce. The encouragement she gave me will never be forgotten. I remember thinking if Jule can face life with this horrible disease,and offer me encouragement and love, I too can face what is ahead of me. Jule’s spirit is bigger than her sickness and she can’t possibly know the effect she has had on me. I know I am only one of many that she has touched. Jule is a gift~I love her. It’s great that you are sharing her story.
Jule always has a smile on her face. A true joy.
Love her!
I met Jule through our sons playing baseball. She is an amazing person. She is the most positive upbeat person I know! Her faith is so strong. Knowing Jule makes me a better person – she is all of our sunshine! Love her dearly!
I first met Jule a few years ago when our boys began playing football and baseball together. She is a true inspiration. I love her zest for life. She always makes me smile when I’m with her. She truly is a ray of sunshine. My life is so much better with her in it.
Wow, Jule! You have made a HUGE impression on every person you meet! Thanks ladies for sharing your sweet Jule stories!
Not only does her light shine brightly but it’s done so for many years now. It is one thing to be brave and joyous during a ‘season’ and an entirely different thing to carry the joy of Christ in you so that it never quits. I just hope I get to tell the gate keeper in Heaven that I’m friends with Jule…God’s special one!
I have known Jule since right before she married Bryan. We have been through a lot of times together. Till today, I say, she is the strongest and most positive person I know. She is a great inspiration to ALL…
I must start by thanking you, Melony Brown, for writing such an amazing article about an amazing person that I am lucky enough to call my cousin! Of course in our family we all know how truly amazing and wonderful Jule is but it is nice for others to read this story and especially those that may be struggling with their own health issues. What an inspiration both you ladies are to everyone! She epitomizes what a true Christian mother is suppose to be and I strive every day to be more like her in every thing I do. I wished we lived closer so that I could give her more hugs – but I will count on you guys in GA to do that for me. Can’t wait to read the 2nd part of your article! Love you Julie!
Jule has lead her life with such grace and has shone us all way “joyful” living really is. Love her!