Remember With Us ~ October 15th (And a My Forever Child Giveaway!)

For the last couple years on October 15th, we honored and prayed for many families who lost a baby or child. And, I would like to do it again this year. I hope you will join us. Here is an excerpt from last year's post:

October 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. I have met so many beautiful families through Walking With You, this blog, and through Sufficient Grace Ministries. Your stories have touched my heart, and I want to remember each one of your precious babies. Every life is precious in the eyes of the Lord. Every life has value and purpose. While I have prayed for everyone who has crossed my path, it would be nice to have a list to pray for all in one place...with names and birth dates (and heavenly home-going dates). I thought it would be special for us to compile a list of our precious babies and post it here on October 15th. So, if you are a mother who has lost a baby/child and would like to include your family on our list, please leave your information in the comments below or email it to me at sufficientgraceministries@gmail.com. If your information is on last year's list, please note I will be including those previously listed and just adding any new names and re-posting the list. 

Even if we've never met (in real life or blog land!), you are welcome to participate. We want to remember all of the precious babies and their families. On that special day, I will post the list here and pray throughout the day for each of you...as we remember together. If you would like to help us spread the word on your blog so that we could include more families, please feel free! If you would like to include your child on the October 15th Remembrance Page, please leave the following in the comments below (on this post):

Child's Name
Parents Name
Birth Date
Entered Heaven:
Any message you may wish to share...or bible verse that brings you comfort


Also...if you are a grieving parent, and new to our site, please visit the Dreams of You Shop. If you would like a Dreams of You Memory Book or Comfort Bear, please email the shipping address listed on that page. We do not charge parents for our products or services. It is our desire and prayer to offer comfort and hope to every family who crosses our path.


*We would also like to bless a mama with a $50 gift certificate from My Forever Child!! So, if you would like to enter to win the gift certificate, please mention that you want to be included in your comment. 

Musings and Happenings (and Puppies-Oh My!)

This morning, I'm finally working on some overdue Dreams of You Shipments and SGM thank yous. It has been difficult to keep up in this busy season, but if you are waiting to hear from us, please know you have not been forgotten. Shipments continue to go out to families all over the United States and beyond. If you are a supporter of this ministry, we thank you for your continued support and ask for your prayers for us as we reach out to grieving families, and for the beautiful families we serve as they walk this difficult path.

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month, with a special Remembrance Day on October 15th. Sufficient Grace Ministries will once again honor the lives of the precious babies who leave this earth too soon, as we have in the past. Candles will be lit, and prayers will be lifted on behalf of each family. We will also be hosting some giveaways to bless a few mamas in the coming weeks, so please stay tuned for more information. We've listed names for the past couple years here: October 15th Remembrance Page. Information coming soon about how you can add your child/family to the list.

Franchesca from Small Bird Studios has been working on a redesign of the Sufficient Grace website and this blog. I'm excited to reveal those changes when they are complete. The process included a photo shoot, (once again in the pouring rain) with Raechel Feehan (who was such a trooper to give her time and stand in the pouring rain with us...coaxing smiles out of my not-loving-getting-their-picture-taken guys). She does an excellent job of "capturing" our family. So excited to get an updated family picture on our wall...and to update the blog as well! Thank you beautiful Raechel...love you, girl!

I've been adjusting to a new school year, and loving spending time with the fourth grade students I work with each day. James is acclimating to middle school, and Timothy is well into his Senior year. Time is flying, golf clubs are clink-clanking, I'm following behind...sometimes a sappy puddle, acutely aware of the endings this year brings...even as we anticipate the adventure of beginnings. It has been a gift to watch him achieve some accomplishments on the course the past few weeks, and I'm missing my mom (who would relish every inch of it all). You know, you can't freely brag on your kids with anyone except your mama...at least it doesn't seem acceptable to do so. Only our mamas love them like we do. But, it has been a blessing to see his hard work bring some fruit this year (including his first hole in one last week, which was a fun surprise!). I'm looking forward to watching him compete at the district tournament this Thursday.

Our band One Way has been preparing for an upcoming performance at Oakdale United Methodist Church. We will be sharing some praise songs, and I will be speaking briefly about Sufficient Grace on Sunday, October 9th. Please keep that upcoming event in prayer.

After working as a concrete/excavating foreman for more than 16 years, my husband started his own business last month. He has been quite busy, and it has been such a blessing to see him use his gifts and abilities in new and creative ways. You can check out his website here: Gerken Construction. Stop over and give him a word of encouragement. He does beautiful work...and I would say that, even if he wasn't my husband. =)

Oh...and in the midst of it all, our beagle had puppies on the first day of school. She had a litter of eight, but two did not make it. So, it has been a roly-poly, tumble-bumpling romp of puppy goodness and cuteness around these parts...James has been in heaven! =)

They are seriously so cute, I cannot even deal!

