Kinders Jump on Board

Believe it or not, blogging isn't really my thing ;)

Regardless, the ministry continues, and I am so thankful. Unfortunately, I haven't had as much time in the last few months to maintain the same level of productivity I had going, but hopefully that will change soon. 

A few months ago, a friend connected me to a darling girl named Kate McRae who has battled cancer for the last few years at an incredibly young age. Her mom beautifully updates their caringbridge site, http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate, 

which evokes tears with every single read. I can't imagine the heartache this family has been through. Yet to see the faith they have in God as they plead for their daughter's life is astounding. 

I was excited to send that sweet girl an assortment of headbands to wear and share. 

Next month, my kindergarten class will contribute items to send a care package to the children at St. Jude's Research Hospital. They are all very excited to bless these kids in need. 

To hear my students' prayers for these children would melt the hardest of hearts. 

I'll also contribute another set of headbands to St. Jude's in December!

As I mentioned earlier, I anxiously await the near future when I will have more time to contribute to this ministry. In the mean time, thank you so much to all who have continued to contribute, even in my busyness! DeeDee Furguson in Fallon, Nevada, has started selling the headbands in her store, Cobblestone Corner. Sara and her sisters worked in this store while in high school. What a blessing to have DeeDee sell the headbands there! A big thanks to Kathleen Rauch and Shauna Nelson at CoCoMay Salon who have volunteered to sell the headbands and clips. I've also received an abundance of fabric donations from Kathleen, Cindy Lenker and Jean Hyden - THANK YOU!

I'm praying big prayers for this ministry as I would love to see it continually grow as we all watch Sara's lasting light continue to touch lives.

Here's a glimpse at the latest "holiday collection" I sent to Cobblestone Corner. 

Making the Most of Our Time

Today would be Sara's 24th birthday.

So many emotions surface on days like today.

Not to mention, another young man who attended Corban was killed in a tragic accident yesterday.

During the past school year, five deaths hit our very small community. 

A student, a sister, a mom, a dad and an alumni who was killed in the line of duty.

 As soon as we would get over the emotional hump of one death, another would hit. 

It's easy to wonder why.

It's easy to question God's goodness.

Can all of this really be considered "good?" 

It certainly feels far from good in the moment.

Yet, the Lord remains faithful.

He remains sovereign.

He remains good.

So good.

We are not guaranteed another day.

For better or worse, this has been a constant reminder lately.

But one that I can benefit from.

We are not called to wait and serve the Lord once we reach our ideal situation in life.

We are called to serve now.

We are called to serve in the roles He has placed before us TODAY. 

This has been a humbling thought lately, but one I know the Lord has used to challenge me. 

The Lord's hand hasn't been clearly evident in all areas of my life lately. Yet, I know He is working in ways I cannot see. This ministry has challenged me to believe this. I know His faithfulness has no limits.  I've been brought to tears countless times as people have donated and jumped on board to support it's purpose. God's faithfulness has blown me away. 

July's box was sent to Michigan to an organization called Kids Kicking Cancer. 

I pray lives will be brightened by the same hope Sara lived her life with. 

Most of all, I pray I will be faithful to put my time and effort into what the Lord has for me today.

Off to St. Judes!

Let's just start by saying that the Lord has been ever more faithful to this ministry than I have been to the updating of this blog :) 

In May, I was able to get in touch with an organization called the Sunshine Kids Foundation, which is based out of Houston, Texas. This foundation is dedicated to young cancer patients, as they work with hospitals across the nation and plan events and parties for the cancer patients to attend. They responded right away to my email and were very excited to receive the headbands and hand them out at their next hospital party! We were able to send them a box of headbands mid May. If you would like to read more about the foundation, you can access their website at http://www.sunshinekids.org/

Shortly after hearing from the Sunshine Kids Foundation, I received an email back from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital! They were also thankful for the offer and thrilled to hand out headbands to their patients. Andrea and I just sent the box to Tennessee this weekend!

40 headbands! They requested that each headband was sent in an individual bag and made in a pet-free/ smoke-free environment. I had to thank my sister for resisting my many requests for a pet at our apartment :)

Notice the cute baby bump on Andrea :)

120+ headbands have been donated to cancer patients so far!

Thank you, again, to all who continue to support this ministry through prayer as well as financial, time, and fabric donations! 

July's box destination has been planned! Please keep those prayers coming.

God bless!

Sara's inspiration continues to spread

As I sit down to update my blog, I realize I need to write more often because I know I am going to forget to share something wonderful that has happened this past month.

The Lord's hand has been so incredible evident in this ministry and His faithfulness has blown me away. Every week, something new comes along, someone generously gives, someone lends encouragement and support at a needed time, and new doors open. 

A wonderful parent at my school, Kathleen Rauch, saw the blog and wanted to get involved, so she asked for a supply of flower clips and headbands to take to work. Many headbands and clips were sold, but more importantly, Sara's inspiration was spread.  Shortly after, I met up with a good friend, Katy Drake. She asked about the ministry and showed a headband to her sister, Amy Drake, who is next year's President on Corban's ASB (Yay, Amy!). Katy and Amy's excitement led to ASB promoting the ministry and the Corban bookstore is now selling the headbands as well. 

I have a goal to send a box to a hospital every month. Mid-April, I sent emails to hospitals, but didn't hear a response and wondered where I would send my April box. Shortly after praying about it, I received a letter from Sara's oldest sister, Heidi. She asked for a box to hand out to cancer patients in a hospital in Pheonix, Arizona. There was my answer! 

Andrea and I were able to send her a box last Monday. 

The Lord has provided a couple more leads and I'm excited to watch how He will continue to open doors. The Swensons have generously given and supported this ministry which has been such a blessing and encouragement to me and Andrea. 

So many others have given time and financial assistance, which I am incredibly grateful for. I love that it's a ministry that involves and blesses many, many lives. 

Enough writing, I want to show off some adorable girls wearing their headbands!

Here's my beautiful cousin, Julianne, who names the headbands!

Sweet Taylor Russau, who may have the most adorable giggle ever 

One of my Kinder Cuties :)

Lovely 7th graders at DCS, Joy and Savannah

Some more cute cousins!

Rachel Hoffman, a good friend of Sara's from Corban. Andrea, Sara, Rachel and I lived in the same hall for a very fun year :)

A couple of first grade buddies

Bethany Emmert, another good friend of Sara's from Corban

and gorgeous friend/little sister of sorts, Ashley Buller :)

Again, thank you so much to all of you who have supported this ministry. I'm not sure if this is the climax or if we are just getting started, but I'm forever thankful for this opportunity.  

The first box is off!

The tags have arrived!

Not only did Sheri design and order the tags, but she took the time to round the edges and punch hearts in all 200 of them! 

THANK YOU, SHERI!

Here is the front...

and the back...

I am so in love with how they turned out. 

After a couple months of planning, crafting, and the culmination of many friend's and family member's help coming together, the first box of 20 headbands was sent to the UCSF Children's Hospital today!

I'm so thankful for the support I've been given and I'm overwhelmingly humbled by the way the Lord has clearly had His hand in this ministry. Can't wait to send the next box and see what else He has in store!

Sheri's Amazing Work!

I'm so excited and THANKFUL for Sheri Warren who designed this hang tag for the headbands. Check it out!

Almost Ready to Send...

With over 70 headbands ready to send, I anxiously await mailing the first package to cancer patients at the Children's Hospital at UCSF, where Sara received her treatments. I'm so thankful that Sheri Warren, a good friend and talented graphic designer, has volunteered to design the hang tags. Once this final step is completed, the first group of headbands are ready to send!