SPIRITUAL
"SCARS . . . ARE TATTOOS WITH BETTER STORIES."
—Debbie Waken
"FAITH IS KNOWING EVERYTHING THAT YOU HOPE
FOR WILL COME TRUE."
—Jenny Lincke Mitchell
"THERE IS STILL SOME GOOD IN THE WORLD—
FIND IT!"
—Kelly Wikiera
"WISH IT; DREAM IT; DO IT."
—Gary Hackney
"PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU, MY PEACE I GIVE UNTO
A Foundation of Hope
YOU; NOT AS THE WORLD GIVETH, GIVE I UNTO YOU.
At several CTCA hospitals, inspiring quotes and scripture verses
LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED, NEITHER LET
are literally incorporated into the foundation of the buildings.
IT BE AFRAID." (JOHN 14:27)
During the hospitals' Blessing Ceremony, patients, caregivers,
—Mary Griffin Newton
and staff have the opportunity to inscribe words that have special
meaning to them on the foundation of the new building before final
"NO ONE CRIES WHEN CANCER DIES, SAD TEARS
FALL NEVERMORE.
flooring and finishes are incorporated.
Rev. Gordon, who participated in the "Grounded in Hope" Blessing
CONDITION: REMISSION, SUBMISSION TO TESTING,
Ceremony at CTCA in Newnan, Georgia, says the experience was
I'LL FINALLY CLOSE THAT DOOR.
extremely moving: "To see patients standing in the lobby of our
NO MORE FEAR WHEN CANCER CLEAR MY DAYS
unfinished center, excited about the opening in Georgia and hopeful
WILL BE FOREVER MORE.
about where they were in their healing, showed me what a huge
NO MORE LOSS NOW I'M THE BOSS, ONCE AGAIN
part our spiritual emphasis has on our patients."
THIS EAGLE WILL SOAR."
—Robbie Robinson
As participants shared words of inspiration and healing with
one another and with all of the patients who would enter the
center in the future, there was a sense of optimism and hope. "For
"MY MOM FOUGHT LUNG CANCER FOR 11 YEARS.
many patients," Rev. Gordon says, "it was a new beginning, as they
SHE NEVER COMPLAINED. NOT ONCE. HER
experienced healing from the pain they had experienced in the
FAVORITE SAYING WAS 'IT COULD ALWAYS BE
past."
WORSE!'"
—Elizabeth Palmer Crumb
One scripture verse in particular that Rev. Gordon saw inscribed
that day stood out: "But those who hope in the Lord will renew
their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run
"VERILY, ALONG WITH EVERY HARDSHIP IS RELIEF."
and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:31)
—Nor Aini Ali
"CANCER IS A WORD, NOT A LIFE SENTENCE!"
—Deborah Ayres Fichter
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