Wednesday, May 30, 2012

The Hampton Huddle 5k

    

      The Hampton Huddle 5k is on Saturday, June 16th at 8:00 a.m.  The run will take place through the Lynndale neighborhood (next to Pete's Wycked Grill & Moe's).  It costs $20.00 to register for the run & the 1 mile fun run/walk costs $15.00 if you register now.  If you register on race day it will cost $25.00 for the 5k.  Race day registration will begin at 6:30 a.m. at Pete's Wycked Grill. 

      You can register on-line through http://www.active.com/ or https://mail.uncw.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=5a7d57f66a1242629e902f4c556dd556&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ecrr.us.  You can also register at Snap Fitness at the Bells Fork Shopping Center by 7:00 p.m. on 6/15.  Make checks payable to "Spencer Hampton Fund."  All proceeds will go directly to Spencer.

     The first 150 runners to register will receive a quality race t-shirt.  There will be awards for the top 3 male & female overall.  There will also be awards for the top 3 male & female in each age group.  Door prizes will be given away at the end. 

Contacts:
Snap Fitness, https://mail.uncw.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=5a7d57f66a1242629e902f4c556dd556&URL=mailto%3agreenvillenc%40snapfitness.com, 252-758-7627
Kip Sloan, https://mail.uncw.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=5a7d57f66a1242629e902f4c556dd556&URL=mailto%3akip%40ecrr.us
Mary Warner, mbw0107@hotmail.com
      I would hope that everyone who can attend the event will make it out.  It will be great for everyone to come out and show their support for Spencer and Lindsay Hampton.  It means a lot to all of us and we appreciate everyone who involvled with this effort.  There are so many good people out there who are donating their time and resources to get this thing off the ground; We appreciate you...

Friday, May 11, 2012

To The Most Amazing Person I Have Ever Met...

  May 12th, 2012  

 Spencer,
            I can't believe you.  I feel that If I ripped off the covers in your bed that you would have a big "S" on your chest.  You are Superman to me brother.  We are all blown away by what you can do.  We knew today that you could hear us, but for you to come back to us to let us know for sure is incredible.  You refuse to let this most awful thing get the better of you.  Your personality is still with you, and you refuse to change the guy we have grown to love so much. 

         I want you to know that you would be so proud of everyone.  Your strength has been a direct reflection within Lindsay and us.  We are all here by your side and will always be. 

        Everyone will continue to pray and send their best.  I just want to let you know that I love you so much brother.  I told you tonight, but I have NEVER been more proud of you for waking back up and being with us.  It did so good for so many hearts.  Lindsay and your family is so proud of you and will always be.  God is with you Spence.  Rest softly, and continue to know that we are here... Goodnight. 

Sunday, May 6, 2012

May 6th, 2012

May 6th, 2012


          I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Cinco de Mayo, and is having a blessed Sunday.  Over the weekend Spencer experienced a curve-ball in his road to recovery.  Spencer was supposed to begin his immunotherapy treatment this Tuesday at Duke Hospital.  Unfortunately, Spencer symptoms have progressively worsened faster than anticipated.  As we understand, this is due to continual swelling in his brain from the tumors.  With this news, the immunotherapy treatment is to risky for Spencer at this point in time.  So what does this mean?  This means that Spencer will now begin chemotherapy.  His first round will occur this Tuesday at Duke Hospital.  As everyone knows chemotherapy is not a treatment that goes without consequences, and will be a tough battle for Spencer to face.  

       When I spoke with Spencer about this recent turn of events, he seemed very positive.  He said he couldn't lie that he was looking forward to doing the immunotherapy, and now with Tuesday around the corner he isn't looking forward to it as much.  He said it's not the first time something hasn't gone according to plan, but that he wasn't going to complain.  

      When I heard this news I got pretty upset for Spencer's sake.  After talking to him and hearing him say that he wasn't going to complain, then how can I?  I know that talking with Spencer and hearing his positive attitude makes me feel 100 percent better.   Knowing this, I decided to share these words with you all.  In the sense that you may be comforted by his words and attitude towards these challenges he faces.    

         I want everyone to know that as of right now, we still don't have all the details that we all curiously crave for.  We are not sure the extent of chemo he will receive, or how he will handle the treatments.  What we do know, is what we should hold onto.  We know the type of person Spencer is.  We know that we are all going to be by his side the whole time.  Lastly, we know God is going to continue to hear our voices, and hold Spencer and Lindsay's hand through it all.  

      This website on days that I post a blog are receiving over 2,000 hits in one day.  Knowing this information I would kindly ask at this point if you would please read this prayer, so God can hear the thousands of his people praying together in full strength.  Have a wonderful Sunday evening...

Our Prayer:
       God,   I would ask that on this Sunday of worship, that you continue to touch the many hearts of your children.  There are so many of us Lord who are reaching out to you with an open heart, open mind, and open arms.  I would ask that you grab a hold of us while we stand before you Lord, and continue to show us your amazing glory in every way possible.  God, please continue to give Spencer the power to fight everyday, and that he may fight in order to glorify you and your name.  Place your healing hand over him and know that we wish for your will to be done, and not ours.  Lord, continue to shine your light over Lindsay and the Hampton/Styons family.  That they may go forward each day in your amazing grace, in the strength that you have provided them with.  Finally I ask Lord that you continue to become a part of my life as I continue on my journey.  The journey to live the life that you have taught us to live.  That you are the ONLY way to true and fulfilling, life-long happiness.  With everything we do, we do it in your name,  AMEN and AMEN. 



