Tonight I shared my testimony for the first time!!!! It was at the youth group of Calvary Chapel Casa Grande. It was cool. I messed up, but it gives me places to fix.I will post it because it is the next step in my journey with God and that is what this blog is all about. Thank you guys so much for still following me. :) The first part is very boring. Watching it I did better then I thought (Thank you Jesus!) Pease give feedback, or if you have questions of your own I would love to answer them. :D Also it is recorded very low. I had to listen to it with head phones on.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Old Friends
Old friends (You know who you are) God has laid it on my heart to write a appology on here and honestlty I try to type it out and I get all mixed up and just never comes out right. Maybe later I can go into more detail, but for now I feel that just the following needs to be said.
I am sorry. You guys were all there for me at a very hard time in my life. You guys were special to me and I lost track of who my friends were. So I am sorry that I came across fake or that you guys meant nothing to me. That is not true, I just felt it was time to close the door on those friendships and relationships. It is my fault that I didn't do a good job explaining that to any of you. Its between you and God if you guys forgive me. I hope that you can though.
I am sorry. You guys were all there for me at a very hard time in my life. You guys were special to me and I lost track of who my friends were. So I am sorry that I came across fake or that you guys meant nothing to me. That is not true, I just felt it was time to close the door on those friendships and relationships. It is my fault that I didn't do a good job explaining that to any of you. Its between you and God if you guys forgive me. I hope that you can though.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Gabriella
Please be praying for a little girl from here in AZ. Her name is Gabriella. Angie posted a link on the right for her. Gabriella is on her way to the hospital right now to get her "sparkly new" heart. Thank you.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Hello fellow readers. I thank you so much! I can say that my testimony is being used in extreme ways! So thank you! Just one thing PLEASE PLEASE!!! No one has said anything that can be improved on it. I really want to hear what you guys HONESTLY think. I thank those few that have been honest (maybe too honest ;o]) the last few days. The enemy really attacks when you are being used. (hehe Aimee, I know I am doing good, cuz I am being tempted! :D) I really do want to know though. I already know how it has spoken to me. Even if you don't know me and there is more or less about a topic that you want to hear about PLEASE let me know. I want this to be the best it can be before I speak to a church about it. :D God bless EVERYONE that has been here. With much love and appreciation, Angela.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
My Testimony!
Please give any feedback. This is just a rough draft and I am wanting to hear for you guys on what you would like to hear more or less of. E-mail me at n2ekae@yahoo.com. In the subject box please just put “Testimony feedback” Thank you SOOO much!!!
My name is Angela Olivas. I am 16 years old and I was born in the beautiful Riverside California. I was 13 when my family and I made the move to Surprise Arizona. (Funny name huh? :]) I have spent my whole life in the church. God has always been a big part of my life. When I was 5 years old, I was sitting in my living room coloring when my mom called me into her room. She read me some verses in Mathew and asked me if I wanted Jesus to come into my life. I said yes and we prayed. Since then I have slipped a lot, even to the point that I have completely lost track of my walk with God and frankly, didn’t care. I wanted to do what everyone around me was doing. I wanted to be a ‘normal’ teenager. I soon saw that a ‘normal’ teenager has a lot of bitterness and pain. I had a lot of nights that I have cried myself to sleep from pain that others have caused me.
April 28th, 2009 God brought me back. I went in for a minor surgery. I woke up to a very sad room. I didn’t understand why, I thought everyone would be happy that it was a small nothing surgery. My doctor came in after I woke up and asked to speak to my parents alone. They came back about 15 minutes later. My mom came to one side of my bed and my dad knelt down at the other side. Both were crying and looked like they had been all day. I looked at my mom and she shook her head. I didn’t understand what was going on. I waited for her to choke out the words I was hoping not to hear “You are sick, you need a heart transplant.” At first I was mad. I was mad (sorry to say) at God. I honestly thought that I was okay. I didn’t understand why He wanted to use me. But I snapped out of it pretty quick. Until I was told more bad news, I was told I needed the transplant within two years. My heart wouldn’t last longer then two years. And if they didn’t hurry, I would need a double lung and heart transplant. I could also die of a Sudden death. Once I had the transplant things wouldn’t get much better. I would be 3 hours away from all of my family for 6 months so I could stay near the hospital. I would go in almost everyday for surgeries and making sure that I was not rejecting my new heart. My immune system would realize that there was a foreign object in my body and they would attack it. That would kill me, so I would need to be on anti-rejection medication, in other words, pills that would suppress my immune system. I would always be sick and in the hospital. About 10 to 12 years later, I would need another heart transplant.
I was mad. I had nothing to look forward to in life. I wouldn’t be able to do the normal things that life offers. I couldn’t be stressed, I couldn’t get too excited, I couldn’t let my heart race. It was depressing. The first two weeks I held on to my bible. I read it everyday all day. I had to be pulled out of school for two weeks to recover from surgery. The things that kept me going were the thoughts and prayers of others. God gave me an incredible amount of strength to get through those weeks. He used others around me to give me that push when I didn’t want to continue. Believe me, there were a lot of times I didn’t want to continue. I would throw major fits. I would just want to stop. To end it all, if I was going to die I didn’t want to live the last of my years in fear. I wanted to just enjoy myself. I hate being restricted on what I can do. I would sit in my room and hear about how all my friends were out having a fun summer and I was just sitting around waiting for a phone call from a doctor, or getting ready for the next appointment. I was mad, sad, scared, jealous, and yet God still gave me a peace. That everything was going to be fine. He had planned this for me and I just needed to be happy that within 16 years of life God was already showing me how I was going to be used.
Something that I didn’t understand though, was why. Why was I chosen? He could have used anyone else to do this, but instead He chose me. At first, I was mad that He chose me. Then I opened my bible and found Psalm 73:26 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” This just spoke to me SOO much!!!! My heart, literally was failing. My flesh didn’t want to do it! I wasn’t being an example on what Jesus would be doing if He were in my shoes! So everyday, I told myself that verse over and over and over. Then I didn’t understand, but in a humbled way. Why was God using me? I wasn’t doing a very good job; I am just an average person. Nothing special! Why am I the one who gets to find out early what God wanted me to be used in my life for. But I just took it and ran with it. I was just happy that I could be used. Honestly the feeling of knowing that God is using your trail to show others how faithful and good He is is very addicting. It is almost like a guilt-free drug.
Once I was on the list I would not be able to do any trips within two hours of the hospital. So my family and I took off for a week on a road trip up the California coast. It was beautiful! With in 24hours of us returning from the trip, my mom and I managed to unpack and re-pack our bags and take a two-hour drive to Tucson for 3 days of testing. These test were to determine where I would be on the transplant list, or if I was even sick enough to be listed right away. I had to take x-rays, EKG, a treadmill test, talk to so many different people about how I was coping, and blood work. The next day I had to do a cardiac catheter, and the next day was an echo. 3-weeks later my transplant team set up an appointment. Within that 3-weeks I had a lot going on, including my sweet 16! This birthday was a bit hard. I thought it was going to be my last birthday. I was happy to be with the people I loved, but at the same time I was devastated thinking that it could very possibly be my last birthday. I have always had a goal. I want to live until I am at least 18. My biological father died just a few months shy of his 18th birthday. I just wanted to make it past that age. I prayed that day “Please God, at least two more!” Oh man! Am I going to get those and CELEBRATE!!!
August 13th, 2009 I had my big doctors appointment. I was sitting in the room and reading my bible. My mom and I were extremely nervous. The heart transplant surgeon came in. He told us some well honestly, aggravating news. He pretty much accused me of lying is how my mom and I both saw it. He came into the room and made it seem like I was just a big waste of his time. He said, “ I don’t know why you are here! Your test all came back normal. I think that this whole time you were just out of shape! I don’t think you need a heart transplant at all!” I was so mad! So my mom and I called my cardiologist for a second opinion. He said that he would contact Dr. Copeland to compare notes and he would get back to us the next day. We came home and my mom asked me to go and check the mail. When I cam back my mom was on the phone. She couldn’t talk and tears were just falling down her face. My sister was staring at her with her eyes wide open. They looked like they were about to pop out of her head! My first thought was “Oh My Gosh!!!! Let my dad (step-dad) be okay!” My mom got off the phone and turned around and looked at me. She had a smile going from one cheek to the other. She grabbed me and said, “You are HEALED!!!!” I walked outside in disbelief; I called my BFFE (Best friends for eternity) Roxie. She answered and asked if she could call me back. I said “Ummm…. No!!! I need to tell you right now! Roxie I am healed!” It took her a minute and she finally got out a tearful “Hallelujah!” That is when it hit me that I am now a walking and talking miracle! A.K.A a example of how great God is!
My name is Angela Olivas. I am 16 years old and I was born in the beautiful Riverside California. I was 13 when my family and I made the move to Surprise Arizona. (Funny name huh? :]) I have spent my whole life in the church. God has always been a big part of my life. When I was 5 years old, I was sitting in my living room coloring when my mom called me into her room. She read me some verses in Mathew and asked me if I wanted Jesus to come into my life. I said yes and we prayed. Since then I have slipped a lot, even to the point that I have completely lost track of my walk with God and frankly, didn’t care. I wanted to do what everyone around me was doing. I wanted to be a ‘normal’ teenager. I soon saw that a ‘normal’ teenager has a lot of bitterness and pain. I had a lot of nights that I have cried myself to sleep from pain that others have caused me.
April 28th, 2009 God brought me back. I went in for a minor surgery. I woke up to a very sad room. I didn’t understand why, I thought everyone would be happy that it was a small nothing surgery. My doctor came in after I woke up and asked to speak to my parents alone. They came back about 15 minutes later. My mom came to one side of my bed and my dad knelt down at the other side. Both were crying and looked like they had been all day. I looked at my mom and she shook her head. I didn’t understand what was going on. I waited for her to choke out the words I was hoping not to hear “You are sick, you need a heart transplant.” At first I was mad. I was mad (sorry to say) at God. I honestly thought that I was okay. I didn’t understand why He wanted to use me. But I snapped out of it pretty quick. Until I was told more bad news, I was told I needed the transplant within two years. My heart wouldn’t last longer then two years. And if they didn’t hurry, I would need a double lung and heart transplant. I could also die of a Sudden death. Once I had the transplant things wouldn’t get much better. I would be 3 hours away from all of my family for 6 months so I could stay near the hospital. I would go in almost everyday for surgeries and making sure that I was not rejecting my new heart. My immune system would realize that there was a foreign object in my body and they would attack it. That would kill me, so I would need to be on anti-rejection medication, in other words, pills that would suppress my immune system. I would always be sick and in the hospital. About 10 to 12 years later, I would need another heart transplant.
