I have been given a great opportunity to have my daughter, who has Aspergers Syndrome- a form of Autism, seen at a special institute for brain injured children. This institute only sees a handful of children a year. They did not have many openings left, in fact their schedule was quite full. Great news though...Two days before I finally was able to speak to someone, they had just had a planning meeting and added one more session to their schedule. Even better news...This session is in early February and they had an open slot. The best news...my daughter was accepted. I did not stop to think how I would pay for this. (Even though I have health insurance....this is NOT covered.) What a blessing from God to be able to have my daughter seen at this institute and still an even bigger blessing that they could see her so soon. I told myself to just trust in the Lord to provide for my needs. So, what i am about to ask is for the sake of my child.
I need help to raise $1,250.00 by February 8th for the initial 3 day visit and evaluation. Then she has to go back every 4 months, for at least 2 years. Those follow up visits are $850.00 each visit. I have started a 50/50 drawing at some local places in my town. I have mailed out fliers to all of my family. I cannot deny her the help she needs so badly just for lack of money. I would do anything to get her the help she needs. So, with all humbleness and tears flowing, I am asking any one out there to please help me raise the funds I need for the sake of my child.
The reason I need your help so badly is what I will now try to write. I have written and deleted this post so many times, not knowing quite how I should say some of the things I need to say. I am a very private person when it comes to my personal life. I have a hard time asking people for help, even when I truly need it. I have a hard time letting people know when I am suffering. I just try to bear the cross that God has given me and offer it up to Him. Life has been extremely difficult for me over these last 15 months. I have called out to God so many times this last year. And I have now come to realize that I need to call out for help from friends as well. I need to be able to give my daughter what she needs for a better future. I need to take yet another lesson in humbleness and not be so proud to think that I can do everything alone. I am able now to put this information on my blog only with strength from the Lord and also for the sake of my child.
Ok, (deep breath) here I go.
15 Months ago, my husband left me, our children, our family. (That was really hard to write and though the tears won't stop now I need to continue writing this for the sake of my child.) I cannot provide everything she needs on my own. I need help. I continue to raise our three children in the Church. We are all clinging tightly to our faith. I know that is the only way my children and I have even been able to make it thru all of this. I used to be a stay at home mom, I now have to work. It is only part time because of the amount of time and energy I need to give my daughter. (However, it feels like I am working a million hours each week.) I home school all three children, and still take care of our home as well. I have had to humble myself and go get on Food Stamps. I have visited the food pantry, (food stamp money does not go far when I have to buy specialty foods that are wheat free and dairy free for my daughters diet.) I also had to ask for assistance one month to pay the power bill when my daughter was sick and I could not work enough hours. This has all been extremely difficult for me, especially since I had a fairly good lifestyle before my husband left. Yet, as I look back over the last 16 months, I see that all my important needs were met. I had food to put on the table. I was given three trees worth of firewood for our heat, and when I did not know how the mortgage would get paid, some money would come from someone or somewhere, allowing it to be paid. All that I asked from the Lord was that I could provide the basic needs for my children. He has given that to me. He has also given me enough strength and courage to know that I need to ask for help from my Catholic friends for prayer and support. Knowing that I am asking complete strangers for help is very difficult but I am asking you to please help me in any way you can, by donating or even just in prayer .... for the sake of my child.
I am still hopeful that my husband will return to the Church and me. Not a day goes by that I do not pray a Rosary for him. I offer all my sufferings up for him and pray that he will seek God's forgiveness and with blessings and graces from the Lord, he will come home. I know God has a plan for our family in all of this and that His will, not mine, will be done. It is just so hard sometimes to understand that. I feel so lonely at times and I question why I need to suffer so. I am trying to trust in the Lord and be strong, for my children.
Please pray for me to keep finding my strength and peace in God. Please pray that I will be able to do what I need to do for the sake of my children and that thru all of this suffering that I will find comfort in Him. Please pray for my children to keep their faith and love for the Lord strong thru all of this. And lastly, out of the great love I still have for my husband, will you please include him in your prayers and offer a Rosary for him too?
If you can in any way donate... I have added a donate button in my sidebar at the top. Or if you would like to contact me, please leave a comment and I will reply back.
Lord thank you for all that You provide. May I learn to trust you more.
Until Next Time, May His Angels Keep You Safe~
+JMJ+
