How Do I Even Start?
*Updated :
9am MT
Friday 1/19/06
$9160. has been raised
It started with an email from Boomama.
Now, we have emailed some in the past (especially about some granola) and the fact that we have both been in Louisiana and love the same things: The Walmart and The Stein Marts being two.
This email was different.
To catch some of you up to current events, recently I had posted this, then this and then in full meltdown - this. And finally, once my brain came back into focus, I posted this.
During these posts, Boo and I exchanged emails and comments.
And then.
She had a nudge from God. She wanted to do something -and so she stepped up to God's nudge and ran with it. She had faith.
At first, we were the hesitant ones. we are the helpers- not the helped. We have not laid this on anyone because it is "our way". And God? He gently said this to us when we prayed- "Get out of MY Way, please." Let me bless you. And we did.
We have been overwhelmed and blessed beyond anything we imagined. Financially- , I think everyone has seen the fruits of that. Emotionally, we have been overwhelmed with support, peace, prayerful covering. Physically- its been a good few days for me. We'll take those when they come. As well, there have been several offers from people willing to be a living kidney donor, a quilt is being made, and most importantly the prayers of people I will never meet this side of heaven. As I told Boo several times yesterday and we talked on the phone- what a love a thon we will have in heaven.
Hundreds of you posted Shannon's "For Kelli" button on your blogs. I will never be able to find all of you and say THANK YOU. So- THANK YOU.
Susie from Bluebird Blogs is donating 20% of her business for January 11th - 21st. She does bee-u-tee-ful stuff folks. Go here for details .... THANK YOU.
All day yesterday, Boo and I kept saying over and over - What do you say? HOW do say anything more than THANK YOU. It seems so poor and inadequate. I can NEVER express what all of you have done for our family in ways I don't think we can even begin to realize
Bottom line is folks- I am speechless.
Bloggityville is a family, a community of (to quote Boomama) the most.awesomest.internets.anywhere. I'm honored to know each one of you.
And that is a place you rarely, if ever, find me.
I think this says it in ways I cannot:
Lord I wish I could praise
You with adequate words
But You leave me speechless
And I so long to sing
You the song You deserve
But it would be endless
I long to move Your heart,
to bring You something new
To tell how great You are
'till my praise to You...
Is like the ocean breeze
blowing on Your face
Like a summer sun
with its warm embrace
Like a gentle rain
plays a symphony
That's what I want my praise to be
Like a fragrant rose
in the early spring
Like an eagle soars
when it spreads its wings
Whatever Lord
You may need from me
That's what I want my praise to be to You
Psalms 115:1 everyone .... and Thank You.
Also, please - be praying for Emma Grace and Ashley They need us to stand shoulder to little shoulder with them.
9am MT
Friday 1/19/06
$9160. has been raised
It started with an email from Boomama.
Now, we have emailed some in the past (especially about some granola) and the fact that we have both been in Louisiana and love the same things: The Walmart and The Stein Marts being two.
This email was different.
To catch some of you up to current events, recently I had posted this, then this and then in full meltdown - this. And finally, once my brain came back into focus, I posted this.
During these posts, Boo and I exchanged emails and comments.
And then.
She had a nudge from God. She wanted to do something -and so she stepped up to God's nudge and ran with it. She had faith.
At first, we were the hesitant ones. we are the helpers- not the helped. We have not laid this on anyone because it is "our way". And God? He gently said this to us when we prayed- "Get out of MY Way, please." Let me bless you. And we did.
We have been overwhelmed and blessed beyond anything we imagined. Financially- , I think everyone has seen the fruits of that. Emotionally, we have been overwhelmed with support, peace, prayerful covering. Physically- its been a good few days for me. We'll take those when they come. As well, there have been several offers from people willing to be a living kidney donor, a quilt is being made, and most importantly the prayers of people I will never meet this side of heaven. As I told Boo several times yesterday and we talked on the phone- what a love a thon we will have in heaven.
Hundreds of you posted Shannon's "For Kelli" button on your blogs. I will never be able to find all of you and say THANK YOU. So- THANK YOU.
Susie from Bluebird Blogs is donating 20% of her business for January 11th - 21st. She does bee-u-tee-ful stuff folks. Go here for details .... THANK YOU.
All day yesterday, Boo and I kept saying over and over - What do you say? HOW do say anything more than THANK YOU. It seems so poor and inadequate. I can NEVER express what all of you have done for our family in ways I don't think we can even begin to realize
Bottom line is folks- I am speechless.
Bloggityville is a family, a community of (to quote Boomama) the most.awesomest.internets.anywhere. I'm honored to know each one of you.
And that is a place you rarely, if ever, find me.
I think this says it in ways I cannot:
Lord I wish I could praise
You with adequate words
But You leave me speechless
And I so long to sing
You the song You deserve
But it would be endless
I long to move Your heart,
to bring You something new
To tell how great You are
'till my praise to You...
