First off, I want to thank you for the many ways you've already loved and served the specific families God has led us to focus on this year. It's just the beginning of December and already, we've had packages come to our door, "In Honor of Ellie Kate"! I will never tire of seeing her name on the packages YOU have provided for others. Our entire family giggles and jumps up and down when we open the packages each night, looking to see what the Lord has brought to the families we're collectively giving to! I could never fully convey our gratefulness, but please know that you honor us and honor Ellie Kate when you give, serve, provide for, and pray for these particular families.
Christmas Gifts for Families!
Secondly, I want to apologize for my tone in the last blog entry. Friends, you got to see the real and raw feelings of a mourning momma, that's for sure. Here's the thing though, in those moments, in that situation, I wasn't giving this all up to the Lord. I wasn't giving HIM control of this all-important-month and because of that, I was more down and defeated than I needed to be! When I last wrote, it wasn't yet December and I was already worried that gifts wouldn't be purchased and that these families would be left without their needs or wishes granted . . . Oh ME of little faith! God told us to dedicate the month of December in this way and this year, He has once again shown us what and who to focus the "Reckless Love" upon. Oh, Friends! THE most important thing I have learned in these (almost) four years since losing Ellie Kate from this life, is that GOD IS FAITHFUL AND TRUE. We are following His direction and He will see it through - no matter how many participate, HE will provide and HE will get the glory. That's what this life is all about.
A little Scriptural Truth to show God's Character as Faithful and True
Psalm 78:35
And they remembered that God was their rock, And the Most High God their Redeemer.
Proverbs 23:11
For their Redeemer is strong; He will plead their case . . .
Psalm 33:4
For the word of the LORD holds true, and we can trust everything he does.
Revelation 19:11
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war.
Reckless Love (the Mike and Ryan definition):
Reckless Love is taking intentional action in order to benefit the life of another
without worrying about the consequences.
Through this roller-coaster ride has allowed our family to be
enveloped by the special needs world, along with the world of child-loss, and
those who are medically fragile. God has taught us so many precious
things. After all, He
does not cause or allow things to happen without a purpose. Through
Sweet Ellie Kate's life and all we've lived through, all we've experienced;
through the intimate ways the Body of Christ has surrounded us, we have learned
more about reckless love than we ever knew was
possible! In the past
four years specifically, we've learned more about ourselves, our marriage, our
living children; we've learned more about the beautiful Body of Christ, at
work in their own giftings, even when hasn't been convenient, even when it's
meant sacrificing, even when we've let them down . . . The Body has stayed with us through
the eleven years of this journey, all because of the reckless love of Christ. It's simply the only
explanation of why someone, who brought us meals in December 2005, still brings
us meals in December 2016 - It's because of the works of Father, Son and Holy
Spirit within the hearts of man, not because of anything good man has done, but solely because God created us
and loves us!
We long for the world around us to see, taste and feel this same
reckless love, and the month of December, the
month of Ellie's birth and the month of her death, is the time we've dedicated
and invited those around us to participate in acts of service, sacrifice and
love. Specifically, we ask that you take part in providing for the
following families which the Lord has laid on our hearts. You can
do just that by clicking on one of the following lists in BLUE, by providing something that is listed, or even something God has
laid on your heart to give.
Christmas Family Adoption 2016
The Williams Family, whom we've adopted this year for Christmas is in great need of almost everything, as they hardly have any possessions of their own. They are in need of everything from jeans to blankets, from home decorations to pantry items.
Our Adoption Family is made up of Mom, her teenage daughter (14), a son (8),
as well as a 16 yo girl who is living with them, due to abandonment. The Amazon gifts will be mailed to our home and we will get them to the family in time for Christmas (mom wants to wrap some gifts herself so we are providing wrapping materials as well).
Our Adoption Family is made up of Mom, her teenage daughter (14), a son (8),
as well as a 16 yo girl who is living with them, due to abandonment. The Amazon gifts will be mailed to our home and we will get them to the family in time for Christmas (mom wants to wrap some gifts herself so we are providing wrapping materials as well).
