An Invitation

Friends, Family and Strangers, Alike,

are officially invited to join in on, 

"Ellie Kate's Wishes 2019", 

a tradition held since EK left this earth, 

December 2012.

As Ellie's parents, we long to see these wishes fulfilled in her name, 

and even more than that, we long for these families to experience

 the reckless love of Christ through these gifts!  

Giving is super SIMPLE and QUICK, 

but we need your help now, 

in order for items to be delivered to 

Families by Christmas Day! 

Right now, there are many deserving families, philanthropies and non-profits to support.  Our prayer is, for your heart to be moved, as you think on the reckless, undeniable, complete LOVE, God has for YOU - this is a precious, intimate love we continue to see, learn and understand, all because of our Daughter. Through that, may you receive a great desire to recklessly bless our fellow NKH families, families like us - also entrusted with a child deemed, "terminally ill", who continually face spiritual, mental, emotional, and financial struggles.  

Lucy's Christmas Party was a BLAST! We love ALL of our friends, including our Bronco Buddies, who trade their own recess for time spent with these special students! You can see the love on their faces! 

Wish-Granting Instructions:

1. Choose a family below

2. Click on the links to find their wishes and needs

3. Purchase the wishes and needs the Lord leads you to, and they will be mailed directly to the NKH Family!

4. Email or PM me, letting me know what items you've purchased OR let me know if you would like to give towards a certain gift.  
5. Gifts will be mailed DIRECTLY to the family - yay!  Any  monetary gifts, marked for "Ellie Kate's Wish" or "NKH", can be sent to Hope Link (a tax-deductible receipt will be sent out to you).

• Family "A":  This Beloved Family is especially dear to our hearts.  The illness and disease, they face within their household, is truly hard to grasp.  Nevertheless, the family keeps on fighting, surviving, and thriving.  Each of the gifts listed below,  would be a blessing to the family, and would let them know they aren't alone in this fight.  Let's how them  them how loved and worthy they truly are!!
• Need #1

• Need #2

•     Need #3

• Family "B":  Family "B" is very special to us, as they too have lost a child to NKH.  They have a big household, including another little girl, who is also affected by NKH (just a little younger than Lucy).    Like us, our friends know where their child now lives - in Heaven, complete and whole, but the sting of death is unforgiving and can be so piercing to one's soul.  Granting these gifts would bless this family, allowing them to be loved, even in the midst of heartache and perseverance.  The particular gifts will help the little girl communicate with her family, friends, teachers, etc.  Can you imagine the freedom that could come with that?!? Giving a child a LITERAL VOICE - that's one amazing gift!

• Need #1 - Communication Device

• Need #2 - Communication Stand 

• Family "C":  This sweet family has been through more trials than I could possibly share.  Momma was diagnosed with cancer and has undergone intense chemotherapy. Both parents have been valiant warriors, especially while taking care of this precious little girl, during a time of great illness and pain.  The gift this family has asked for, is an "Up-See" (you may have seen this via FB commercials).  The Up-see allows the child to experience "walking", while attached to an adult.  Pretty incredible!  This gift would be a blessing to a family who has been through tremendous struggles, and would help a little girl experience something she never has before - the ability to walk, while assisted!! 

• Need #1 - "Up-See", SIZE SMALL

 *If you would like to give towards this gift, please private message me via Facebook OR email tullyryan@hotmail.com.  

Thank you, in advance, for granting these wishes and needs 

of our fellow NKH Families across the Nation! 

I can't wait to update, once ALL of the gifts have been purchased, but until then, 

please pass this around to friends and family, 

and join in, as you are able! 

**Blogger has a mind of it's own, so please forgive the random color changes and spaces, throughout this post.

UPDATE! We Need Your Help - Ellie's Month of Reckless Love

Earlier this week, God sweetly reminded me of the night Ellie Kate was born.  Some of you have heard this story, as I'm sure I've shared it many times.  Personally, though, I had forgotten the precious beginning, the very reason why we call Ellie Kate, "Consecrated" Princess.

Ellie's birth was fast and furious, as I had mostly labored at home. She came to us on a Sunday afternoon and after the excitement settled down a bit, and the clock passed midnight, it was just me and Mike in the room with that Precious Little Girl.  I held her tight - I wanted her by my side, always.  I had yet to see her eyes, or hear her voice, but I knew she was just perfect.  

