Isaiah 43:1 Project

Playing with Puppies in Heaven...

2010-03-10T07:01:00.000-08:00

Little Layla Grace went to Heaven yesterday morning...to play with the angels (and lots of puppies, I hope).

Her parent's last post "Still Praying" will bring you to tears and to your knees. I hope you will consider making a 7.5" x 7.5" square for Layla's quilt - click link at right for more information.

Keep these words close when nothing makes sense (thanks to Layla's parents for sharing their daughter's story and these verses with all of us):

2 Corninthians 4:7-12, 16-18

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Quilt Squares for Layla's Sisters

2010-03-04T19:43:00.000-08:00

The Isaiah 43:1 Project is teaming up with Heather of Olive and Ollie and Candace of Cotton Candie Fabric to make a quilt (or two) in honor of Layla Grace and her family.

What a wonderful gift to Layla's older sisters to have for years and years to come...as a sweet memory of their little sister (read her dad's most recent post on her condition).

Read their family blog at www.laylagrace.org and view their Flickr photos for inspiration...

Then create your quilt square - finished dimensions to be 7.5" x 7.5" square.

Heather has graciously offered to coordinate our e-mails and questions - she will give you the mailing address for Candace (who is putting the quilts together for us!).

Please e-mail Heather at olive_and_ollie@yahoo.com when you have finished your square(s) and are ready to ship.

Deadline is in one week - let's get these quilts made for her sisters!

Will you join me?

Heather writes, "When you send the block, please be sure to include your name and blog address. We want to make sure that everyone who makes a block gets credit and is included in the card that we’ll send to the Marsh family with the quilts."

(For more inspiration, visit Candace's fabric shop.)

Leave a comment here if you will be participating so I may link to your site/blog too. Thank you!!

Kate McRae - Eight Months

2010-03-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

A note from Kate's mom, Holly on their Caring Bridge journal:

"Tomorrow will mark 8 months since we heard the life changing news that Kate had a brain tumor. And later found out that it was cancer, a rare and aggressive form. 7 months later to find out that the pathology was in question, leaving us guessing between two forms of rare brain cancer. Thankfully both types treated on the current study Kate is on. A blessing amidst the chaos."

"For a mom who likes stability, predictability and lots of medical hope, this journey has challenged us to lean on the stability that only our faith can bring. Not the way any parent wants their faith strengthened. Through the fire of watching their child suffer. It is teaching us lessons not learned through the brightest of times. Only in the darkest of nights. And the dark ones have come. The questions and instability of what our daughter will face in the upcoming days and months. Oftentimes it brings me to my knees sobbing for God to heal our daughter, to bring us peace despite our circumstances. For the chance to see her grow up, cancer free. And yet we are trying to learn to trust Him unconditionally, and still fervently pray and hope that God would choose to heal our daughter. Knowing He is able. But either way, knowing he will redeem our pain."

I believe the Lord is speaking to all of us through Holly's words. How else to explain her strength and wisdom...and ability to even write these beautiful words during this terrible time.

Please join me in praying fervently for the Lord's healing hands to be upon Kate today.

Please bookmark and read more of Holly's inpirational and real-life daily journal with Kate.

Layla Grace - A Portrait of the Last Day...

2010-02-26T06:18:00.001-08:00

Photo courtesy of Christie Lacy Photography

I joined the Hope for God's Children group just after their benefit launch for Layla Grace.

The prayers have continued for this family. Many praying women follow Layla's parents' posts on Twitter. There is a call out to pray for this family - will you pray with me?

A post from Layla's mom at www.laylagrace.org:

"We found out on January 22nd that Layla’s cancer had come back. The doctors told us to expect to have 2-6 more months with her. I started planning and making a list of all the things we were going to cram into the next few months. One of those things was a family photo shoot. I had tons of pictures of the kids, but had never had any taken of all 5 of us. So I added that to my ever growing list and set out to find the perfect outfits. I wanted to have the pictures taken in the spring so I was casually looking for the perfect dresses for the girls."

"Towards the beginning of February, Layla became very fussy. After a few days of this, I took her to the doctor. During the exam, the doctor felt a large mass that wasn’t on the scans 2 weeks prior. She had another scan done that day that revealed 2 large new tumors. We were told to prepare ourselves for only about a month with her."

"Suddenly those pictures became a HUGE priority. Her “good” days were slipping by very quickly. One of our neighbors, Christie Lacy, is a fabulous photographer. We contacted her and set up a shoot for early the next week. Within 2 days Layla had deteriorated more and the doctor told us that we would lose her within the next 2 weeks. We called Christie on a Thursday afternoon and asked if we could move the shoot up. Her response was “Let’s do it now. I can be ready in about 2 hours”.

"Christie took beautiful pictures that day. Pictures that I will cherish the rest of my life."

