A Worthy Cause ... and a Round of Golf

Every year, Lifeline Children's Services hosts a Celebrity Golf tournament and this year, they asked us if we'd like to volunteer to help. Of course, if you've read much of the writings and ramblings on this site, you know by now that we think Lifeline placed the moon in its earthly orbit. Lily Grace is with us today because, first of all, God had planned it that way, but also in no small part due to the efforts of the Lifeline staff. And now, we are blessed to be waiting for another little angel, Lia Faith, who has also benefitted from Lifeline's dedication to children. So there was no question. Of course we'd help. And since Austin is such an avid golfer, we knew that he'd fall in line and do his share. What we didn't know was how much fun we'd have, especially Austin. But then the day arrived for the tournament and ...

There's absolutely no way I have time to take off work, I thought to myself Monday morning. With three projects, no four, waiting to be finished in June and with a significant new project set to get started, I simply had too much work to do. Customers and employees were depending on me. Ditto for Connie. Deadlines and end dates. Meetings and working sessions. All lined up like the cars of a Southern freight train. And so what did we do Monday? We got off the train for a day. We took the day off!! And spent it with some of our new best friends. Best friends because they work tirelessly for the benefit of children they've never met. Best friends because they volunteer to support a cause for children they will never know. Best friends because I see them now and know of the contributions they have made and are making to bring our children home. Children who need an angel working on their behalf, without whom they would have very little hope. Left to wonder whether they belong in a world that seemingly doesn't know they are there at all. Best friends toiling away to make the lives of children better in any way they can. That's why we like to think of them as our best friends.

So, even with the customers calling my cell phone as we arrived at the golf course in Birmingham, I didn't flinch. "Hey Karla, oops hold on a second while I answer this - yes I can go to Washington Thursday, but I have to go now, I am busy." Stick to the plan. Tell them no, we have other priorities today. I'm already in Birmingham, a hundred miles away. I can't be bothered right now.

That was really cool, but don't tell my boss I did that. On second thought, go ahead and tell him. Fortunately, he understands, having adopted a little girl of his own a few years back. And Connie's boss? Couldn't ask for better. God knows where our heart is and so He makes a way for us to pursue that, even on a busy workday.

So, we got to catch up with Anna and Karla and visit with Lauren again. We met two new friends, Crissy and Kristin - I hope they don't mind me posting the picture, but here they are smiling beneath the Lifeline banner. Crissy and Kristin worked diligently to make sure things went according to His plan. There were certainly many other volunteers, God's army clad in blue and bearing the battle slogan Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Hope and a future for His children. Indeed God does have a plan and He has Lifeline Children's Services hard at work on that plan!

The coolest thing of the day - ask Austin. He was privileged to caddy for John Croyle, you know, he of the Big Oak Boys and Girls Ranch and father to Brodie Croyle. Drove him around all afternoon, ate dinner with him. Even got to putt and drive and chip a little using John's clubs (oops, ignore that, scorer's table!).

Austin had a great time and was blessed to spend the day with an awesome Christian man chatting about golf, football, and life -what a cool day for a young teenage boy.


In the course of this day, we met several more of our Lifeline friends, angels doing God's work. We met one lady who had been foster parent to over 50 children since starting her ministry a few short years back. Over 50 children!!! God Bless Her. We also met two new interns with Lifeline - smart move interns, absorb all you can! As an added bonus, we got to mingle with lots and lots of former Alabama and Auburn athletes. And most importantly, we got to see how God works in developing funds for Lifeline to carry out His plans. FYI, John Croyle is one funny man and auctioneer, though he may have a few broke (ex)friends today!

Thank you Lifeline for letting us hang out with you. I hope we weren't in the way too much! And thank you to all those who participated, athletes from Alabama and Auburn who know a good cause when they see it (a round of golf and a steak dinner notwithstanding).

Oh, what about Lily, you ask? She spent the day drinking Sun Drop with Papaw. But Papaw wasn't allowed to drink Sun Drop "cause he would be wild" according to Lily Grace.

Love,
Jerry, Connie, Austin, and Lily Grace (and Lia Faith, out there somewhere)
Green, Party of Five