Milestone

What is your gift?

Hello to my amazing friends and family!

Do you often find yourself wondering what your purpose in life is?  Do you stand and ask God how you can serve him and what he wants for you to do?  I know I do!! We all think our meaning or purpose for life is to do something HUGE, something AWESOME, but is AWESOME and HUGE the same to us as it is for God?  Does he see "success" the same way we see "success"??  I have to tell you, I think that the answer to that is an absolute NO!  I think we have a totally different vision, but honestly, that is just my opinion and it's ok to agree or disagree.  

Almost a year ago, I was serving dinner at the Catholic Community Services in Salt Lake City.  As I was helping serve dinner, I kept on thinking "God, what is it you want me to do here?"  I kept on thinking that over and over.  Suddenly, one of the people there, asked me, "Do you always smile"?  I had been there a few times serving, but never in a row.  I thought about that for a second, and my quick response was "I guess I am always smiling".  That night as we were driving home, I thought to myself about that question, and realized maybe that was actually God's purpose for me.  The reason I tell you this, when we ask God to use us, we may not be the next Tim Tebow, we may not be the next Mother Teresa, but ours might just be to smile, or to listen or something that we think is so minor, but in God's eyes, it's AWESOME and it's HUGE!  So, please keep that in mind as you think of how you can serve God.

Also last year around this time, I began my journey towards my heart transplant.  This is right about the time it finally sank in that I wasn't doing "Great" like I was telling myself and the docs.  The next six months were probably the most uncomfortable and challenging time of my life.  I had SO MUCH going on in my head and trying so hard not to let anyone see all the things that were going on other than what I wanted them to see.  That in itself was probably the most challenging part, keeping the appearance that everything was the "Same as it ever was" yes, "The Talking heads" :)  You may ask yourself "How did I get here"?  What's actually even more funny is tomorrow is the BIG MILESTONE of six months post-transplant, and I ask myself again "My God, How did I get here"?  But this time, I know how I got here, I got here by the grace of God, I got here because I have friends and family who prayed, I got here because so many people took time to send prayers and their positive encouraging thoughts!  That's how I got here to the other side of the six months.  Thank YOU!  

I will find out this week how the six month results turn out, so please continue to pray and hopefully will also learn I might be able to travel, even just a little bit. :)  Can't believe how much I miss getting on a plane and getting away even for a weekend! 

The funny irony of the date August 27th, 2016 is it's almost exactly six months after all of the crazy talk started and February 27th will be exactly six months after the transplant and one year after the crazy talk started.  WOW!

Attitude is everything, and fortunately, our attitude is a choice and we make the choice every moment of our lives! Life is way too short not to enjoy the work we do.

I hit another milestone today!  I went skiing after taking a break from it for three years.  I had several excuses in my head why I couldn't go.  After skiing today, I realize maybe they weren't just excuses.  I would always complain that I hated being cold....well, with a good heart and good circulation, I actually was not as bitter cold as I would have ever been.  Another excuse was because I was out of shape, well with a good heart, that changes too.  Even if I was in shape, the elevation was kicking my butt, but with a good heart, the elevation was not my enemy.  This season, I had been telling myself all sorts of excuses why I didn't want to go, the biggest reason was that I was scared.  Well, today, i think I conquered that fear!!  I looked outside and thought "if I don't go on a beautiful day like today, I am never going to go"!  So I went!  My colonel was the most patient teacher ever!  It was outstanding conditions (for a fair weather skier like myself :)  No, I am not ready to buy a season pass, and no because I went up and had a good time doesn't mean I didn't fall on my butt a few times, but I DID IT!  WOOHOOOO!!!  If I can get back on that mountain, anyone can do it!!  

I am SO GRATEFUL for a new chance a t LIFE!!!  I am So, so grateful to all those always cheering me on and loving me with all my flaws!!!  I cannot say thank you enough for your love, your prayers and your positive thoughts!!  I am SOOOOO grateful to the donor family who was willing to give me a future by giving me the gift of life!!

With so much love, have an awesome week!  Do something that scares you!  STEP OUT OF THAT BOX!!  YOU CAN DO IT!!!  #MAKE IT HAPPEN!!

Faith, Hope and LOVE!

Claire

P.S. YES, I do know the last paragraph is messed up a bit, but oh well! :)