Ride4Grace 2011

 The 3rd annual Ride4Grace, hosted by our friend Dave Amspoker, was held on Sunday August 21, 2011 beginning and ending at Abiding Hope Lutheran Church in Bowling Green, Ohio. There was a small group of bikers who came to show their support for SGM, including sweet Holly and family. We are always grateful for those who take the time out of their busy schedules to help raise awareness and support for this mission so close to our hearts.

The run began with a prayer led by Dave.



After an ominous-cloud-covered beginning...

The sun shone through...

Love these cuties...

James loved this amazing work of art in the church lobby. It looks like just a drawing, but it has the entire New Testament written into it...as part of each line of the picture. Amazing!!

Tim and James getting things ready in the kitchen and waiting patiently for the bikers...still no motorcycle for Tim...sigh.

Those who joined us enjoyed some delicious grilled hot dogs and ice cream sundaes.

It was hard to get a pic of these cuties that wasn't blurry!! They were on the move...

Thanks so much to Dave, Brooke, our friends from the CMA, and all of those that joined in to bless this year's Ride4Grace bike run. We appreciate your continued support of Sufficient Grace Ministries. To read more about the day, check out Holly's post.

The Haven Network

I first read a blurb about The Haven Network a few years ago, shortly after learning about the concept of perinatal hospice and meeting Amy Kuebelbeck (author of Waiting With Gabriel). I was grazing through a list of perinatal hospice organizations, and stopped for moment when I read that The Haven Network was a Christian-based, non-profit organization, serving families who received a fatal diagnosis during pregnancy. Immediately something stirred in me. I knew that one day I'd like to make a connection with them and see what kind of work they do. Perinatal hospice was a fairly new concept, and I was quite intrigued with the idea that such a place could exist...a place where families facing a fatal pregnancy diagnosis could find support, encouragement, guidance, resources, and comfort. It is the very thing I wish existed when my family muddled our way through years ago, and some of what I longed to help provide for families myself through Sufficient Grace Ministries.

I came across the name again at some point, and found that The Haven Network was located in Rockford, Illinois...the same town my where my father lived. I thought that if I ever happened to visit my father, I would have to see if I could visit The Haven. Years passed, and we started serving families in our own way...through the Dreams of You Memory Book and Comfort Bears and online support through families. I spoke at hospitals and women's groups...sharing about the hope and comfort God gives and about SGM.

Two weeks ago, while planning a spontaneous visit to finally see my father's home, I remembered The Haven Network. The whirlwind trip was going to be a busy one...with just the boys and me. So, I wasn't sure if I could pull it off. I had a fleeting thought about getting their contact information, when a mom named Laura that we had ministered to through SGM sent me a comment on facebook that Rockford, Illinois was the location of the perinatal hospice organization that walked with her in her time of need. She had such wonderful things to say about the ways they had offered her support. I quickly asked for their contact info., and she sent it. I contacted them and spoke with Jean who was receptive to meeting with me and arranged a time that fit into our busy schedules.

We met Saturday morning. Jean greeted me at the door of their beautiful building location on the river. I walked through the hallway, gazing at walls adorned with gorgeous black and white photographs that captured precious, yet brief lives. Baby feet, mamas and babies, hands holding one another...soaking in a lifetime of love and memories in a moment. Everything about the place was soothing and welcoming...honoring of life.

I met Kathy, who joined Jean in her office to share the mission they had for families who face the loss of their babies. They have a staff with a nurse (Kathy) and a photographer and a host of volunteers. I kept choking down the emotion as I looked around me, as if walking in a dream, my own dream and vision. I had longed to create such a place where families could come...a haven where there would be love and encouragement to continue a pregnancy with hope and dignity. A place where each precious life is treasured and a family is supported through the process....a place where someone will hold the hand of each mama and daddy and walk with them all the way. At one point I had to allow the emotion to come out...so overwhelmed to know that such an amazing, beautiful place exists for families like us. I felt such awe and gratitude to be standing in the room with the women who created such a place...the women who have made this their life's work. How I long to do the same.

I shared with them the story of Faith, Grace, and Thomas...with much emotion spilling over. And, I told them about starting Sufficient Grace in 2004 and operating out of my basement. Even as we sat in their beautiful building, they shared about starting in a basement in the beginning, as well. I gave them the Dreams of You Memory Books and other items I had brought to give in memory of Michael Vollmer.

They loved the books and I felt that we had been parts of a puzzle fit together in that moment, as I admired all that they had accomplished and they encouraged me on what we have accomplished. (All of us knowing that God was really the One that made it all possible!)

It was such a blessing to spend time sharing and exchanging ideas with like-minded ladies, with hearts of compassion for the same purpose...comforting grieving families. I hope to work with them in the future in whatever way our paths happen to cross again. It seems the Lord has plans for us, and I look forward to seeing what that might be! I hope you'll take a few moments to learn more about this wonderful organization and the services they provide for families. Praying God's continued blessings on the beautiful ladies from The Haven Network.