I was mad. I had nothing to look forward to in life. I wouldn’t be able to do the normal things that life offers. I couldn’t be stressed, I couldn’t get too excited, I couldn’t let my heart race. It was depressing. The first two weeks I held on to my bible. I read it everyday all day. I had to be pulled out of school for two weeks to recover from surgery. The things that kept me going were the thoughts and prayers of others. God gave me an incredible amount of strength to get through those weeks. He used others around me to give me that push when I didn’t want to continue. Believe me, there were a lot of times I didn’t want to continue. I would throw major fits. I would just want to stop. To end it all, if I was going to die I didn’t want to live the last of my years in fear. I wanted to just enjoy myself. I hate being restricted on what I can do. I would sit in my room and hear about how all my friends were out having a fun summer and I was just sitting around waiting for a phone call from a doctor, or getting ready for the next appointment. I was mad, sad, scared, jealous, and yet God still gave me a peace. That everything was going to be fine. He had planned this for me and I just needed to be happy that within 16 years of life God was already showing me how I was going to be used.
Something that I didn’t understand though, was why. Why was I chosen? He could have used anyone else to do this, but instead He chose me. At first, I was mad that He chose me. Then I opened my bible and found Psalm 73:26 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” This just spoke to me SOO much!!!! My heart, literally was failing. My flesh didn’t want to do it! I wasn’t being an example on what Jesus would be doing if He were in my shoes! So everyday, I told myself that verse over and over and over. Then I didn’t understand, but in a humbled way. Why was God using me? I wasn’t doing a very good job; I am just an average person. Nothing special! Why am I the one who gets to find out early what God wanted me to be used in my life for. But I just took it and ran with it. I was just happy that I could be used. Honestly the feeling of knowing that God is using your trail to show others how faithful and good He is is very addicting. It is almost like a guilt-free drug.
Once I was on the list I would not be able to do any trips within two hours of the hospital. So my family and I took off for a week on a road trip up the California coast. It was beautiful! With in 24hours of us returning from the trip, my mom and I managed to unpack and re-pack our bags and take a two-hour drive to Tucson for 3 days of testing. These test were to determine where I would be on the transplant list, or if I was even sick enough to be listed right away. I had to take x-rays, EKG, a treadmill test, talk to so many different people about how I was coping, and blood work. The next day I had to do a cardiac catheter, and the next day was an echo. 3-weeks later my transplant team set up an appointment. Within that 3-weeks I had a lot going on, including my sweet 16! This birthday was a bit hard. I thought it was going to be my last birthday. I was happy to be with the people I loved, but at the same time I was devastated thinking that it could very possibly be my last birthday. I have always had a goal. I want to live until I am at least 18. My biological father died just a few months shy of his 18th birthday. I just wanted to make it past that age. I prayed that day “Please God, at least two more!” Oh man! Am I going to get those and CELEBRATE!!!
August 13th, 2009 I had my big doctors appointment. I was sitting in the room and reading my bible. My mom and I were extremely nervous. The heart transplant surgeon came in. He told us some well honestly, aggravating news. He pretty much accused me of lying is how my mom and I both saw it. He came into the room and made it seem like I was just a big waste of his time. He said, “ I don’t know why you are here! Your test all came back normal. I think that this whole time you were just out of shape! I don’t think you need a heart transplant at all!” I was so mad! So my mom and I called my cardiologist for a second opinion. He said that he would contact Dr. Copeland to compare notes and he would get back to us the next day. We came home and my mom asked me to go and check the mail. When I cam back my mom was on the phone. She couldn’t talk and tears were just falling down her face. My sister was staring at her with her eyes wide open. They looked like they were about to pop out of her head! My first thought was “Oh My Gosh!!!! Let my dad (step-dad) be okay!” My mom got off the phone and turned around and looked at me. She had a smile going from one cheek to the other. She grabbed me and said, “You are HEALED!!!!” I walked outside in disbelief; I called my BFFE (Best friends for eternity) Roxie. She answered and asked if she could call me back. I said “Ummm…. No!!! I need to tell you right now! Roxie I am healed!” It took her a minute and she finally got out a tearful “Hallelujah!” That is when it hit me that I am now a walking and talking miracle! A.K.A a example of how great God is!
Monday, October 19, 2009
My good-bye
Okay everyone. I think it is time to say goodbye to this blog page. Nothing is going on anymore. My life is in total normal zone again. It is awesome. I thank every single one of you. This blog has helped me so much! There were so many times that your comments would pick me up. Thank you. Threw your prayer our Jesus healed me. I have been given the chance to go and talk at a few youth groups around me to give my testimony. It is a bit scary, but I know God will be the one speaking threw me and that is just AWESOME! To only be 16 and the Lord use me in such a big way! Thank you Jesus!
Gabriella Vega is still a story I would love for you all to follow. This family is so awesome. They are totally give everything to the Lord and have time that it is hard to. They are very open and honest on their blog. Please continue to pray for this little girl. She just went home from a 3 week stay at PCH recovering from a stroke. She had a blood clot in her brain that caused her to have a stroke. he url is http://listeningthruthenoise.blogspot.com/ this family is ADORABLE! :] Thank you all again! This has been a amazing journey made possible by my friends, family, and strangers that I have been able to get to know and even the ones I have not. Thank you to all!!! :] I will be praying that Lord will bless all of you. That He will show you His healing power and grace and mercy, in your everyday life. Whether you do are do not believe in Him, He believes in you!!! :]
Gabriella Vega is still a story I would love for you all to follow. This family is so awesome. They are totally give everything to the Lord and have time that it is hard to. They are very open and honest on their blog. Please continue to pray for this little girl. She just went home from a 3 week stay at PCH recovering from a stroke. She had a blood clot in her brain that caused her to have a stroke. he url is http://listeningthruthenoise.blogspot.com/ this family is ADORABLE! :] Thank you all again! This has been a amazing journey made possible by my friends, family, and strangers that I have been able to get to know and even the ones I have not. Thank you to all!!! :] I will be praying that Lord will bless all of you. That He will show you His healing power and grace and mercy, in your everyday life. Whether you do are do not believe in Him, He believes in you!!! :]
Sunday, September 27, 2009
WE SAW Mr..I mean.. Dr. Shah :]
Sorry Everyone, I know I said I would write on Thursday. :] Well I went to see Dr. Shah on Wednesday. He explained everything to me and tried to come up with Medical reasons on why I was healed. He came in and said "You are not going to believe me, I even told my wife 'Oh Angela and her mom come in tomorrow and they are not going to believe my reasoning.'" This is true! :] We love Dr. Shah, but we know that we serve a all powerful healing God. We know it is Him that healed me. :]
They might want to do the cath to map out my electrical currents in my heart. That is what the svt is. So if they do that I will not have to take my medication anymore. As for now, he reduced them from one pill 2x a day, to just one pill at night. :]
Katlyn is working at my dad's work as a CSR :] she is going to college and working as a jr. high leader at our church. Yesterday we had a 7 hour purity conference. It was so amazing. We had a worship team from Calvary Chaple East Anaheim :] they were AMAZING! Just like Harvest worship! Thank you guys!
Nothing else is really new with our family. No news is good news though :]
My last post I talked about Gabriella. Or I think I did... anyway, she has Restrictive cardiomyopathy. On friday morning, she had a stroke due to a blood clot in her brain. :[ she is at Phoenix Children's right now. She has been responding very little. He blog is, www.gabriellasheart.com This family is SO strong! the also have prayer chain on FB. I want this little girl to have every person say one prayer for her. This girl is on my mind SO much and I want her and her family to have a UNBELIEVABLE peace. I was blessed to have it, I want them to also, and prayer is going to help. Please just say a fast prayer as you read it and tell everyone you know! :] Thank you! :]
They might want to do the cath to map out my electrical currents in my heart. That is what the svt is. So if they do that I will not have to take my medication anymore. As for now, he reduced them from one pill 2x a day, to just one pill at night. :]
Katlyn is working at my dad's work as a CSR :] she is going to college and working as a jr. high leader at our church. Yesterday we had a 7 hour purity conference. It was so amazing. We had a worship team from Calvary Chaple East Anaheim :] they were AMAZING! Just like Harvest worship! Thank you guys!
Nothing else is really new with our family. No news is good news though :]
My last post I talked about Gabriella. Or I think I did... anyway, she has Restrictive cardiomyopathy. On friday morning, she had a stroke due to a blood clot in her brain. :[ she is at Phoenix Children's right now. She has been responding very little. He blog is, www.gabriellasheart.com This family is SO strong! the also have prayer chain on FB. I want this little girl to have every person say one prayer for her. This girl is on my mind SO much and I want her and her family to have a UNBELIEVABLE peace. I was blessed to have it, I want them to also, and prayer is going to help. Please just say a fast prayer as you read it and tell everyone you know! :] Thank you! :]
Saturday, September 5, 2009
I am back!!!! :]
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Hello Everyone!!!! I am back! :]I thought I should update everyone on how life has been since we received the news that I was better. Well, I am now in school. I am pretty much known as the heart girl. :] I told some people last year and they just had to spread the news. Everyday I get to tell someone else my amazing story. There are still times that I am not so bold and do not give the glory to God. Instead I just say 'I am healed'. I know I know bad bad. I feel like God has made it SO easy , yet I still back down. Please pray for me.
Also, I am sad to report. Me and Trevor have broken up for the time being. Nothing bad happened. We just realized we should know each other a little bit better. :] We are going to remain friends and see where God takes it. :]
On the 23rd of THIS month I get to see Dr. Shah!!!!! *My Cardiologist* I am so excited! I have not seen him since he did my cath and told me I had the Restrictive Cardiomyopathy. He is just going to pretty much go over the numbers and talk to us. :] He is not a christian so we get to witness :]
I think I am going to write a book. God has allowed me to go through SO much just at the age of 16. I think it could be a very powerful book. i have NO idea when I will have time to start it though! :] maybe I can get extra credit in my English class ;]
I want to thank everyone again. This last year has allowed me to grow up so much. I have shared countless nights crying with people very close to me. I will hold those nights/days and conversations very close to me forever. I am very lucky to have such a AMAZING support group! :] Thank you! Please keep Jesse Catron (Jessecatron.com) In your prayers! She is Leukemia FREE!!!!! YAY!!!! But she is having many other health problems. ALSO! There was a man on FaceBook. Danny Alonso. He was 17. He had cancer, but he was called home. His family are new believers. PLEASE PLEASE pray for them! :] Thank you guys!!!!! :]
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Grandpa! Can you believe it?!?! Our God that we serve is SO amazing! I want to thank every single person that has prayed for me, thought about me, donated, but most of all, I want to thank the people that have came either to God, or closer to Him. I was/am being used to bring people to Him, you guys are the reason God put me here. And He is still is not done with me!
