Maggie and Ellen's Miracle Fund!
Donation protected
UPDATE:
At 7:31 and 7:44 on October 2nd, Ray and Sarah Miller ushered Maggie and Ellen into this world and then peacefully on to the next.
Our sorrow is deep. Our gratitude is large.
We are thankful Maggie and Ellen were welcomed into heaven with joy and celebration and look forward to the day when we will praise The Lord side-by-side.
If you have given to this fund, we cannot thank you enough. Our original goal was $25,000 in order that we might help the Miller's with a minivan for their expanded family, medical expenses and double of everything. Now we are preparing for a funeral and would like to set aside a fund for Ray and Sarah to get away for a few weeks of rest and healing in the new year as well as have money to cover any therapy costs that are not covered by their insurance plan in the months to come. We will end our gofundme page after the funeral next weekend. Thank you so much for giving Sarah and Ray the gift of not having to worry about issues of money during this difficult time. It is a true gift that means the world to them and will make the coming months easier as they walk through these next months of grief and healing.
Hi Friends-
This is the Miller family.
(photography by Erin Allred @LoveOnePhotography)
We know them by many names. Brother. Sister. Son. Daughter. Mentor. Pastor. Doula. Cousin. Neice. Nephew. Grandson. Granddaughter. Childhood playmates. Highschool bandmates. College roommates. Seminary study partner. Friends. But above all those names and titles by which we know them, Ray and Sarah Miller are brave and faithful followers of Jesus Christ. And that name describes them best. Even now, in the most difficult season of their lives, they continually remind the world around them that our God is with us. Emmanuel.
Many of you have asked what Ray and Sarah most need right now and if there is a way you can help financially carry them during this season. The answer of course is: YES, there are MANY needs! You can read the Miller's full story below, but in a nutshell, Sarah and Ray are trying to prepare for two unexpected, miraculous identical twin girls, Maggie and Ellen. And they need our support!
The Needs:
+A Honda Odyssey*
This is the BEST gift we can work together to give Ray and Sarah. They are currently, intentionally a one-car family while they both pay-off their Seminary education and Ray's doctorate. The current car will not safely fit all three children and this is by far their most pressing need!
+Expenses while in NICU
Ray and Sarah live an hour away from the hospital and since Ray will continue working as the head pastor at First Baptist Church Shawnee, Oklahoma he will be making numerous trips back and forth to be with the girls at the hosptial in Oklahoma City. Expenses will include gas and lodging.
+Two of EVERYTHING!
That's right. They have one of everything, but need to double that up quickly! Double stroller, double diapers, double car seats- double everything! Check out their registry and see what they need most: http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/registry.html?ie=UTF8&id=363QFLJKRCMNA&type=baby
Our goal is $25,000 before the babies get here in December. This will allow us to buy Ray and Sarah a safe vehicle for the babies; set aside a travel fund for Ray's frequent trips to the NICU; and purchase some of the bigger items needed in caring for these two unexpected little miracles!
Our family cannot thank you enough for the love, support and mighty prayers that you have lavished upon Ray, Sarah and Abigail during this season. We believe each day Maggie and Ellen are alive is a MIRACLE. We are grateful that so many people- around the world- are expereincing this miracle with us and we are in awe of God's loving presence and mercy. We promise to transparently and responsibly use every penny of the funds raised to take care of the basic needs for The Miller family and steward this money to the best of our ability on their behalf.
*If you know a car dealership who might partner with our family to get Ray and Sarah into a new vehicle, please email me (Sarah's sister, Jenny Simmons) directly through gofundme. I will perform a concert AND acoustic show for a charity/school in your community in exchange for any partnership! *
*** The Story of Ray and Sarah Miller***
After three heartbreaking miscarriages, The Miller's finally brought their first healthy, happy, energetic ball of laughter into the world. Abigail Hope was born on January 16, 2012.
The doctors told Sarah that she could try to have more children, but they were unsure of what the outcome might be without the use of major medical intervention. For two years Ray and Sarah tried to naturally concieve, but could not. Although they desperately wanted another biological child, they felt spiritually compelled to forgo major medical procedures and instead pursue the pathway of domestic adoption. (Adoption has always been near to their heart and story; Ray and Sarah met on a mission trip to an African orphanage in college!)
(Ray and Sarah, 2007, Kenya.)
After nearly a year completing home studies and earning/saving/raising $16,000 to pay for their private domestic adoption, The Millers were notified in the Spring of 2014 that they were officially on the waiting list to be partnered with a birth mother. It was only a matter of time before a new baby would come into their lives.
Two months later, Sarah found out she was pregnant.
Two weeks after that, she found out it was twins.
(August 7th- Oh. My. Gosh. It's twins picture!)
