Finding Light amid Loss
The following article was written by Sammi Wendling of the Lake Geneva Regional News on May 17, 2017
FONTANA — As a faith-filled child, Avery McCarthy loved God and focused her life on finding ways to help people feel less alone or afraid. Those who knew her said she adored telling others about Jesus.
Confessing to Others
The ERV Bible puts it this way: “So always tell each other the wrong things you have done. Then pray for each other. Do this so that God can heal you.”
I learned this sitting at a small children’s table covered in light dust. The hot Haitian sun was beating down and we were all exhausted. I sat with my head in my hands not knowing the right words to say. My sponsor son staring faraway with a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas. Our interpreter smiled, giggled a little and shrugged his shoulders.
Homework Assignment!
Homework Assignment: Watch this video.
Watch if you’re a young man. Or a young woman. Watch if you have a son or a daughter. Watch if you’re teacher, or a preacher, or a counselor, or a neighbor. Watch if you’re a friend or an auntie or an uncle. Watch if you’re a grandma or a grandpa.
And then share this wisdom.
Our True Purpose
Something about our society really pushes this idea that we have to “find our purpose.” And if we can’t find it we’re somehow incredible failures at life.
We look for our purpose in schools and degrees and licenses that will allow us to put capital letters after our name.
We look for our purpose in beauty salons and malls, thinking that maybe, with the right hairstyle and the perfect pair of jeans, our purpose will suddenly manifest itself.
We look for our purpose in relationships, pushing for marriage to a partner we hope will change and then we’ll be happy. And when we can’t find our purpose in that relationship we’ll have children so we can look for our purpose in them.
Troast on a Boat: Sept. 23, 2014
LIMETED SEATING!
Troast on a Boat: Septmeber 23, 2014 6-8:00pm
This fun filled evening of laughter, song, and incredible views, will benefit the future construction of The Avery House, a transitional home for girls who have aged out of Haitian orphanages, and who wish to continue their education or learn business skills.
Avery Step You Take: Memorial 5K Run/1.5 mile Walk in Delavan, WI
REGISTER TODAY BY CLICKING THE FOLLOWING LINK –https://www.active.com/delavan-wi/running/distance-running-races/avery-step-you-take-2014
REGISTER AFTER MAY 23rd WILL NOT INCLUDE EVENT SHIRTS! The deadline to guarantee a t-shirt with registration was May 23rd. (T-shirts will not be available to those who register after the deadline.) There may be a possibility of extra shirts available at the time of the event, but there is no guarantee.
Read More “Avery Step You Take: Memorial 5K Run/1.5 mile Walk in Delavan, WI”
All The World’s a Stage
Avery made her theatrical debut when she was about a year old. She played in a scene with Jacey Powers during a production of Little Women. Jacey carried her out on her hip and set her down on the stage if she got squirmy. Avery was completely unfazed by the lights and the audience.
Entry without preview image
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Donec quam felis, ultricies nec, pellentesque eu, pretium quis, sem.
- Nulla consequat massa quis enim.
- Donec pede justo, fringilla vel, aliquet nec, vulputate eget, arcu.
- In enim justo, rhoncus ut, imperdiet a, venenatis vitae, justo.
Nullam dictum felis eu pede mollis pretium. Integer tincidunt. Cras dapibus. Vivamus elementum semper nisi. Aenean vulputate eleifend tellus. Aenean leo ligula, porttitor eu, consequat vitae, eleifend ac, enim. Aliquam lorem ante, dapibus in, viverra quis, feugiat a, tellus.
The 19 Days
I celebrated Avery’s last birthday ever on October 5, 2012. Except I didn’t know it was her last. Our last. Nineteen days later, on October 24, 2012, Avery died instantly as a result of a single car accident. And it truly was an accident. Speeding was not a factor. Cell phone use or texting was not a factor. Drugs or alcohol was not a factor.
It just happened. In a matter of seconds a precious life was lost, and the world as we knew it became forever changed.