Whew, we've sure been busy around here lately! I've spent a total of 33 hours on the two easter bunny costumes I've been working on, and they are finally finished! All I have left to do is make two big bows (think floral bow, not a bow tie) for each of them. I've been doing a lot of baking, too. This past Thursday, we had a Dessert Social Fundraiser for our friend Rosemary Pollard. Mom made two fresh apple cakes and ten loaves of whole wheat bread, and I made a chocolate pound cake, a lemon pound cake, and four key lime pies. Other ladies made a lot of desserts, too, and we ended up with more than 16 different kinds of cakes and pies to choose from, along with whole wheat bread and sourdough bread!
People trickled in and out throughout the evening, so it didn't seem like we had a huge turnout, but I guess more people came than we realized! And they must have given generously, too. We ended up raising $2,200!!! We were all astounded and overwhelmed by the Lord's blessings when we counted up the money! That means we raised 2/3 of our goal all in one evening!
My mother is so amazing. She has spent countless hours writing articles about Rosemary's situation and the fundraiser and submitting them to local newspapers, as well as printing up postcards and order forms to hand out, going on the radio twice, and planning the fundraiser. She has such a servant's heart.
So you can learn more about what we're doing, I've included one of the articles she wrote, and below that you can see pictures from the fundraiser...
Three years ago Rosemary Pollard, then 44, participated in training for the 5K run through our local YMCA. While in training, she injured her leg – just a small stress fracture. Even after seeing an orthopedist, the pain and swelling continued to worsen. After three months of many different treatments, Rosemary was diagnosed with RSD, a chronic pain syndrome characterized by severe and relentless pain that affects between 200,000 and 1.2 million Americans – all brought on by a seemingly simple injury.
“Doesn’t get better. Doesn’t go away. You never stop hurting. Never.” These are the words Rosemary said to me as she sat in a wheelchair at her kitchen table. But don’t think for a moment that she was complaining. In spite of loosing her independence, having to resign from her position with a durable medical equipment supply company, and taking a dozen different prescription drugs each day to cope with the pain and immobility, Rosemary not only remains positive, but she also takes a sincere interest in others and always has a smile to share.
No more high-heeled shoes. She says that was the first thing that crossed her mind three years ago when she was given her prognosis. Rosemary laughs now when she thinks about how small a thing that was in comparison to not being able to go out into the yard, plant her garden, or work with flowers. She beams when she talks about her husband and sons, but it hurts to see them having to do all the things for her that she used to enjoy doing for them.
During the long, cold, wet winter that is now past, many of us have longed for warm sunny days when we could get outside and plant our pansies, work in the yard, or simply sit on our porch and enjoy all the wonders of spring. Two of these three things Rosemary will never be able to do again, but with your help, we can make the third one possible. Right now, her home has only two small concrete stoops – one inaccessible to a wheelchair and the other barely large enough to accommodate one.
[Insert information about the fundraiser.]
One of the last things Rosemary said during our visit was “It is what it is. I have it. God will help me deal with it. I have a good life.” And as the breeze was blowing in through the kitchen window, she added, “It would be nice to be sitting out on my porch today.” Will you help us make this dream come true? Please come out, enjoy something sweet, and help us raise the money to build this porch. Thank you!
**If you would like to contribute to this cause by sending us a check, please email me for our address - oldfashionedheart@gmail.com.**
The lemon pound cake I made.
One of my four key lime pies.
Dad talking to our pastor.
Peggy and Mom (the two main event organizers) with Rosemary.
My last key lime pie right before it was sold. :-)
The beautiful sunset that night!
"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." ~ Ephesians 3:20-21
