Miriam's Miracle

Robyn Miller is organizing this fundraiser.

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Have you experienced miracles? I have read definitions of the word this morning in English, Greek, and Hebrew and have concluded that I have experienced ‘abundance, meaning, might, power, strength, and mighty wonderful works’ - closest to the Greek definition. The 15 little cups above represent 15 of these ‘’miracles”- not so much an inexplicable event such as rising from the grave – but nevertheless an outstanding example of how I have experienced Divine Love. I would love the chance to tell you about each of these in a personal conversation! Childbirth is often spoken of as a miracle and I have experienced this miracle 6 times. Now one of my children needs a miracle in her life.

You may or may not know my daughter Miriam. She is the 5th of my 6 children, and has been a special gift to our family. Miriam was only 7 years old when my husband died of cancer, yet she was always the bright spot for all of us as we navigated the severe cirmcumstances that followed Dwight's illness and death. Though the picture below is worn with time, it is easy to see the joy in Miriam’s face that she always shared with others as a child.

Miriam gave up her senior year at the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts to come home and care for me during my own bout with cancer 3 years ago.
Now Miriam is experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, resulting from complex early unresolved trauma—in part from the events described above. Without sharing her specific details on the internet, I can merely say that she has been seeking help for her condition in various ways for over 2 years. We made the decision in mid-July for her to engage in wilderness therapy for 9 weeks with New Vision Wilderness in Bend, Oregon ( check it out here! ). The cost of the program (including transitional help when she returns home) is $36,593 which includes charges for the payments I have financed. I have received donations from friends and family in the amount of $6500, which leaves an amount of $30,093 that needs to be raised.

There’s a story found in the Hebrew scriptures (in the book of 1st Kings) where the prophet Elisha fills as many empty jars as needed to meet a widow’s financial needs in order to care for her family. This story has always encouraged me, because I have been a widow since 2003, and in that 14-year period I have experienced this same phenomenon as the needs of my family have been met abundantly beyond what I could ask or imagine.
The picture below depicts what both I and the early disciples of Jesus experienced as He met the needs of the crowd for bread, with 12 baskets left over, the story in Mark 8.

These cups are labeled with specific needs I have had over the years, and the little colored rocks and jewels represent the generosity of many who have stepped in to fill those needs in big and small ways. As you can see in the picture, 2 cups are empty. One of these cups represents the medical expenses incurred for Miriam, the filling of which will be part of Miriam’s Miracle.

If 1,000 people gave $30 each, this need would be filled. But I need your help to reach 1,000 people.

Would you consider sharing this request on your Facebook page?

Of course, donations above $30 are welcomed as well – even with all of us this page may not reach 1000 people. The miracle will be to participate in the Love that compels us to give for the need of another and to watch as this ‘abundance, meaning, might, power, strength, and mighty wonderful work’ unfolds in Miriam’s life and in each of our own lives as well.

Any money above the goal will go toward scholarships for other young adults at New Vision Wilderness, after the GoFundMe fees have been paid. All donations can be reflected as anonymous on the website if you choose (Click the "Donate Now" button on the campaign; then on the next page, check the box under your first name that says "Hide my donation from everyone except the organizer"). However, I will receive an identifying email so that I may thank you!

Thank you for reading to the end and for considering being a part of Miriam's Miracle.