Prayers for Millie

I just read the news about Millie and John happened to come home for lunch at the same time as I was bawling my eyes out.  The cancer world is one where I've found so many new friends, but along with it, has come a lot of heartache for others trials.

On Feb. 2nd Millie went to the hospital for her last treatment!  She endured 2 years of chemotherapy and her family had a big celebration in her honor.  Just this week they received the results from her last bone marrow test.  Her cancer is back!  We are all shocked.  This is so uncommon for ALL Leukemia, especially at the end of treatment.  Millie is amazing! She has been through so much.  And now, she is going to have to go through so much more.

This is Millie in July of 2010. She just melts your heart!!!

This is Millie just recently getting her FIRST haircut since she lost her hair.

Look at all those curls!!! She has worked so hard to grow them back!

Here's Millie and Erin in Sept of 2010 when Millie came for a visit.

Millie is now going to be admitted to the hospital (today) and undergo three very intense months of mostly inpatient chemotherapy. Then more months in the hospital to recover. She will be sick and her beautiful curls that she is so proud of and worked so hard to grow back will all be gone AGAIN! They will kill every single cell in her bone marrow until she is at zero so she can have a bone marrow transplant. This is very risky because without your bone marrow you are at risk for all sorts of sickness. If she gets even one little bug it could be life threatening to her. Millie had just started school this year and was loving it.  

Today they are testing her only sibling (siblings are the first ones tested because they are the most likely to match) for a bone marrow match. Her little brother is only 2 years old. He doesn't understand all that is going on, but he could potentially be his sisters life saver. This is where you come in....PLEASE PLEASE pray for this family today. This is big! Austin (Millie's little brother) has a 1 in 4 chance of being a match. They need him to be a match. They are having a special fast today in hopes that Austin will be Millie's match.

Please pray for Millie!

The Little Soul

Not too long ago in Heaven there was a little soul who took wonder in observing the world. He especially enjoyed the love he saw there and often expressed this joy with God. One day however the little soul was sad, for on this day he saw suffering in the world.

He approached God and sadly asked, "Why do bad things happen; why is there suffering in the world?" God paused for a moment and replied, "Little soul, do not be sad, for the suffering you see, unlocks the love in people's hearts." The little soul was confused. "What do you mean," he asked. God replied, "Have you not noticed the goodness and love that is the offspring of that suffering? Look at how people come together, drop their differences and show their love and compassion for those who suffer. All their other motivations disappear and they become motivated by love alone."

The little soul began to understand and listened attentively as God continued, "The suffering soul unlocks the love in people's hearts much like the sun and the rain unlock the flower within the seed. I created everyone with endless love in their heart, but unfortunately most people keep it locked up and hardly share it with anyone. They are afraid to let their love shine freely, because they are afraid of being hurt. But a suffering soul unlocks that love. I tell you this - it is the greatest miracle of all. Many souls have bravely chosen to go into the world and suffer - to unlock this love - to create this miracle for the good of all humanity."

Just then the little soul got a wonderful idea and could hardly contain himself. With his wings fluttering, bouncing up and down, the little soul excitedly replied. "I am brave; let me go! I would like to go into the world and suffer so that I can unlock the goodness and love in people's hearts! I want to create that miracle!" God smiled and said, "You are a brave soul I know, and thus I will grant your request. But even though you are very brave you will not be able to do this alone. I have known since the beginning of time that you would ask for this and so I have carefully selected many souls to care for you on your journey. Those souls will help you create your miracle; however they will also share in your suffering. Two of these souls are most special and will care for you, help you and suffer along with you, far beyond the others. They have already chosen a name for you". God and the brave soul shared a smile, and then embraced.

In parting, God said, "Do not forget little soul that I will be with you always. Although you have agreed to bear the pain, you will do so through my strength. And if the time should come when you feel that you have suffered enough, just say the word, think the thought, and you will be healed." Thus at that moment the brave little soul was born into the world, and through his suffering and God's strength, he unlocked the goodness and love in people's hearts. For so many people dropped their differences and came together to show their love. Priorities became properly aligned. People gave from their hearts. Those that were always too busy found time. Many began new spiritual journeys, some regained lost faith - many came back to God. Parents hugged their children tighter. Friends and family grew closer. Old friends got together and new friendships were made. Distant family reunited, and every family spent more time together. Everyone prayed. Peace and love reigned. Lives changed forever. It was good. The world was a better place. The miracle had happened. God was pleased.

(Shared from a friends blog, author unknown)