MIRACLES DO HAPPEN!

Miracles do happen!

Hi, my name is Kari and most of you know my story and have prayed for my miracle this last year. Thank you for covering my family and I with so many prayers and wearing my prayer bracelets. To go from being a mom of two active boys and a 1st grade teacher one day to finding out I was in renal failure (Pauci-Immune Crescentic Glomerulonephritis) the next day, has been a burden one cannot imagine. This has been the toughest year of my life, and I've experienced things that I hope none of you ever will go through.

One thing has never changed through this journey and that is the peace that only God could give me. For me to be diagnosed with a rare kidney disease and be told I must be on dialysis to live, is not an easy thing to hear. Then to hear the doctors say I could be living this way for 3-5 years while I wait for a potential kidney donor match (in the best case) is even harder to hear. So many people have been crying out to the Lord on my behalf praying for a miracle for me. Almost one year to the date of my diagnosis I found out my cousin would be my miracle!

Christa lives in Georgia where she serves as a pastor’s wife while raising their four kids. She has so much going on in her life and her willingness to stop and give a kidney to me is beyond a blessing and a selfless act. She felt the Lord told her she should be tested and sure enough after weeks of both of us having appointments and tests she is a match for me. I cannot tell you how emotional I have been at the thought that she is so willing to sacrifice a part of herself for me. The verse that spoke to her is “Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices”, Hebrews 13:16. That truly is Christ like, and I desire to do something for her and her family to ensure this sacrifice does not add financial stress to their family.

First, we would both appreciate prayers as we face this surgery. Pray for the doctors, nurses, and that everything will go smoothly for both of us. Secondly, I want to raise funds to help cover her cost, so she and her family are out nothing (except a kidney!!!). They will be flying to Dallas, staying in a hotel for nearly 2 weeks (because of pre-op and post-op), needing to rent a car, buy gas, and of course their meals. I know this time of year is hard for everyone but if you feel led your money will go to a very special person/family. Any additional funds not used will go for medical expenses during the procedure/recovery.

Normally, we are not ones to ask for financial support, but things have been happening so fast over the last few weeks, that we want to make sure all the loose ends are covered. Our families covet your prayers, and can’t wait to celebrate a successful surgery (January 4th) and recovery (4 weeks for Christa and 8 weeks for me). Merry Christmas from our families, and may God bless you as He has blessed us this holiday season!