Well, I am super excited about 2011...I think it's going to be a lot of fun! Rowan and I rang in the new year with my friends Danny and Tabbetha and their children. :) Houston was at the Bama game and this was our first New Years apart for 7 years! :( I still had fun, but it definitely wasn't the same. This weekend, my friends and I had our annual Christmas party! :) We were missing Kaydee and Kandice, which was sad, but nonetheless, we had a good time! I must say I have the best friends. I really, really do!
I write this post to say a couple of things I have had on my mind lately.
1. Kellie Parker Ray (one of my friends from college and my sorority sister) and her husband, Dustin Ray have been going through what NO parent can imagine or should have to imagine. Their daughter Ella had a bone marrow transplant on December 9th and since then has been in Children's Hospital recovering. She did fine for several days and after those days, some complications began. Ella has been in the ICU at Children's hospital for a little over 2 weeks now. She has been having problems with her liver, kidneys, and lungs. During this entire process, Kellie, Dustin, and especially little Ella have been so strong!! I, along with many others, admire them more than they will ever know! We all need to hug our children more and not take anything for granted. Please follow Ella's story and pray for them daily!!! www.caringbridge.org/visit/ellaray1
2. One of my greatest friends, Summer Shelton Welch, passed away on January 4th due to complications with a lifelong disease, Cystic Fibrosis. She fought this disease to the very end!! Summer and I had been friends since we were 6 years old. Summer was AMAZING...to say the least! There was never a day of complaining even though she was suffering and struggling to breath so very often!! Summer was a Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Fighter, and Friend to so many!! She loved the Lord and because of her many many lives have been touched! Please pray for her family and please learn more about her disease by going to www.cff.org. If you are able, please make a donation in her memory! There are so many people who are suffering from this disease! A cure is needed!!!
While life has its ups and downs, I still know that God has a plan and a reason for it all. There will be good days and bad days, but we must lean on Him!!