Remember, both the Amazon Wish List and Wish List for 16 yo Girl give you great ideas, but you do NOT have to order only from Amazon. You can purchase these items, or even similar items!
We ask only that you get all items to us by December 18th,
in order for them to be wrapped and delivered in time for Christmas Morning.
Feel free to spread the word about this specific Christmas Adoption -
You never know what the Lord might lead an individual or Community Group, Life Group, Sunday School class, or even one individual to give this Christmas season!!!
***********************************************
We ask only that you get all items to us by December 18th,
in order for them to be wrapped and delivered in time for Christmas Morning.
Feel free to spread the word about this specific Christmas Adoption -
You never know what the Lord might lead an individual or Community Group, Life Group, Sunday School class, or even one individual to give this Christmas season!!!
SIZES:
Mom - Shirt L, Pants/Jeans 10-12 long, Shoes 9
Daughter 14yo - Shirt L, Pants/Jeans 14 long, Shoes 9
Son 8yo - Shirt - kids M, Pants/Jeans M (size 8-10), Shoes 3.5
Teen Girl (16yo teen who lives with the family/father is in prison and mom has essentially abandoned her) - Shirt S/M, Pants/Jeans 0-3, Shoes 6.5; Favorite Color - Red
*This sweet girl needs new underwear, socks, bras, clothes (new and used), coat (new or used), toiletries, and her main wish: a cell phone to stay in contact with her brothers and sisters. Wish List for 16 yo Girl
*This sweet girl needs new underwear, socks, bras, clothes (new and used), coat (new or used), toiletries, and her main wish: a cell phone to stay in contact with her brothers and sisters. Wish List for 16 yo Girl
GIFT IDEAS:
Laundry detergent, quarters for laundry (at their apartments), Walmart gift cards for groceries and necessities, JC Penney gift cards for clothes (mom and daughter need new bras), pantry items. The Williams Family is also in great need of a car (they currently do not have one).
***********************************************
"Ellie's Wish" for fellow NKH Families from around the World
As part of the Ellie Kate Wish Fund through NKH Crusaders (which is the main organization supporting NKH families as well as NKH research around the world), these special Amazon Wish Lists were created specifically by individual NKH families. These particular families were chosen because of their involvement within the NKH Community and because of the needs
of their special needs/medically fragile children and other "typical/healthy" children as well
(siblings often feel left out as so much attention has to be given to the child who is sick).
of their special needs/medically fragile children and other "typical/healthy" children as well
(siblings often feel left out as so much attention has to be given to the child who is sick).
Gifts include items not covered by insurance as well as
special Christmas gifts for NKH children and their siblings.
special Christmas gifts for NKH children and their siblings.
Would you please consider purchasing an item off one of our NKH Family's Wish Lists (click on the link below to see each Amazon Wish List)?
Each item will be directly mailed to the proper family.
Each item will be directly mailed to the proper family.
NKH Family 4
God is so good to change my heart and perspective over the last few days. That doesn't mean I am not hurting physically, mentally and emotionally. It doesn't mean we are pretending that all is okay, ignoring our feelings and thoughts of Ellie Kate's birthdays and parties in the past. It just means for now, in this moment, I've been able to give it all to the Father. He gives me immense joy in knowing other people will be greatly blessed in His name and in Ellie's honor this year.
If you are holding tight to heartache or bitterness like I was in my last post; if you are struggling in only seeing the bad or can't seem to stop wallowing in your current situations, try sincerely praying and giving it all to the Father. There are no magic words or rhymes - just a humble spirit, crying out to God for help. He hears you. He knows you. He loves you (no matter what, always and forever). God IS faithful and true and He can unveil that truth to you now. Believe me - even if it's a constant struggle to continue to give it over to God and to put it in His hands, it's worth it. Leaving your problems in HIS hands and out of YOURS brings supernatural, sweet freedom and I am hoping you can find that even now!
Sweet Freedom!
No comments:
Post a Comment