                                               Pictured below: Jean, me, and Kathy

A Hodge Podge of Updates, Links, and Other Random Stuff

My friend Mattie is hosting a fun online auction to help "Bring Hope Home". Click on over and check out the items up for bid. Your support will help their family's quest to adopt a child.


I've been meaning to share that a couple sweet friends from our church family have started blogging. One is our assistant pastor, Rene. He blogs about faith and running. Check out his blog: RunFight and tell him I sent you!

Also, Rene's cute wife, Shannon blogs at: Strength and Courage. Shannon makes really cute cards for various occasions. She has such a precious heart for the Lord, and is a beautiful wife and mama with the sweetest spirit of encouragement. Rene and Shannon have a really neat testimony and a great love story. I hope they will share it sometime. And, I hope you will take a minute to pop over and welcome them to blogland!

We've been busy as ever with golf, baseball, and SGM work. Our band One Way is working on a couple upcoming music events. And, we continue to receive and distribute Dreams of You orders for bereaved parents all over the country and beyond. Our friend Dave will be hosting the annual Ride4Grace motorcycle run event on Sunday August 21, 2011.

Thank you to those of you who have been praying for Tug, the son of my dear friend, who was recently in a car accident. You can keep on on Tug's progress by reading the original post...updates will be at the bottom. Also, due to the mounting medical expenses and time off work for the parents, friends are taking a collection to help support this family. Those who feel led to donate in this way can use the SGM donate button on the right sidebar and write "For Tug" in the notes/message section of the paypal donation form. Please keep praying for this family and for Tug to have a full recovery and healing.

We are going to be doing a major blog/website overhaul soon and switching to Wordpress. I would really like to get the word out about SGM. So many times we hear from families that say they wish they would have known we were here when they were walking through their losses. That is so discouraging...to know that we could have helped someone and missed the opportunity. So, I would love to find ways to spread the word that we are here and continue to be more effective in supporting grieving families.

You can help by answering a few questions.

1. What kinds of posts are most relevant to you as a reader?

entertaining/funny
bereavement support
biblical encouragement/bible study
heartfelt stories
everyday random stuff

2. We began Walking With You a couple years ago in an effort to make sure that families could feel supported on this journey. As time goes on, many families have moved to a different place in their walk, but there are new families out there in need of support. Does anyone have an idea of how we can continue to reach out and support one another in the various places each is on this walk? What was most helpful to you in working through your grief...as far as finding support in the blogging community?

3. How can we better serve families? What are some of the resources you have found most helpful in your grief?

4. In an effort to help more families have access to the Dreams of You materials, what do you think about having people in each state willing to donate materials to local hospitals?

Thirteen Birthdays in Heaven...and Thirteen Years of Impacting this Earth

Today our Thomas would have been thirteen years old. And, if all of our children were here with us, we would have four teenagers in this tiny house. Four teenagers and one middle school boy. Hopefully we would have added a second bathroom by now!!

I wonder sometimes about birthdays in heaven. Certainly there must be some significance to the day God chose for us to be born on this earth. Everything He does has multi-faceted meaning after all. And the longer I walk with Him, the more evident it is that nothing in this life is an accident.

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.         
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You. 

Psalm 139:13-18

I am awake right now, in the wee hours of the morning, full of thoughts of God's ways....and He is with me. Amazing, isn't it...that the days are fashioned for us, written in His book "when as yet there were none of them". Even before we breathe our first breath...and even if we never take a breath on this earth, He knits us together in our mother's womb. He thinks thoughts of us, before we are even a thought in our parents' minds. He plans the day we will be born, so it must be significant. And, it is significant...even if our time here is brief. Every life has the capacity to greatly impact this world, and He thinks the thoughts that outnumber the grains of sand about every single one of those lives.

It was no accident the day our Thomas was born, nor any of our other children. Our birthdays were planned, just one among many of the days fashioned for us, written in His book. So, I wonder if they celebrate the day that Thomas arrived on Earth...and the day he began his life in Heaven. And, I wonder if he knows that the nine months he spent growing in my womb and the six hours he spent breathing life on this earth have impacted hundreds and maybe even thousands of others. I am certain he earned the coveted "Well done, my good and faithful servant" the day he was carried home to heaven. For his part of the story I have the privilege of sharing time and time again remains the most of Jesus I have to give. My time with Thomas as he went from my arms to the arms of Jesus is the picture of redeeming, sufficient grace. Joy in place of sorrow...peace instead of fear. Jesus keeping His promise that He will never leave nor forsake us. Only He could give a mother joy as she sang to her baby boy on his way to heaven.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of sharing our testimony and the story of SGM with the Rotary Club in Wauseon, Ohio. Michael Vollmer's grandpa, Doug, invited me to share with the group. Every time I speak, the focus is a bit different. For instance, at hospitals I focus on the ways that caregivers can offer compassion and opportunities to form a lasting tangible memory of their brief time with their babies. When I'm sharing with women's groups, I can speak to the mother's heart of the matter. When sharing with churches, I delve deeper into the spiritual aspects of our journey...the nitty gritty of Jesus carrying us through that time and finding hope in His word. But every time I get to the part about Thomas, regardless of the audience, I cannot skip over the moment of grace as I sang to him while Jesus filled the room with peace and joy as He carried my sweet boy home. It is the moment I knew He was real...not just hoped, not just believed without seeing...but knew from the depths of my soul...knew from experience that Jesus is Who He says He is.