During that time, Mike had been intently studying David (the character from the Bible).   That night of Ellie's birth, we talked about King David's Heritage and went backward, to Abraham.  WOW.  The story of Abraham and Isaac is vital to our Faith (without sharing it all here, I'm attaching a LINK so you can get the full picture of this beautiful Bible story).  Abraham LOVED his son, who was a true miracle, and whose future was ordained by God in every possible way.  The future was to come from Isaac, yet God called Abraham to give him up - can  you imagine the confusion, fear and angst which must have crept in?!?   

Abraham laid his precious, promised son before God.  He CHOSE to believe, even when he didn't understand and thus, 

Abraham gives us perfect example of FAITH.  

OBEDIENCE happened.  

FAITH took place, and God was glorified.  

Hannah, another great woman of faith in the Bible. God brought this sweet momma to my mind the night of Ellie's birth, as Mike and I talked about Abraham's sacrifice.  Hannah couldn't have children, but cried out to God for the gift of motherhood.  She promised to give her son to Lord, to lay Him before the throne, to entrust Him with Samuel's entire life and future.  Hannah did as she promised. Hannah stepped out in faith and gave her son to GOD (LINK).

That night, Mike and I were deep in prayer together, right there with a newborn Ellie Kate.  We each offered her up to the Lord, knowing that she was HIS, knowing that HIS plans would always be higher than ours.  We chose to trust, literally saying those words out loud, and thanked Him for such an unbelievable, precious gift.  Indescribable peace followed.  

Tonight, some of the parallels shared here are sinking in for the first time for me.  Even fourteen years after EK was born, seven years after she died, God uses my Daughter's Story to move in me.  I'm so humbled and grateful. 

Those who follow Christ, we are called to give ourselves away.  Believers, we are called to hand over our children and all that we are, all that we've worked for, all that "belongs" to us.  It is HIS, to be used for HIS glory.  You can see this in holy consecration, with Abraham and Hannah, giving their children to their God.  But, this can also be seen in everyday actions, reckless love: giving when it isn't convenient, helping when it's hard, stepping in when it all seems messy. 

For Ellie Kate's Month, I hope you learn about all of this, and so much more!  I pray you will put it into action and in fact, WE CALL ON YOU TO RECKLESSLY LOVE, BY GIVING, and meeting the needs of these NKH families, from all over the country.  I haven't shared much on them personally, hoping to protect their privacy, but I want you to know about them and their children.  So, feel free to message me about the families and about any questions you might have.  Also, IF YOU PURCHASE A GIFT, PLEASE MESSAGE ME, so I know that gift is indeed, taken care of.  

Ellie Kate's Month of Reckless Love 2019

#EKMonthofRecklessLove

#EKspreadthelove

Below is a list of our adoptees at this time, and helping out is super easy! 

1. Choose a family

2. Click on the links to find their wishes and needs

3. Purchase the wishes and needs the Lord leads you to, and they will be mailed directly to the NKH Family!

4. Email or PM me, letting me know what items you've purchased OR let me know if you would like to give towards a certain gift.  

NKH FAMILY "A":  This Beloved Family is especially dear to our hearts.  The illness and disease, they face within their household, is truly hard to grasp.  Nevertheless, the family keeps on fighting, surviving, and thriving.  Each of the gifts listed below,  would be a blessing to the family, and would let them know they aren't alone in this fight.  Let's how them  them how loved and worthy they truly are!!

Need #1

Need #2

    Need #3

************************************************

NKH FAMILY "B":  Family "B" is very special to us, as they too have lost a child to NKH.  They have a big household, including another little girl, who is also affected by NKH (just a little younger than Lucy).    Like us, our friends know where their child now lives - in Heaven, complete and whole, but the sting of death is unforgiving and can be so piercing to one's soul.  Granting these gifts would bless this family, allowing them to be loved, even in the midst of heartache and perseverance.  The particular gifts will help the little girl communicate with her family, friends, teachers, etc.  Can you imagine the freedom that could come with that?!? Giving a child a LITERAL VOICE - that's one amazing gift! 

Need #1 - Communication Device

Need #2 - Communication Stand 

**************************************************

NKH Family "C":  This sweet family has been through more trials than I could possibly share.  Momma was diagnosed with cancer and has undergone intense chemotherapy. Both parents have been a valiant warriors, especially while taking care of this precious little girl, during a time of great illness and pain.  The ONLY gift this family has asked for, is an "Up-See" (you may have seen this via FB commercials).  The Up-see allows the child to experience "walking", while attached to an adult.  Pretty incredible!  This gift would be a blessing to a family who has been through tremendous struggles, and it would help a little girl experience something she never has before - the ability to walk, while assisted!!  *If you would like to give towards this gift, please private message me.  

