Hello faithful followers! What a nice day we had. A beautiful family friend of ours whom we have been blessed to have in our lives for many years invited us to her home today. Our dear friend came into our lives back in the 1980's. My mom went to a pregnancy crisis center to volunteer. Our friend Arlene was the overseer (sp?) of the center. Mom volunteered and then became an employee. The center was a home for unwed teenage girls who stayed their during their pregnancies. Arlene is a nun. Her home is the Sacred Heart Convent. She read at our wedding and has been involved in our lives for years. Megan is a "celebrity" at the convent. Sister Arlene and her lovely sisters' have been praying for Megan always. They have seen many pictures and always send special gifts to Megan. Today we went to her house to see her life and loved ones. We called her three times before we left. The weather was a little icy this morning and the 1st call was to say we didn't think we were going to be able to make it. She was so disappointed as were we. The 2nd phone call was to see if Thurs would be good? Mom made it over here and said the roads were just wet. So I called her a 3rd time (by then I'm sure the sister who answered the phone was really tired of paging Sister Arlene to come to a phone LOL) and told her we were coming after all. She was elated as were we. Megs wasn't her perky self and has a few issues going on. But I won't get into that today. So we arrived and Sister took us on the rounds. When she showed us the chapel, well I must say it was the most beautiful place I have ever layed eyes on. I literally could go there everyday and just sit and take in the beauty. It truly was a glorious site. Mom had been there before for special Christmas time prayers and knew the beauty Megan and I were about to be blessed to see. I took pictures of Megan in front of the alter area. It was something out of a movie almost. The backround of the alter is all mosaic little pieces placed by hand. It has to be 20 feet high and 12 feet wide, with our most high Jesus Christ, his mother and canonized saints on the outer part. There is no way I can do it justice by describing it. I have photos and will post one in the photo section so you can see it. The stainglass windows are just breathtaking. I am sure when the sun is shining it is just amazing. Sister Arlene said that when the sun shines it is amazing. We went to the cafeteria area it was lunch time. Mom had lunch (she never passes up free food LOL) The sisters started coming in to see Megan. A few here a few there. They were all so loving and excited to finally meet Megan in person. At one time we had a whole room of sisters in a line waiting to meet Megan. She was quite the popular celebrity today. Then we toured more of the convent and were blessed to be able to see all the Christmas decorations still up. Today they were beginning to take them down. It was just beautiful. In the picture you can see Megan getting kisses from Sister Arlene. Megan came home with more gifts from her friends. We were also blessed to see an old friend Sister Margaret Therese, who years ago used to be a teacher at our church. She is quite talented in woodworking and we were lucky enough to see the manger she made (it was exquisite) and the beautiful ambry she handcrafted for the holy oils. She made it from a catalogue picture. It also is exquisite. On one bulletin board was Megan and Sister Arlene on Megan's 13th birthday party and the poem I wrote. It was such a blessing to be able to visit her. We are going to try and make it there at least once a month. It was so peaceful. I seriously could be there everyday. I have also added the poem that they had posted. That was one of my many writings that I love. Special prayers for a dear friend of ours. We met Ashley when Megan was ababy. Ashley was 2 yrs old. Ashely has CP and we finally met in person a few years ago on Megan's Make a Wish trip. Ashley has been having feeding issues and has lost a lot of weight. She was admitted today to start NG feedings to hopefully get her back on track and eating and hopefully not have to do a g tube. Please pray for sweet Ashley and her mom Kristy and dad Bill. We love you all and will call you daily. Thank you for praying for our little peanut and our family. We love you.
The Gift By Tracy Sheppard
Thirteen years ago, they said that you would die
You would never laugh, love or cry.
You would never even hold up your head.
You see they told us your brain was dead.
The decision they gave us was very grave
Life was over, they did say, you could not be saved
Remove the machine, she will not live
To the Lord this matter we did give
The Lord’s plan was Oh so grand
He was always there holding your hand
The journey’s been long, the hurdles great
The love you have given us, we can not even rate
Our precious loving God gave us this gift to help spread his holy word.
Keep on fighting, keep on climbing the mountains that you have done with such grace
We will continue to praise God, and see his image every time we look at your precious face
This gift is given to only a few
Oh Lord all we can do is to PRAISE YOU
A thank you doesn’t seem to suffice
Considering your ultimate sacrifice
We give you all the glory and honor
We thank you for our most precious daughter.