Even if I try, I cannot skip over it. Yesterday was the first time I stood before an audience of businessmen...and a few businesswomen. But, mostly men. This is not an audience I'm familiar with. And, I was uncertain how comfortable they would be listening to our story of babies dying and Jesus carrying us through. Prior to the meeting, I thought perhaps I would just share the details of Sufficient Grace and the services we provide for grieving families. After all, these are business people and will be interested in the business aspect of what we do. I prayed, unsure of exactly what should be shared until the day I stepped inside the room.

I heard them opening their meeting in prayer as I entered, which set my mind at ease. I looked around the room, still thinking that surely I wasn't supposed to tell them our story. Just stick to the bare minimum information.They are busy people, hosting this meeting on their lunch break with limited time. But, when I stood to speak, it was immediately pressed on my heart to share the story. I'm just the vessel, so I followed His prompting, as I looked into the faces of mostly business men. I expected to see some shifting away uncomfortably or not meeting my eyes. I've stood before many different audiences, and have learned to read when my words are being received or when they are making others uncomfortable. And, I've occasionally watched  even seasoned nurses shift in their seats and look at the floor. But, this audience did not look away. In fact, even with their busy schedules, they focused intently on the message, many nodding and engaged, connecting with their expressions.

When I came to the part about Thomas, I shared as always. There was also a bit of time to tell about SGM, but we needed to wrap up quickly so the club members could return to work. I knew it was not the most polished delivery I had given, but I could sense that it didn't matter. I was just the vessel. The message was well-received and many shook my hand and took pamphlets as they left. I walked to my car, breathing in the beautiful day and shaking my head in awe of God and His ways. In awe of the day He had fashioned for me, and for our children, and for the lovely people who took the time to hear our message of hope. In awe of the honor bestowed on me...that I was chosen to be the mother of all of my children...in awe that I am their mother and His daughter.

The idea that babies die isn't an easy one to hear, and most people don't want to think about it. Our story isn't an easy story to listen to. Especially in the midst of a busy day. Especially for a group of men of various ages...some fathers and grandfathers. I thought maybe I should skim over the tough parts. But, God knew what was needed. He knows that if I just share about SGM and what we offer, it sounds like a "nice thing to do", but there isn't a depth or connection. People need to hear what we walked through, and how God carried us...they need to know our children and the story God has woven into our lives. They need to see the hope, to connect with our purpose. Knowing why we do what we do matters much more than the actual "what we do". It's the passion that stirs our hearts, and it's the connection that makes others want to join in supporting our efforts.

Every time I have an opportunity to share, there is an opportunity for that connection with another soul. An opportunity to offer comfort and hope for someone else walking through a trial.

Because Thomas lived, there is an opportunity to share the most of Jesus I have to give.

Happy Thirteen Years in Heaven, sweet Thomas. Your time here may have been brief, but the impact of your life on this Earth has been immeasurable. And, every time your name is spoken...every time your story is told, the beauty of Jesus meeting us there in that room with the rocking chair on July 14, 1998 is heard right along with it. It is one of the greatest blessings of my life to be your mother. I love you, sweet boy. And, thank you...

SGM Golf Outing 2011 ~ Blessed Beyond Words!!!

Saturday, June 4, 2011, we held the fourth annual Sufficient Grace Ministries Golf Outing at the Country Acres Golf Club in Kalida, Ohio. There were more than fifty people in attendance at the outing and dinner following. Thirteen teams of golfers participated and several people joined us for dinner, including a very special family, The Vollmers. There were more than thirty hole sponsors and co-sponsors, a beverage sponsor, and a dinner sponsor. Many great door prizes were donated as well.

The golf outing itself raised about $3,000. But, there was another surprise in store for us. In addition to the golf festivities, Dan and Nancy Vollmer hosted a raffle in memory of their son, Michael. And we had the privilege of their attendance at the golf outing and the announcement of the raffle winners. The Michael Clifford "Peanut" Vollmer Memorial Raffle was supposed to benefit Sufficient Grace Ministries and The Nathan Michael King SIDS Foundation. However, Bradley King sent a letter to the Vollmers and requested that all of the money from the raffle would go solely to Sufficient Grace, since we are local to the Vollmer family. Dan and Nancy are such amazing parents, and have done so much to honor the memory of their son, Michael. So many families have been helped already by this generous family....but the past several weeks, they have been working to do more.