Is like the ocean breeze
blowing on Your face
Like a summer sun
with its warm embrace
Like a gentle rain
plays a symphony
That's what I want my praise to be
Like a fragrant rose
in the early spring
Like an eagle soars
when it spreads its wings
Whatever Lord
You may need from me
That's what I want my praise to be to You
Psalms 115:1 everyone .... and Thank You.
Also, please - be praying for Emma Grace and Ashley They need us to stand shoulder to little shoulder with them.
posted by Kelli at 8:43 PM
58 Comments:
Beautiful.
You said it beautifully, Kelli. Bless you.
It has, quite simply, been one of the sweetest privileges of my life.
Now we've just got to get you that transplant.
I'm feeling pretty good about the insurance end of things. :-)
Praying for you and your family daily.
We are rejoicing as Christian sisters and brother's in Christ because we know he is still in the miracle business, so in that we pray God's richest Blessings for a new kidney for you.
You are in my prayer's daily.
Praying for you and praising God for what He has done and for what He is going to do! I am keeping up my button until you are totally, undeniably healed! And I am spreading the word for that kidney.
Your sister in Christ...
I've been keeping up with you via BooMama's blog and sending up prayers. Our God is awesome! I just know He has great plans for you.
Continuing to pray and expect wonderful things for you!
I will continue to pray for you through this entire process --- until that new kidney is in your body and you are running laps around the rest of us! ;)
Blessings,
Karla
Continuing to pray for you and praising God for His awesome work.
Many, many, many blessings to you.
I am so thankful that I could be a part of something so wonderful and that I received a blessing in this as well. This is what being brothers and sisters in Christ should be about, in my opinion. There's a song by Avalon that has a line "there are no strangers...of God" and goes on to say "Come all ye weary, come and lay down your head
Come ye unworthy, you are my brother
If such a thing as grace exists
Then grace was made for lives like this" I can't help but relate the lines of that song to this experience. God bless everyone who has been a part! Please keep us posted Kelli!
Well put! I wasn't able to do as much as I would have liked, but I am AMAZED at what the "community" was able to do as a whole! Good luck and GOD bless!
Kelli- I am completely and utterly touched and moved by this Christian bond being formed on this here internet. I am praying for you and I really hope you get that kidney soon! God Bless!
Praying for you, may you be blessed.
It is such a blessing for me to be able to witness God's mighty work -- among a BLOG community, of all crazy places! I feel honored to be here on the sidelines, and I'm eager to see what else He has in store for you!
Kelli,
You write so eloquently; I am so pleased that I stumbled across your and Boo's paths. I feel more blessed just to have seen the miracle of so many strangers jumping together to help your family. I will continue to pray for you daily and think of you often.
I have been waiting to hear your response and you wrote such a beautiful one. We are priviledged to be the ones to help, even if just at little. God is so good!
Praying for you, Kelli. Gracious acceptance of God getting His way speaks volumes. We are happy to stand shoulder to shoulder with YOU! Prayers will continue to go up on your behalf!
Thank you for letting us step in and help. When you are a giver, it is so hard to learn to be a receiver. God bless you. I'm praying for you and EXPECTING God's best for you and your family.
On the way to work this morning, I thought about your situation and how amazing God is in his ways. It made me literally weep for joy at his compassion, love and presence in all of our lives. I wept for the outpouring of love, donations, prayers and kindness that God moved our hearts to do, and I wept for mercy for you Kelli, so that you can grow old with your beloved and hold grandchildren on your knees. God is astoundingly good.
And a cry like that is always worth going to work looking like a racoon!
Still praying for your kidney match and for a God-protected recovery.
My God shall supply all your needs. Phillipians 4:19
I feel so blessed to have seen this unfold and given the opportunity to participate.
And yes, sometimes we do have a tendency to get in His way!
God bless you and thank you!
And God gets all the glory!
Continuing to pray, believing that God will provide the kidney you need. We are blessed to be able to bless you.
Kelli,
I came to you by way of BooMama, of course, and will continue to pray for you as this trial plays out. I also have to say, "YAY FOURSQUARE!" as I just got caught up on your story and saw the Pastor Jack ref. My brother and cousin are Foursquare pastors, and I carry a staff license, and do pastoral counseling for their churches. I'll share your need with the congregations so they can be praying, too.
In your living and your waiting, God is being glorified....that's what HE wants most of all. Bless you and like the others have said, I pray you'll get that transplant soon, and many others will be blessed by knowing you and seeing the wonderful work God is doing in your life.
Praying for you Kelli. I've been reading your blog for a few months now, don't know if I've ever said "Hey!" So, Hey! It's awesome thing that has been done, and I know it's hard to be the recipient of help - been there done that, in a totally different situation, but... God uses people to provide for his children, and it builds OUR faith to obey God and help. But you know that already :)
Thank you for posting your response. It was a blessing to me, and I am glad I was able to partcipate. I will keep praying.
