You can pray for Sarah's Butterflies in many ways.

1.   You can pray for our safety.

2.   You can pray for the children who receive Blessing Bags.

3.   You can pray that we are able make a difference.

    A month ago, I spoke at Love Christian Center in Farrell.  I told the children and adults assembled about Sarah's Butterflies. 
     This is what I told them that evening.
      Why do we do Sarah's Butterflies?-- The simple answer for why we do Sarah's Butterflies is to honor the memory of Sarah,  Nearly six years ago I gave birth to 6 pound, 9 3/4 ounce 19 1/4 inch Sarah Elisabeth on November 12, 2009.  What none of us could have imagined or possible fathomed is what would happen three days later.  On the morning of November 15, 2009, God took our baby to her eternal home. 
      November 15-in the wake of our family's version of September 11th, we had to make a choice-wither or flourish, bitter or better.  It's a choice we all have to make when times get hard.
     The toy box was being built prior to Sarah's birth and death.  My dad was not sure he would be able to finish the toy box at that time. It was springtime when I heard that he was going to finish the toy box.  The assignment was "how can we use this to make the world a better place?"
     That summer we spoke with Pastor Bruce.  He shared about many of you.  The encounter with Pastor Bruce caused a stirring in the heart of my family.  My mom asked if Sarah's Toybox now Sarah's Butterflies could benefit you all.  I said yes and we began to figure out the logistics.  The first year we collected toys, clothes, and snacks.  In 2011, Pastor Bruce advised us to adapt it for snacks.  We did that.  Blessing Bags as you you know them are the way we can help spread hope and love and the gift of salvation.   
      I wrestled with Jeremiah 29:11.  The verse states, "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to prosper you, plans to give you a hope and a future."  I did not understand how something as painful as the death of my daughter could be for my best. I remember telling God Sarah's death was harmful to me.  
      God has plans for you.  They are for your best.  
      God loves you very much. How much does he love you?  To the tune of Jesus' life.  God loves you so much that he wants what is best for you.  You just have to trust Him.
     

       Six years ago, we were still in shock at Sarah's sudden death.  We were waiting on answers that would not come for why Sarah had passed away.  We were grasping at straws for the why.
        We had not yet formed Sarah's Toybox.  That would come more than six months later.  
         The ministry has grown from three churches to eight involved in some capacity.  We have gone from toys to Blessing Bags.  

      I wanted to wish everyone a blessed Thanksgiving.  We all have much to be thankful.  I am adjusting to the new normal...preparing to be a mom again.  We are adopting as many of you know.  We are preparing our paperwork to start the process of home visits and child matching.
​      This will be so that a child who needs a forever family can have one.

         When we started in 2010, we blessed 34 families.  They were given boxes or grocery bags of stuff.  We had some toys as well to give out.  
          In 2011, Pastor Bruce let me in on a little secret...the kids need food.  We took that little tidbit and we changed what we did to meet the needs.  We gave out 140 Blessing Bags that year.  We have grown our sphere of influence each year.  Last year, we gave out 400 Blessing Bags.  Our goal is 600 bags this year.
          Don't they just get hungry again, Rachel?    The answer is yes they get hungry again.  We fill a need.  We feed them between Christmas and New Year.
          Does what we do make a difference?   Yes.  What we do definitely makes a difference.  In 2011, the kids had special event youth meetings at Love Christian Center.  In 2014, the kids requested that it be weekly.  
          In October, Jim and I visited for a Youth Meeting.  I had the privilege of speaking to Reverend Allen about Sarah's Butterflies.  He told me, "The kids might not say anything to you tonight but they will go to school and talk about it.  You are breaking stereotypes. You are showing them that there is at least one white person who cares about them."  
       Powerful huh?  What we do matters.  The kids matter.  They are very important but many of them do not realize how important they are.  
          

       Casting Crowns has a song "Just Be Held."  The lyrics follow.  The message of the song is one that I feel describes my grief journey.  At the beginning, I felt I had to be strong for everyone.   It was nice to be able to be weak and let God carry me and just hold me.

Hold it all together
Everybody needs you strong
But life hits you out of nowhere
And barely leaves you holding on
And when you're tired of fighting
Chained by your control
There's freedom in surrender
Lay it down and let it go
So when you're on your knees and answers seem so far away
You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your worlds not falling apart, its falling into place
I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, just be held
If your eyes are on the storm
You'll wonder if I love you still
But if your eyes are on the cross
You'll know I always have and I always will
And not a tear is wasted
In time, you'll understand
I'm painting beauty with the ashes
Your life is in My hands
Lift your hands, lift your eyes
In the storm is where you'll find Me
And where you are, I'll hold your heart
I'll hold your heart
Come to Me, find your rest
In the arms of the God who won't let go

     When the ministry began in the summer of 2010, it was Sarah's Toybox.  From the start until July 2015, the name of the ministry Sarah's Toybox.  In July 2015, we decided to change the ministry name to Sarah's Butterflies to prevent confusion.  What has not changed is the mission.  We still are seeking to provide children with the love of Christ and respect their dignity through our love of Sarah.

   The mission statement for Sarah's Butterflies Foundation is:  

​Sarah’s Butterflies Foundation is a non-profit organization that is motivated by God’s love to share hope with those who are discouraged.
  We respect their dignity and seek to aid children in need through our love for Sarah Elisabeth by making a difference in the world for Jesus.

        When the ministry began in 2010, we had three churches enthusiastically join us.  They have been with us since the start.  They have come along side us and helped us navigate the grief and allowed us to honor Sarah's life by spreading hope to those in need.  
         Last year, we had three more churches join the ministry as supporters.  We could not reach the children without our partners.  We have individuals who donate to our ministry through the foundation.  Monetary donations allow us to purchase needed supplies.  
          Thank you to anyone who supports us financially, materially or prayerfully.  We could not do this without you.

        We give out bags of school supplies each year now.  This began in 2013 when  we had been given some children's books that some children had outgrown.  We gave out books that were mainly board books and Golden books.  Last year we purchased coloring books and children's books. 
        The reason we give out school supplies is so children have the necessary items for success.   We feed their bodies with Blessing Bags.  The school supply bags allow us to feed their minds.
          I want children to have books that are on their level and about topics that interest them.  I was an avid reader growing up.  I enjoyed books like Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, Noisy Nora, Green Eggs and Ham, and The Poky Little Puppy as a youngster.  As I grew up I enjoyed The Sweet Pickles series, Beezus and Ramona, and Baby-Sitters Club books.  As a teen I enjoyed Robin Jones Gunn, Brenda Wilbee.   
          As a teacher, I know how  important it is for a child to literate.  I want to instill in children the love of reading to help them succeed in the future.  I want children to discover Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle, Rick Riordan, Beverly Cleary, and Karen Kingsbury.  
           How can you help?  
           You can purchase books or donate money.  Leanna's Bookstore in the Shenango Valley Mall offers great deals on books.  It is a locally owned small business that makes literature affordable.