A new Angel

Wow it's been a tough week on earth....although a joyous one in heaven!  Why?  Because Heaven just got a new angel named Kailey. While my heart is heavy and my eyes are tearing up just typing this, my soul is singing out loud knowing Kailey is with our Lord and out of pain.  I want to thank all of you who read, followed and prayed for my little cousin and her family even though you didn't know her....if you did, you'd have loved her too! :)  I'd like to share with you the posting from her CaringBridge website.  I hope it inspires you like it does me.  Again, Thank you and God Bless.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 11:16 AM, CDT

Glory to God!  There was a miracle today, although not quite what we hoped and prayed for.  At 10:15 am today, Kailey went to be with the Lord.  She died surrounded by her family and knowing that she is greatly loved by us and many others.  She also knew that God loved her infinitely more than we ever could.  At an FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) camp, she professed repentance and faith in Christ with mom present.  By the blood of Christ shed on the cross and in the power of his resurrection, she has been reconciled to God and her sin has been wiped away.  She is wrapped up in the Lord's embrace. 

Therefore, we have received a miracle today: she is with the LORD!  While this is not what we wanted, we know that she has the peace of God in his presence from now until everlasting.  We are so sad to have lost her and we lament that she is not physically being a light to those around her any more.  Her impact is still being felt and will be felt for a long time.  Please turn your prayers to us for the Lord's strength to get us through this time.  We grieve deeply, but we grieve with the hope of the resurrection.  We think of the story of Lazarus, where Jesus says "I am the Resurrection and the Life."  He says that Lazarus' story will not end in death, and Jesus raises him.  Kailey's story will not end in death; she will be raised up with a new body when Jesus comes back. (John 11) 

We thank you for your prayers and your support.  You all have been wonderful.  Please send emails and cards and avoid phone calls at this time.  We thank God for all of you.

Hats - a new trend!

I LOVED watching the Royal wedding - even though I was up super early! I love all the pomp & circumstance, the fairy-tale aspect of it AND the hats! There were some fabulous hats and fascinators worn by the wedding guests and spectators alike! Some were spectacular and others hideous (Fergie's daughters were wearing those!) So glad Kate, I mean Princess Catherine, is bringing hats back into fashion.

And you know, I just wasn't gonna be left out!  So, I made my own!

Had a great time at the early morning breakfast with "the Royals"!  Then I got to use my hat again, for the Kentucky Derby!  Went to another party and there were only a few of us girls in hats....ahhh but next year I think ALL the ladies will wear them! ;)

Mother's Day was special as my hubby and I got to take my inlaws to brunch after church - and yes, I was wearing a 'fascinator', which is basically a headband with adornments! It matched my outfit beautifully if I don't say so myself! (Where's the paparazzi when you want them?!!)

So, ladies, it might not be just all SHOES that we spend money on now - we're gonna have to add HATS to the list of things we need to complete an outfit! 

My cousin Kailey

Wow I'm covering ALL my bases...email, twitter, facebook and now my blog.
The words come from my sister Marian but I think she captures my request wonderfully.
WE feel compelled to reach out to you all in request of prayer for my young cousin, Kailey Wilmarth.  She is the 13 year old daughter of my cousin, Gary and his wife, Shelly.   Here is a snippet of her story:

My journey began in August when I had not been feeling well and was diagnosed with mono. I fought mono for about three weeks and was getting worse. I ended up in the hospital doing more blood work and it was then that I found out that I had Acute Lymphatic leukemia (ALL).

Kailey is currently fighting for her life in PICU at Childrens Hospital in St. Louis.  She has really had a rough battle with this ugly cancer. (I hate cancer) She has already received chemo and can receive chemo no longer.  Tomorrow (Thursday May 5, 2011) is the day that she is undergoing the stem cell transplant, and we really want to bathe her in prayer. Her brother Neil is donating his cells (which by the Grace of God are a perfect match!), and the procedure is not easy for him either. His cells will be removed at 8am and Kailey will receive them around 4pm that afternoon.

If sometime during your day, you could say a prayer for Kailey (and Neil!), that would be awesome!  We are praying for a miracle~complete healing!!! I know God answers the prayers of His faithful.   In the photos below, you'll see a photo of me & Kailey from last fall.  If you're interested, please visit her Caring Bridge site at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kaileywilmarth  and read her story and see more pictures!

With heartfelt thanks and gratitude in advance......