What has transpired since then has been a roller coaster of fear, heartbreak, joy, hope and MIRACLES. On the day that Ray and Sarah found out they were expecting identical twin girls, they also found out that the girls have a rare disorder called Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) and Sarah would need to travel out of state for a highly specialized surgical procedure in order to increase the odds of survival for the twins. Though afraid, she and Ray were ready to fight this syndrome and raise the money necessary for the surgery. However, seven days later, Sarah's water broke (also know as premature rupturing of the membranes or PROM). She was only 17 weeks pregnant.
After a week in the hospital, several rounds of antibiotics to ensure Sarah's safety from infection and tons of fluids being given intraveneously, the babies condition only seemed to deteriorate.
On Labor Day, the doctors at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City sent Sarah and Ray home to wait for the babies to pass away. With incredible compassion and expert guidance, her doctors gently explained what would happen in Sarah's womb during the following week and said it would be about 7-10 days before Sarah went into labor and her sweet girls would pass from this life to the next.
(Sarah at 22 weeks pregnant with Maggie and Ellen!)
But seven days later- the girls were still with us. And the doctors were stunned.
And seven days after that- the girls were still with us. And the doctors were stunned.
And seven more days. And seven more days after that.
And now here we are at 22 weeks.
Maggie and Ellen Miller are STILL WITH US. Breathing, kicking, hiccuping, growing miracles. THEY ARE STILL WITH US. And we believe with all of our hearts that we are sitting right in the middle of a miracle that God Himself is unfolding. So each day we pray and we believe and Sarah fights for the lives of her babies by doing everything in her power to keep them inside of her. This includes 24 hour horizontal bed rest, a high protein diet and 6 liters of water a day!
Sarah will be re-admitted to the hospital on October 13th and begin steroids that will help Maggie and Ellen's lungs to develop more quickly. After that their medical team will evaluate and determine whether Sarah will stay in the hospital for the remainder of the pregnancy or head home. If, by God's grace, the babies' stay put and continue to grow, the doctors will intentionally deliver the girls early, at 35 weeks. The 35 week mark would be December 19th. Our mom's birthday. We think this sounds like a pretty divine day! So we are praying for a full 34 weeks and delivery on December 19th.
We continue to pray for the blood flow through both girls umbilical cords, as that seems to be the key to keeping them healthy. Sarah's energy, fight, resolve and peace. Strength for Ray. And extra grace, love and joy for big sister Abigail. Thank you for walking with our family as we believe in LIFE for our miracle babies, Maggie and Ellen!
At 7:31 and 7:44 on October 2nd, Ray and Sarah Miller ushered Maggie and Ellen into this world and then peacefully on to the next.
Our sorrow is deep. Our gratitude is large.
We are thankful Maggie and Ellen were welcomed into heaven with joy and celebration and look forward to the day when we will praise The Lord side-by-side.
If you have given to this fund, we cannot thank you enough. Our original goal was $25,000 in order that we might help the Miller's with a minivan for their expanded family, medical expenses and double of everything. Now we are preparing for a funeral and would like to set aside a fund for Ray and Sarah to get away for a few weeks of rest and healing in the new year as well as have money to cover any therapy costs that are not covered by their insurance plan in the months to come. We will end our gofundme page after the funeral next weekend. Thank you so much for giving Sarah and Ray the gift of not having to worry about issues of money during this difficult time. It is a true gift that means the world to them and will make the coming months easier as they walk through these next months of grief and healing.
Hi Friends-
This is the Miller family.
(photography by Erin Allred @LoveOnePhotography)We know them by many names. Brother. Sister. Son. Daughter. Mentor. Pastor. Doula. Cousin. Neice. Nephew. Grandson. Granddaughter. Childhood playmates. Highschool bandmates. College roommates. Seminary study partner. Friends. But above all those names and titles by which we know them, Ray and Sarah Miller are brave and faithful followers of Jesus Christ. And that name describes them best. Even now, in the most difficult season of their lives, they continually remind the world around them that our God is with us. Emmanuel.
Many of you have asked what Ray and Sarah most need right now and if there is a way you can help financially carry them during this season. The answer of course is: YES, there are MANY needs! You can read the Miller's full story below, but in a nutshell, Sarah and Ray are trying to prepare for two unexpected, miraculous identical twin girls, Maggie and Ellen. And they need our support!
The Needs:
+A Honda Odyssey*
This is the BEST gift we can work together to give Ray and Sarah. They are currently, intentionally a one-car family while they both pay-off their Seminary education and Ray's doctorate. The current car will not safely fit all three children and this is by far their most pressing need!
+Expenses while in NICU
Ray and Sarah live an hour away from the hospital and since Ray will continue working as the head pastor at First Baptist Church Shawnee, Oklahoma he will be making numerous trips back and forth to be with the girls at the hosptial in Oklahoma City. Expenses will include gas and lodging.
+Two of EVERYTHING!