And, they did...much more. Above and beyond anything we could have imagined...

After Nancy shared the touching story of Michael's life, and some equally touching words about how Sufficient Grace ministered to their family during their time of grief, we drew the names for the winners of the awesome prizes donated by the Vollmer family:

1st place Archie Griffin autographed jersey: Val Schulze
2nd place Archie Griffin autographed OSU football: Denise Doenges  
3rd place restaurant gift card: Summer Banks

So, would you like to know how much the raffle raised to support SGM?

$3,365!!!!!!!!!

We have a big God...and wonderful friends. The Vollmers and their beautiful friends and family blessed our socks off, along with all of our own generous friends. It left me speechless...for a few seconds at least! ;)

So...combining the golf outing and the raffle, $6,365 was earned for Sufficient Grace this weekend! Woot!

It didn't rain on our parade. In fact, quite the opposite. The sun was hot and bright. The skies were blue. And our cups overflowed with blessing (and strawberry lemonade of course), as laughter continually spilled from our mouths...and just a few sweet tears fell as we remembered. After an opening prayer, the golfing and goofing were on!

Team Sufficient Grace was on par this year.

There was Raechel "Watch out for that pothole" Feehan...

And Nicki "Yeah, I golfed 18 holes with the same ball - what!" Strunk...

Dude...where's my ball? I dunno dude...

Kelly "Drink your own pop" Gerken

Brooke "Clutch Hitter" Amspoker

                                                    And James..."I'll be your caddy and hit great shots to save the team"

My Tims (in the middle) and their team, coach Kyle McGraw and Paul Wright...

First place winners...Mark, Mike, Denny, and Ben

Second Place...Jimmy, Wally, Dave, and Gary

Third Place went to Mike Gilsdorf's team...only two are pictured here, though...

Special thanks to the men who joined us from our Harvest Fellowship Family...

I didn't get to see Holly and Kristina a bunch, but I did get a quick hug...and a whole lot of laughs from viewing their pictures. I don't know what was going on, but these girls looked like they were getting their fun ON!

                                                                                 

                                                                                         

To view many more pictures, visit the Sufficient Grace Facebook Page.

It was another great SGM Golf Outing...and we can't say thank you enough to all of you who made this amazing event possible.

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SGM Golf Outing 2011

We are so thankful to everyone who has given their time, talent, abilities, financial resources, and most of all prayers to help support Sufficient Grace Ministries and to help make this outing a success. Thank you for helping us offer comfort and hope to grieving parents all over the country and beyond. ~ Tim, Kelly, Becki, & Holly ~ SGM

Special Thanks to:

The Russ and Renee Wenzinger and our Harvest Fellowship Church family

All of today’s golf teams

Greg Klausing and the wonderful staff at Country Acres Golf Course

Becki Burner for the delicious strawberry cake and all of her support throughout the year

Melissa Hill for taking pictures at the event

The Micheal Clifford "Peanut" Vollmer Family ~ Dan & Nancy Vollmer

                                                           
Beverage Sponsor ~ Deitering Landscaping, Inc.

Dinner Sponsor ~ Ned & Tracy Sponsler

Hole Sponsors

In Loving Memory of Kathy Rutter

In Loving Memory of Faith, Grace,and Thomas Gerken

In Loving Memory of Kelly Michelle Sponsler Daughter of Tracy and Ned Sponsler

Haas Family ~ In Loving Memory of Carleigh and Jordan Haas
In Loving Memory of Jordan Bodey
In Memory of Michael Clifford "Peanut" Vollmer
Sufficient Grace Ministries
Rodenberger Funeral Home
Floral Art ~ YourHome Decorating Store ~ Downtown Napoleon
Teresa Rohrs ~ Optometrist
State Farm Insurance – DarleneSteiner
B.A. Miller & Sons Trucking
Avina Specialties Inc. ~Embroidery and Silk Screening ~ Napoleon
Pro-Tec Coating Company ~ Leipsic, Ohio
The Parry Family
My Forever Child
Davis Farm Services
Dave and Brooke Amspoker
Brian and Nicki Strunk
Glenn and Toni Christiansen
TNT Body Shop ~ Deshler, Ohio
Mark and Tracey Schwiebert
Corn City State Bank
D.S. Nickels Inc. ~ ElectricalContractors ~ Dave Nickels
Isaac Delisle Foundation
Zachrich Funeral Home
Richard and Sue Souvenier
Jimmy and Lisa Niese
Madge Schmidt ~ In Memory of Dekar Ezri Schmidt
Verhoff Machine & Welding Inc.
Sunderman & Rode ~ Attorneys at Law
James Kieffer

Door Prizes & Donations

Subway ~Deshler
Ron’s Super Valu
NAPA Auto ~ Deshler
10K Korner Mart
My Image Salon
Marathon~ Deshler
Defiance Regional Medical
Roses & Ribbons
Christman Brothers
WalMart~ Findlay
Meijer~Findlay
Blue Flame
Sufficient Grace Ministries
Country Acres
Deborah Pucci
Russ & Renee Wenzinger
Candy Creations Bouquet~
Teresa Brown
Henry County Hospital
Widewater

SGM Ice Cream Social 2011 ~ Thank you!

