A story that will blow you away and a big dream involving a knight in shining armor!
Wow… here’s another amazing dream for our DREAMING BIG IN JUNE project…
It’s from Tami Petersen-Trewet -
There’s so much heart and wisdom in it… I didn’t change a word.
So here’s Tami’s story as well as one of her BIG dreams!
My dear friend, Shannessy (Schultes) Michaels, invited me to my first Big
Tami and Shannessy at the BIG Dream Gathering in May, 2010
Dream Gathering in West Des Moines in May of 2010.
I was at a real low point in my life…one might even call it a pit. The major battle on that day was recovery from a mastectomy & reconstruction after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. This would have been a “do-able” hurdle but my breast cancer diagnosis came two months after I had a thyroid tumor removed…and the thyroid tumor had been preceded by two surgeries related to be diagnosed with melanoma in the spring of 2008. The kicker was that all of these “storms” hit about 18 months after my husband of 16 years was killed.
Now, before everyone gets all “oh, my goodness” on me–let me clarify:
- First, today I am cancer-free.
- Second, God has been very good to me and my two children (ages 14 and 11 when their dad died).
We were blessed with amazing friends and family and the kindness of perfect strangers.
That being said, I must admit, by May of 2010, I felt like I had been hit by a bus…and then the bus had backed up. When Shannessy invited me to the BDG, I was hesitant….but it’s hard to say “no” to Shannessy. She told me that it was a wonderful exercise in faith–even if my “dreams” didn’t some true right away, the act of putting them on paper for people to see is a spiritual experience.
I told a friend that I was going. He asked, “What’s your big dream?” I wasn’t sure…He reminded me it wasn’t the “Average Dream Gathering”.
I began to allow myself the luxury of dreaming again.
I had been so focused on my kids and supporting them that I had left little time in the day or in my life for dreaming. So, I went to the “Big Dream Gathering”.
I remember sitting at the table and looking at the blank form…thinking, “My
BIG Dream Gathering in May, 2010
dreams don’t seem as “BIG” as others I’ve read. Maybe they aren’t big enough” (code for: not important enough to articulate) But I wrote them down and posted them…and have been forever changed. Not because they have manifested…but because I surrendered to the still small Voice that said: “They are YOUR dreams…and that’s BIG”.
One of the dreams I posted that day was to find a job as a dental hygienist in an office that had health insurance benefits. I had been working as a fundraising director since my husband’s death. One of the gifts he gave to me before he died was his insistence that I pursue a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from Creighton University. Two years after receiving that degree, he was gone. I took a job that had benefits so I could be close to my children while they were in school. It was a God-thing, because seven months after I started, my melanoma was diagnosed. But it was time to move on and longed to get back into dentistry.
So, I posted my dream…and last July, I began working as a dental hygienist again…with health benefits!
But the biggest big dream was one I wasn’t sure I could throw out there.
I could hardly let myself think about it, let alone post it for all of West Des Moines to see. After a long meeting with the “committee in my head”…I wrote it down.
My biggest big dream was/is to be obedient to God and ask him to bring me a Jesus Freak, musician-type, knight-in-shining-armor soul mate!
After nearly five years of widowhood, I would like to fall in love again.
Yikes…I had said it….and I guess I said it again here.
I have to admit–my life hasn’t been the same since posting my big dreams on those walls in West Des Moines a year ago. People on the outside might not notice it. I haven’t found a cure for cancer. I haven’t adopted children from a war-torn country.
I HAVE been able to see my life and my world through different eyes.
Through the eyes of a dreamer.
And who knows…maybe I will team up with my new mate…find a cure for cancer and adopt children from a war-torn country and change the world!
Thank you for letting me dream with you!
- Tami Petersen-Trewet
So that’s a bit of Tami’s amazing story and one of her big dreams.
Do you have some encouragement for her?
Maybe you have a “Me TOO!” kind of comment.
Or maybe… you’re a knight-in-shining-armor-Jesus-freak-musician-type…
If so… leave a comment for Tami and let her know you’re with her all the way and you believe in this big dream!
