The Punt's: Truly Amazed.

I made the trip back to Sioux County Friday morning, yet again. I am still waiting (as patiently as I can manage) to hear back from the jobs that I interviewed at. I am really starting to get bored of sitting around the house all day... I need a job!

Yesterday afternoon there was an event that I was planning on attending, but not expecting it to be super "happening" or exciting, but it was a fundraiser for Brad's almost 5 year old cousin, Olivia. She was diagnosed with leukemia when she was just shy of 3 years old, and has been battling it ever since. Joy and Ryan (her parent's) and Olivia have been through thick and thin these past few years, and my sister-in-law, Cheri, and her boyfriend "Weasel" decided to throw a fund raiser yesterday, for some of the medical bills and other expenses that Joy and Ryan are dealing with currently. There have been numerous fundraisers put on by family and friends for this little girl, to show her and her family just how much we are there to support them and carry them through these tough times.

Olivia (3), shortly after diagnosis, in the hospital with Joy and Ryan. Look at that long, BLONDE hair!!

Olivia celebrating her 3rd Birthday!

Yesterday my Dad and I stopped by 'The Bar' in Le Mars, where the fundraiser was being held. From 2-7:30 PM that bar was PACKED. With donated certificates, gifts, etc, they were able to raffle off tickets, have a silent auction, AND donate 3, yes, THREE, peoples beards and hair to the cause. The grand total raised last night was just over $5,400. Olivia even got to shave Weasels' beard, and she left the Left side still in-tact, but took off bits and pieces of the right side (we kept saying he looked pedophile-ish with the beard trim he had after Olivia ran the shaver through it a few times!!). It was quite humorous. Uncle Lyle Hoekstra also donated his beard to the cause, but NOT the mustache! His beard hadn't been shaven off since 1983!!

Before/During shaving!! AND After! A whole Different Man!!

In April 2012, Olivia's 'Wish' came true. She had previously submitted a 'Wish' into the Make a Wish foundation, and she was the lucky winner! At just 3 1/2 years, she wanted a PINK playhouse. A wish was turned into reality for this little girl last April. The Make a Wish foundation raised the money for, and built, a BRIGHT PINK Playhouse in Joy and Ryan's back yard. Just for little "O".

Olivia enjoyed some Pizza on the day of 'the BIG reveal.' The Playhouse was a secret to her, until it was completely built. They kept it hidden in the backyard the week the foundation built it, and when it was complete, she got to see it for the first time! She had already started Chemo treatments, and had lost her hair. Just before this was when shaving people's heads became the new "cool" thing to do!

Here's a news article on her 'Wish.'

http://www.keloland.com/newsdetail.cfm/wish-coming-true-for-girl-battling-leukemia/?id=130874

Olivia is no longer the long, blonde haired little girl she was 1 1/2 years ago. She is now this gorgeous young lady, with dazzling purple glasses, and DARK brown hair!

Olivia at Winterfest of Wheels, she is the little brunette in the middle! :)

Gorgeous little girl, before her glasses, just after her dark hair started coming in! :) What a cutie!!

Yesterday, my eyes were truly opened to the amazingness and the willingness that people have within them. God moved nearly 75 people yesterday to donate and assist this little girl in living a good, full life. I can personally vouch for this family, that it fulfills the true definition of 'Family'. I have never felt so blessed, as I was yesterday, to be a part it. I do believe I married into a great and wonderful family. One that would do anything for their own kin. I was so amazed at the willingness and the love and the gentle kindness that was present at 'The Bar' yesterday during this fundraiser. You could feel God there, you could feel him moving, and you could feel him loving each and everyone of us for loving the others around us.

As Joy and I sat and talked yesterday, we cannot believe how much "crap" God has thrown at this family. It's amazing to see that it is still standing. One blow after another, we all still believe God loves us, and we still have the strength and love to carry on. This is just another example that shows me how God is my rock and Salvation. He is my saving grace. Just like Pastor Jeremy explained in the sermon in church this morning. If God ordained it to be. It will be. His will shall be done. Even though we don't always understand it, we still understand that God loves us and He is carrying us through it.

Olivia has been a very blessed girl, even though at times, people may believe otherwise. This girl has, in fact, gone through very tough times. Chemotherapy, treatments, tummy-aches, ongoing visits to 'The Castle' (the Children's Hospital in Sioux Falls), etc. This little girl has been fighting for two years now, and just recently, the Dr's prognosed her to hopefully be done with treatments in November, 2013. Praise the Lord.