We were honored to do this...I pray it helps you. Please keep us all updated on how things are going and you know the prayers WILL continue.
Kelli, I found your blog by way of Barb and my friend Christina! This post is so touching! For you to be in the position you're in and still find time to put your own concerns aside and ask for prayer for others is amazing! I will definately keep you and your family in my prayers, and I will be praying for Emma Grace and Ashley also!! May God bless you and your family and also these beautiful little girls!
~~Charla~~
Kelli,
Beautifully said. I don't know you, but I know that God knows you and loves you and that's enough for me! I have been blessed by your story, and this whole process. It has been an honor to help you and pray for you, my sister in Christ, during your time of need. May God continue to bless you, and may His GLORY continue to shine through you.
Kountry Mama
Someday, Kelli, when Addie is old enough to ask about her ENORMOUS, adorable bow and her kidney ornament, I'm going to have to search for words to describe the woman who gave them to her. You are a treasure.
I think it suffices to say that the women who "know" you through blogging are blessed, as well!
I'm hoping with you and praying for you :)
I know what you mean, but usually "thank you" says it just right anyway.
Your welcome. ;-)
It has been such a joy to be able to help you in some small way. You continue to be in our prayers. God is just beginning to show us what miraculous things He can do. Sometimes He works through His people - sometimes He just miraculously touches us. Now I'm praying for that miracle.
We love you Kelli. I love the way the Lord is knitting our hearts together - all of us in this little community.
It was our joy and privelage Kelli, to be part of God lovin' on you!
You're welcome. :~)
Your "from the bottom of your heart thank you" is quite enough. And you are quite welcome. xoxoox
It is a blessed thing. I don't think I have ever seen so much love in the Blogosphere. I, too, will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
God is so good. I am glad i could be a part of this.
It was just awesome to be a part of it and I know God has more in store for your family as the weeks go by!
I read a quote in my Reader's Digest today, and it seemed to fit this situation: "To say that your fate is not tied to mine is like saying, "Your end of the boat is sinking." (Hugh Downs) All of us who believe in God are called on to care for each other and are glad to help out a sister in any way because we are one body. I thank God that I got to see (from this perspective) you get blessed and BooMama be such a blessing, and to see you both blown away by God's goodness. What a blessing to me, so thank you both! We're all tied together and all blessed by it! :)
What an amazing story! To God be the glory, and we're all praying for your happy ending!
This is so sweet and awesome! God has so blessed you and will continue to do so. Emma Grace is going home.
God is so good!
Hugs!
My kids and I were blessed to help.
Kelli, your story touches the very heart of many. How beautiful for all of us to have been a part of watching those hearts beat for you. Anticipating even more of this amazing story of your living in grace.
Just wanted you to know I'm praying for you.
*So* many are praying for you, Kelli. God's healing and blessing be yours.
***smile***
God is good, Kelli. But I think you know that.
We love you.
Kelli, I'm wishing you blessings as well and praying for you through this kidney ordeal. Boo is awesome for putting the fund drive for you together.
And also, thanks for posting the lyrics to the song in your blog post today. I sang the words as I read. What a blessing to me.
What a blessing it was to be a part of this!! What an honor and privelage it has been, was, and will continue to be to walk beside you in your journey!
I don't comment often, but I am here reading EVERY post... cheering you on and praying for you.
xo.
You are in my prayers.
Ann
May God's blessing continue to fall upon you and your family. Isn't amazing how He does work when we get out of His way.
Over $9,000. Praise God!
Hey Kelli....isn't it awesome the way God works! See, even the internet can be a tool for Him..and I'm so thankful that BooMama, had this idea! God bless her!! And I continue to pray from Western Canada, that God had a full healing and restoration for your health...and of course ALL the provision that is needed financially to cover this ! He does own the cattle on a thousand hills, so I just keep praying,"Father, sell a cow or two for Kelli and her family." Love and prayers...
So happy for you guys, and you continue to be in my prayers.
Dearest Kelli, I was only too happy to help in my own little way...your story touched my heart so very much! It is so heart warming how this wonderful blogging community has gotten together to help one in need! All the best of luck to you and may God always watch over you!!! Hugs xox
This post made me cry. I feel in awe for you. I'm so happy to see how God has provided.
I just wanted to let you know that I am ordering a blog design from Susie and am thrilled that part of that cost will go to you. I am trying to get my act together and decide what I want, but I promise I will have it done by Sunday.
God Bless you!
~Betty~
It has been an honor and a blessing to be a part of this, from mommy to mommy. Praying for your healing!
wish I could have done more after all I've been through lately the finances were tight, but I asked God to bless that that I sent and help you along your path!!
(((hugs)))
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