Showing posts with label faithful and true. Show all posts

Saturday, December 3, 2016

Grateful Hearts and a God who is Faithful and True

Precious Friends, December is now upon us, and it hardly seems possible that Ellie Kate's ELEVENTH birthday is this Sunday! It is now officially, "Ellie Kate's Month of Reckless Love" and in honor of our "reckless love" efforts this month, we invite you to change your Facebook profile to one of the pictures below to help us spread the word!

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).

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!!!

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

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).

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"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).

Gifts include items not covered by insurance as well as
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.

NKH Family 1
NKH Family1 (cont'd)

NKH Family 2

NKH Family 3

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!

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Outer Turmoil and Inner Peace

Outer Turmoil. Likely, you feel it now too, whether it's within your family, or with the terror, madness and immense loss which has surrounded us as a Country. It's impossible for us to escape it - be it the death around us as a result of racial hatred or the death of a personal dream. Precious friends of ours are mourning the deaths of their husbands, mourning deadly blows to their marriages, marking the anniversaries of children lost to disease and sickness . . . so.much.heartache and turmoil inside, outside and everywhere in-between.

Turmoil (as defined by Merriam Webster):

"a state or condition of extreme confusion, agitation, or commotion".

Inner Peace. I feel it - the Holy Spirit bringing complete peace to my own heart as I continually run to him during these uncertain times. Peace is also in the hearts of my friends going through unthinkable heartaches. It may come and go, but it is there because God promises it for us as Believers. Everything, and I mean everything, seems to be shaken-up and uncertain yet, somehow His peace is there, often times waiting in the silence.

Peace (as defined by Merriam Webster):

a state of tranquility or quiet; freedom from civil disturbance; a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom

freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions

harmony in personal relations

a state or period of mutual concord between governments; a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity

used interjectionally to ask for silence or calm as a greeting or farewell

Here's the thing - Merriam Webster can't define the peace that comes from God. It's a peace that doesn't make sense who those who don't know Jesus as their Savior. We can still be concerned with every.single.thing around us - every threat to our family physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, and yet we can have a "peace that passes all understanding". I KNOW that God can, is and WILL use ALL things to work together for MY good and for HIS glory, and the same is true for all of those who know Christ. The world may fall around us, but we have a faithful God who is on our side, fighting for us. There is PEACE in knowing those things, and you can have that peace too!

Jesus tells us that we WILL have trouble in this world. This world does NOT offer peace to us, or rather the peace that it DOES offer is quite fleeting.

John 16:33(ESV), "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 14:27 (NLT), "I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid".

Philippians 4:7 (MSG), "Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."

Since Ellie Kate's death in December 2012, our family has faced many trials and much turmoil. I don't like to think back on it too much, because it truly can be overwhelming. My Grandmother passed away tragically and unexpectedly. Both of Mike's grandmothers have died. My Aunt unexpectedly passed away and other loved ones have had serious accidents and hospital stays. Three of our family dogs have died. We've dealt with unexplainable heartache with Henry and have had his diagnosis of both PANDAS AND epilepsy. We've added counseling, extra therapy and other doctor appointments to our already busy schedule.

I've held babies who've just taken their last breath and held the hands of some dear friends as they kiss their babies for the final time, watching the funeral home coming to take away the earthly body of their precious children. I've attended around 15 funerals since Ellie Kate's - of my own friends and of friends whose babies and even husbands, have left this world. Mike and I had the unspeakable honor of having our lives intertwined with several of those who lost children in the 2013 Tornado here in Moore, OK. I received my Interstitial Cystitis diagnosis, and it has rocked our world as a family - more doctors, more surgeries, more pain, more therapies. Mike had his accident where he hurt his ankle so badly in December that he is still recovering - more surgeries, more therapies, more doctors.

More recently, we've watched my Mother on life support not once but TWICE, due to medical neglect, not knowing if she would wake and come back to be the momma that we know. I've held her hand as she's navigated her new "normal", where her body and mind won't allow her to do what they once did.

SO many ups and many downs, My Friends. So many losses - too many to mention, really. BUT, GOD. GOD HAS BEEN FAITHFUL AND TRUE. He has been faithful in our earthly losses. He has been faithful in the diagnoses. He has been faithful in the hospitalizations. He has continued to provide, above and beyond our most basic needs.

GOD NEVER CHANGES. Everything, EVERYTHING around us in this world changes, but not Our Savior. Because of Jesus, our sweet times outweigh the heartache - truly, that is ONLY because of Jesus.

We are not the only family to face heartache and hardships; we are not the only ones who taste the effects of death, of sickness, of loss, of depression, of silence. Everyone faces these things, and maybe YOU are facing these things now. The only hope; OUR only hope . . . YOUR only hope . . . is Jesus Christ. He is the lover of all Souls - red, yellow, black, and white. He fights for ALL of us because He died for every.living.soul. None is better than the other; all are equally precious in His sight.

If you are facing heartache today, know that Jesus loves you. It's not just a phrase to make you feel better. It's the truth. He made you. He loves you. He fights for you. We must love each other and fight for each other just as He did, My Friends. Knowing His love is the ONLY way to know peace.

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Personal Peek . . . Very recently, we were able to head down to San Antonio to spend time with my brother and his family before they move overseas. My beautiful sister-in-law is an Infectious Disease doctor in the military and is being stationed in Germany, while my brother has just been accepted into Oxford University (yes, my brother AND my sister are both working on their P.H.D's - I'm the slacker here). We had a very sweet time full of rest, love and laughter. It was an incredible gift to be able to spend time together before their big move, and I'm so grateful we were able to make the trip as an entire family! I hope you enjoy some of the photos of our time away together . . .