A Month of Reckless Love - Coming to an End

It's hard to believe that our month-long event, "In Honor of Ellie Kate - A Month of Reckless Love", has come to an end.  What could have been a intensely difficult month turned out to be something incredibly beautiful.

By remembering our Daughter, and by loving others in her honor, you have made our hearts come alive in such an encouraging way. We have felt your prayers, and have eagerly drank in every kind word and deed you have said and done for our family.  You have loved our family well, and we are forever grateful.

Our family has been inspired by your acts of reckless love for others.  You have loved the "least of these", giving to families in need, giving people rides, doing physical labor to benefit others; you have made meals for people, served in shelters, made gifts for families and individuals.  You've wrapped gifts for people, babysat, cleaned people's homes, and visited people in the hospital.  And who could forget the over 600 books and toys donated to OU Children's, Jim Thorpe Rehab, Wonderfully Made Ministry, and Ellie's special-needs classroom?!  You've donated time, energy, money, and love to those in need.  Each and every act of reckless love has honored Ellie Kate, and has let us know that she is not forgotten.  Ellie Kate is dearly loved and remembered.

Our deepest hope and prayer for each of you, is that you will truly know the Reckless Love Christ Jesus has for you and for your family.  Personally, there is no possible way that I could handle NKH in my daughters without the hope I have in Jesus and without the sustaining grace He gives me.  There is no way I could bear burying my Ellie Kate, nor knowing that apart from a miracle, we will one day bury Lucy Belle.  There is no way I could continue in life without the Lord Jesus and without my personal relationship with Him.

Jesus is the ultimate example of Reckless Love.  God sent His one and only son to this earth so that we might have eternal life, and that we might have abundant life here on earth.  There is no sin, no action, no deed that can separate you from the love of Christ.  His mercies are unending.  His grace is overflowing. His heart, His arms, are open to you! If you haven't accepted Jesus as your Savior, please consider doing so.  What an incredible time to give your life to Him - the New Year!  Life is so short; so fragile.  We must make our lives count.  We must give our lives to Jesus - every part of our being.  He wants to do beautiful things with our lives, just like He did beautiful things with the life of Ellie Kate!

With Jesus, there is no power in sin, there is no power in death.  We can have HOPE of eternal life in Him.  We can have HOPE of abundant life here on earth - where we will never be forsaken or alone, no matter what we go through.  Jesus is MY only hope, Friends and I want that for you as well!

Thank you for participating in The Month of Reckless Love.  Thank you for loving others without worrying about the consequences.  Thank you for loving us and for loving Ellie Kate.  Your participation in this month has moved us beyond words and has touched the lives of countless others!  Enjoy these sweet pictures of this past month!

Because of His Reckless Love,
Ryan