Not pictures I will walk by and glance at;

Pictures that will remind me of the last “good” day we had with Layla.

The last day she was able to lift her head up without crying.

The last day she was able to sit up and read a book.

The last day she smiled.

"I am forever grateful to Christie Lacy. She has blessed our family tremendously by capturing a precious moment in time."

Please pray to the Lord and lift up the Marsh Family today.

www.laylagrace.org

Bible Verses Through the Tears

2010-02-25T20:41:00.000-08:00

I love children. I love to be around them and watch them play. I started this project to bring some happiness to children who perhaps could not run outside and play. Sometimes a new project brings more than you ever thought - more feelings, deeper understanding, unexpected friendships, a closer relationship with God, an aching heart. Isn't this how God always works?

When we trust in Him and follow His paths for us, we may not know what lies ahead or why our we are going this way, but we can stand tall knowing that God is with us.

This road - the Isaiah 43:1 Project - has brought me more sadness, more heartache -- more lumps in my throat than I've had in a long time! Should I continue on? How do nurses and ministers do this every day? I cannot shake the tears, the sadness for these families. But I will stay on this path, God's path for me.

My dad is a Presbyterian minister. He deals with sadness and grief every single day. Is this why he is so quiet at night when he finally comes home? Is this why his load is so heavy? Yes. I feel it too. So I take a few weeks off from posting on this blog. A woman sends me an e-mail requesting prayer for Ben. I visit his site, get the huge lump in my throat, pray for him and go on with my days. Then I check in on Ben's site last night...and he has passed away. That day. Yesterday. God sent me there. Oh, I am heartbroken! She told me Ben needed prayers and did not need a huge care package of personalized gifts at that time, but oh, I wish I had done more for Ben. Will you please pray for his family with me? Read more at www.pirateben.blogspot.com.

I also received an e-mail this week requesting prayers for the sweetest little girl, Anjali. Her mom is keeping a journal for Anjali at Caring Bridge. She is a Christian and knows God is with them, but her little girl is suffering and there is nothing she can do about it. Can you even imagine? She needs our prayers right now. Please read Anjali's journal and pray for her and her family. I will be putting together a care package group for her as well. I hope you will join me.

Through the tears and the questions, here are a few Bible verses I want to share with you that bring me some understanding and comfort - to help us all continue on, through the pain that this earthly life can bring:

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit

Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Lamentations 3:31-33 For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.

Matthew 11:25-30 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

John 14:1-4 Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

Revelation 21:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

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."

Mark 10:14-16 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

Thank you for taking this journey with me!

Etsy and Ebay Fundraiser for Emily Starts February 18th

2010-01-20T09:59:00.001-08:00

Thank you for your e-mails and your willingness to pray for Emily's family during this very sad time.

Thanks to this blog and your support, a fabulous group of Etsy and eBay sellers who belong to Hope for God's Children are hosting a special launch in memory of Emily.

All proceeds from sales for Emily's Launch from February 18th through March 4th will go directly to Emily's family to help cover the cost of medical expenses now due.

Read more on the www.hopeforgodschildren.com website. (I put this site together for them as one of my gifts to Emily's family.)

Will you join me?

I will be listing items for sale beginning February 18th. All participating shops will be featured here and on the Hope for God's Children site with a link to your shop (if you send me your link).

I will list on eBay and on Etsy.

We will have images and buttons for you to use to promote Emily's Launch on your blog too.

Send me a note to isaiah43project@gmail.com if you will be selling items and donating all proceeds to Emily's family.

God bless you! - Sally

Photos from Emily's Service

2010-01-11T10:01:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share a few photos from Emily Schmidt's funeral with you.

The folks at Clarkston United Methodist Church planned a phenomenal service for Emily and her family.

Emily's elementary school planned the entire balloon launch.

My 5-year-old daughter told me that she sent balloons to Emily in heaven. That is what it is all about.

Emily's last day on earth with her family, swimming with the dolphins (what a special blessing!):

Rainbows for Emily:

I will be participating in a special eBay launch just for Emily in the next few weeks. I will post all the links here.

Thank you for your prayers and e-mails.

Emily Schmidt - Heaven's Newest Angel

2010-01-04T09:54:00.000-08:00

We received word from Craig, Emily's dad, that she passed away early Sunday morning.

This is so hard.

The family arrived in Florida on Thursday for their Make-a-Wish Foundation trip. We are not sure if Emily was strong enough to enjoy her time at Disney, but we know that she was with her mom, dad and brother - Melissa, Craig and Hunter.

UPDATED 1/5/10:
Emily's grandmother says she was able to swim with dolphins! Praise God!

Thank you to each of you who sent personalized gifts for Emily. I hope they made her feel so special and so loved and so covered in your prayers.

Thank you for praying for Emily's recovery right along with us.

Please pray for Melissa, Craig and Hunter as they cope with Emily's absence.