Thursday, May 3, 2012

May 3rd, 2012

May 3rd, 2012

      Today I hope everyone is having a blessed day.  With the weekend almost here, I pray that everyone can make it through whatever challenges are being thrown your way right now.  For some its exams, moving out, job stress and relationship issues.  Just remember that just when you feel like you are being pushed to the edge, and consumed by the task at hand, always have perspective.  Be thankful that you are not facing the day to day challenges that Spencer is facing.  Thank God for the fact that you are able to defeat each task that is pushing you.

    We all become complacent in our relationship with Christ time to time.  I learned that the best part of having a relationship with our Lord is that he is a 24/7, 365 days of the year best friend.  If you are working your butt off trying to get a project done all day and night, you don't have to explain to him that you can't hang out.  You don't have to let him know that you won't be around for the next day or so, he is understanding.  Just giving him the five minutes in the morning when you wake up and a night when you lay your head down. Thanking him that you have another day on this beautiful place he created, is enough for him.  But like all relationships, it requires effort.  The more time you put into talking with him, praying to him, than the better relationship you will have with our God.

     I thank all the people who have taken time out of their day and continually prayed for Spencer and his family.  It is an effort in itself to remember to take the time for yourself to talk to God, so to know that people are unselfishly spending their precious time to shower support and prayer for Spencer is an acknowledgement in itself.  It is the greatest gift you can give him right now, and it is how you can stay connected to helping this situation.  I have had so many people ask me how they can help, or how they can be a part of this cause.  I would say just to continue to pray.  In Mark 11:24 it says "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."  This scripture teaches us to continue in our prayers, and have faith that they are being received by our Lord.

     I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe weekend.  Enjoy your time with family and friends, and be thankful for the little moments that are so precious. God Bless...

     P.S.  I just want to mention that Mr. Dean Barrow the owner of Cubbies off 600 East Arlington, has been so supportive of helping make Spencer's day just a little bit easier.  I know he would never want any credit for doing something so simple in his mind, but I thought the least I could do was thank him and tell everyone to go out and grab a bite to eat there.  They recently started serving breakfast on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  It is ridiculously good, and I suggest that everybody go try it out.  They are a hometown business who sincerely care for the people of Greenville. 


    

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

May 2nd, 2012

        Everyone please take a look at the fantastic job Nick Boerio did on Lindsay and Spencer Hampton's wedding video.  He did an amazing job and everyone please let him know how awesome he did.  Here is the link... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKmqdS7QMlM

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

May 1st, 2012



         Now that I can now finally breathe with school work and graduation around the corner, I hope to continue the blog back to the way it was.  I thank all of you for your kind words that have stuck with me through this whole ordeal.  With this unfortunate card that Spencer has been dealt, he along with Lindsay, family and friends have used it as a platform to showcase their faith in Christ.  Over the past weeks we have seen true love in the fullest virtue.  This amazing couple has touched our hearts, pulled at our emotions, and strengthened our faith in what our Lord and Savior is possible of doing.  He has given Spencer perspective during this time.  Instead of saying why me,  he continually amazes us by the courage God is giving him and by the pure love that is felt towards Lindsay, family and friends.   

      Spencer has recently finished his appointment at Duke hospital where doctors have begun his plan for treating this disease.  Immunotherapy is the the treatment he will be receiving.  He will begin the 90 minute procedure for the first time Tuesday, May 8th.  Every three weeks he will return back to Duke for another procedure.  He will have this procedure done four times.  Hopefully this will help shrink some of the tumors, and symptoms Spencer is facing.  

     Spencer recently celebrated his 25th birthday this last Sunday and I know that there are plenty of more to come.  We also had relay for life this last Friday at South Central, where Marie Manning put together an "Against All Odds" team.  We thank everyone who played a part in either helping set up our booth, donating, or just coming out to participate in the walk.  It was an eye-opener for us all.  To see so many people dealing with this ugly disease, and participating in an effort to continually fight an up-hill battle.  

     The last thing I would like to say is a little bit more personal.  Spencer has always been my role model to me growing up.  I remember an assignment in high school where we had to define a role model, and explain who our role model was.  To this day I don't think I ever told Spencer it was him that I wrote about.  I wasn't ashamed or embarrassed, but I believe that just like any brothers it is hard to get emotional. Recently, through a lot of prayer to continually see the positive in this situation I remembered a sermon that I once attended at Covenant.  This particular sermon was on boys becoming men, and girls becoming woman.

     This sermon spoke about God's expectations for us as his children.  We have all seen the MAN that Spencer has become and the WOMAN of faith Lindsay has demonstrated.  In this horrible, tragic and unimaginable situation that Spencer and Lindsay Hampton are faced with, I want everyone to challenge themselves.  Jimmy Valvano once said "To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. And number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special."  

       A MAN shows his emotions.  He tells his mother that he loves her, and appreciates her.  He talks to God as if he was talking to his best friend.  He isn't afraid to stray from the norm, and cry.  Cry in laughter, cry in sorrow and cry in prayer.  You must allow time in thought.  When you do this, you allow yourself to hear God.  You continually find ways to serve him, and become a better Christian.  Women help us become better servants of the Lord.  You show us how God has blessed us all.  That you are his symbols of beauty, love, and innocence.  You're a princess and deserved to be treated as such.  You are our teachers and more than that a rock for us to lean on.  

      I myself face this battle everyday as boy trying to become a MAN of Christ.  I know that I thank Spencer and Lindsay along with my beautiful Mother and Father everyday for being such great models.  Mr. Bob and Mrs. Sara have done an amazing job and have shaped Man that Spencer has become.  This is an imperfect world, and we will always come short during our days serving the Lord, but I hope that with this platform we have been given, we can grow a little more in our faith everyday.  That we can help demonstrate to everyone what Spencer and Lindsay have demonstrated for us on a daily basis.  I love you all, and GOD BLESS.

Joshua 1:9
       Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”