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 child, and 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 1-20^th:  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 20^th. 

1. Hope Link Family, "V"

2. Hope Link Family, "L"

3. Hope Link Family, "T"

“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 4^th (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 15-20^th: We will gather to wrap each gift and deliver to our adopted Hope Link families before December 20^th.  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 24-31^st:

·        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. 

     Click HERE to donate to OKC Hope Link

§   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!

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

  

And So It Begins - Details for Ellie Kate's Month of Reckless Love

OhMyGoodness.  Ya'll!  I am truly AMAZED, tickled pink and moved to tears by the way you are already getting involved in Ellie's Month of Reckless Love!  Particularly with the book drive . . . WOW!

Your generosity, your thoughtfulness and your words of love are encouraging my heart.  I'm learning that this time of year will be indescribably difficult for our little family.  Celebrating Ellie Kate's birthday, her Heaven day, those last precious moments we held her in our arms; when I focus on it, it becomes just too much.  But, the way YOU are outreaching and loving recklessly is giving me faith, hope, endurance, and JOY during this holiday season!!  Oh, thank you, Friends! You are breathing life into my heart - into our hearts - by remembering our Dear Girl in this way.  

We have some UPDATES for our drop-off boxes, which will all be in place TOMORROW (Friday, November 15th)!  That gives you plenty of time to get those books and gifts in. In fact, we've had SO many donations already, that we have added some gifts and toys appropriate for special-needs and typical children! Remember, the boxes will be taken down on December 1st in order to prepare for Ellie's Birthday Party at OU Children's. 

Below is the updated list, as well as other ways to give, including how to give and receive a tax write-off.  This would include giving to our Family's medical fund through Helping Hands Ministries, giving to NKH Research through NKH Crusaders and giving to OKC Hope Link - the non-profit started to love on families whose children suffer from rare, serious and undiagnosed disorders.  You can't go wrong, no matter how you to choose to give in Ellie Kate's honor!  


Ways to Participate in the Month of Reckless Love:

1. Donate to our book drive! All books donated will be given to chronically ill children at OU Children's Hospital during Ellie's birthday celebration on December 4th. Hit up one of our drop off boxes OR donate through our AMAZON WISH LIST, November 5th-December 4th: 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/giftlist/26F5I0VH3O3FZ/ref=topnav_lists_2

DROP OFF BOXES:
Funky Monkey - 1401 North May Avenue, OKC
Bridgeway Church - 228 West Hefner Road, OKC
Chesapeake Energy - 1600 N. Western, OKC - located in Mike's office; call/text if you'd like to drop off (405-812-3589)
Uptown Kids - 5840 North Classen Blvd #3 (Classen Curve), OKC
Dr. Willoughby, DDS, -1222 S Kelly Ave, Edmond
Keller Williams Norman - 905 24th Avenue NW #A, Norman
Van's Pig Stand, Norman - 320 North Porter Ave, Norman
First Baptist Church, Moore - 301 NE 27th Street, Moore
To The Nines Boutique - 111 West Main St., Moore (Old Towne)
McBride Orthopedic Hospital - 9600 Broadway Extension, Edmond 

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! 

3. 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). 

4. 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! 

5. 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.


FOR WAYS TO GIVE while receiving a tax write-off: 

*Give to the Ellie Kate Project through Helping Hands Ministries - This is the family medical fund, and giving goes directly to Lucy Belle's medical costs.

*Give to NKH Crusaders and help us find a cure for this terrible disease which causes GI issues, epilepsy, extreme developmental delays, mental retardation, and more. 

*Give to OKC Hope Link OKC Hope Link- - a ministry we help lead; Hope Link reaches families of children with rare, serious and undiagnosed disorders.

From the bottom of my heart; from the depths of my soul, I thank you for loving us this way and for honoring our Daughter by loving others!