Stories of hope

Karson
from Ft. Wayne, IN

Age: 2 years-old
Hobbies: Thomas the Tank Engine, Sports, Drawing, Books, Singing
Enjoys: Puzzles, Swimming, Playing with his little friends, cooking with Mommy, playing "fumble" with Daddy
Favorite Foods: Chicken and "roni" (macaroni)
Favorite Songs: This is the Day, Veggie Tales
Favorite Teams: Notre Dame Football, L.A. Dodgers, Indianapolis Colts
Best Buddies: Mommy and Daddy

Diagnosed with Leukemia (ALL) on February 9th, 2007

Dear Basket of Hope:

I live in Tularosa New Mexico and have three children still living at home. One of my daughters was born with cerebral palsy and has always had alot of medical problems which we have always dealt with and she lives a relatively normal life. My youngest son has always been healthy and is 11 years old. He played PeeWee football for two years and moved up to Youth League this past fall. He got hit in the leg one day by a helmet during practice and his leg hurt. I did all the mom things, ice, rest, and self diagnosed him with shin splints. He wanted to finish the season so I bought him a shin splint brace to wear for the rest of the season. Sure enough when the season was over his leg appeared to get better. However on Thanksgiving weekend he bumped it on the console of a truck and the symptoms were back and the pain alot worse. I took him to the doctor and from there we have progressed to a diagnosis of Ewing Sarcoma. A rare childhood cancer of the bone. In his case the tumor is located in his tibia and the cancer cells are also in his bone marrow. He began cancer treatment at the UNM Children's hospital in Albuquerque, NM which is about 200 miles from here. These treatments will last about 40 weeks and there may be an aggressive surgery to take out his tibia bone and replace it with a donor bone or a metal rod.

I tell you that long story to tell you this.

During his last hospital stay, we were the recipients of a "Basket of Hope". We had never heard of the program. As I said we are from a small town in New Mexico. Inside we found lots of inspirational books and music, a prayer journal, and your book Quiet Strength. Having lots of time in the hospital and being a huge fan of God and his marvelous works, I immediately began reading your book. I am almost finished with it and I couldn't help but notice your basket of hope picture in the book.

I wanted you to know how much it meant to us that this program exists and to tell you how much I enjoyed Quiet Strength.

I think you and your family are an amazing example of why God put us here in the first place.

Thank you for all you do.

Judy

Dear Basket of Hope:

I would like to take this time to say Thank You from the bottom of my heart for the basket that my son has received from all of you. It means a lot to have someone out there care for people whom you don't even know. Everything that was in the basket was great. You are doing a great job and I pray that everything goes great for you. I may not know who all helped with the basket but I know for sure that God does. May God give you a hundred fold back for what you have done and are doing.

Dear Basket of Hope:

We really appreciate the basket of hope you gave our son. May the Lord be with all the volunteers and individuals who would make this possible. Having my husband in Iraq and being far from home he’s glad to know there are still individuals who are caring and willing to help others in need. Thank you for the basket, it really puts hope in someone's life. Thank you once again.

Thank all of you for taking the time to pray for these children and their families it makes a difference.

Dear Basket of Hope:

Chris and I would like to extend our sincere thanks to you and the others involved in giving Baskets of Hope. What a pleasant surprise to have Mary Beth deliver such a "treats" (spiritual and playful) to our door. You all really thought of everything! The journal, weekly planner (small enough to fit into my diaper bag and other totes), doll, hat, Psalms, etc. What a blessing you are from God. Allexa (our 13 mo. old daughter) is doing really well. She just finished her 2nd round of chemo and is full of smiles and laughter. There is plenty of hope here in our situation...and God is with us each and every day....every step of the way. Please pass Alexa's name on to any prayer chains in your area. We greatly appreciate all that you are doing.

With Love,

Robin, Chris and Alexa

James 5:15

Hi Renee,

I attended the funeral service of Courtney Davis, the little nineteen month old who died of neuroblastoma. This service was one of the most moving I have ever attended! What a beautiful Christian family. The service started with a song that was written especially for Courtney and her two little brothers walked down the isle and put two bouquets in her casket. Lot's of tears! Her mom,Cyndi had purchased a beautiful Easter dress that they dressed her in. Grandparents, an uncle, aunt, her doctor, and Bryce and Cyndi shared testimonies on how their Courtney(bean) had taught them so much in her short time here on earth! Their example of enduring one of the most painful experiences with a supernatural strength and faith that will be a testimony not only in my life, but literally thousands! Bryce then shared a story when Courtney was in her last moments. In a morphine induced sleep with her mamma rocking her, he talked about his grandmother who for many years had suffered form breast cancer, blindness, hip and shoulder degeneration and finally colon cancer. She fought bravely to the end, much like Courtney. She was dying and asked her pastor if it was ok to pray to be with Jesus in Heaven. He said" Yes, it is ok to want that." At that point, Bryce knelt down to Courtney and asked her," Do you want to be with Jesus in Heaven? Do you want us to keep fighting for you, or are you ready to be with Jesus?" Immediately she opened her eyes and feebly cried, " All Done." It was their confirmation that they needed to release her and let her go! She died later that evening. I will forever be thankful that I met this beautiful angelic little girl and her family and that "we" could bring her joy and her family hope and comfort in a basket. The family said several times how blessed they were with the basket and Cyndi loves and has drawn great encouragement from the bible that was placed in it. Bryce's mom is from Canada and shared that she would love to do something like this in Canada. This minstry touched lives! Thank you for all you do!

All for His Glory,

Patty McKinstry

Trinity Lutheran School of Nashville, Illinois recently raised funds in their April Chapel offerings to help the Basket of Hope purchase CD players for the baskets. They raised $414.00 which will be matched by Thrivent Financial for a total of $828.00! They have supported Basket of Hope every year for many years now and we truly appreciate their ongoing support!

Here are some pictures of the kids that helped support Basket of Hope! We love it when kids help kids!!