Every summer it comes this time of year. The days are long and hot, families are trying to get last minute fun in before school starts back, kids are going shopping for school supplies and new clothes, and we all start asking “where has the summer gone?”.

As we go through all these things , I also start thinking about the 127 Sale and the preparation needed for my annual Rachel’s Lemonade Stand. But this year was different. I had a very big decision to make; to continue with the lemonade stand or not.

The lemonade stand had been a very big part of my life for the last decade, it was a tradition. This summer it started with me getting text from my friends, “are we doing the lemonade stand this year?”, also my whole family kept asking me (and telling me that I needed to hurry up and make a decision), my little sister would ask me every day, “Sissy, did you decide if you were gonna do the lemonade stand this year? If not can I please do it?”

All these questions and I knew I needed to make a decision. It wasn’t like I hadn’t been thinking about it. I had been thinking about it for the last year. But I was conflicted. I just about felt too old to have a lemonade stand, but are you ever too old to do a good deed? I was wondering if it was getting old and if people were getting tired of coming.

My goals kept getting larger and larger but how much longer would I be able to reach them? After a whole lot of prayer about it, the support of my wonderful friends, and a phone call my mom received from a sweet lady who had saved us a dollar for every day of the year, who also said that I was never too old to do a good deed, I decided I would continue with the tradition this year.

Over the past 11 years I have developed a great love and passion for helping others and St. Jude. In 2010, I was able to visit St. Jude and see some of the bricks I’ve purchased. I also have plans of going back to visit in the spring.

I would like to thank everyone who has ever stopped by at my lemonade stand, gave donations, and prayed for us. We couldn’t do it without you all! A big thanks to all of my family and friends for all their love, help, and support!

But most importantly, I owe all my thanks to God. Without God I would not have the desire to serve others, nor would I be able to do any of this! I’m so thankful that God is the one who is always in control and that His will is always beneficial!

Just like Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.

I can remember one year when it didn’t look so promising that I would reach my goal. I remember my mom saying, “Sis it doesn’t look like you’re going to reach your goal.”

I turned to her and very passionately reminded her of one of my favorite Bible verses, Philippians 4:13, which says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. That year I stayed strong in my faith and we reached our goal!

I would like to ask everyone to keep the lemonade stand along with all the families at St. Jude Children’s Hospitals in your prayers.

Make sure you stop by the lemonade stand this weekend to help us reach our large goal of $3000! It would be greatly appreciated! We will be set up at the same place as always next door to Talbott Funeral Home.

Every summer has its own story but mine always ends with a lemonade stand.

Rachel Sawyer