Need #1 - "Up-See", SIZE SMALL

********************************************************************

Other ways to spread Reckless Love this month: 

• SHARE THE LOVE/LOGO/MESSAGE: We invite you to change your FB profile page and/or background pic to Ellie Kate's logo, spreading the word about Reckless Love, bringing opportunities to share about Our Girl. 
• During now and December 23 (Ellie's Heaven Day), Recklessly love those around you by mowing a law, bringing a meal, dropping off a gift card, and more!  
• Share a picture of your expressions of Reckless Love, even printing off the logo to share along with your acts of Reckless Love!

December: A Month of Reckless Love, In Honor of Ellie Kate and Lucy McLaughlin

SEVEN.  It's almost been seven, long years without Our Beloved, Firstborn Daughter.  December is upon us, which brings "Ellie Kate's Month of Reckless Love.  Many of you don't know about Ellie Kate, or never met her, or don't know the reason why we celebrate Ellie Kate, the entire month of December.  It's a precious month to us and in this blog post, you'll have the opportunity to adopt one of our fellow NKH Families.  I will also give you ideas on how to spread this thing we call, "Reckless Love".

Through Ellie Kate, I have learned more about love than I ever thought possible.  Real, true, perfect LOVE - RECKLESS LOVE, a love which surpasses understanding and goes beyond rules or limits we so often set.  This Reckless Love calls us to serve, to be and to DO - even when it's least expected, ESPECIALLY when it's least expected - going out of our comfort zones, choosing to give of ourselves, no matter what the cost.  THIS is how God loves US.  THIS is how we are called to love one another.

It is with this thought, God led us to create, "Ellie Kate's Month of Reckless Love", which spans the entire month of December.  Ellie was born December 4, 2005, and met Jesus face-to-face, December 23, 2012.   Although sometimes bittersweet, we choose to CELEBRATE the entire month by honoring our Ellie Kate with acts of Reckless Love towards the community around us.  In the past, we have hosted parties at OU Children's, collected books and gifts for that hospital so close to our hearts; we've also adopted families for Christmas and we've invited you to do the very same, joining us, every step of the way. 

Ellie Kate's Month of Reckless Love 2019 . . .

#EKMonthofRecklessLove

#EKspreadthelove

FIRST, and most importantly, NKH Family Adoptions!  This year, we ask you to "adopt" fellow NKH children and their families. These are people, from all around the Country, who struggle every day, with a terminal disease.  Our fellow NKH Families are BRAVE, bold and their children are oh-so-beautiful.  Will you join us in recklessly loving these precious families?

Below is a list of our adoptees at this time, and helping out is super easy! 

1. Choose a family

2. Click on the links to find their wishes and needs

3. Purchase the wishes and needs the Lord leads you to, and they will be mailed directly to the NKH Family!

NKH FAMILY "A"·       
Need #1

Need #2

      Need #3

NKH FAMILY "B":
Need #1 - Communication Device
Need #2

NKH Family "C": 
Need #1

Other ways to spread Reckless Love this month: 

• SHARE THE LOVE/LOGO/MESSAGE: We invite you to change your FB profile page and/or background pic to Ellie Kate's logo, spreading the word about Reckless Love, bringing opportunities to share about Our Girl. 
• During now and December 23 (Ellie's Heaven Day), Recklessly love those around you by mowing a law, bringing a meal, dropping off a gift card, and more!  
• Share a picture of your expressions of Reckless Love, even printing off the logo to share along with your acts of Reckless Love!

Thank you for taking a look at this particular blog post, and thank you too, for sharing it!  I've been increasingly sick and it's affecting my daily life (mostly bedridden these last several days - my poor family!), so I'm unable to do as much as I would like, where all of this is concerned.  I have surgery December 9th to figure out what's going on inside my tummy.  Of course, that's right in the middle of Ellie's Month, but we are trusting God with the timing.  Thank you for bearing with me in the days and weeks to come, as I try to do a worthy job of celebrating EK and of taking care of our NKH Families, in her honor.    

Ryan 

Thank you, in advance, for granting these important "wishes" (needs) from our NKH Families.  We have no doubt, you will jump in to help - I'm praying I will need to update with MORE NEEDS because the others have been filled!