God has been putting it on my heart to share something with you. The other day I was listening to a song. Well, it was a while ago. Anyway, I had on the shirt my grandma bought me. It has the Mathew verse I posted not that long ago. It talks about how God has taken care of the birds and plants. He will also take care of us. Well, I looked at the shirt and thought, how SELFISH!!!! We are on earth for no other reason than to serve God. Be examples of Him. Why do we need to ask God to make us happy? I am sure He was not very happy when He was on the cross cuz we decided to go against what He planned for us. I don’t know it’s hard to explain. But it really got me to think about how selfish we are as humans.
Thank you to everyone again. God has only started with me. I already have such a AMAZING testimony. I am only 16! I can’t wait to see where God is going to take me next! ALL GLORY TO HIM!!!!
Psalm 73:26
“MY HEART AND STRENGTH MAY FAIL, BUT GOD IS THE STRENGTH OF MY HEART, AND MY PORTION FOREVER” He is SOOOOO amazing!!!! God healed me! NOTHING is outside of His power.
God has been putting it on my heart to share something with you. The other day I was listening to a song. Well, it was a while ago. Anyway, I had on the shirt my grandma bought me. It has the Mathew verse I posted not that long ago. It talks about how God has taken care of the birds and plants. He will also take care of us. Well, I looked at the shirt and thought, how SELFISH!!!! We are on earth for no other reason than to serve God. Be examples of Him. Why do we need to ask God to make us happy? I am sure He was not very happy when He was on the cross cuz we decided to go against what He planned for us. I don’t know it’s hard to explain. But it really got me to think about how selfish we are as humans.
Thank you to everyone again. God has only started with me. I already have such a AMAZING testimony. I am only 16! I can’t wait to see where God is going to take me next! ALL GLORY TO HIM!!!!
Psalm 73:26
“MY HEART AND STRENGTH MAY FAIL, BUT GOD IS THE STRENGTH OF MY HEART, AND MY PORTION FOREVER” He is SOOOOO amazing!!!! God healed me! NOTHING is outside of His power.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
We serve a good and awesome God!!!
He has healed our Angie!
The transplant team couldn't find anything wrong with her heart.
Her cardiologist confirmed that the transplant tests results were different than the ones from April.
They said that her heart "healed itself."
We know that our gracious God has blessed us! Thank you, Jesus!!
Thank you so much to all of you for your prayers.
We treasure each and every word that was lifted up on behalf of our Angie.
May God bless all of you as much as He has blessed us today!
He has healed our Angie!
The transplant team couldn't find anything wrong with her heart.
Her cardiologist confirmed that the transplant tests results were different than the ones from April.
They said that her heart "healed itself."
We know that our gracious God has blessed us! Thank you, Jesus!!
Thank you so much to all of you for your prayers.
We treasure each and every word that was lifted up on behalf of our Angie.
May God bless all of you as much as He has blessed us today!
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers today. Unfortunately, we didn’t really get any answers today. There is a discrepancy in the findings of Angie’s cardiologist team and the transplant team. We are waiting on the 2 teams to get together to discuss their findings. After that, I want another echo done to double check what they have decided together. I know that it’s confusing. It’s been a confusing day. I have lost faith in the team from Tucson. If Angie is listed for a heart, we will be moving to have it done at another facility. I will let you know when I hear back from one of the doctors. Thank you again.
Melissa
Melissa
Dear Dad,
Angie asked me to write and update you on what has been going on.
Last week Katlyn took her placement tests for the local community college. She did so well that they gave her a scholarship. Her first two years of school are going to be paid. We’re really proud of her. She starts college next week. (sob) We have been riding her a little bit about not having a job, so she has thrown herself into looking for one. It’s going to be weird with her working and going to college. I feel old.
Evie and Angie are both getting ready to start school too. I will have 3 kids in school and they will all still be in the house. Angie is doing an online school and I am home schooling Ev.
Angie had her sweet 16 party on Sunday. For the girl’s 16th birthdays, we buy them upgraded purity rings. They are diamond rings to signify how valuable their purity is. They are good kids so it is worth it. I spent 4 hours in the mall with Katlyn and Jess trying to find Angie’s ring. I usually know her taste, but wasn’t confident about the ring we chose. She was thrilled with it though, so I was very happy. Anyway, we had a house FULL of people here on Sunday. Grandma Malia and Papa Javier were out for that weekend too. You know how Malia is; she took Angie to get her nails and hair done. She got her new clothes, shoes and jewelry. They shopped for 3 days straight. It’s not my idea of a good time, but Angie was in shopping heaven. So, Angie had a great birthday and we are really happy about that.
Tomorrow we go and see Dr. Copeland and the transplant team.. They are going to tell us what they decided as far as listing her. I have a feeling they are going to want us to wait. I am really not happy about the idea of sitting around waiting for her to get sicker. How good is our God that His timing is perfect though? When she’s ready for her surgery, her heart will be too. (That’s so funny. What I just wrote reminds me of David in the Psalms. He starts off feeling overwhelmed by his circumstance and then remembers God.) Next week we have an appointment with Dr. Shah (the cardiologist that Angie LOVES) and with a pediatrician. Everyone keeps asking me who her primary doctor is. She hasn’t had one so we’re getting one.
Well, we are going to be seeing you in a few days. I can smell the beach already! Whoo-hoo!
Love,
Mel
Note: Melissa has asked me to post the link to The Harvest Crusade in Anaheim, CA.
Here is the Link.
Angie asked me to write and update you on what has been going on.
Last week Katlyn took her placement tests for the local community college. She did so well that they gave her a scholarship. Her first two years of school are going to be paid. We’re really proud of her. She starts college next week. (sob) We have been riding her a little bit about not having a job, so she has thrown herself into looking for one. It’s going to be weird with her working and going to college. I feel old.
Evie and Angie are both getting ready to start school too. I will have 3 kids in school and they will all still be in the house. Angie is doing an online school and I am home schooling Ev.
Angie had her sweet 16 party on Sunday. For the girl’s 16th birthdays, we buy them upgraded purity rings. They are diamond rings to signify how valuable their purity is. They are good kids so it is worth it. I spent 4 hours in the mall with Katlyn and Jess trying to find Angie’s ring. I usually know her taste, but wasn’t confident about the ring we chose. She was thrilled with it though, so I was very happy. Anyway, we had a house FULL of people here on Sunday. Grandma Malia and Papa Javier were out for that weekend too. You know how Malia is; she took Angie to get her nails and hair done. She got her new clothes, shoes and jewelry. They shopped for 3 days straight. It’s not my idea of a good time, but Angie was in shopping heaven. So, Angie had a great birthday and we are really happy about that.
Tomorrow we go and see Dr. Copeland and the transplant team.. They are going to tell us what they decided as far as listing her. I have a feeling they are going to want us to wait. I am really not happy about the idea of sitting around waiting for her to get sicker. How good is our God that His timing is perfect though? When she’s ready for her surgery, her heart will be too. (That’s so funny. What I just wrote reminds me of David in the Psalms. He starts off feeling overwhelmed by his circumstance and then remembers God.) Next week we have an appointment with Dr. Shah (the cardiologist that Angie LOVES) and with a pediatrician. Everyone keeps asking me who her primary doctor is. She hasn’t had one so we’re getting one.
Well, we are going to be seeing you in a few days. I can smell the beach already! Whoo-hoo!
Love,
Mel
Note: Melissa has asked me to post the link to The Harvest Crusade in Anaheim, CA.
Here is the Link.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Hey, Dad. Well, the wait continues. I talked to the transplant coordinator today. Apparently, when they say they will reach a decision on Friday about whether to list Angie or not means, "We will talk about it and we might or might not make a decision about listing Angie." Sue said that Dr. Copeland is the one who will make the decision and he hasn't yet. She said that we need to come in for the consltation on the 13th to go over the test results. She also said that Angie's numbers looked pretty good. I got the impression that we still might not get an answer on the 13th. Dr. Copeland is going to talk with Angie's cardiologist. This is all that I know to this point. God's timing is perfect and He is the one running the show. I am going to be like Peter (Acts 12) sleeping in the jail cell and not worry.
Love you guys. See you in a couple of weeks! We are pretty excited for the crusade and the beach.
-Mel.
PS You guys should come to the Crusade with us!
Love you guys. See you in a couple of weeks! We are pretty excited for the crusade and the beach.
-Mel.
PS You guys should come to the Crusade with us!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Hey, Dad. We just got home this afternoon from Tucson.Sorry I didn’t call you to let you know how things were going. Angie said that she would write to update you, but she is a slacker, so I will do it.
So, we got to Tucson and met with the financial coordinator first. The main thing that I got from that meeting was that our insurance is going to pay for the transplant as in-network. Yay and praise God! I cried a little.
Then we met with the transplant coordinator Sue. We love her. Next Angie had her treadmill test and EKG. They said she did really well on the treadmill test. Next we met with a social worker. Angie described herself as “angry and easily irritated.” I said “You get that from my dad.” Ha, ha, ha. Then they had me meet with a psychologist.
I swear she kept falling asleep while I talked so I guess that means there weren’t any red flags that I’m crazy. (I would have bet the other way.)
Finally for Monday she had a chest x-ray, some dental x-rays and only 14 vials of blood drawn. Poor thing. We went to stay with a guy Eddie used to work with in Riverside and his family.
I was nervous about staying with people we don’t know, but they are the kindest family and we felt at home there.
On the way to their house, the truck started acting weird. It wasn’t drivable. Eddie called and got an appointment at Firestone for 7 am the next day. Aimee was bringing Katlyn, Evie and Trevor out to be with Angie during her cath the next day.
She got up and took her kids to our friend’s house at 3:30 am to go and get the truck so they could take it in. They were all so tired. Angie’s cath was a nightmare. She was supposed to be gone for 1 hour and she was in for 2 hours and 45 minutes.