Thanks so much to Rebecca Burner, Steve and Eulene Johnston, my Tims, Heather Spratt, our amazing Harvest Fellowship Church family....and everyone who came out to support the SGM Ice Cream Social today!! We earned $1,000 for Sufficient Grace, and served about 130 people. What a mighty God we serve...and what generous beautiful friends He has blessed us with!! Thank you!!!

We are so excited about our sweet new sign!

Becki and I even found another function for it...great to hide behind when getting your picture taken!

Timothy serving Grandpa Mike...

Tim and I scooping ice cream...

Becki and Steve serving our picnic lunch of hot dogs, chips, and baked beans...

                                                   Enjoying the SGM Ice Cream Social...                                                   

Our friends, Ned and Aidan...

James and Aidan...

SGM Happenings and Operation Support Sufficient Grace~ How You Can Help

There are so many events coming up with Sufficient Grace, and the Gerken family is busy, busy, busy. I always forget just how busy this time of year is. The inertia of being carried along by our schedule seems to take me by surprise each May, as we scurry about to finish up another school year for the boys and me, spend our evenings at the baseball diamond, our Saturdays on the golf course watching the boys' tournaments, our Sundays singing praises, and the rest of our time planning SGM fundraiser events! I'm tired just typing all of that!

Our calendar is filling fast, and we are prayerfully planning the upcoming Operation Support Sufficient Grace events. There are new projects on our hearts for SGM that we will reveal soon, and we're looking forward to seeing the ways God continues to lead and grow this ministry. One idea we have is to switch from a basket, (which is not good for shipping, is bulky and expensive)....to a tote, designed with the SGM logo, filled with the Dreams of You book, bear, and other items for grieving mamas. This will make it easier to ship products to hospitals. We are currently working with our printers to design the tote and will reveal it as soon as it's finished!

Which brings me to another subject on our hearts....

In the past, Sufficient Grace has offered our products to families free of charge. God has always faithfully provided through the generous hearts of so many beautiful people (including many of you), and it has been a blessing to behold. We have, however, asked that hospitals, funeral homes, and others would give a suggested donation in exchange for the materials. With budget cuts across the board, due to a struggling economy, we are seeing less and less hospitals utilizing this resource. Most of our current packages go to individual families, but we would really like to see more hospitals able to provide this service for their patients.

Last year, we developed an idea for others to help defray costs for the hospitals and SGM by sponsoring families and hospitals. If you are able to give in this way, please prayerfully consider doing so. Several people have donated to sponsor an individual, an item, or an entire hospital this year, and because of that, many more families have been comforted in their grief. This has also been a beautiful way that some families have given back in memory of their own child...reaching out to comfort and bless other parents with broken hearts. I hope you will prayerfully consider joining this effort.

To find out more about how you can help sponsor a family or hospital, CLICK HERE. To go directly to the donate page, click here.

Next Sunday May 22, 2011, we will be hosting the SGM Ice Cream Social at our church, Harvest Fellowship, directly following the service from 11:30am-1:30pm. There will be a light picnic-style lunch and ice cream sundaes with toppings. A free will donation will be taken. Proceeds will benefit Sufficient Grace.

                                        

On June 4, 2011, we will be hosting the fourth annual SGM Golf Outing at the Country Acres Golf Club in Kalida, Ohio. Some of you may be saying, "I'm not a golfer. I don't live nearby." There are MANY other ways you can help, if you feel led to do so. First of all, please pray!!! Pray for the weather...pray for the turnout...pray that the time would be a blessing to all...pray for generous sponsors...pray that SGM and many families will be blessed and this event would bear much fruit....pray that I will be focused on the Lord, and not distracted or overwhelmed by all there is to do! =)

Second, you may not be able to attend the event....but you could consider being a sponsor. It is a great advertisement for your business or blog, or you could sponsor as an individual. Some families sponsor in memory of a loved one. Some just sponsor because they feel led. Not only do we put a sign up at our event at each hole to recognize those who donate, but we also put a sign with all the sponsors up at each speaking event throughout the year and we post a thank you on our blog and website. In addition to sponsors, we also accept donation of prizes for our golfers. All of these things defray the costs of the event, and help to support the outreaches of SGM.

There are several sponsorship opportunities:
Sponsor a hole: $100 or share a sponsorship for $50
Sponsor beverages (non-alcoholic): $150
Sponsor the dinner: $250

We are still looking for golfers and sponsors. Deadline is May 29th to make sure we can put up your sign at the event. You can mail donations to Sufficient Grace Ministries; P.O. Box 243; Deshler, Ohio 43516 or donate securely online by using our donate button. Just list the words you would like on your sign in the message section on the donation form. We will share pictures of the signs with those who donate. Please prayerfully consider supporting this event. Email me if you have any questions:
sufficientgraceministries at gmail dot com.

