Celebrating with tears

 In February we joined the Merricks along
with thousands of others to remember
their precious Daisy Love.

 

The stage was covered with thousands of daisies

spilling out of every corner with their bright

and cheery faces ~ reminding us of the

overwhelming beauty of this dear life.

 

The bathroom mirror reads:
"Do not fear,
for I am with you,
I have called you by name;
you are mine."
Isaiah 43:1

 

Daisies everywhere!

 

 

 The memorial for Daisy Love Merrick was like nothing
I have ever witnessed before.
It was joyful.
It was painful.
It was hopeful.
It was life changing.

If you have an opportunity to share in the
memory and celebration of Daisy's life and story
you can see for yourself the impact one little life
can make when our trust is given to God:

http://prayfordaisy.com/#/daisy-video-daisys-memorial/

Please continue to pray for Daisy's parents as
they make the transition into a family of three.
 

Beautiful Daisy Love

 

Last Saturday in the early morning hours,
the precious life we have been praying for
went home to be with Jesus.

Words cannot really express my joy
in what a gift the Lord has given so many
through this one vessel of His love nor can
they express the grief I feel in her departure.
In the end I still choose to say
Glory to God in the Highest.
He is good.
And now Daisy can bask fully in His light.

Thank you God for the gift of Daisy.
I will forever be grateful.

Daisy's memorial will be streamed live
Saturday Feb. 23rd at 3pm at
prayfordaisy.com

Daisy

Our pastor's daughter is once again

battling cancer in her little body.

For the third time.

She just had surgery to remove

 a tumor today which also resulted

 in the removal of her spleen.

And through it all the Merrick family is

Trusting

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the LORD:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

(Psalm 91:1-4 NLT)

I ask you, if it is in your heart,

to join our entire church community

in prayer for this dear family.

To find out specific prayer needs

click the link on the side of this page.

Love to you all.

baby love

November 2010

How does one year produce

this much change,

this much beauty,

this much growth?

December 2011

feeling blessed more and more

each and every day.

fairy delay

the little miss is soooo excited about
the small gap left behind after
she lost her first tooth today.
i can't help but be excited with her,
yet at the same time there's that
little sting of reality
reminding me how quickly she's growing.
i've been promising to make her a
tooth-fairy pillow all week
with the expectation that it would pop out soon,
but here we are ~ and no pillow.
wish me time and patience for
pillow making tonight.

happy monday.

Success for St. Baldrick's

Last week, after many months of planning, my dear husband saw his vision come together to raise funds for kids cancer research. The event in Santa Monica raised $13,000 to go to the St. Baldrick's Foundation. It was a such an emotional day filled with smiles, tears, laughter, music and many stories of cancer battles lost and won. There were 38 men, women and children who came out to show their support through giving up their hair. It was a day that I cherish & will not soon forget.

My own head was shaved after exceeding my $3,000 goal through donations from amazing friends, family and people just passing by the event. What a gift it has been to participate in this effort bringing awareness and money to the needs of so many children with cancer. I have been truly blessed by this experience and all the support that has been given by the small community of people in our lives.

My littlest miss wasn't thrilled with my decision to remove my hair. She cried as the shears ran across my head and the brown locks fell, but I gave her a small offering of my hair in a ponytail which she loves and keeps on her nightstand. Even though my head looks "like a man" in her eyes, she is accepting the new hair"less" style and realizing that I'm her mama no matter what. It is such a great reminder, not only to my children but also to myself that we are not made up of what we may appear to be on the outside. A lesson in acceptance of our differences is a lesson deeper in love.

Thank you so very much for all the support, donations and encouraging words. You are a gift!

xoxo

So much to say...

...but for now, just asking for prayer.

Little Daisy just underwent surgery yesterday to remove a malignant tumor from her kidney area. It is such a blessing that they have removed the entire tumor, yet the battle is far from over. To read more about Daisy Love and support her and her family in prayer go to Pray for Daisy Love

Yesterday was a great success for our goal to raise money for St. Baldricks. I have so much to share and I will very soon. Promise.

Amazed by you

I hold a heart overflowing with love and appreciation for the generous support in our quest to raise money for children's cancer research. I'm almost at my goal and getting very excited for the big day!

With humility and gratitude, I thank you.

Starting fresh ~ really fresh

My Mr. is holding a fundraiser for St Baldrick's this month to raise money for childhood cancer. He and many of his fellow firefighters will be shaving there heads for donations toward the disease that is haunting thousands of families each year.

I can't help but to love this guy and support him in all that he does. So after a few family discussions and deciding on a solid monetary goal, I too am willing to strip these brown/gray curly locks down to the scalp for a mere $3,000. Why...you may ask would I do such a thing?

1. Children are diagnosed with cancer every day.
2. Sacrificing my hair is NOTHING compared to the suffering of kids undergoing treatments.
3. It's hair. And though I have some attachment to it, it does grow back.
4. I want to help, even if in some small way.

Please join us in working toward cancer-free kids by visiting our St Baldricks webpage, linking to this blog post, telling others about the cause and sponsoring Matt or Aubrei.

And if you haven't already, head on over to this blog to read Ezra's story for one more HUGE reason to give.

(photo of little Ezra courtesy of Manic Mother)

xoxo

Did you know?

I just learned today that this month is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Today I found out that cancer kills more children every year than any other disease

Today I pray for those that are staring cancer in the face and braving the storm

Today I want to make a difference, if only in some small way to offer hope

Today I will remember that EVERY day is a gift given to love, hold and cherish my family

For more information on ways to make a difference you can visit Team Unite, Candlelighters and visit little Ezra over at Manic Mother for more ideas.

hugs to you & yours