When I got to see her, she was crying and said it was the scariest thing in her life. She kept waking up during the cath and could feel them sticking her. They had problems finding a vein because she is so small. They ended up calling in a pediatric cardiologist to do it. They tried to go into a vein in her neck. They said they gave her enough medicine to knock out a horse and she must have a very strong tolerance.
We thought they were going to knock her out, but I guess they don’t. We weren’t happy and we’ll leave that there. In the meantime, Eddie was calling to find out about the truck and Firestone didn’t touch it until noon.
We weren’t happy that Aimee and everyone else were so inconvenienced to get it there by 7 so it could sit. We’ll leave that there too. So, the cardiologist said that Angie’s pressures are really good.
She doesn’t have a whole lot that he could see that was wrong. There were a few things and he could see where her heart was thick, but she is in pretty good shape.
There is a pro and a con to that. Of course the pro is that she is doing well. The con is that if they feel that she doesn’t need a transplant immediately, they will not list her until she is really sick. They only list people who need a heart now. She WILL need a heart. It is just a matter of when they feel she is in immediate need. Doesn’t that suck?
Sue told us that they will meet on Friday to discuss Angie and make a decision as a team. Normally we would have to wait to see the team (August 13th) to find out the decision, but she said she would call us. See? We love Sue.
We went back to Jon and Jessie’s and Aimee got my kiddos home safe and sound.
Today we had an echo and we came home. It is Eddie and my 14th anniversary. OK I am going to give you a link to check out some pics of our vacation. Angie has a pretty stinkin good eye. We’re having a contest on Facebook to see who gets the most votes for best photo. She might win.
Love to all!
-Mel.
Vacation Photos
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Hey, Dad.
We got a letter from UMC yesterday. They were explaining to us what to expect when we get to Tucson on the 27th. At 8 am we have to meet with a financial coordinator. (First things first, huh?) At 8:30 we meet with the transplant coordinator. 9:00 Angie has to do a treadmill test. I think they hook her up and test her heart and her lungs while she is exerting herself. At 10 she will get an EKG. At 10:30 she will meet with a social worker. 12:45 she has a 3 1/2 HOUR meeting with a psychologist! They have labs, chest x-ray, and a dental panorex listed as "anytime." On Tuesday they have the whole day set aside for her heart catheter. The procedure itself will be a couple of hours. Then she is required to lay flat on her back for 6 hours so they can make sure the hole the cath makes in her vein stops bleeding. On Wednesday we have an echo at 9:30 and we can come home! I am going to take Rai with me because I don't want Katlyn to be over whelmed at home watching Rai and Evie. Our church is going to bring meals for them on Monday and Tuesday nights. Aimee plans on driving out to Tucson on Tuesday. She is going to bring Katlyn and Evie with her. I miss my Evie when I'm not with her for a while. They are only going to stay for the day and then coming back home. It's going to be a rough few days for my Angie.
Tomorrow we leave for our trip. I am excited but very busy. I have a few other things besides getting ready for our trip that I am trying to get done. Rai likes to un-do things for me so some stuff I do I get to repeat a few times. :) I will send pictures of our gnome "Fred Roamin" from our trip. I put a 49er sticker on Fred's hat. Fred was a gift from my girls. I always wanted a gnome so we can take vacation pictures with him. I had heard a story about a family that had a garden gnome in their yard. One day there gnome was gone. The next thing they knew, they started getting pictures in the mail of their gnome from all over the world. People would take the gnome with them, send some pictures to the family and then hand the gnome off to other travelers to do the same thing. One day the gnome owners woke up to find their gnome back in their yard. I love that story, so thus the desire to take vacation pictures with Fred. The girls named him Fred Roamin because he is going to roam around with us.
Anyway, I love you guys. Talk to you in a couple of weeks.
-Mel.
We got a letter from UMC yesterday. They were explaining to us what to expect when we get to Tucson on the 27th. At 8 am we have to meet with a financial coordinator. (First things first, huh?) At 8:30 we meet with the transplant coordinator. 9:00 Angie has to do a treadmill test. I think they hook her up and test her heart and her lungs while she is exerting herself. At 10 she will get an EKG. At 10:30 she will meet with a social worker. 12:45 she has a 3 1/2 HOUR meeting with a psychologist! They have labs, chest x-ray, and a dental panorex listed as "anytime." On Tuesday they have the whole day set aside for her heart catheter. The procedure itself will be a couple of hours. Then she is required to lay flat on her back for 6 hours so they can make sure the hole the cath makes in her vein stops bleeding. On Wednesday we have an echo at 9:30 and we can come home! I am going to take Rai with me because I don't want Katlyn to be over whelmed at home watching Rai and Evie. Our church is going to bring meals for them on Monday and Tuesday nights. Aimee plans on driving out to Tucson on Tuesday. She is going to bring Katlyn and Evie with her. I miss my Evie when I'm not with her for a while. They are only going to stay for the day and then coming back home. It's going to be a rough few days for my Angie.
Tomorrow we leave for our trip. I am excited but very busy. I have a few other things besides getting ready for our trip that I am trying to get done. Rai likes to un-do things for me so some stuff I do I get to repeat a few times. :) I will send pictures of our gnome "Fred Roamin" from our trip. I put a 49er sticker on Fred's hat. Fred was a gift from my girls. I always wanted a gnome so we can take vacation pictures with him. I had heard a story about a family that had a garden gnome in their yard. One day there gnome was gone. The next thing they knew, they started getting pictures in the mail of their gnome from all over the world. People would take the gnome with them, send some pictures to the family and then hand the gnome off to other travelers to do the same thing. One day the gnome owners woke up to find their gnome back in their yard. I love that story, so thus the desire to take vacation pictures with Fred. The girls named him Fred Roamin because he is going to roam around with us.
Anyway, I love you guys. Talk to you in a couple of weeks.
-Mel.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Hey, Dad, guess what?!?!
WE HAVE THE TESTING DATES!!!!!
Finally, we know when we are doing the evaluation testing! July 27-29th. That is the day after we get back from our trip. We had an appointment for the consultation with the electric physiologist scheduled for the 28th so we had to move that to the 30th. That is the doctor who will do the cath for the SVT. Anyway, once they do the testing, we just have to wait for the insurance to approve the transplant and then for the transplant team to call us in and tell us that she is listed. I hope we can still go to CA in August!
One of Eddie's friends from when he worked at HomeTeam in Riverside is going to let us stay at his house in Tucson during the few days. He is the general manager for the HomeTeam branch there.
Angie is sad because she won't be able to see her "special friend" Trevor for 2 1/2 weeks.
Eddie went and got the wheelchair today too. Do you ever have those days when things just move right along? I LOVE these days! We have a busy couple of weeks coming up. I would rather be busy than sitting around though.
Love to you guys!
-Mel.
WE HAVE THE TESTING DATES!!!!!
Finally, we know when we are doing the evaluation testing! July 27-29th. That is the day after we get back from our trip. We had an appointment for the consultation with the electric physiologist scheduled for the 28th so we had to move that to the 30th. That is the doctor who will do the cath for the SVT. Anyway, once they do the testing, we just have to wait for the insurance to approve the transplant and then for the transplant team to call us in and tell us that she is listed. I hope we can still go to CA in August!
One of Eddie's friends from when he worked at HomeTeam in Riverside is going to let us stay at his house in Tucson during the few days. He is the general manager for the HomeTeam branch there.
Angie is sad because she won't be able to see her "special friend" Trevor for 2 1/2 weeks.
Eddie went and got the wheelchair today too. Do you ever have those days when things just move right along? I LOVE these days! We have a busy couple of weeks coming up. I would rather be busy than sitting around though.
Love to you guys!
-Mel.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Dear Dad,
Angie's cardiologist called this afternoon. He was discussing Angela with another doctor. They both feel like it would be best if they address Angela's SVT now. The SVT is a problem with the electrical circuitry in her heart. Sometimes when the heart sends out a current to tell it to contract, the current gets looped back around. The loop causes her heart to beat really fast. When she was diagnosed, her heart rate was 267. Normally SVT isn't a major problem. She takes medicine to control it and there is a trick that she can do that fixes it. Dr. Shah thinks that because her heart is already having issues, that the SVT should be taken care of. I think what he meant was that if she has an SVT episode, she can have a sudden death event but he didn't want to say that. They want to go in with a cath again. They map the electircal current in her heart to figure out where the loop is occurring. Then they fix the problem. It doesn't always work. The procedure can last up to 8 hours. So we are supposed to get a call tomorrow to schedule the consultation with the doctor who will do the procedure. Poor Angie. This will mean she has 2 caths to look forward to. :( On a positive note, we have just about met our annual out-of-pocket in network max so this normally expensive proceudre should be pretty close to free for us.
I meant to tell you earlier too that Angela has decided to stay home next year for school. She has been trying to decide. I'm glad she'll be home..
OK, well that is all for now.
Love,
-Mel.
Angie's cardiologist called this afternoon. He was discussing Angela with another doctor. They both feel like it would be best if they address Angela's SVT now. The SVT is a problem with the electrical circuitry in her heart. Sometimes when the heart sends out a current to tell it to contract, the current gets looped back around. The loop causes her heart to beat really fast. When she was diagnosed, her heart rate was 267. Normally SVT isn't a major problem. She takes medicine to control it and there is a trick that she can do that fixes it. Dr. Shah thinks that because her heart is already having issues, that the SVT should be taken care of. I think what he meant was that if she has an SVT episode, she can have a sudden death event but he didn't want to say that. They want to go in with a cath again. They map the electircal current in her heart to figure out where the loop is occurring. Then they fix the problem. It doesn't always work. The procedure can last up to 8 hours. So we are supposed to get a call tomorrow to schedule the consultation with the doctor who will do the procedure. Poor Angie. This will mean she has 2 caths to look forward to. :( On a positive note, we have just about met our annual out-of-pocket in network max so this normally expensive proceudre should be pretty close to free for us.
I meant to tell you earlier too that Angela has decided to stay home next year for school. She has been trying to decide. I'm glad she'll be home..
OK, well that is all for now.
Love,
-Mel.
Dear Dad,
I'm sorry I haven't written in a while. There hasn't really been much to say. I have kept myself busy with planning and organizing for our trip. Eddie says I am doing it way too early because we don't leave for another 2 weeks.
