I consider her my best friend.  She has always been there for me, and I can confide in her things I wouldn't tell anyone else.  I know that I can count on her to be a shoulder to cry on, a blast to laugh with, and a prayer warrior who will knock on Heaven's door for me until God answers.

Barbara is battling cancer - for the fourth time.  After visiting her doctor for a routine blood test, she found out that it's back - this time on her diaphragm.

Always upbeat, Barbara is not overly concerned.  She knows she's in the palm of God's hand.  You know, we all say that when times get tough, but Barbara demonstrates her faith by the very fact that she's not panicked.  She's not falling apart.  She's wants her life to count for God's kingdom.  Whenever given the opportunity, she is open about her ten years of fighting cancer and gives God all the glory for miracle after miracle in her life.

Barbara is the "go to" person in her large family whenever there is a need, and even now, her concern is for her mother who is getting older and has health concerns. 

Barbara has been taking a cancer drug called Gleevec, and interestingly, one of the side effects of the drug is that it makes your hair grow thick and lustrous.  So for the past several years Barbara has been growing out this beautiful mane for "Locks of Love", a charitable organization that makes human hair wigs for financially disadvantaged children experiencing long-term hair loss after an illness and medical treatments.

Barbara with her beautiful long hair.

After the doctors told Barbara this newest drug (that we're all praying will obliterate the tumors on her diaphragm) may cause her hair to thin or fall out, she decided that NOW was the time to donate her hair.  I called a Crestwood salon, Yves Hair, Body & Soles Salon and Spa, and they were thrilled to help.  I told them to please let me pay for her to also be treated to a manicure (since Barbara never spends any money on herself), but when we got there they would not take my money; in fact, they insisted that Barbara come back in for a complimentary cut and style and complimentary manicure.  Great folks at this salon! 

So Barbara sat in the chair while the hair stylist cut off two 12-inch ponytails and shaped her hair into an adorable above-the-shoulder style. 

Our local paper, The Oldham Era, recently did a story on Barbara.  I'm sure it will inspire other people to consider growing out their hair and donating it to "Locks of Love" as well. 

But the real story is the person of Barbara Hampton.  She is such a loving and giving person, and I hope you'll join me in praying for her full recovery.   God has brought her through before, and I know He can do it again.  I love her so very much and can't imagine life without her.

Barbara touched the hearts of everyone in the salon that day, even the reporter from The Oldham Era doing the story.  I could see it in his eyes.  Barbara told him, "I wonder what God's got in store for me this time.  It's a journey, and I will keep on the journey until it's over."

Jacki and Jerry Shafer with The Shafer Team and Keller Williams Louisville East specialize in home sales in Oldham, Jefferson, Trimble, Henry, and Shelby counties in Kentucky.