Sunday, December 3, 2017

Ellie Kate's Month of Reckless Love - Christmas Adoption and More!


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.

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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         

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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 childand we have the joy of fulfilling a few of those needs!

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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.



Even if you aren’t able to purchase or provide 
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 . . .

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
·         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






“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 someoneIf 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-offplease 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!



1 comment:

  1. This is WONDERFUL!!! Thank you for inviting me!!! We love you all!!!

    ReplyDelete

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