Angie is doing ok. She has had a few episodes like some swelling she had in her feet. It wasn't enough swelling that anyone other than someone who knows what her feet normally look like would notice. That is one of the questions they ask her every time we go to the doctor: "Have you noticed any swelling in your hands, feet or stomach?" The day she had all the swelling she had been eating a lot of chips and Chex mix. I don't think she is drinking the amount of water she is supposed to be. We have cracked down on the salt and lack of water. She hasn't had any swelling issues since then. We have decided though, to buy a wheelchair for our trip. We found one for $20. It will come in handy if we have to walk fast or far or if we are standing for too long. She is not happy that at 15 she needs a wheelchair. On the 4th of July she had an episode after carrying Rainna up a flight of stairs. She said she went slow, but still she was winded and dizzy. A couple of weeks ago we were walking into Walmart. Katlyn, Evie and I were hurrying to get out of the heat, but it was too much to walk fast for Angie. Little things like that are occurring more. It's sad. We just keep praying that her heart and lungs will maintain their health until she gets her heart.
Would you guys pray for my friend Aimee and her family? They have a couple of things that they are dealing with right now that they could use the prayer for.
Love to all!
-Mel.
I'm sorry I haven't written in a while. There hasn't really been much to say. I have kept myself busy with planning and organizing for our trip. Eddie says I am doing it way too early because we don't leave for another 2 weeks.
Angie is doing ok. She has had a few episodes like some swelling she had in her feet. It wasn't enough swelling that anyone other than someone who knows what her feet normally look like would notice. That is one of the questions they ask her every time we go to the doctor: "Have you noticed any swelling in your hands, feet or stomach?" The day she had all the swelling she had been eating a lot of chips and Chex mix. I don't think she is drinking the amount of water she is supposed to be. We have cracked down on the salt and lack of water. She hasn't had any swelling issues since then. We have decided though, to buy a wheelchair for our trip. We found one for $20. It will come in handy if we have to walk fast or far or if we are standing for too long. She is not happy that at 15 she needs a wheelchair. On the 4th of July she had an episode after carrying Rainna up a flight of stairs. She said she went slow, but still she was winded and dizzy. A couple of weeks ago we were walking into Walmart. Katlyn, Evie and I were hurrying to get out of the heat, but it was too much to walk fast for Angie. Little things like that are occurring more. It's sad. We just keep praying that her heart and lungs will maintain their health until she gets her heart.
Would you guys pray for my friend Aimee and her family? They have a couple of things that they are dealing with right now that they could use the prayer for.
Love to all!
-Mel.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Hey Grandpa,
I wanted to up-date you with how I have been. I have been okay. As you know we met with Dr. Copeland, the one that will do my transplant, almost two weeks ago. He is going to have his people set up four-days of testing. One of the tests is another cath. I HATE THOSE!!!! But Trevor calls me hopscotch, because I hop around. The bruise is pretty big and I can't walk very well, but I like it when he calls me that. It's cute so there is something good to come of it. :D They are going to see how bad my condition is and where I will be placed on the list. They told me I should be on the list by the end of August. To be honest... I am a little scared. It makes everything seem so real. Now that the ball is rolling. It's definitely intense... Like camping (In-tents). L0L, sorry :D
Nothing really new has been happening, we are still just playing the waiting game.
Today I did get to take off my 30-day heart monitor. :D OH it feels so good to have off. The stickers would itch so bad. The area that the stickers would go is all red and sticky. I hope I never have to do one of those again. I am sure I will though. :D well there is nothing else really to say. As soon as we hear something I will let you know :D
Love,
Angie
Friday, June 26, 2009
Hey, Dad.I am sending you some pics that I took yesterday for Evie's birthday. We had a good time with Aimee and her family. They are good friends to us.
Today I spent the day planning our Nor Cal trip. I'm pretty excited. I have a 1/2 an inch of papers that I printed.
Anyway, I'm sending the pics now.
Love,
Mel
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Today my Evie turns 6 years old. Aimee has invited us over to her house for some swimming, hot dogs, cake, and shrimp. Evie loves shrimp. I think it is so sweet for Aimee to do this. Anyway, since Evie can't read too well yet, I can tell you that we are going to buy her a swing set for her birthday. She has to wait until Saturday to get it though because that is the soonest Eddie can put it together.
We still haven't heard back from the cardiologist. I keep meaning to call them and give them a little piece of my mind. The message line where I left a message said they will return my call within an hour. I am not looking forward to the fight against insurance companies, hospitals and doctors offices that is to come.
Well, I am going to be late if I don't go get in the shower.
Love to all!
-Melissa
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Dad, I started to send you some pictures that I did of the kids. Then I saw a news tease on the Yahoo home page that said Ethiopian crops are being destroyed by locusts. So, being the curious girl that I am, I did a google search for pestilence and the last days. I coul
dn't necessarily find a bible passage that talked about pestilence being a sign of the times. I tell you what though, you start off looking up one thing and there are so many rabbit trails to go down when it comes to prophecy. I read Mark 13. Good passage. 
I recently heard a teaching by Bob Coy where he talked about the increase of diseases and the resurgence of 
diseases that have been long gone like small pox. He got his information from the CDC! Anyway, I don't know why I went off on that subject. I haven't even been a devout follower of end times studies. God keeps putting things in my path when it comes to them though. I think it would be so cool if Jesus came back before Angie needed her transplant or even got sick. We were just finishing a study of Daniel when she got diagnosed. One of the first thoughts I had was, "Jesus could come back before this is an issue." Then someone on her prayer chain posted the same thing. I like God.
Well, I am sending the pictures now. They didn't come out as good as I had wanted. One day I am going to buy myself some lighting equipment.
Love,
-Mel
dn't necessarily find a bible passage that talked about pestilence being a sign of the times. I tell you what though, you start off looking up one thing and there are so many rabbit trails to go down when it comes to prophecy. I read Mark 13. Good passage. 
I recently heard a teaching by Bob Coy where he talked about the increase of diseases and the resurgence of 
diseases that have been long gone like small pox. He got his information from the CDC! Anyway, I don't know why I went off on that subject. I haven't even been a devout follower of end times studies. God keeps putting things in my path when it comes to them though. I think it would be so cool if Jesus came back before Angie needed her transplant or even got sick. We were just finishing a study of Daniel when she got diagnosed. One of the first thoughts I had was, "Jesus could come back before this is an issue." Then someone on her prayer chain posted the same thing. I like God.Well, I am sending the pictures now. They didn't come out as good as I had wanted. One day I am going to buy myself some lighting equipment.
Love,
-Mel
Monday, June 22, 2009
We got this today, I thought I would share it
Dear Dad,
I hope you had a nice Father’s Day.
This morning I woke up because Angela was telling me that she didn’t feel good. She was shivering uncontrollably, her face and her hands were totally white and she had been throwing up. She said that she had cramps. I took an ECG and sent it in. They said that there wasn’t anything on there that they needed to call the doctor over. I also called her cardiologist but haven’t heard back from him. She is better now. I wonder if cramps could do all that?
I feel really bad for Katlyn. She feels like she is a slacker because she’s not enrolled in college or has a job. I really need her here with us but I don’t want her to have to put her life on hold for the family’s sake. Today she was going to go down and enroll in the community college. Now she said that she doesn’t want to go because she is scared about what happened this morning. I think she is going to try to call and get some information over the phone.
On a lighter note, did I tell you that we are planning a trip to Nor Cal in July? We don’t really have the money for it, but once Angie is listed, we are going to be stuck in this area for a while. So, we are just doing it anyway. Eddie is the only one of us who has ever been up there. Funny to live all those years in So Cal and to have driven all the way to New York but never made it to San Francisco. Anyway, we’re excited to see the northern coast and the redwoods. Of course I FINALLY get to see Candlestick Park too. J I had mentioned taking a trip to one of the transplant team. She said that we could take trips while she is listed. We would just have to let them know so they can remove her from the list while we’re gone! Who would do that?!?
Hopefully, I will take some pictures of the kids today. I have been waiting for the sun to be more to the north so the light was right.. We’ll see.
Love you guys!
-Mel
I hope you had a nice Father’s Day.
This morning I woke up because Angela was telling me that she didn’t feel good. She was shivering uncontrollably, her face and her hands were totally white and she had been throwing up. She said that she had cramps. I took an ECG and sent it in. They said that there wasn’t anything on there that they needed to call the doctor over. I also called her cardiologist but haven’t heard back from him. She is better now. I wonder if cramps could do all that?
I feel really bad for Katlyn. She feels like she is a slacker because she’s not enrolled in college or has a job. I really need her here with us but I don’t want her to have to put her life on hold for the family’s sake. Today she was going to go down and enroll in the community college. Now she said that she doesn’t want to go because she is scared about what happened this morning. I think she is going to try to call and get some information over the phone.
On a lighter note, did I tell you that we are planning a trip to Nor Cal in July? We don’t really have the money for it, but once Angie is listed, we are going to be stuck in this area for a while. So, we are just doing it anyway. Eddie is the only one of us who has ever been up there. Funny to live all those years in So Cal and to have driven all the way to New York but never made it to San Francisco. Anyway, we’re excited to see the northern coast and the redwoods. Of course I FINALLY get to see Candlestick Park too. J I had mentioned taking a trip to one of the transplant team. She said that we could take trips while she is listed. We would just have to let them know so they can remove her from the list while we’re gone! Who would do that?!?
Hopefully, I will take some pictures of the kids today. I have been waiting for the sun to be more to the north so the light was right.. We’ll see.
Love you guys!
-Mel
Friday, June 19, 2009
We Are Removing Ourselves As "Owners" Of This Blog
We have given this site to a third party who is in no way affiliated with the fund raising for Angela. None of us any longer have access to change, add to, or remove anything from this site. The third party is the sole person in control of this site and can do with it as he wishes.