Coming in August, our friend Dave Amspoker will be hosting the annual Ride4Grace motorcycle run on Sunday, August 21, 2011 in the afternoon. Details to come!

Tim and I are also helping with this year's community Memorial Day Parade and will be performing music, as well.

Whew! Looks like it's going to be another busy and fun Summer! I can't wait to see what God has in store for the next step on this adventure. I'm so grateful for those of you who have walked with us and offered your love and support in various ways. It's a beautiful thing to see God's people working together and multiplying the blessings as they serve and give in love. Thank you for your part in that.

Love to all...

SGM Trip to Women of Faith, Hugging Blogger Friends., a giveaway...and ANGIE SMITH!!!

I have so much to share...so many pictures, so many words, so many amazing things on my heart. Much of what God spoke to my heart this weekend will have to come in other posts...it's just too much for one!


This weekend, the ladies of Sufficient Grace, along with some in real life friends and blogger friends (16 total) traveled to  the Women of Faith Conference in Columbus, Ohio to hear this brave, beautiful woman share her testimony of how God carried her as she carried her Audrey Caroline....

There may have also been some cheesecake at the (enter Hallelujah Chorus) Cheesecake Factory...

Now before my Made to Crave peeps get worried, check out these delicious and healthy lettuce wraps I chose as my main course:

We also shared some tears...and a whole lot of crazy laughter...

Some surprises...like hearing Laura Story sing her heart-piercing song Blessings...

Some dancing by the edge of a very steep and high in the air drop by a much-braver-than-me Holly. Holly was getting her groove ON to some Mary, Mary!

I was holding on with a white-knuckled grip to the railing with one hand and my friend Stephanie with the other, while inching to my seat on jello legs, as Holly danced with abandon. But, I thoroughly enjoyed her freedom. It was a welcome distraction to the images in my head of me plunging to a gruesome death at the bottom of Nationwide Arena. I love that girl. Not just because she's fearless, even when we're miles in the air. But, also because of this:

We enjoyed the brisk walk to and and from the conference....

                                 But quickly learned the importance of landmark amongst female navigators when we couldn't find our way back to the parking garage. I took a picture to remember. Stacie, a former secretary, took notes. For the record, her way was much more effective.

Riding the elevator, full of anticipation...

Nancy on the left and Stephanie on my right...some pretty special gals to have alongside you on life's journey...

And, this picture below...this picture is the one I wasn't going to share. You see, it depicts me in a less than flattering pose...and that just can't be done in blog world. We must present the perfect picture, right? And an unflattering picture just won't do! But, it was too funny and too full of the real me not to share it. And, this weekend has been about freedom.

So, let me tell you what's going on in the picture below. The lovely Mattie and Holly's sweet little pixie of a cousin Amber are to my left. You all know Holly, and that's the lovely Erin to Holly's right. Of course, our Lainey-girl is in the middle. Now, I was excited to see these girls...to hug them in real life. And, we needed a picture. So, I climbed over some chairs and thought I could just squeeze in between Holly's and Amber's seats real quick. Sounded good...but here's the thing.

You know how some really big dogs, like maybe a Saint Bernard or bloodhound might think they are little lap dogs and just jump right up on you like a tiny chihuahua...only they aren't so tiny. Well that's what this picture reminds me of. It's like I'm the Saint Bernard squishing the life out of little Amber. I'm sort of turned at a funny angle to squeeze in, which just makes it look even more like a big dog climbing on to a little lap, squeezing into a tiny space!! If you look closely, Amber does look slightly afraid! =) 

I love the girls of Sufficient Grace...

And, let me just take a moment to talk about this sweet Lainey. She was an angel throughout the entire conference. She happily bounced on our knees, was loved on and passed around, chewed on our necklaces, nursed when she was hungry, and just happily went along. We all had a chance for some Lainey love!

Love this pic with Mattie and laid-back Lainey...

The conference was full of inspiring speakers and beautiful worship. I have much to share from the words of Sheila Walsh, Nicole Johnson, and others. Words that God used to speak to the very depths of my heart, peeling back some of my layers. But, for this post...there's only one speaker that I want to focus on.

Our very own, Angie Smith...

She took the stage, and we knew that every step to that platform was a battle. Angie struggles with anxiety. To take that stage alone is a challenge, but to take that stage to share the story that brushes the most tender places of her heart...that is a Goliath- sized giant of a challenge. But, Angie belongs to a big God. So she took the steps, and charmed us with her down to earth humor and grace. The reason we love her is that when we read her blog or talk to her, it is like we are sitting on the porch, sipping lemonade with an old friend. She is real, and compassionate, and holds none of it back.