Here is a photo I love of Emily at a summer benefit for http://www.prayers4emily.com/ - she is having her face painted as a butterfly by my brother-in-law's best friend. Yesterday she became that butterfly and flew to Heaven to be healed and to be with Jesus and her grandmother too.

Spread your wings, Emily! We love you!

If you would like to send a card to her family, please e-mail me directly at isaiah43project@gmail.com.

Photos courtesy Steve Gemignani.

If you would like to leave a comment below for Melissa, I will print and send to her for you.

Thank you again for going on this difficult journey with me. You are really wonderful.

Update: Emily Schmidt

2009-12-27T11:48:00.000-08:00

I want to give you an update on Emily Schmidt and her fight with cancer.

I really don't want to even write this.

I wish I didn't have to write this.

You can see I haven't posted on this blog for a while. I will write more about this later.

Emily has been in the care of wonderful doctors at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital. She has a bone marrow transplant match. The doctors needed her trial run of full-body radiation to be successful and for her cancer to shrink. This has not happened. Since November's tests, her cancer has spread and tripled in size.

Heartache.

Emily and her family will leave Cincinnati on Tuesday and travel home to the Detroit area. On Wednesday, the Make-a-Wish Foundation has arranged for her family to travel to Disney in Florida for a wonderful vacation. Her dad Craig says he doesn't know if they have 2 weeks or 2 months with Emily. Her mom Melissa keeps moving forward, dealing with it all, he says. Her brother Hunter sat in with the doctors for the final meeting about Emily's condition.

Huge lump in my throat.

Please continue to pray for Emily, Melissa, Craig and Hunter.

Thank you!

Kate McRae on Dr. Phil Wednesday, 12/2/09

2009-12-01T12:25:00.000-08:00

Our November/December precious kid, Kate McRae, will be on The Dr. Phil Show tomorrow, Wednesday, December 2nd.

Kate has touched Dr. Phil and his family - he has written about Kate several times on his blog.

Tune in to see Kate and her family tomorrow on Dr. Phil!

Learn HOW TO DONATE personalized gifts from your business to Kate.

(Read Holly McRae's journal about Kate)

Address to Send Personalized Donations

2009-11-24T13:43:00.000-08:00

As each family is different, most do request a level of privacy.

I prefer to send all gifts to each child in one or two shipments.

Please send your personalized gifts to my business address:

Polka Dot Market

(for child: ________ )

P.O. Box 36612

Birmingham, Alabama 35236

Or e-mail me directly for other delivery options to isaiah43project@gmail.com.

Please note the child's name on your address label to help me keep all these wonderful gifts organized!

Thank you!

November 2009: Kate McRae

2009-11-15T20:54:00.000-08:00

I am so blessed to announce our November/December child of God. I cannot wait for us as the Isaiah 43:1 Project community to shower this family with prayers and personalized gifts.

Meet Kate McRae and her Family

When I wrote to Kate's mom Holly about the Project and our wish to pray for Kate this month, she was so kind and only asked for more prayers.

She says, "I would love for you to feature Kate...it can always inspire more prayer fo her, thank you!"

"Thank you so much for doing this...we appreciate it. Keep praying! Much love, Holly"

Kate has been battling an aggressive malignant brain tumor since June 2009. Her mom first noticed a slight tremor in her right hand. Kate was to start kindergarten in August. She is still in and out of the hospital for treatments. She has undergone three full chemotherapy treatments. Kate's birthday is December 26th. Her family has a very strong faith and you will be inspired, you will cry, and you will want to send them your love when you read Holly's journal. Read her full story.

There is a project going on at The Tom Kat Studio to create a very special 6th birthday party for Kate too. Holly is also planning "Kate's Crazy Christmas" collecting Christmas gifts for all of Kate's friends in the hospital. This is an amazing family!

Here we will be sending personalized gifts to Kate and her family to SHOW them God's love based on Isaiah 43:1 -

The Lord says, "I have called you by name. You are Mine."

Please consider donating - being one of the McRae family's angels here on Earth.

Family members to receive our personalized gifts (please choose one or two):

Kate
Size 6 clothing, favorite color is pink, she loves puppies and Sponge Bob (age 6 on 12/26/09)

Olivia
Size 8/9, favorite color is purple, she loves Hannah Montana and ICarly (age 7 1/2)

Will
Size 4/5, favorite color is blue or green, loves anything superhero (age 4)

Of course, Holly and her husband Aaron ask nothing for themselves, but if you feel called to make a personalized gift for the parents or for the McRaes as a family, that is just fine!

Please send me a message to isaiah43project@gmail.com if you will be participating as one of the McRae's angels for November and December.

Thank you for giving so fully of yourself to be a witness of God's love for this family here on Earth.

May God richly bless you - Sally

Christmas Cards for Noah

2009-11-07T06:57:00.001-08:00

Will you help me send Noah tons of Christmas cards this weekend?