The Transplant Team Meeting
This is Angie, Rainna, and Evelyn coloring at the doctors appointment. We met with the transplant team from UMC yesterday. I really liked them. Dr. Copeland is a soft spoken older man. He's one of those people that I know I can easily get along with. They reviewed all of the medical records for Angela. He agreed that she has restrictive cardiomyopathy and that she doesn't have anything else short of a transplant that we can do to fix it. He ordered a series of tests that are going to require us to be in Tucson for 4 days. After they have reviewed the tests they will decide if they are going to do the transplant. They will send everything in to our insurance company. Once they get approval from the insurance, they will call us back in. They will go over all of the test results with us and let us know if they are going to do the transplant. We pretty much knew all of this and have even blogged about it. However, there were some new things that we learned. I asked about the 2-3 years average time on the waiting list. One of the coordinators said that because of Angela's weight, her blood type and her age her wait won't be 2-3 years but shorter. We knew that they match donors with recipients in the same weight "range" but we didn't know the range. The coordinator said that the range was + or - 20 lbs from Angie's weight. Angie weighs 108. I think that is a pretty good sized pool of people. We asked if Angie could be airvac ed to UMC. They said that was definitely something that we could do. That means that we don't have to relocate and put Angela in a position to hurry up and make new friends. We also nailed down some time frames. The testing will probably get done in about 6 weeks. By the time the tests come back, the team reviews it, the insurance approves the surgery and we are called back in to meet with the transplant team, we are looking at the end of August to be listed. This is a good time for us. We have been holding off in reminding everyone about the "family" get together at Huntington Beach in August until we knew if we could make it. Well, we can so it's on! Relient K and Skillet are going to be at the Harvest Crusade that weekend too! Relient K is Katlyn's favorite band.
Thanks for reading this.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
And We're Back! (Thank you Clever Trevor!)
Angela's cardiologist Dr. Shah called a couple of days ago. Angie was able to discuss the pains she had been having with him. He said that he thinks they are just growing pains. Her monitor she is wearing hasn't shown anything abnormal. We trust his judgment completely. So Angela has been alleviated of a good amount of worry. She thought that her disease had progressed and was worried that it had deteriorated too quickly.We're excited to meet with Dr. Copeland tomorrow. They bumped our meeting from 9:45 to 11. We should have an update on here sometime tomorrow afternoon. Please keep us in prayer. I am a little anxious that this meeting is going to make everything too real.
I am going to have some shirts made. Originally we were thinking about doing it as a fundraiser. Now I just want people to be able to feel like they are part of Angie's team. The cost is under $10 per shirt. I did a little research last night. Colored shirts are a little more than white and tanks are a little more than t-shirts. If you would be interested in ordering one, would you let me know? I would love to buy everyone one and give them away, but we just can't afford that. I need to get an idea of how many and of what type to order.
Until tomorrow then...
Friday, June 12, 2009
Thank You!
First of all, I want to Thank Everyone who participated in the Candle Fundraiser and to all who have donated. What a blessing you are and I pray that you will be blessed. If you weren't able to donate or buy a candle, I want to thank you too, for your prayers and support for the Olivas' family. Your prayers are holding them together and giving them strength. Thank You, Thank You! God Bless You All!
The Candle Fundraiser is going to be coming to a close, June 15th. If you want to still buy a candle, we are still taking orders. If you are selling them and need a few extra days, please let us know, so that we can see about keeping it open for a couple more days. Or if you want to buy, but need a few more days, again, please just let us know.
I also wanted to let everyone know that the family will be going to a very important meeting/doctor visit on June 18th. They are feeling a little anxious about it. Please hold them up in prayer this week as they wait for that appointment and then especially on that day. The doctor that they are seeing is possibly the Surgeon that will be doing Angela's surgery. Pray that they have peace and get all the answers that they are wanting and needing.
Here is the information again about the candles.
Blush Candles are richly-scented soy blend candles. They burn more cleanly than other candles, and are made right here in the USA. These are perfect hostess gifts, teacher gifts, and great welcome gifts for out-of-town wedding guests. 50% profit goes to Angela.
Candle Scents that we are selling:
Aloha, Blackberry Vanilla, Clean Linen, Lavender & Sage, Mandarin & Mango, Orange Blossom, Pineapple Vanilla, Pomegranate, Sweet Pea, Snickerdoodle Cookie, Sun & Sea, and Vanilla Bean.
Prices and Sizes:
9oz $12.95 (plus tax 6.3%)
16oz $17.95 (plus tax 6.3%)
Examples:
One 9oz Candle $12.95 plus .83 cents for tax.
Two 9oz Candles $25.90 plus $1.63 for tax.
One 16oz Candle $17.95 plus $1.13 for tax.
Two 16oz Candles $35.90 plus $2.26 for tax.
One 9oz + One 16oz Candle $30.90 plus $1.95 for tax.
For EMAIL and OUT OF STATE ORDERS please contact Valerie!
valerie@vjcandles.com
I can't say THANK YOU enough for the prayers! You have blessed the Olivas' family and I so much!!!
Aimee Oliphint
Thursday, June 11, 2009
We Have An Appointment
I spoke to the transplant coordinator from UMC (Tucson) today. Everything is a "go" with my insurance. So, they made us an appointment with the transplant surgeon for next Thursday. From what I understand, we will meet with him and if he believes that Angie's heart condition could lead to her death within the next year, he will send us to UMC to do the 3 days of tests. If the tests come back that she does have restrictive cardiomyopathy and that there isn't another cause for her heart issues (like an infection) then they will list her. Angie's cardiologist Dr. Shah (LOVE him!) said that the probability of it being another source for her heart problems is very unlikely. Wouldn't that be nice though? :) I'm not sure how long it will take to start the testing. I'm not sure how long it will take for them to review the tests and list her. Part of me is hoping that it takes until the end of August so we can go to CA for Angie's 16th, a family get together at the beach and the Harvest Crusade. Another part of me thinks, "the sooner she's listed, the better." I am so thankful that we only have to wait a few days for this appointment.We never made it to Tucson yesterday. The 10 freeway was closed. It took us 3 hours to get 86 miles. We eventually just turned around so Eddie didn't beat us home. Rai was not happy to be in her car seat. On a positive side, we made a list of fast food places and gas stations that we passed for future reference. It was nice to get out of the house too. OK, well I just wanted to update you all.
Angie ordered herself a salad because Sharon told her that she would have to start eatting healthier.
This was how Rai was for a good part of the 3 hours.Wednesday, June 10, 2009
We're Outta Here!
OK, so it's summer break. Katlyn's graduated. We have a car here during the day. This house is making me crazy. So the girls and I are taking a jr. road trip today. We haven't decided where, but it will probably be to go down and check out what Tucson looks like. Whoo-hoo! So long domestic prison! :) We'll post pics. Seize the day, ya'll!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!
Today is my baby sister's, Rainnna Rose, very first birthday!!!! YAY!!!! We are celebrating by cleaning carpets! Hey! she will be thankful for it when she doesn't put something gross in her mouth! :D
We cannot believe she is one year old already! It is so insane. As my mom has said, she has had 17 1/2 years of raising kids.... only 17 more to go! lol I have learned from her. ONE GENERATION OF KIDS!!!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Our Logo
...or some version of this. We are planning on having t-shirts and tank tops made. This will be on the front and Angie's verse (Psalms 73:26) will be on the back.
As Angie said in her post, we received a packet from the hospital in Tucson a couple of days ago. They said that we should read through the packet so it would answer any questions we might have. I didn't want to hear any statistics so I was a little leery of reading it. God doesn't work based on statistics. Still, after reading through some of the information, it took me a couple of days to remember that. (I haven't even finished reading it.) I can tell you that the average wait time on the list for a heart is 2-3 years. Even typing that, my heart is sinking. Angie has handled that like a trooper. I don't know why it upsets me so bad and she acts like it's no big deal. I think I had it in my head that she would have her heart in 12-18 months. One of the other things that this wonderful information contained was a list of things that she is going to have to go through after the surgery. She will have weekly heart biopsies for the first 2 months. She has to take her temperature frequently to check for infection. Her immune system will be weakened so she is more susceptible to infections. After it is all said and done she will have to face complications from her medicine like low back pain, compression fractures, dizziness, mood swings, cancer, ulcers, hypertension, kidney disease, gallbladder disease, cataracts, glaucoma, gingivitis, pneumothorax, obesity and diabetes. The next sentence on this paper says, "There may be additional problems which are not listed, but these are the most common." Kind of like getting hit over the head, huh? That's how I felt. I don't mean to depress anyone. This is an easy way of letting all of my friends and family know what Angie is going to be facing for the rest of her life.
I should tell a joke or something to end this on a not-so-depressing note.
How about a verse?
Psalm 46:1-3 "God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah"
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Are you like Moses and his people.... DON'T BE!!!!
Sorry, I know we have not written in a while. :/ it's Angie!
The doctors have me on a ECG machine and I HATE IT!!!!! ugh! It itches me!!!!! You have to push a button to make it record the ECG, well it makes a loud annoying noise! then it will beep. :D It's very loud and everyone around you can hear it, then they ask you what is happening.:D ugh! l0l
Today, I went to church, *well now its Monday so...* Yesterday, I went to church :D Troy Rud spoke, Oh he is my favorite. He talked about Moses,and how the trip to the promise land was only suppose to be 11 days. But due to the hearts of the people, God pro-longed it. They would get mad at God and did not put there trust in him. Trevor kept looking at me (Don't you hate when you have the person you like convict you like that! :D I am thankful for it though) It really got to me though, because I have been having a hard time. I have been asking the why question a lot. That is not the right attitude I need to put more trust into the Lord.
Yesterday, we received a booklet in the mail. It was all about what to expect from the transplant. My mom read it. She told me a couple of things. I have a very hard road ahead. God has put some amazing people in my life though that will help me get through it all. As I have been reminded of tonight ;D
On Friday, we had a Candle Party. It got me to tear up. There were people there I have only talked to a couple of times, and people I have never seen. A lady made bracelets, another did pedicures. One opened her house. And all these people gave up part of there day to come. It's amazing to see everyone that has helped. Thank you to everyone. Even if it's just one prayer that you have prayed for me, that is more than I could ask for! Thank you!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
The Word For Today Is...
We had Gayle Erwin as a guest teacher at church a few weeks ago. He told a story of a leader who wanted to get an encouraging message out to his followers. However, he only had the ability to send one word. After some careful thought he chose the word, "others." After service, Gayle gave away bumper stickers that say "others" on them. We have 7 or so of them stuck around our house. It says in the bible that in the last days, people will be lovers of themselves. I know, for our family, that is definitely true. We're really good at throwing pity parties for ourselves. I am trying to teach the girls (and get some practice at it myself) that happiness is found in doing for others rather than focusing on ourselves. Yesterday I was reading some of the comments people have posted on here. I thought, "I don't even know some of these people yet they are praying for my daughter." I want to be able to pray for you as well. We do pray general prayers for everyone who has shown an interest in Angie. If you have something that you are going through, please post it or you can email us at fadinge@yahoo.com. We WILL pray for you.
