Oh, Canada!

Jill Blog, Cancer, community, friendship, Just Show Up, Kara Tippetts, Non-fiction 10 Comments

This past weekend I had the privilege of traveling to Winnipeg, Canada to be interviewed on The LEON show.

20151026_181321

20151026_190201

If you’ve read Just Show Up, you know I’m rather private. That it’s not easy for me to share my feelings with the world. You probably also know that being on t.v. would make me nervous. Nervous is putting it nicely.

20151024_182615

I kept thinking of all of the readers, of all of the people fighting cancer. Going to chemo when they really, really, really don’t want to. People facing a terminal diagnosis. People facing incredible hard. And I kept wanting to be brave for you all. I kept thinking if they can do that, I can do this. When I would get nervous thinking about it and my stomach would do back flips, I would try to replace my nerves with gratefulness. Because it’s such a privilege to represent all of these lives and beautiful showing up stories. I am humbled that I get to do this. But there were moments when my worries overtook me and I would wonder, why am I such a wuss about this? I wanted to be strong and not afraid.

I was texting a friend, expressing my annoyance at my own “wussiness” when she texted me back this.

12108791_1006892982708504_1818223645426172160_n

And I thought, yep, that’s the best version of that verse I’ve heard so far in my life.

I kept thinking about Kara. About how much fun we’d have doing an interview like this together. I would have been two thousand times more relaxed with her by my side. She would have been so excited. I can hear her saying, whoop! We’re going to Canada! and it makes me smile to think what she would have done to get there, even if she’d been fighting cancer and in pain.

kara and me

The people we met who were part of the show were pretty much amazing and wonderful, every last one of them. And Pastor Leon was down to earth and easy to talk to. He instantly put me at ease and the 20 minutes flew by. I don’t remember much of what I said. Except for the part I said wrong–that Kara fought cancer for 2 years. She fought for close to 3, but whatever. I guess I’m allowed one or two mistakes when there ARE TV CAMERAS POINTED AT ME.

My hubby came with me for the weekend. He’s great at making me laugh and relax. He referred to me as “the talent” and himself as “my assistant/body guard” for the weekend and made jokes about me throwing fits because I wanted peanut m&m’s in the green room instead of plain m&m’s. (That is a rumor and completely unfounded.)

12112037_1010380675693068_7661808265958378965_n 12046691_1009482499116219_6462685321090501829_n 12106789_1009415735789562_7007322315173327432_n

He even went on an early morning coffee run the day of the show so that I was awake and functioning. Coffee is my love language.

20151026_074145

Overall, I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity and I *might* be relieved it’s over.

I learned grace really does show up, even in wussiness, and that God really does give you the words to say. I’ll post when the show airs (it might be a few months.) And for those who prayed, thank you! I could feel it. 🙂

Comments 10

    1. Post
      Author
  1. “For God so loved (the wussies) of the world….” 🙂 So inspiring to hear about this grand adventure,and to know how His Grace will always ‘show up’,when you are obedient to His calling on your life,and thankful to be a part of this ongoing journey with this awesome Community of believers doing ‘hard’ together,and with so much compassion! Love and Big Hugs,Sue4Him

    1. Post
      Author
  2. Awww, you made me tear up. I’m so proud of you, Jill. And what an experience. And it was just you and your honey?! Yeah, I would have gone simply to have that alone time with my guy. 🙂
    I love the picture with you and Kara. I am certain your words will bless all who hear your interview.

    1. Post
      Author
    1. Post
      Author
  3. Jill, you were great on the show! I’m a part of the production team and we were so blessed to have had you speak! I’m glad you enjoyed your stay

    1. Post
      Author

Leave a Reply to Jill Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *