Perspective
McPherson, Kansas - Goldie Jones (Bougher) is from Virginia Beach, Virginia. She traveled 1,364 miles and traded horseback riding on the beach for the open plains of Kansas. Goldie was a highly scouted senior coming out of Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School and had one the most successful freshman campaigns in Central's history. As a freshman, she garnered Second Team NAIA All-Region, NAIA A.I.I Goalkeeper of the Year and NCCAA All-Region Second-Team honors. This is in addition to qualifying for the NCCAA National Tournament.

Though her sophomore season would not be quite as successful she was eager to regain the success obtained just a year prior. She spent the summer working on the beaches of Virginia with horses or between an 18x44 yard box. It was a time of freedom and enjoyment until a routine check-up. It was here, a week prior to departure back to campus, back to a place of family and an opportunity for redemption that she heard the unexpected words of "I don't want to alarm you, but you might have cancer."

Despite having positive health and no family history, these words would lead to a series of tests to confirm she would be diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Perseverance
The news would follow with a shaved head, more doctors' appointments, chemotherapy, and the unexpressed emotion of "why." A summer of effort and toil and a season that was supposed to culminate with another trip NCCAA National Tournament did not just dissipate but was vanished.

It can often be stated that half the battle with cancer, is the disposition of the patient while the other half is the effectiveness of the medication. Despite a strong façade, her fight with cancer felt like a dark, looming cloud that was ever-present in her everyday life. It was not necessarily the six months of chemo or the fatigue that would soon follow. The "cloud" was a lie.

In spite of overcoming the stares of having a shaved head, the poking, and prodding of doctor's appointments and rounds with chemo it was a battle of identity. She was faced with a lie that she would always be living in the shadow of her former self.

A Promise
Initially, Goldie felt that her bout with cancer could be fended off by putting on a brave face. The last thing she wanted to appear as was weak—so she carried on as she had as if things were "normal." However, this disguise would soon reveal itself along with a place of "worth."

Though Goldie sometimes continues to question "why" she is thankful, not just for the recovery but for the experience. In time she found herself like the psalmist David citing Psalm 30:11…"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy." Any pity and self-loathing gave way to a realization of Christ and gratefulness. She realized that God did not afflict her with this. She was grateful that she was still alive.

Now, as a 5^th year senior and captain at Central Christian College of Kansas she accompanies her story with 1 Peter 5:10: "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself, restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."

For Goldie, her story is not about "her" triumph over cancer but a story that points back to the cross. It is a story about perspective, perseverance, and the Promise found in Christ.

ABOUT CENTRAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE OF KANSAS ATHLETICS
Central Christian College Athletics exists to recruit and educate a diverse community committed to the growing of fit hearts, minds, bodies, and souls through the rigorous pursuit of athletic excellence, integrated learning, and Christ-centered leadership, building leaders to impact the world for Christ. With 16 athletic teams, the program believes that, along with being a source of entertainment, athletics is inherently educational. The athletics staff is committed to educating men and women of character through the realm of sports who impact the world for Christ. Win, lose or draw we believe our coaches, student-athletes, and fans can be a beacon of light into a world in need of Jesus. This mission is a reminder that ultimately we perform for an audience of one. To learn more about Central Athletics go to our Athletic Overview.