Read about it on Polka Dot Mom.

Thank you!

Custom Melamine Plates for Isaiah 43:1 Project

2009-10-30T07:02:00.000-07:00

Ashley from Molly Caroline Designs created this personalized melamine plate for Emily to match The Isaiah 43:1 Project colors! She has graciously offered to send this plate design to every child on our prayer list. Thank you, Ashley!

Find great coupons on Ashley's blog:

http://www.mollycarolinedesigns.blogspot.com/

Free Printables for Kids with Cancer

2009-10-28T06:46:00.000-07:00

From Vale Design - free printables for cancer awareness month. Find mazes, tic-tac-toe and this HOPE coloring page. For personal use only.

Emily's Care Package

2009-10-26T18:20:00.000-07:00

I shared these photos with you at Polka Dot Mom last week, but wanted to move them on over here to begin our "archives" of wonderful personalized gifts.

Emily's care package included this beautiful verse tile made by Betty of Dejaroom.

Plus these awesome personalized gifts:

Personalized Polka Dot Lap Desk by Lilybella Boutique
Handpainted Personalized Name and Bible Verse Tile by Dejaroom
Initial Flower Stretchy Headband by Heather Hamilton
Handpainted Name Tees by Jessica (jskloock@comcast.net to order)
My Name Ribbon Tote Bag from Mimi and Reese
Heart of My Heart Name Garland by Wicked Stitches
Skirt and Hoodie by Mami Girl Boutique
...plus some goodies from Polka Dot Market, of course!

Thank you, ladies!

I have received many more e-mails from moms and businesses who are creating items for Emily as we speak. I will update with their gift photos for you very soon.

Peace to you!

Ways You Can Help

2009-10-22T08:11:00.000-07:00

Want to help us spread God's love through personalized gifts and prayer?

(I never thought of it that way - "Prayers & Personalized Gifts" is pretty catchy!)

The Isaiah 43:1 Project is based on this Bible verse:

The Lord says, "I have called you by NAME. You are Mine."

I want every child who is sick, lonely, sad or needy to know this truth:
God knows your name. He knows where you are and He is always with you. You are His special child and He loves you so much. He has told the world that He knows YOUR name! You are so precious to God and to us.

Everything we give will say:
We have made this gift just for YOU with your name on it because we love you, we are praying for you and God wants us to show you that He knows your name and He loves you so much.

How can you help?

Pray for God's children all over the world.
Visit the children on our Prayer List and leave a comment on their guest books.
Forward our website link to your address book (http://www.isaiah43project.com/)
Tell us about a child in need. Please send their information, photos and/or website link to isaiah43project@gmail.com.
Join our Facebook group to learn about the children we are praying for and sending personalized gifts to each month (coming soon).
Donate a personalized gift to a child in need. Contact Sally at isaiah43project@gmail.com for shipping information.
Pray for these children and that all of God's children will know in their hearts that He loves them and He knows them BY NAME.

About The Isaiah 43:1 Project

2009-10-21T20:18:00.001-07:00

I'd love to share with you my inspiration and vision for the new Isaiah 43:1 Project.

God has been whispering in my ear since August 2009 about Isaiah 43:1.

First in our van while driving up to Nashville for a birthday party. I quickly jotted it down and made a sketch in my new life: beautiful magazine. Then back at home in Birmingham, I pulled out my magazine in the carpool line and made a few more notes in my composition book.

I spent one evening on Bible concordance websites and another on http://www.picnik.com/ trying to create an image or logo for the project.

Then I finally made the time to pull out all the fabrics, create the applique patterns and sew the very first Isaiah 43:1 Project tees. I shipped them to Kim of The Tom Kat Studio for photographs (she has been helping the McRae Family with donations for their daughter Kate who will be receiving one of our tees).

I set the project to the side for another week or so. We walked into church the next Sunday and the choir's song? "Isaiah 43". Okay, God. I hear you! I'm listening. I'm ready to share this message. But how?

Some of you know that I also own and write the http://www.polkadotmom.com/ blog. For many years, I have featured and promoted fellow moms in business who sell handmade polka dot products. It has always strived to reflect and encourage Christian values in business. I hope and pray that all of the many moms I've met along the way (and the new moms I will be blessed to meet) will join me in this new project to let every child of SEE this simple truth:

God knows you BY NAME. He loves you and claims you. He says, "You are Mine".

How will children SEE this truth? Through personalized tee shirts and tote bags. From jewelry, painted wood, purses, ornaments, blankets and more - all created with a special child's personalized NAME.

I want to show children who are sick, hurting, sad or lonely that God loves them and He knows them by NAME.

Will you join me?

We are accepting suggestions and names of children and families in need for free Isaiah 43:1 Project personalized gifts. Please send to:
isaiah43project@gmail.com