Very late update :)

Good afternoon! I just realized how long it has been since I wrote in here! I wanted to update everyone about the teen art show that was at St. Jude a couple of weeks ago and my surgery that is coming up pretty soon. The main hallway of the hospital is covered with artwork that the teens created and on October 3 the old paintings and poems are taken down and replaced with the new art work. Last year I did not paint anything but I sang a couple of songs after the new artwork was revealed. That was such a huge step for me because since my tumor was so close to my vocal chords my doctor said that there was a large chance that I would not be able to sing again. This was only weeks after my surgery and my body was still healing but since I find so much joy in music I decided that I would sing regardless if it sounded good or not. :) It was so shocking to hear myself sing that day, although it was not the best, I still was extremely excited because it was so neat to do one of the things that I loved doing before I got sick. This year I did not sing but instead I made a collage of pictures of my journey at St. Jude and I wrote a little paragraph about what I have learned over the past year of being a cancer patient. It is so wonderful to be able to have something in the hallways representing what I believe in and how faithful the LORD has been to me over the past year. The art gallery is now filled with wonderful new paintings but it was a little sad to see the old ones go. My friend Andre passed away this summer and he had one of the most beautiful poems in the art gallery and every time I would walk by it I would read it. No matter what kind of day I was having his poem and joyful words provided me so much encouragement. I met Andre at the teen art show last year so it was a difficult to be there without him being there as well but I know the positive impact he had on everyone. He was such a light of God's word and touched everyone he met, including me. I know he is pain free in heaven dancing with Jesus. Please keep his family in your prayers as each day is a challenge trying to deal with the loss of their son. My mom and my doctors are still talking about surgery dates and right now the two options are over Thanksgiving Break or over Christmas Break. We are still not sure when my surgery is going to be but we know that it is going to be soon it just depends on the doctor's schedule. Thank you everyone for all of your prayers and checking in on me even when I fail to write in this blog! I would like to ask everyone to pray for all of the kids at St. Jude but don't stop there. Please also pray for all of the families of St. Jude whose children have lost their battle against cancer. The St. Jude family is a huge family tied  together because as all of us have stopped everything that once was important and made battling cancer our priority. When something happens to one of the members of our huge family is affects everyone so please pray for all of the parents and families who have lost a child. Have a blessed day!

My lovely friend Kristen who has been there every step of the way during my journey and my friend Luis who is also a patient.

My art work "Whatever is going on in your life I challenge you to stop a minute and count the blessings in your life. This year has been a difficult year for me as I fought my battle against cancer but being a cancer patient has taught me so many important things. One of the many things cancer has taught me is to rejoice in all circumstances and view my trials as blessings. Coming to this beautiful hospital and being surrounded by my loving St. Jude family provided me the encouragement to make it through my weakest days. I am in the best hands possible and I am so thankful for everyone who has made St. Jude what it is today."