A few months ago I shared about a very special little one who needed our help. Her name was Joy and she was in the loving care of Meredith and Morning Star Foster Home. But her heart was broken, and only a major corrective surgery could repair it. I asked y’all to join with me and Meredith, for Joy, to try to raise funds to pay for the life-saving surgery.
Six days later, Joy was taken to the hospital for testing and evaluation. Then it was time for surgery.
From Meredith:
day of her surgery: Watching the sun rise in China, and preparing for our little Joy to be taken into surgery — her very first open heart!! Ah! It was scheduled quickly after tests were done, but we are confident in the decisions made. The consent forms have been signed, and surgery should begin in an hour!
Remembering that Joy truly does come in the morning, and standing firm in that hope for this precious one and her brave warrior heart.
One sleepy-eyed princess who has no idea what’s coming, and one stomach knotted “mama-for-now” who knows all too well. This girl is strong and her heart’s rhythm already beats courage. Pray she’ll feel that courage-rhythm, pounding loud and clear, carrying her (and us!) through today and the days to come. Baby Joy, you are oh so loved.
the next day: Baby Joy came through surgery and is doing well! They were able to repair everything they hoped, and she is sedated and Intubated in ICU! Jehovah Rapha… Overflowing with Joy.
and a few days later: Baby Joy was taken off the ventilator this morning and is one HUGE step closer to coming out of ICU. She’s such a brave little warrior. So strong.
Joy came to us with a heart so broken, and today she’s gaining strength with a perfectly repaired, beautifully brave heart. I will never tire of this world, this fight for hope and heart. It may be a hard road — but watching miracles in action before my eyes? Absolutely Priceless.
and then a week ago: Hey, baby Joy, I know that game you play. With those crinkled moon eyes and long batting lashes, those doctors just couldn’t bear to let you go.
We’ve got you home now – (lucky us) – with your brave heart beating strong and true. I don’t know how you fit your name so well, but the day you were carried back through that door? Our home was filled with a whole lot of you.
Baby Joy is home, her heart fully mended and, incredibly, funded completely by you. Yep, that’s right. Y’all rallied, prayed, shared and got your So Loved on – all for Joy. And $11,200 was raised. Enough to mend her broken heart.
You did it.
I am simply astounded. And completely overjoyed. Thank you for partnering with me on this adventure – God is doing infinitely more than I could have ever imagined when I prayerfully re-launched So Loved to raise funds for orphans with broken hearts, one year ago. Since then So Loved sales have generated over $13,400 in donations to Morning Star – because of you and others like you who love, pray for and support orphans and orphan care.
The So Loved fundraising cycle ended on July 31st, marking the official end of our partnership with Morning Star. And it took about a nanosecond for me to decide to jump back in for another year – and do all I can to continue raising funds to help heal broken hearts at Morning Star.
Yay!
Meredith and I have not decided yet who the next So Loved beneficiary will be, but it will be a baby at Morning Star. So know that if you purchase a So Loved anytime between now and July 31, 2016, $15.50 of that will go directly to Morning Star, specifically to fund the heart surgery of one of their precious babies. Once we’ve decided which little one it will be, y’all will be the first to know.
To everyone who partnered with us – for Joy – I hope you smile big every time you put on your So Loved. Knowing you were part of healing a heart is a beautiful thing.
P.S. All the pre-ordered So Loved shirts were shipped by August 16th, so if you pre-ordered and have not received your shirt, please let me know.