As an update...I finally tracked down the transplant coordinator from Tucson. She said that she is sending Angie's case to the financial people from the hospital. They are going to contact my insurance to make sure she is approved for Tucson. That takes about 2 weeks (not happy about that). After that, we will go in and have a consultation with the head surgeon. They are aiming for the 18th for that consultation. Once we have met with the surgeon, they will set up the testing they want Angie to have done. Baby steps. Very slow baby steps. Still it is steps and I need to remember that my God is in control, not the coordinators or insurance company or surgeons. I am learning patience.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Today Makes 3 Weeks
So today makes it 3 weeks since we saw the coordinator. She had told us that it would take 2-3 weeks to hear from the transplant people in Tucson. We are waiting for them to call us in to begin the process of getting Angie listed. I woke up this morning with that song from Jeopardy playing in my head. Poor Aimee came over yesterday and I was such a grouch. I'm not good at waiting. I talked to the coordinator (Sharon) on Friday. She told me that it took a few days for her to send the information to Tucson. Realistically it has only been a week and a half, she said. She did say that she now knew the name of my insurance case worker as well as the surgical coordinator in Tucson. I was supposed to get an email with that information. The email never came. So we called her and left a message yesterday to remind her that we were expecting an email. Still nothing. Sharon is a real sweety so I'm not trying to bash her. I am just frustrated. ANY something new would help feel like we're making progress.
Angela has had a few different episodes that have scared us. I talked about them in an earlier post. Last night she was crying in bed saying that her chest and back hurt. Sharon had told us that if there are things that we can do to lessen the pain, it is rib pain not heart. Heat helped so we didn't go to the ER. It would still make me feel a WHOLE lot better to get her thoroughly checked out. That's what they are supposed to do in Tucson. Again I hear that Jeopardy song.
Anyway, either I'm venting or cautioning people who may see me. :)
Angela has had a few different episodes that have scared us. I talked about them in an earlier post. Last night she was crying in bed saying that her chest and back hurt. Sharon had told us that if there are things that we can do to lessen the pain, it is rib pain not heart. Heat helped so we didn't go to the ER. It would still make me feel a WHOLE lot better to get her thoroughly checked out. That's what they are supposed to do in Tucson. Again I hear that Jeopardy song.
Anyway, either I'm venting or cautioning people who may see me. :)
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Just A Couple Of Pictures
Friday, May 29, 2009
Angie Says My Posts Are Too Long
Hey there, everyone. I just want to send out a quick note. Angela has had a cold for about 2 weeks now. She isn’t too sick but her voice is raspy and cute. :) Anyway, she has had a few episodes where she was easily winded by doing simple things like walking down the street. Shortness of breath is a big red flag. I have been praying that it was because of her cold and not because her condition had deteriorated this fast. Sharon the coordinator called the cardiologist. They are going to put her on a heart monitor here at home. Normally they want a good 24 hours on the monitor, but this time they want her on it for 30 days. I don’t know if this is necessarily bad news, but it’s enough to cause a little anxiety.
Roxie is going home tomorrow too so Angie is going to be sad.
One last thing, a friend of Angie’s has a 19-year-old brother who was taken to the ER last night with chest pain. They have mentioned possible cardiomyopathy. They also think he might have had a heart attack. If anyone who is reading this could stop and say a prayer for Alex, I know the family could use it.
Thank you for all of the support. We can feel the prayers holding us up.
Roxie is going home tomorrow too so Angie is going to be sad.
One last thing, a friend of Angie’s has a 19-year-old brother who was taken to the ER last night with chest pain. They have mentioned possible cardiomyopathy. They also think he might have had a heart attack. If anyone who is reading this could stop and say a prayer for Alex, I know the family could use it.
Thank you for all of the support. We can feel the prayers holding us up.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Funderaiser Candles Starts Now!!
We are so excited! We got the order forms today for the Candle Fundraiser! Yahoo! We are selling them now until June 15th. We got to smell the different scents today that we will be selling. Yum, Yum. I have a few favorites for sure. Please contact us at fadinge@yahoo.com, call me (Aimee) at 480-650-7407, or leave a comment below and we will be happy to help you get some Yummy candles ordered. We have a goal to sell 400 candles! Please help us reach that! This would be a huge blessing for Angela. 50% of the proceeds go to Angie which is fantastic.
Here are the Candle Scents that we are selling:
Aloha, Blackberry Vanilla, Clean Linen, Lavender & Sage, Mandarin & Mango, Orange Blossom, Pineapple Vanilla, Pomegranate, Sweet Pea, Snickerdoodle Cookie, Sun & Sea, and Vanilla Bean.
Prices and Sizes:
Prices and Sizes:
9oz $12.95 (plus tax 6.3%)
16oz $17.95 (plus tax 6.3%)
Although COTA is a Non-Profit Organization, they are only tax-exempt on purchases made in the state of Indiana. That is why we are having to charge tax. Sorry! We were able to get shipping and handling waived though for here in AZ. If ordering out of the state of AZ, there will be a small shipping fee. The fee will be ONLY what it cost to ship to your Zip Code. There will not be any handling fees or anything else added in.
Examples:
Although COTA is a Non-Profit Organization, they are only tax-exempt on purchases made in the state of Indiana. That is why we are having to charge tax. Sorry! We were able to get shipping and handling waived though for here in AZ. If ordering out of the state of AZ, there will be a small shipping fee. The fee will be ONLY what it cost to ship to your Zip Code. There will not be any handling fees or anything else added in.
Examples:
One 9oz Candle $12.95 plus .83 cents for tax.
Two 9oz Candles $25.90 plus $1.63 for tax.
One 16oz Candle $17.95 plus $1.13 for tax.
Two 16oz Candles $35.90 plus $2.26 for tax.
One 9oz + One 16oz Candle $30.90 plus $1.95 for tax.
If you need help figuring out the tax we would love to help.
This Candles are great gift ideas. I got to see them first hand today. I can't wait to get mine! Snickerdoodle and Clean Linen here I come! Yummy! Melissa had a few others that were her favorites. It's all about what you like though! We have had a few people ask us if they can just donate to Angie instead of buying a candle....YES. Absolutely! Write a check to COTA, memo line write, In Honor Of Angela Olivas. Send it to Melissa or to me Aimee (I will email you my address if you need or want it) or you can send it straight to COTA. (2501 COTA Drive. Bloomington, IN 47403). We just thought that if would be fun to not only help a sweet family out but to also get so yummy candles for yourself or to gift out. Your donation either way is appreciated and is a tax right off.
Thank You for your Support, Love, Prayers, and Comments!
Aimee Oliphint
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Me and My Roxanne Rising :D
That is me and my BFFE * Best friends for eternity* Roxie. She is the most amazing girl you will ever meet! :DI would like to say thank you. The amount that I have seen people help me and my family. It means the world. Thank you to everyone.
I have been reading in Genesis a lot, it is so weird to me that the same person that was with Adam and Eve in the Garden and told Noah to build a ark, is the same person that I get to talk to when ever I want. It is so amazing to me! Thank you too, for the verse that some have given. They are amazing! God has put some really amazing people in life, before this, and because of this. Thank you!!!!! :D
~*~Angie~*~
Monday, May 25, 2009
Candle Fundraiser
We are starting to get our fundraisers in full gear. Please help support Angela. She is in need of a heart transplant and with that comes BILLS that Insurance doesn't all pay for before and after Transplant. When this is all said and done, it will be over 1 million dollars. Thank you Jesus that, that won't be all out of pocket cost. The money that will be donated to Angie for her medical bills will be held with an organization called COTA (Children’s Organ Transplant Association). They will only pay out the money if it is for a medical need. They also will give Angie Grants as she reaches and raises certain goals. How awesome is that! COTA is a NON-PROFIT organization!
The Children’s Organ Transplant Association helps children and young adults who need or have had a life-saving transplant by providing fundraising assistance and family support. Learn more about COTA and their work to ensure that no child or young adult is denied a transplant or excluded from a transplant waiting list due to lack of funds. To read more and learn about this great organization please just click on the name COTA.
We will be selling Blush Candle's starting June 1st. 50% of the proceeds will be donated to Angie! That is so awesome! Please let your house get super stinky then June 1st contact Melissa or Aimee for some great smelling candles. If you live in AZ, I would be happy to deliver them to you! Other states anywhere out-of-state I believe that we can accept Paypal and ship candles for an additional fee. That I am still looking into. Email me if you are interested and I can let you know and give you an estimate, if we can. To learn more about Blush Candle's you can click on the name.
To get a hold of me for any questions you have, please leave a comment for me on Angela's Blog, or email me at fadinge@yahoo.com.
Thank you everyone for all the prayers and encouraging words. Please keep them coming. They mean a lot to Angela and the family.
--------------------UPDATE ON CANDLE'S BELOW-----------------------
First of all THANK YOU VALERIE for all your help with the candles. Valerie is the consultant for the Blush candles. She has ROCKED! Doing much more than what she should. Thank you for helping raise money for this sweet girl, Angie.
I got an answer on Shipping for Orders that are made out of state of AZ. YES! We can!! Just email us your name, shipping address, order, and e-mail address.I will give the info to the Valerie and she will contact you and send you an invoice via Paypal with the total including shipping cost (won't charge anything extra). The shipping cost will depend on how many candles and your shipping zip code. She will then ship the candles to you after the end of the fundraiser. She will make sure that Angie gets the 50% of the sale.
Here will be the Scents that you will be able to choose from for Angela's Fundraiser. There are 12 summer scents.
Aloha, Blackberry Vanilla, Clean Linen, Lavender & Sage, Mandarin & Mango, Orange Blossom, Pineapple Vanilla, Pomegranate, Sweet Pea, Snickerdoodle Cookie, Sun & Sea, and Vanilla Bean.
When we get closer to the date...I will post prices. Here is a little bit about what to expect with BLUSH CANDLES........
Every Blush candle is hand-poured using the finest ingredients and time-tested manufacturing techniques. Smooth, creamy waxes are infused with rich fragrance oils to make our extraordinarily scented candles. The result is a candle that disperses intense aroma throughout an entire space while lit, and continues to smell remarkable long after the candle is extinguished.
If you're like me, you've probably had to make some changes because of the economy. We've definitely been spending more time at home - so I think it's important to make your home as comforting and relaxing as possible. Blush Candles can make your home feel like a spa retreat at an extremely affordable price.
Blush Candles are perfect hostess gifts and teacher presents. They are also wonderful products for Realtors. In fact, Valerie first discovered Blush Candles when her realtor brought one over for her open house. She loved the way the aroma lingered even hours after everyone had left!
