Prayers

I want to ask y’all to please be in prayer for South Georgia after that area has been repeatedly hit with destructive and deadly storms this month. I am originally from the Albany area and this is an area that sustained significant damage at the beginning of the month and again over the weekend. Several other areas of South Georgia were also hit over the weekend and the destruction is widespread. Lives have been lost, homes and businesses have been damaged and destroyed, and the devastation is significant to the area. It breaks my heart for those that have been affected, to say the least. So, I am urging all who read this to be in prayer for this area as recovery and restoration begins.

If you would like to help, here are some ways that I know of right now and I will try to update as I learn more:

• Samaritan’s Purse has crews working in the Albany area. You can fill out a volunteer application form on their website. If you are not able to volunteer, but would like to donate, there is a donate button at the top of the main page on their website. The local phone number is 229.288.4261
• Call the Dougherty County  volunteer coordinator at 229-483-6226, 6227, or 6228 to offer volunteer services.
• Volunteer through local churches who are providing disaster relief, shelters, etc.
  • First United Methodist Church is a shelter for the night, needing blankets, pillows, socks, sippy cups, baby items & water.
  • Providence Church is seeking donations of diapers, formula, nonperishable foods, hygiene items, and toiletries. They also have an online portal for giving to benefit disaster relief.
  • First Baptist Church in Albany is providing disaster relief as well.
  • Sherwood Baptist Church is working with Samaritan’s Purse. You can also select to make a donation to help Albany in the drop down menu on their giving portal.
  • Friendship Missionary Baptist Church is opening a shelter. They also have a need for blankets and pillows. Visit their FB page (linked) for information. I also understand that Samaritan’s Purse is collecting donated items there.
• Donate to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. You can also donate items at drop-off locations.
• United Way of Southwest Georgia needs volunteers and donations.
• Donate to Mission Change in Albany, GA
• Blush Albany Boutique is collecting clothing donations for some 20 families affected by the tornadoes. See their FB page (linked) for specific item requests. You will receive 20% off when you bring anything to donate.
• Eggs Up Grill in Albany has established a GoFundMe account to help three of their team members who were affected by the storms.

South Georgia, you’re in our hearts and prayers!

With love and hope,
Kelly

 

I haven’t posted in several days because, well, I haven’t known just exactly what to say. We had a great Christmas Day. Truly wonderful, actually. One of these days, maybe I can post a nice recap. I’d like to, so maybe I can get to that.

The day after Christmas, I received a phone call from my friend Amy, the one I have been dreading for weeks, letting us know that Mariana’s friend Bea had passed away. Just before Thanksgiving, Bea was in the hospital in intensive care and was moved to hospice care. At that time, the doctors did not think she would live much longer, let alone see Christmas. So, the family decorated her room for Christmas and several of us that visited brought Christmas ornaments and such to help that sweet girl have a connection to her very favorite holiday and day of the year. Before long, Bea had remained stable enough to be released to home hospice care. She had a hospital bed set up in the family’s main living area and Christmas decorations were all around her. During this time, she was able to watch movies, giggle on occasion, squeeze hands, enjoy cuddles from the family cat, have precious family time and relish visits from family and friends. She fought the good fight. Sweet Bea proved the doctors’ initial thoughts wrong because, God bless that sweet trooper, she did see Christmas. In fact, I believe she saw it twice – here and in heaven. Bea passed away at home and won the eternal victory of a heavenly homecoming on Christmas evening.

I wasn’t sure when we should tell Mariana, but when I got off the phone, she started asking me what was wrong. So, I talked to Mickey and we decided to go ahead and talk to her. I have to say, she took it amazingly well for a six year old girl. In fact, she showed some really big faith because once she had processed for a little while she said that she was happy that Bea could run and play in heaven again, but she was sad for us. You know, I think that does sum it up. The loss here is crushing, really, and my heart is broken. But, at the same time, I have a true peace that Bea is with Jesus in heaven. I have been clinging to Matthew 19: 14 – Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” So, even while my heart just aches and I am sad for her family and loved ones, I am thankful for the promise that Bea is, in fact, running and playing in heaven. I can only imagine the beautiful artwork she has created there already.

Today will be a memorial and we will celebrate the seven short years of live in which Bea blessed so many of us. Please lift up Bea’s family and loved ones and keep them close to your thoughts and prayers.

Blessings,
Kelly

A photo of Mariana and Bea at Bea’s house for a play date about a month before she was admitted to the hospital:

We are so thankful for their precious friendship and grateful to Bea’s family for sharing time for Mariana to be with her in her final weeks.

Today, the unthinkable happened in a small town in Connecticut.

Today, parents got their children ready for the day and sent them off to Sandy Hook Elementary School. Just like Mickey and I got our girls ready and sent them to school. No one thought the worst would happen.

Today, senseless violence and absolute cruelty took the lives of young children and school staff members.

Today, a mother’s son took her life, took many others and his own.

Today, our nation heard the unthinkable news and our hearts collectively broke.

Tonight, parents, friends and loved ones mourn in a way that none of us should ever have to know.

Tonight, tears are being shed and prayers are being lifted for those affected by the tragedy.

Tonight, I sit in disbelief at the horror that has happened and I still cannot even begin to understand it. I know I never will.

Tomorrow, I may have to tell my own children what happened and I don’t want to have to do that.

Tomorrow, those precious families in Connecticut are going to have to face the first day without their own children and no one would ever want to do that.

Always, I trust in the goodness of our God’s grace. It’s only by His counsel that I can find hope.

Father God, I come to you with a broken heart. And, God, I know this breaks your heart too. I am thankful to know that those taken from this earth today are in your care where they will never again be hurt or afraid or know the horror they faced ever again. I don’t understand why it happened, but I thank you that they are whole in your presence forever. I pray that your comforting presence envelops the families, friends and loved ones left behind, Father. They are going through the unthinkable and I pray your peace to sustain them until they are reunited with their precious loved ones in eternity with You. Jesus, be near, I pray. In Christ’s Name…amen. 

I just wanted to post another reminder that you can honor Sweet Bea and her precious family by putting up a Christmas decoration now and leaving it up throughout the holiday season. (See Bea’s mom’s post “It’s Never Too Early for Christmas” here.)

Bea is truly amazing seven year old little girl, and friend to our youngest daughter Mariana. If you ask Mariana to tell you about Bea, one of the first things she will always say is “Bea is so nice.”  Bea has a true heart of gold and her smile is a thing of true vibrant beauty. She has touched many lives for the better in her seven years. Bea has fought valiantly against a rare form of brain cancer for the better part of a year. She is in hospice care now and her family has decorated her room to give her one more Christmas.

So, please, put out something Christmasey in homage to Bea and her family. It doesn’t have to be big or over the top, any gesture is a beautiful one. If you are so inclined, you can post a photo of your decoration(s) to the Sweet Bea Fund Facebook page, as well. A photo album is being composed there to share with the family. This is an easy way to show love and support to Sweet Bea and her family.  Please also keep them close in your most uplifting thoughts and prayers.

This is our pink “Sweet Bea Tree” which has a place of honor in our family room. 

Our love and prayers are with Sweet Bea and her family,
Kelly, Mickey, Mariana & Macey