Our Miracle

Miracles. They happen in all sorts of ways. Our family has had two months of little miracles one after another. It all began with obedience. Obedience to what God was asking all parties involved to do. I can tell you for certain that blessings always follow obedience.

It all began with my precious sister and dearest friend pursuing me repeatedly to allow her to start a fundraiser for our family. She catches a large brunt of my concerns and frustrations and was compelled to act on behalf of our needs.  My heart wasn’t open to the help and so I repeatedly denied her attempts to assist our family.

In February I had a quiet time with the Lord that brought me to Exodus 17. In this text, Joshua was leading the troops into battle while Moses, along with Aaron and Hur, watched the battle from a nearby hill. Exodus 17:11 reads, So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. Moses would eventually become tired and weary so Aaron and Hur responded by holding up his arms until the Israelites were able to finally defeat the Amalekites. This was a beautiful quiet time made even more significant later that very same weekend when attending a retreat with several of my closest friends and this was the same text the key-note speaker spoke of. Her words, “Ladies, look to your left and your right—these women—your Aaron and Hur—are meant to help hold up your arms so you can win the battle.” I knew at that exact moment that the Holy Spirit was speaking directly to me.

This is how our miracle began. Obedience on the part of my treasured friend to continually pursue me as the Lord was guiding her. Obedience on our part to be humbled and allow God to provide for us. To quote another precious friend “Kandra, you must recognize that God doesn’t usually call us to comfortable situations.” She was beyond right in her words. Thus embarked a fundraiser on GoFundMe that began to radically shake our hearts at seeing the outpouring of love. That in and of itself would have been a blessing far greater than we could have ever imagined. Yet again—God had bigger plans. Our church family blew us away with an incredible gift and we were just beyond speechless!!

A fundraiser at the Discovery Center…planned and arranged by 10 beautiful women that I get to do life with…God given friendships each unique and precious just the same.  An article was written in the The Daily News Journal to shed light on the event and our families story written by yet another precious sister. Those 10 women organized a silent auction and an incredible family fun event that over 300 people attended and raised almost $13,000.00 in one night!!!

People we know and love, people we’d never met, people that have now become friends. Each and every single dollar given was God-ordained. HE ALONE receives all glory and honor. I was simply made speechless by my beautiful friends, my always generous family, my incredible church family…it astounds me as I sit here journaling this experience still. I am honored to have such incredible relationships. I will treasure this for all the days of my life.

God wasn’t finished. The cherry on top of this most beautiful miracle was at our Kate’s school. A day set aside to raise money through kickball and kids with huge hearts. A staff that educates children on a regular basis on loving others in BIG ways. The entire school body held an assembly that our family walked into seeing hundreds of K-5^th graders formed into a giant K for our girl. There was a slideshow of the day set aside for our daughter…and I became a puddle of emotion. Her school raised $3078.00!!! I can’t put into words how this entire day of seeing kids love our child…God’s child…truly moved me. She was made in His image and so were each of those children that were beyond elated to give and love her. The teachers that were so moved by our beautiful girl…I will never forget that day. Not for as long as I live.

So you see, miracles happen. Every. Single. Day. God is alive and moving. He is alive in His children. He will use you. He used every single dollar, prayer, silent auction donation…He used it all. We have been on an emotional roller coaster of PURE GRATITUDE. Miracles happen in the form of obedience. We know our great big God used each and every single one of you that contributed as HIS HANDS AND FEET.

At the end of this beautiful journey, almost $43,000 was raised. Could you have even believed it?

I won’t lie. I didn’t think we’d be where we are today. I didn’t fully trust that it would happen. Sure, I knew in my heart that God could do it…I just didn’t trust that He would. My friends did. They had more than a mustard seed of faith. I can say with full certainty that Kate’s life verse was proven in a powerful way.

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:4

He was faithful. He is faithful. He will always be…faithful.

Jesus wins every time!!! Kate has a new ride. FULLY PAID FOR.

Thank you so much to each soul that gave when God stirred them. To each friend that gave of yourselves to love me and my family. To every single person who prayed for this for our girl and our family.

We have been changed. We have been moved. We have been blessed.

Blessings always follow obedience.