Kristan Dooley - Bigger: Rebuilding the Broken

BIGGER

REBUILDING THE BROKEN

KRISTAN DOOLEY

NEW YORK

Bigger

Rebuilding the Broken

2015 Kristan Dooley.

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To my husband:

Thank you for believing in me and never doubting Gods call, for chasing after the bigger and never settling for less.

To my girls:

You have taught me so much about Gods relentless love. If He loves me even half as much as I love you, then were all good.

To Yosselin:

How great were His plans! What an honor to journey toward bigger with you. Thank you for allowing us the privilege. Brokenness always leads to bigger, when placed in the hands of the Master Rebuilder.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD

We live in a fragmented, fragile world. Sometimes we can find ourselves ambushed by hope and often from places and people right in our own neighborhoods and communities. For all of the pain, fear, and uncertainty in the world there is an under-current of humanity, generosity, and brotherly love that flows through us all.

Ive known this for quite some time, but I saw it come to life in Yosselins story. In 2012, my younger son was a sixth grader at Cherokee Elementary School in Liberty Township, Ohio. He came home from school one day with the sort of news you hope you never have to hear from a kid. One of his schoolmates, Yosselin, had been diagnosed with cancer. My heart went out to her and her family, but, shamefully, I took no immediate action. I didnt know the family personally. It seemed best (read: easier) to pray for them and hope for the best from a distance.

Luckily, I have friends more willing to take action. Two couples from my church heard of Yosselins diagnosis. They discovered that Yosselins family needed help. One of them, Kristan Dooley, was my friend and workmate. I watched as she and her husband, Dave, courageously led a group of people to provide Yosselin and her family with the perfect house for this brave little girl to live in while she beat cancer.

I thank God that I was able to witness a grassroots movement of people who sacrificed their time, talent, and money to let one little girl know that she is loved by us and by God. I played a very small part in this story, but it was enough for me to know that this is what life is all abouta community of people expressing genuine love and expecting nothing in return.

Im thrilled that Kristan has written this book. This is a story that reminds us that the greatest miracles are possible when normal people come together in the spirit of generosity. This story will make you laugh, cry, and believe in something bigger than us. Just be careful... it may also make you the sort of person who will take bold action while others sit idly by.

Joe Boyd

Founder and President, Rebel Pilgrim Productions

INTRODUCTION

In January, God handed me the word bigger. Sitting in the back of staff prayer, tears running down my cheeks, I tried to hand it back to Him. Bigger didnt make sense. Just the day before my family met Yosselin. Pulling out of Yosselins driveway that cold afternoon my heart broke into a million pieces.

Yosselin sat next to Ella, my first grader at Wyandot Elementary. The two girls had quickly become good friends. For the past two weeks Yosselin hadnt been to school and her new friend, Ella, was more than concerned. Our quest to find out why led us to the discovery of more than we intended. Yosselin had cancer.

A few days later, my family piled into the car and headed to Yosselins house. We didnt know them, but we knew we had to go. During the short drive, I gave Ella an introduction to what it means to have cancer. Yosselin had already started chemo and I feared the side effects might be confusing or frightening for Ella, making it difficult for her to be the friend Yosselin needed right now.

Looking through my rearview mirror I choked back tears as I watched Ella put her brave face on. Tears welled up in her big blue eyes as she struggled to fully understand what was happening to her friend. As we turned our car onto their gravel driveway, we each took a deep breath and pulled ourselves together.

The Randalls welcomed us into their home, their lives, and their brokenness. Pulling back out of their driveway that afternoon, I knew things would never be the same. It wasnt by accident Ella sat next to Yosselin. It wasnt by accident we met this family. I knew there was more but, unable to see the bigger picture, all I could see was I couldnt fix what was broken.