We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)

Hope Stout died recently from osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. Amazingly, she leaves behind a million-dollar legacy for other seriously ill young patients. It's amazing because Hope was only twelve years old.

When the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central & Western North Carolina offered Hope an opportunity to have a dream come true, she asked how many other local children were waiting for a wish. She was told there were one hundred fifty-five on the list. Hope expressed the desire to see every one of those wishes come true.

Make-A-Wish determined it would cost $1,000,000 to fulfill all 155 wishes and Hope's hometown began fundraising. On January 16th, this goal was surpassed at a "Celebration of Hope" fundraiser.

Hope's dream did not die with her.

In December a radio interviewer was moved to tears as Hope described how her family supported her during her hospital stay while some of the other young patients didn't have family with them. She talked openly about how her family's faith in God was helping them through their ordeal.

One young girl's lovingly super-sized dream sparked a campaign to ensure that all 155 wishes become a reality. Hope's dream did not die with her. It is comforting her family and touching more lives nationwide than she ever imagined. She believed that anything is possible with God and that her illness could become an encouragement and a blessing to others.

Children have an endearing, unsophisticated faith that God can often use to direct adults back to the simplicity of faith in action. In this instance, he used a girl named Hope.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

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Janice Price is an overcomer. Despite a myriad of challenges over the last several years, Jan loves the Lord and longs to honor Him and display His grace in her life. She has a soft spot for her own cats and dogs as well as animals that have been hurt or abandoned. She enjoys writing, especially writing about finding God in the most mundane and everyday circumstances of life.

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