Or… just let her know you appreciate her sharing her story… cuz… that takes guts too!
And keep dreaming BIG yourself!
Till we hit a million,
Mitch
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Tami – I just wanted to kick things off by saying THANK YOU and well done! Your story is truly amazing and your heart is the size of Texas! Plus, it takes so much guts to put a dream out there… especially one as important as this! So I just wanted to cheer you on and let you know we’re praying and pulling for you!!!
And also… we better be praying for your knight in shining armor because he’s going to have his hands full by trying to keep up with you!!!
Mitch–Thank you so much for your encouragement. I want to thank you again for birthing the BDG and for making the way for people like me…People who may have been a bit “numbed” by life’s storms but still have the ember on the inside…BDG is an ember fanner!
Thanks so much for allowing me to be a part of this incredible adventure! I love your heart and hope to pay it forward every day!
Blessings!!
Wowza Tami – Thanks so much! That means a ton! Plus, I’m lovin’ the “BDG is an ember fanner!” Ohhh I’m all about that!
So honored to get to share your story AND your next big dream. Plus, I just can’t wait to meet this knight when he arrives! He’s going to be flippin’ awesome!!! (He better be cuz your whole BIG DREAM GATHERING FAMILY is going to have to approve!!!) I’m thinking we may need to do introductions to him via youtube!!
THanks again for sharing your story and your dream! It’s inspiring others to do the same!!! You’re awesome!
I feel like I can’t miss!
I love that awesome Shannessy lady……even though I don’t know her. HAHAHA!
Just goes to show how every single one of us sometimes puts off making that “Ask” even to people for the simple things, like to attend a BDG with them, when in reality that may just might be the most life-changing they’ve experienced.
I have the privilege of knowing this fine young woman. Everything she says here is true. Those of us who have witnessed her life path in recent years have marveled at the way God has given her the strength to not only survive, but to grow and give. She’ll be quick to tell you how we didn’t see the struggles raging inside her, but we saw the outward signs of Grace at work in her. I wouldn’t have wished any of these hardships on such a dear friend, but I praise the One who works such wonders out of tribulation when a heart and life is offered to Him. We love you, Tami.
Thank you, Shawn! I am blessed to have you as a friend…Love you right back! <3
Thanks for sharing your Big Dream, Tami. Truly an inspiration!
thanks for sharing your Big Dream Tami. Truly inspiring!
Thanks so much Cindy!
Tami, I’m SO proud of you and I absolutely marvel at how God has worked in your life… may He give you the desires of your heart and richly bless your faithfulness to Him! You go, girl!
I love you, Jennifer! You are one of my heroes! God has worked such wonders!! The best is yet to come.
Tami,
My name is Kimberly Price and I too am a cancer survivor. I wanted to thank you for having the courage and taking the time to share such an inspiring story for others to hear. The great thing about telling it is that it can be such a “self” healing experience for the soul, in addition to touching the lives of oh so many you will never know! I would love to get together with you soon. I am in the middle of developing a local company aimed at uplifting those who have been affected by sickness and disease. One of the key pieces in this, are the stories we can all share. I would love to share yours!! Please contact me at 515-240-7755 or at the email above. We will be launching a new website in Aug., but you can follow us on facebook @ the Airo Project! I look forward to hearing from you! You are AMAZING!
Love it! Thanks for being so encouraging Kim! And I LOVE the thought of you two getting together! Your stories are both SOOOO amazing and impactful! Thanks for having the courage to share them and allowing us to be a part of that!
Love it and I love that you guys could help each other with your big dreams!! mm
OK so I posted on your dream before I saw this!! I must agree…sharing one’s situation and fears can be so healing. And I think my greatest healing has come from reaching back and helping someone else. Less time to feel sorry for myself. You are welcome to tell my story…our happiest days are yet to come! Love your heart, Kimberly. Let’s keep in touch! (And THANKS, Mitch! The BDG pebble has made many, many ripples)
~T
Please send me a email so that I too have yours! So excited to talk with you!
kimberlyprice09@gmail.com