Below, you'll find another reason I can identify with sweet Angie. She talks with her hands and moves around so much that was hard to get a picture of her that wasn't blurry! I might know a girl like that! ;)

We've read the story of Audrey Caroline. We know the beauty of Angie's heart wrenching journey as she trusted the God who carried her. We know the God to "whom she belongs". We know it, not only because of the eloquent, honest way she has written it on her blog and in her book, but because we have walked that path. We have danced our own "sacred dance of grief and joy". After listening to Angie speak, I leaned down to the mothers in our group, and said, "Angie was wonderful, but I want you to know that you are just as amazing and beautiful. Her story is our story as well. You are mothers who have walked this path, and chose to trust Him. The same God who carried Angie, carried  all of us."

Any of us could tell a similar tale of beauty from ashes...

We walked that path. We heard those awful words. We waited for our babies. We trusted in God, when we couldn't see. We held our babies in our arms for a brief moment and released them to the arms of Jesus. We clung to Him when our hearts were broken into tiny, shattered pieces and the ache was a canyon of sorrow with no relief. We cling to Him still.

We wept with Angie and felt like we were standing there with her, as she told her story, Audrey's   

           story, God's story...

         our story.

And, then we waited in line to meet this woman we call friend in our hearts. While in line, I met a beautiful mother named Rebecca, mommy to Charlie, who shared a bit of her son's story. She was also looking forward to hugging the woman whose story resonated with her, as she grieved her son.

The anticipation mounts as we wait...Erin and I look forward eagerly.

We had been hoping to meet Angie, and she had emailed back that she would like to see us as well. This was her first event, so we weren't sure when we could schedule our rendezvous. She was a bit busy after all! ;) Angie has such a compassionate heart, and would probably talk to everyone if she could. But, the staff was trying to keep her to a schedule. So, finding time to meet proved difficult. I wasn't sure if it would even work, and kept praying that God would work it out. I so did not want the ladies in our group to be disappointed. She emailed me that maybe we could meet her at the book signing. So we grabbed our books and hopped in line early.

The staff was trying to hurry her along, and they were cutting off the line. I leaned over to one of them and said, "We are from Sufficient Grace, and it would mean so much for these mothers to meet Angie. She had emailed us that we could meet her here." They nodded, but said she had to catch a flight and to keep it moving.

It was my turn, and I stepped forward to meet the author of the first blog I ever read.

I began, "I'm Kelly Gerken from Sufficient Grace."

And, her face lit up as she squealed and hugged me tight...looking as excited to hug us, a we felt to meet and hug her. Like long lost friends, we embraced. We are Sundays after all. I never thought I'd feel this way about women I met on the internet. Only God could knit hearts together in such a way.

We hugged and she said she had told the staff when they cut off the line, "Make sure the Sufficient Grace girls are in the line."

That blessed us beyond words. I can't tell you what those moments were like as the line was held up and everything else, but the flashes of cameras and the tears falling stopped, while mothers with a common bond shared stories about babies that dwell in heaven. I introduced the moms and one by one they embraced Angie as she listened with compassion...weeping with those who weep as only one who has wept herself can. She would say she is an ugly crier...something like a "deranged gopher", I believe? But, I would say that watching her cry with these women I love was one of the most beautiful sights of this weekend for me. The bond we mothers share is a special one. It is unlike anything else.

We thanked her for telling "our story"...for being our voice...for glorifying God.

And, then...speaking of mothers and our common bond...

It was Holly's turn to step up and meet Angie. While we were waiting in line to meet Angie, Lainey started to fuss. So, Holly did what mama's do when their babies are hungry. She slapped on her Udder Cover and nursed the babe. When it was time to meet Angie, Holly was still feeding a happy Lainey. Angie, being the sweet-friend-sipping-lemonade-on-the-porch that she is wanted to meet little Lainey....I'll let Holly tell you what happened next on her blog, as cameras snapped and mama's shared!

I have so much more to say, but my eyes are bleary from all of the crying, laughing, and late night after-prom chaperoning (upon arriving home, I went straight to prom and did not get to bed until 4a.m.!) that occurred this weekend. I love every one of the ladies that came with us, and will cherish the moments of absolute deep belly laughter and deranged gopher crying tears we shared as God spoke to our hearts throughout this weekend. It was a grand adventure...that even included an unfortunate incident with our car and a deer on the way home. All was well (except for the deer, of course), thanks to Becki's cool handed driving, a mighty tough orange jeep, and a God whose hand was upon His girls who giggled their way home.

It was two days filled with "Daddy's little girl moments" and I'm so grateful for the women who were there to share it all.

Love you, girls...

P.S. You didn't think I forgot about those of you who couldn't make it, did you? You know, there's nothing we like more than sharing the blessing. So...the book Angie was signing in the picture. That was for one of you! If you would like to be entered to win an autographed copy of Angie's book, I Will Carry You, please mention it in the comments of this post.