Thank You for your time!! Your prayers!! Your support!! The Verses! Encouraging Words!!
Aimee Oliphint
The Children’s Organ Transplant Association helps children and young adults who need or have had a life-saving transplant by providing fundraising assistance and family support. Learn more about COTA and their work to ensure that no child or young adult is denied a transplant or excluded from a transplant waiting list due to lack of funds. To read more and learn about this great organization please just click on the name COTA.
We will be selling Blush Candle's starting June 1st. 50% of the proceeds will be donated to Angie! That is so awesome! Please let your house get super stinky then June 1st contact Melissa or Aimee for some great smelling candles. If you live in AZ, I would be happy to deliver them to you! Other states anywhere out-of-state I believe that we can accept Paypal and ship candles for an additional fee. That I am still looking into. Email me if you are interested and I can let you know and give you an estimate, if we can. To learn more about Blush Candle's you can click on the name.
To get a hold of me for any questions you have, please leave a comment for me on Angela's Blog, or email me at fadinge@yahoo.com.
Thank you everyone for all the prayers and encouraging words. Please keep them coming. They mean a lot to Angela and the family.
--------------------UPDATE ON CANDLE'S BELOW-----------------------
First of all THANK YOU VALERIE for all your help with the candles. Valerie is the consultant for the Blush candles. She has ROCKED! Doing much more than what she should. Thank you for helping raise money for this sweet girl, Angie.
I got an answer on Shipping for Orders that are made out of state of AZ. YES! We can!! Just email us your name, shipping address, order, and e-mail address.I will give the info to the Valerie and she will contact you and send you an invoice via Paypal with the total including shipping cost (won't charge anything extra). The shipping cost will depend on how many candles and your shipping zip code. She will then ship the candles to you after the end of the fundraiser. She will make sure that Angie gets the 50% of the sale.
Here will be the Scents that you will be able to choose from for Angela's Fundraiser. There are 12 summer scents.
Aloha, Blackberry Vanilla, Clean Linen, Lavender & Sage, Mandarin & Mango, Orange Blossom, Pineapple Vanilla, Pomegranate, Sweet Pea, Snickerdoodle Cookie, Sun & Sea, and Vanilla Bean.
When we get closer to the date...I will post prices. Here is a little bit about what to expect with BLUSH CANDLES........
Every Blush candle is hand-poured using the finest ingredients and time-tested manufacturing techniques. Smooth, creamy waxes are infused with rich fragrance oils to make our extraordinarily scented candles. The result is a candle that disperses intense aroma throughout an entire space while lit, and continues to smell remarkable long after the candle is extinguished.
If you're like me, you've probably had to make some changes because of the economy. We've definitely been spending more time at home - so I think it's important to make your home as comforting and relaxing as possible. Blush Candles can make your home feel like a spa retreat at an extremely affordable price.
Blush Candles are perfect hostess gifts and teacher presents. They are also wonderful products for Realtors. In fact, Valerie first discovered Blush Candles when her realtor brought one over for her open house. She loved the way the aroma lingered even hours after everyone had left!
Thank You for your time!! Your prayers!! Your support!! The Verses! Encouraging Words!!
Aimee Oliphint
Friday, May 22, 2009
How Great Is Our God!
Heavenly Father, thank You for the hope of heaven. I think about people who don’t believe in You. I wonder where they would put their faith and hope if they were in our situation. I can’t imagine putting all of my hope in another human being…even a doctor. How devastating it would be to consider the possibility of Angie dying if I didn’t know that she would be safely with You. I know with all of my heart that we would see her again. We would mourn but not for her, but for us because we would miss her. How different this all would be if not for the sacrifice You made in sending Jesus to pay the price for us. You are so good to us. You promise that You will be with us always. You are with us now, holding us up and holding us together. Father, help us to continually focus on You. Don’t let our circumstances wash over us.
Please keep Angie’s lungs healthy. Keep her heart from getting worse. We pray that You would perform a miraculous healing on her. If You have called her to go through this, then continue to glorify Yourself in this situation. We feel so blessed that You are using this as a way to reveal Yourself and show Your greatness and strength. Guard her mind (and ours) from the enemy’s attacks. Do not let him in with his lies. Help us to see these attacks for what they are. We pray that Angela would not encounter any obstacles in getting listed. We pray that You would only open doors for her to receive the perfect heart that You have set aside for her. Help us to be patient. Guard our family against division. Keep Eddie and my relationship strong. May we be on the same page and of one mind.
Father, we pray for the donor of Angie’s heart. First and foremost that he or she would know You as their Savior. We pray that You would use their death as a way to bring people to You. May they have painless death. My heart aches for their family. I pray that they would be using this time to say anything they need to say or doing anything they need to do so that the family can experience peace. Bless this family for the gift that they are giving to my family.
I pray for each and every person that has prayed and is praying for our Angie. Bless them abundantly. Meet all of their needs. Keep them and their families safe and healthy. Reveal Yourself to them today in a special and personal way.
Finally, Father, I want to lift up Danny to You. I pray that you would remove the cancer from his body. If You choose to bring him home to You, give his family peace. I thank You for their relationship with You. Meet them where they are today. May they have a sense of Your love, abundantly.
May Your will always be done in our lives.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Please keep Angie’s lungs healthy. Keep her heart from getting worse. We pray that You would perform a miraculous healing on her. If You have called her to go through this, then continue to glorify Yourself in this situation. We feel so blessed that You are using this as a way to reveal Yourself and show Your greatness and strength. Guard her mind (and ours) from the enemy’s attacks. Do not let him in with his lies. Help us to see these attacks for what they are. We pray that Angela would not encounter any obstacles in getting listed. We pray that You would only open doors for her to receive the perfect heart that You have set aside for her. Help us to be patient. Guard our family against division. Keep Eddie and my relationship strong. May we be on the same page and of one mind.
Father, we pray for the donor of Angie’s heart. First and foremost that he or she would know You as their Savior. We pray that You would use their death as a way to bring people to You. May they have painless death. My heart aches for their family. I pray that they would be using this time to say anything they need to say or doing anything they need to do so that the family can experience peace. Bless this family for the gift that they are giving to my family.
I pray for each and every person that has prayed and is praying for our Angie. Bless them abundantly. Meet all of their needs. Keep them and their families safe and healthy. Reveal Yourself to them today in a special and personal way.
Finally, Father, I want to lift up Danny to You. I pray that you would remove the cancer from his body. If You choose to bring him home to You, give his family peace. I thank You for their relationship with You. Meet them where they are today. May they have a sense of Your love, abundantly.
May Your will always be done in our lives.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
A Good Nap Solves So Much
That is what I have discovered. I went to bed last night at a bad time. It was like 2 am which is normal for our out-of-the-norm family. The difference today was that I had to be at the airport at 7:55 am to pick up Roxy. Eddie got woken up by Rainna who is teething. She was not a happy girl. Then there was an issue with the trash and with the hose. I was late and Roxy's plane was early. Then came the nap. It's a good day for a nap too. It is stormy here. The sky is gray and the wind is blowing. In AZ, in May, it is still hot. We can crank up the ac, look outside and pretend it's cold though. I'm not sure how long I slept, but I think it was at least 3 hours. (That is definitely a benefit of having the kids spaced out so far.) So, I got up from my nap and ended up having a pretty productive day. I called Wal-Mart to find out about doing fundraising in front of their store. I called the bank to find out how to set up a non-profit account. The bank directed me to the IRS. The guy at the IRS was nice. He even said he would pray for Angie. We weren't sure about using the organization I talked about before. (COTA) They are pretty strict and I was worried about them a little. I prayed for direction. After talking to WalMart (who will only let organizations do fundraising there), the bank, and the IRS (who said that the donations couldn't be used as a charitable donation deduction unless we were an organization) we decided to use COTA. We got the application faxed over. (Thank you, Elissa for the use of your fax machine.) I talked to Aimee and updated her on everything since she is my "Campaign Coordinator." She has been telling me about one of her friends who sells candles. Apparently, the candle company is pretty generous with fundraising. Her friend has blown me away with how much she is doing to help us. (thank you so much!) I will have more on the candles after all of the details are worked out. It is something to keep in mind before you go waste all your money on a Yankee or something. :) Some of the other ideas that we have been kicking around are a penny drive, a dinner-concert night, and a car wash. If any of you have any ideas that have been fun and helped raise money, please let us know!
Angie's BFF Roxy is one of the greatest kids you will ever meet. She leads worship for bible study and has been asking, "what can I do to help" since she walked through our door. I hope many of you get to meet her during the week she will be here.
Angie finished school today. I think she made it to jr year. YAY! The girls are out shopping and getting their hair done right now ( AKA looking at boys.)
We are going to take some pictures of Angie and Rox. I will post some. Thanks for following this blog. It's still weird and I never know what to write about.
God bless you and your families.
Angie's BFF Roxy is one of the greatest kids you will ever meet. She leads worship for bible study and has been asking, "what can I do to help" since she walked through our door. I hope many of you get to meet her during the week she will be here.
Angie finished school today. I think she made it to jr year. YAY! The girls are out shopping and getting their hair done right now ( AKA looking at boys.)
We are going to take some pictures of Angie and Rox. I will post some. Thanks for following this blog. It's still weird and I never know what to write about.
God bless you and your families.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Really?!?!
Oh my goodness!!! I am now also sick with the flu!! I have been throwing up a lot. L0l it's just my luck. I am having some trouble. I am very stressed with everything going on around me. Some of my friends are really bugging me, because they are complaining to me about something so small in their lives. Since I have been diagnosed with Restrictive Cardiomyopathy it has really helped me put my perspectives into place. Please friends that are reading this, do not think it is you. It is more people that do not read my blog. I am also getting mad, because I question why I have this. See when I went in to do my Cath, it was suppose to be the end of my heart junk. I was going to wake up and be as good as new. When they told me I was mad. Ask Aimee, I did not talk for over an hour. This is also something that I do, when I get upset I want to go off and be by myself and talk to the people that comfort me the most.
Tomorrow Roxie is coming out! I hope that being with her will get my mind off of everything. Also tomorrow is my last day of school! I am so happy. It feels so good to only have my two favorite classes left for tomorrow!!!!!! Thank you Jesus!
Well I know everyone wanted to know REALLY how I am doing. I am trying to give it all to God, but sometimes it is just hard to think about everything. It is a good way the enemy to attack me and my family. Please pray for us. Thank you
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