That's right. They have one of everything, but need to double that up quickly! Double stroller, double diapers, double car seats- double everything! Check out their registry and see what they need most: http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/registry.html?ie=UTF8&id=363QFLJKRCMNA&type=baby
Our goal is $25,000 before the babies get here in December. This will allow us to buy Ray and Sarah a safe vehicle for the babies; set aside a travel fund for Ray's frequent trips to the NICU; and purchase some of the bigger items needed in caring for these two unexpected little miracles!
Our family cannot thank you enough for the love, support and mighty prayers that you have lavished upon Ray, Sarah and Abigail during this season. We believe each day Maggie and Ellen are alive is a MIRACLE. We are grateful that so many people- around the world- are expereincing this miracle with us and we are in awe of God's loving presence and mercy. We promise to transparently and responsibly use every penny of the funds raised to take care of the basic needs for The Miller family and steward this money to the best of our ability on their behalf.
*If you know a car dealership who might partner with our family to get Ray and Sarah into a new vehicle, please email me (Sarah's sister, Jenny Simmons) directly through gofundme. I will perform a concert AND acoustic show for a charity/school in your community in exchange for any partnership! *
*** The Story of Ray and Sarah Miller***
After three heartbreaking miscarriages, The Miller's finally brought their first healthy, happy, energetic ball of laughter into the world. Abigail Hope was born on January 16, 2012.
The doctors told Sarah that she could try to have more children, but they were unsure of what the outcome might be without the use of major medical intervention. For two years Ray and Sarah tried to naturally concieve, but could not. Although they desperately wanted another biological child, they felt spiritually compelled to forgo major medical procedures and instead pursue the pathway of domestic adoption. (Adoption has always been near to their heart and story; Ray and Sarah met on a mission trip to an African orphanage in college!)
(Ray and Sarah, 2007, Kenya.)After nearly a year completing home studies and earning/saving/raising $16,000 to pay for their private domestic adoption, The Millers were notified in the Spring of 2014 that they were officially on the waiting list to be partnered with a birth mother. It was only a matter of time before a new baby would come into their lives.
Two months later, Sarah found out she was pregnant.
Two weeks after that, she found out it was twins.
(August 7th- Oh. My. Gosh. It's twins picture!)What has transpired since then has been a roller coaster of fear, heartbreak, joy, hope and MIRACLES. On the day that Ray and Sarah found out they were expecting identical twin girls, they also found out that the girls have a rare disorder called Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) and Sarah would need to travel out of state for a highly specialized surgical procedure in order to increase the odds of survival for the twins. Though afraid, she and Ray were ready to fight this syndrome and raise the money necessary for the surgery. However, seven days later, Sarah's water broke (also know as premature rupturing of the membranes or PROM). She was only 17 weeks pregnant.
After a week in the hospital, several rounds of antibiotics to ensure Sarah's safety from infection and tons of fluids being given intraveneously, the babies condition only seemed to deteriorate.
On Labor Day, the doctors at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City sent Sarah and Ray home to wait for the babies to pass away. With incredible compassion and expert guidance, her doctors gently explained what would happen in Sarah's womb during the following week and said it would be about 7-10 days before Sarah went into labor and her sweet girls would pass from this life to the next.
(Sarah at 22 weeks pregnant with Maggie and Ellen!) But seven days later- the girls were still with us. And the doctors were stunned.
And seven days after that- the girls were still with us. And the doctors were stunned.
And seven more days. And seven more days after that.
And now here we are at 22 weeks.
Maggie and Ellen Miller are STILL WITH US. Breathing, kicking, hiccuping, growing miracles. THEY ARE STILL WITH US. And we believe with all of our hearts that we are sitting right in the middle of a miracle that God Himself is unfolding. So each day we pray and we believe and Sarah fights for the lives of her babies by doing everything in her power to keep them inside of her. This includes 24 hour horizontal bed rest, a high protein diet and 6 liters of water a day!
Sarah will be re-admitted to the hospital on October 13th and begin steroids that will help Maggie and Ellen's lungs to develop more quickly. After that their medical team will evaluate and determine whether Sarah will stay in the hospital for the remainder of the pregnancy or head home. If, by God's grace, the babies' stay put and continue to grow, the doctors will intentionally deliver the girls early, at 35 weeks. The 35 week mark would be December 19th. Our mom's birthday. We think this sounds like a pretty divine day! So we are praying for a full 34 weeks and delivery on December 19th.
We continue to pray for the blood flow through both girls umbilical cords, as that seems to be the key to keeping them healthy. Sarah's energy, fight, resolve and peace. Strength for Ray. And extra grace, love and joy for big sister Abigail. Thank you for walking with our family as we believe in LIFE for our miracle babies, Maggie and Ellen!
Organizer
Jenny Simmons
Organizer
Shawnee, OK
