Redbasket Link

Thank you so much for your outpouring of love and generosity regarding my last post.  I was in the process of setting up an account with Red Basket.org and did not have the link yet to give you all.  It is up and running now.  Red Basket is a non-profit organization that allows individuals to donate time or money directly to people or projects that need help. Your donations are tax deductible and 100% of the profits are directly given to the cause.  The link to the page is  https://redbasket.org/1200/more-mobility-for-melody. We have a baked goods boutique and walk/jog-a-thon in the works.  We so appreciate your prayers and encouragement as well.  I was so encouraged this week by a donation that came in from a gal who has been following our story since we adopted Hannah.  They are not connected to anyone we know.  I know there are several of you that have found us in the same way.  You are all examples that our suffering is not just about us but what God is doing in the hearts of those around us. It really is amazing. Thank you for your outpouring of love and support.  We feel so blessed by you all.


Mel

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone,

As I write this letter I’m overcome with gratefulness.  The Lord continues to show us his love through the hard.  Sometimes it is through his word, an article, a worship song, or a conversation with a friend, a stranger, a family member.  Sometimes its through acts of service or giving by others.  It’s a reprieve from doctors apts, it’s a good night sleep, or seeing your kids thrive.  It’s honestly too many ways to recount.  God is so good.  He reminds us that this life here is so small in comparison to what lies ahead for us.  I want to bottle up this gratefulness that I feel because I know that I’m a sinner and there will be days ahead where I will forget and I will be consumed by my circumstances and the hard.  I don’t want to forget.  I always want my eyes to be focused on the things that are eternal.  The one who promises to deliver us.  JESUS.  The one who came as a babe and took on flesh to bare our sins so we could have eternal life.  Who was born in a smelly stall, beaten, slandered, and nailed to a cross on our behalf.  I hope you are all able to soak in what that means for your life and I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New year.

We wanted to share with you all an opportunity to come along side our family.  This last October I had a really bad fall in our home.  It led to me having a concussion.  I lost my balance just walking from one room to the next.  I couldn’t recover and hit head first into a wall and landed on the hard tile. Walking is already difficult however this shook me up pretty bad and I have been more scared to walk even in our home.  My balance has been worse because of it and it has caused us to consider other options for me.  Our youngest son Jonah has been praying and begging us for a dog for years.  With everything we were dealing with we did not want to add anymore in our lives.  We also couldn’t have a dog that might knock me over.  After the fall we started to think about the benefits of a mobility service dog.  As we looked into it further we discovered what a gift this could be for myself and our family.  A mobility dog comes trained to help people like me walk, pull my wheel chair, help open and close doors, help me out of bed or off the couch, help retrieve items like my phone and keys, call for help, help get me up after a fall and so much more. This thought brought me some comfort as I’m often home alone now.  After some prayer we found a wonderful close by organization and have applied.  We have been accepted but we are 101 on the list and the wait could take years unless we raise the money ourselves.  A mobility dog with lifetime training cost $24,000. We are hoping to do some creative  fundraising soon.  However if you feel led in any way,  to give, to fundraise, and to pray we would be so grateful.  Praying this option of a mobility dog would become a reality for our family.

With love and gratitude,

The Lietzau’s