This past weekend I had the pleasure of speaking to the Girl Scouts of America at the Frito Lay headquarters in Frisco. I honestly couldn’t have had more fun. The girls were inspiring through their

energy and enthusiasm they displayed

throughout the day.

Looking back, when I was a Brownie, the experiences I had with the Girl Scout of America program taught me that whatever challenge I faced, I would have the knowledge and tools to work through it. These young girls are now experiencing what I did when I was a little one, and are learning things that will be invaluable as they grow into young ladies. My purpose in speaking to them was to tell them that the sky is the limit! Anything is possible with hard work! We all had a blast, and I hope to work with the Girl Scouts of America and Frito-Lay again in the future.

So go get ‘em ladies! You have touched my heart and I feel honored to have met you all!

As I look back on 2008 I think of the many things that changed my life. The thought closest to my heart and mind is of a relationship that developed with a little girl named Jessica. The first time I met Jessica she was in the hospital after a recent car accident involving her father and sister. Her father, Mark, and mother, Sherri, adopted Jessica, who was born with a heart condition and mild cerebral palsy when she was a newborn. While the family was in Hawaii a truck hit the family vehicle killing Mark and severely injuring Jessica. As Jessica lay there in her hospital bed she looked up at me, a distant stranger, seeking hope and love. I told her that when she got better I would take her to the racetrack and let her sit in my race car, her simple response was, “Can Marissa go too?” I was blown away. A young girl, suffering life changing injuries, unable to walk, nearly facing death in this battle for recovery simply wanted to share a small joy with her loving big sister. What Jessica didn’t realize was that she showed me what true, unconditional love is. She showed me that no matter the circumstance, no matter the condition of this fragile thing we call life; there is always room for love and consideration.

I would see Jessica every now and then, but my mom would constantly update me on her progress and her heath. Many times Jessica faced a potential end of life. Always recovering, always battling through.

About a month ago Jessica came into my dad’s office for her orthodontic appointment. She was beaming, the happiest I had ever seen her, and the strongest I had ever seen her. She was becoming a young woman, a strong, beautiful, talented young woman. She had found a true passion in life… art. Her grandmother showed me some of her drawings that Jessica had made prints of and was selling. There were Japanese princesses, and intricate drawings of imaginary figures. But there was one drawing, of a wolf, with his paws extended and his eye bright blue. She humbly thanked me for gushing over her work, no pride, no conceit. Once again Jessica showed me the beauty in life. Her life touched mine in a way that I am sorry Jessica probably never realized.

On Christmas morning, Jessica died of heart failure in her mother’s arms. Only one thing I knew for sure, Jessica’s heart did not fail. It was not weak, or insufficient to support her. In fact her heart supported me, her heart gave me strength. I believe anyone that knew Jessica took strength and courage from her, a simple gift she would unknowingly give to any person in need of hope and faith in the future. Thank you Jessica, my sweet blessed girl, you encouraged me to see the strength in love and life.

Something that gives me hope: The apostle John wrote in 21st book of Revelations verse four, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Hey guys! So I’m jumping on the band wagon and doing it up big MySpace Style! Check out my MySpace and add me as your buddy! Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season and MERRY CHRISTMAS! God Bless!

Go to my MySpace Here!

I thought this was too funny and too cute to not share with everyone I know! Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season!

"Talking Dogs"

As I told you a while back my mother, Debbie Adams, was given the Outstanding Survivor Award from the Joanie Hatcher Memorial Foundation. I couldn’t be more proud of how hard she has worked for our Survivors’’ Circle program or more grateful for how much she believes in me. The following is the story I submitted to honor my mom!

Every day I wake up, and I step out of bed and thank God for giving me the life of my mother, Debbie Gatlin Adams. Some girls grow up and never really know their mother. I know my mother. I laugh with her I and I get to make a difference for breast cancer with her.

I am not your average 21 year old girl; I am a race car driver. As I put my helmet on and get in the car my mom bends down, puts her hand on my hand and says, “God bless you my baby, may you race on the wings of angels.” In her eyes I see no fear; I see hope, love, and confidence. I put my car in gear and go out onto the race track. I am not just racing for myself. On my car I have the names of breast cancer survivors from around the nation. We started a program called Survivors’ Circle to honor women who have conquered breast cancer.

My mom had a bad mammogram twenty years ago and went forward with a mastectomy and chemotherapy. When I was 17, it was her second mastectomy that brought breast cancer into my life in a way that was almost blinding. I couldn’t imagine this disease changing our life as we had come to know it. It was at this time that I told my Mom that I was ready to dedicate my career to breast cancer research and awareness.

She has worked tirelessly alongside me in our fundraising efforts for a disease that almost took her life, but not only did she battle back and survive, she is making a difference for breast cancer survivors across the United States.

Photo Credit: Marc Robbins