It’s DECEMBER 3rd, and we can officially kick-off,
“Ellie
Kate’s Month of Reckless Love”!!!
It's the Most Wonderful Time
of Year for Our Family -
the month we’ve dedicated to Ellie Kate
McLaughlin,
our Eldest Daughter, born
to us December 4, 2005,
taking her last breaths in our
arms, December 23, 2012.
To us, December belongs to
Ellie Kate.
*************************************************************
There are so many aspects of Ellie Kate’s
journey,
countless things we’ve gleaned from her
life.
Chiefly, God
has opened our hearts to the those within the special needs and
medically-fragile communities,
as well
as those dealing first-hand, with child loss.
To be honest, we
wouldn’t have chosen this specific ministry for ourselves
OR for our family and yet,
it is more precious to us
than
anything we could have chosen on our own accord.
Ellie Kate's Last Christmas, taken at OU Children's Dec 2012
It’s through this ministry and calling, God has clearly
defined for us, what “Reckless Love” means:
Taking intentional, thoughtful action, in order
to benefit the life of another, doing so without worry of consequence,
even if it brings personal sacrifice.
"Love"- a
verb; a deliberate action; it's not just a feeling, because our
feelings can quickly pass and even fail us.
"Reckless" - to be
unconcerned with the consequences of an action; to test the limits, not
worrying about what might happen as a result.
·
Love is giving, even when it
doesn't make sense -
ESPECIALLY when it doesn't make sense.
Love is giving, even when it
takes away from
our own needs and desires.
************************************************************************
This
anniversary marks FIVE years since we last saw Ellie Kate, since we last drew in her sweet scent, last
touched her soft skin, and last touched her silky curls. We know
some of you don’t know Ellie Kate, with many joining Our Journey since Ellie’s
death.
No matter when you’ve come alongside us in this Journey,
we ask you to join us in honoring EKM and
in celebrating her life this month.
In fact,
we’d love for you to change your Facebook profile to celebrate this Great Month
with us!
To
celebrate Ellie Kate in years past, we’ve gathered books and gifts for OU
Children’s Hospital, where Ellie spent her last birthday and so many days of
her life. Last year, we adopted one single family.
This
year, we’re adopting three,
precious Hope Link Families,
all
so very well-deserving of some reckless love!
Also in
celebration, we’ll be blessing fellow NKH Families from around the world by taking
part in,
“Ellie’s Wish”, a program dedicated
in EK’s honor, through NKH Crusaders.
Only NKH Families are encouraged to apply for one “wish”, which is an actual need for their child, and we have the joy of fulfilling a few
of those needs!
**********************************************************************
Honestly, we NEED you to play a
part in fulfilling the many wishes and needs of these Precious Families this
year, all whom we know and love.
When the participation stops,
a part of Ellie Kate stops.
a part of Ellie Kate stops.
Even if you aren’t
able to purchase or provide
a gift from the Amazon Wish Lists,
a gift from the Amazon Wish Lists,
there are still
MANY ways you can honor Ellie Kate
AND show some Reckless Love
to the hurting world around you this month . . .
AND show some Reckless Love
to the hurting world around you this month . . .
Ways to Participate in Ellie’s Month of Reckless Love:
· December 1-20th: Help us show MAJOR, RECKLESS LOVE as we adopt
THREE Hope Link families in Ellie Kate’s honor! An Amazon “Wish List” has been created for each family; items
are listed extensively and according to need. Gifts are NOT
limited to the Amazon Wish Lists; other gifts are very much welcome, and can be mailed to us
directly (if you would like other gift ideas, sizes or needs, please let me
know). All gifts will be wrapped and given to the Hope
Link families for Christmas morning . . .
HOPE LINK CHRISTMAS ADOPTIONS:
Giving can be easy and quick, as each Hope Link Family has an Amazon Wish List Made in their honor. Needs vary among each family, and the lists beautifully reflect those differences . . .
· Click on a Hope Link Family’s Amazon Needs/Wish List
*click on links listed below in BLUE to make your purchase
*click on links listed below in BLUE to make your purchase
· Choose an item on the list to purchase/donate
· Purchase the item via Amazon
· The item will be mailed directly to us
· With volunteers, we will be wrapping all gifts and delivering them to our Hope Link Families before December 20th.
1. Hope Link Family, "V"
2. Hope Link Family, "L"
“ELLIE’S WISH” through NKH CRUSADERS: Giving is easy and quick, each family choosing only ONE item through Amazon.com. Needs vary among each child, and the lists beautifully reflect those differences.
· Click on the “Ellie’s Wish” Amazon Needs/Wish List
· Choose which item to purchase
· Purchase the item via Amazon
· Each item will be mailed directly to the NKH Family, who will be able to wrap the gift for their own child, preparing it for them as they wish.
*ADDITIONAL DETAILS AND LISTS WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE
· December 4th (Ellie Kate’s Birthday): Go
out and love, serve, encourage, or GIVE to one of the following . . .
· Serve families around you who also have a special-needs
child. Bring a
meal, bake a cake, send a balloon, or gift card; ask the family to get together
or provide a date night for the parents/caregivers – recklessly anything
uplifting, letting the family know they are loved and not forgotten
· Tangibly Bless a family who has a lost a child. Bring a meal, bake a cake, send a
balloon or card, even give an unexpected gift - anything to let the family know they are loved and not forgotten,
and that their child who has died, is ALSO not forgotten.
· Share
Ellie's story with someone! If you never met Ellie
Kate or don’t know much of her story, share about Lucy Belle or about what God
has done through their lives! Post and let us know about
your encounter!
· Share
your favorite Ellie Kate memory on our FB page or Twitter, OR share
with us how Ellie Kate’s Legacy has impacted your life!
· December 15-20th: We
will gather to wrap each gift and deliver to our adopted Hope Link families
before December 20th. If you’d like to be part of
wrapping or delivering gifts, simply text me at 405-923-8562. We would absolutely love for you to serve in
this way!
· December 23rd: Ellie's Heaven Day! Post
pictures of balloon releases in Ellie Kate's honor. Be creative – maybe
even send messages to Heaven with your balloons! This is a real way to
show our family that you remember our Sweet Girl. Be sure
to share your balloon-release videos and photos on social media!
·
December 24-31st:
· Love Your People with reckless-abandon, as if
this were your last holiday on earth.
· If you
are looking for an end-of-year tax write-off, please pray about
donating to one of the following reputable ministries:
§ OKC Hope Link – Reaching
families whose children suffer from rare, serious and undiagnosed disorders,
through fellowship, friendship and prayer. Seeking to serve the
entire family, Hope Link offers events throughout the year for its members,
including Date Nights, a monthly Support Group for moms, and an annual Mom’s
Retreat.
§ The “Ellie Kate Memorial
Fund” through Helping Hands Ministry –a charity
with immense character, Helping Hands holds this specific fund in our
family’s honor. It is used solely for our medical expenses.
Click HERE to donate to the McLaughlin Helping Hands Medical Account
Ellie Kate's Magical Christmas Tree, 2017
Friends, THANK YOU for remembering Ellie Kate and for honoring her life in the specific ways listed here on the blog. I cannot wait to see what GOD will do through you for these families so greatly in need!
You are a blessing, an inspiration and encouragement in more ways than you know.
I look forward to posting updates on "Ellie's Month" again soon!
I look forward to posting updates on "Ellie's Month" again soon!
This is WONDERFUL!!! Thank you for inviting me!!! We love you all!!!
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