Peace, Hope and Joy

The Christmas Season brings so many feelings and emotions to us all.  In a previous post, I mentioned the fact that I feel that this is a season of Peace for our family.  It's a word that God has given me for this time in our lives.  Everywhere I look though, I have a hard time finding "peace" decorations and ornaments!  Hope, joy and Santa are just about everywhere, but I've been looking for PEACE - figuratively and physically.

A sweet ornament I unrwrapped last night from my friend Amy!

An amazing thing has happened over the last two weeks and it truly is nothing short of a miracle, seeing how burdened my heart has been.  God, in His goodness, has not only given me a craving for peace - He has actually GIVEN me peace!  He has also placed JOY and HOPE in my heart, and those are things that I truly did not think would be in my heart, or in my mind, at this time of year.  I  wasn't sure if I truly would ever again feel those things during Christmas time . . . Ellie's Month, ever, ever again.  But Jesus has changed that for me, and even if it only lasts for a bit, I am relishing in it, basking in it, and dancing in it, as one would dance in the rain!

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. 

How beautifully He ties it all together!  

The joy and hope in my heart have made me excited to decorate for Christmas.  To us, this is now "Ellie's Month", so having the house decorated early for Christmas just means that we extend the time of celebrating Our Girl!  It's been so fun and freeing to get things ready around the house.  In a strange way, I feel as though I am still parenting Ellie Kate by decorating.  I hang her ornaments just as I hang those of the other children.  

This Month of Reckless Love truly does give me the opportunity to feel as though I am parenting and sharing My Daughter's life with others.  I know it sounds strange and I wish I could explain it better, but it's just so hard to put into words.  That is one of the many reasons that it means SO much to have you participate in the Month of Reckless Love!  And, there is now a special way for you to support OKC Hope Link when you make your purchases on Amazon.com. You can go to Amazon Smiles and choose "Hope Link" and a portion of your purchase will be donated to OKC Hope Link, the non-profit that is so dear to our hearts.  Also, be sure to "like" our official Facebook page under "In Honor of Ellie Kate McLaughlin - Living a Life of Reckless Love".

Ellie Kate's Month of Reckless Love Wish List  - REMINDER - all gifts will be donated to OU Children's Hospital and will be delivered on December 4th (Ellie Kate's 9th Birthday)

It is truly a rich relief, distraction and solace to have these feelings flooding our hearts and home at this time.  Mike and I are even looking into getting a new puppy for the boys this Christmas!  New, hopeful, joyful, full of peace . . . He is SO faithful.

With Peace, Hope and Joy,

Ryan

  

In Honor of Ellie Kate - A Month of Reckless Love

The month of December will soon be upon us, and I can hardly believe it!  I say that often, but it is oh-so-true, Friends.  I REALLY cannot believe that it is almost December, the month we will celebrate Ellie Kate's life and death.  

This year, we are starting a grand tradition - a project of service and love.  The event itself will take place the entire month of December.  After all, that is the month Ellie was born, the month she was sent home on hospice and the month she went to be with Jesus.  The event will be called, "In Honor of Ellie Kate - A Month of Reckless Love".  

We have a Facebook Page dedicated to this event, under the same title.  I welcome you to join our Facebook Page/Event so that you can stay up to date on all of the details!  Here is a brief explanation of what the celebration will entail . . . 

Ellie Kate McLaughlin was born December 4, 2005 in Oklahoma City. Ellie suffered from NKH - a rare and terminal genetic disorder, and spent most of her birthdays in the hospital at OU Children's Hospital. Ellie Kate taught everyone around her how to love recklessly and selflessly - to love the unlovely and serve those in need. Ellie Kate went to be with Jesus on December 23, 2012. During the month of December, we celebrate our Precious Daughter by making a difference in our communities, by loving and serving the world around us. Join us as we honor Ellie Kate by loving others this month! November 5th-December 4th: Purchase a book or donate your favorite story to Ellie's cause! Your gift will be handed out to patients at OU Children's Hospital at Ellie Kate's birthday celebration on December 4th. Books should be suitable for children ages birth-18 years. More information on book drop-offs coming soon!  Purchase a book directly from Ellie Kate's Amazon Wish List!  All donations will be sent to our home and will be placed in the hands of children staying at OU Children's Hospital during the month of December. Click HERE for the Amazon Registry http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/giftlist/26F5I0VH3O3FZ/ref=topnav_lists_2 December 1-31st: Start loving those around you in reckless ways! Give to those in need, purposefully reaching out to those who are hurting, including those with special needs and families who have lost children. Share on our page how you have loved others in Honor of Ellie Kate!  December 4th: Ellie's 8th Birthday! Join us at OU Children's Hospital as we throw a party in Ellie's honor. This is a way for us to love on special children who are stuck in the hospital during the holidays, much like Ellie Kate. We will have a birthday party, a reading/story time, and special crafts for the patients (time TBA).  December 19th: Share Ellie's story with someone you come in contact with. Post and let us know about your encounter, and also share your favorite Ellie Kate memory or story!  December 23rd: Ellie's Heaven Day! Post pictures of you and your family releasing PINK balloons in Ellie Kate's honor. Send messages with your balloons and be creative! This is a way to show our family that you remember our Sweet Girl. More details will follow, so keep watching for them!  I want this to be an amazing event, all month long.  I dream of Ellie Kate's legacy living on through this - through YOU loving those around you in reckless, big, intense, and purposeful ways.  I can't wait to see what God will do through you!