Thursday, June 23, 2011

Sharpie Drive for Batson!



Ok Mississippi folks, it's time for another Sharpie Drive for Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital! When our heart 'cough' pillows are given to pediatric heart patients in the intensive care unit, they get a Sharpie marker for doctors, nurses, family, and friends to sign the twill side of the pillow as a keepsake. Any donations are greatly appreciated! We need the regular, fine point, black Sharpie markers. I believe a 2-pack can be purchased for under $2.

Here is a photo of one of the pillows given to soften the blow of coughing (which is a vital part of recovery) after heart surgery. We also have larger pillows for bigger kids.



Sharpie donations may be dropped off to Gayden Carpenter, Cardiology Social Worker, at Batson, Mitchell Beauman at Bowmar Baptist Church in Vicksburg, Barbara Willingham at Willingham's in downtown Vicksburg, or dropped off/mailed to my home in Pearl. I am also in Phillip and Melissa James' Life Group class at First Baptist Brandon which meets at 9:45 if you would like to leave some there. Please message me for my address if needed!

Thank you ALL in advance for your donations and prayers for this ministry!
♥ Megan Bell

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Choose Avery

Here is a poem I wrote about something that often crosses my mind...Choose LIFE, Choose Avery!

"Choose Avery"

There are many decisions I may regret in life,
But there’s one I haven’t regretted yet.
When I decided to choose Avery,
It’s a moment I’ll never forget.

See some people just don’t realize-
The fate of other’s is not our choice.
They do what makes their own life easy,
Neglecting a life and God’s voice.

It saddens my heart to wonder-
How many Avery’s have been lost?
If these parents knew what I knew,
Would it have all been worth the cost?

Avery was kicking and sucking her thumb
The day they told me she’d die.
I could see her little heart beating,
And all I could do was cry.

Looking at that little screen-
Her face, her toes, and her hands.
I knew that it was up to God,
And I was unaware of His plans.

Miraculously Avery began to heal-
She was born and I heard her cry.
It was the most amazing thing I’d ever heard,
And seemed to happen in the blink of an eye.

While she’s endured an awful lot
in her little time on Earth-
She is the happiest, most fun-loving girl you’ll ever meet,
And has been a blessing since her birth.

I can’t help but feel sad for those
who’ve missed this big chance-
To be a mommy and daddy to such a special little girl-
To hear her laugh, touch her hand, or watch her dance.

You see we don’t know what God knows-
He’s been in control since the beginning.
Who knows what battles He’ll have us lose,
Or which ones he plans on us winning?

It’s all for a greater purpose-
One that we may never understand.
But one can be sure His way is for the best-
He holds the world in the palm of His hand.

There are many decisions I may regret in life,
But there’s one I haven’t regretted yet.
When I decided to choose Avery,
It’s a moment I’ll never forget!

By: Megan Bell

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Prayer Requests!

I said a prayer for you today
And I know God must have heard;
I felt the answer in my heart
Although He spoke no word...
I asked for happiness for you
In all things great and small,
But it was His loving care
I prayed for most of all.
Author~Unknown




Baby Juliana

Little Juliana is recovering from OHS in PICU right now. She had her aortic coarctation repaired. We are hoping to see her off the vent in the next day or so! Please continue to pray for her as her journey continues.


Baby Brooklyn

This little angel was just born, and doctors are preparing a plan to repair her heart...Brooklyn has HLHS. She seems to be doing very well so far! Please lift this family up through this time of repair and healing.


Baby Emma

As you can tell, Miss Emma hasn't joined us on the outside just yet! I can tell from her photo that she is a total doll though! Please pray for her and her family as they prepare for her grand entrance this Friday, June 24th! Emma has been diagnosed with TS, and heart and other issues are unknown at this point. We are hoping for a smooth delivery and perfect health for this little one!


Baby Avery

Miss Avery is still awaiting her arrival as well. Her mommy and daddy have had a long, difficult journey in having a child. Little Avery is their precious, miracle girl who is going to fill their lives with unexplainable joy in the months to come. Avery beat a cystic hygroma recently and has been diagnosed with TS. Please continue to pray for a safe and healthy arrival for this little girl. Of course, she holds a special place in my ♥ not only because of her name, but because of the way God brought Jenna and I together and the fact that her picture looks exactly like my Avery!!


Baby Molly

The picture above, of course, is not of Baby Molly, but of Molly's mommy, Erin! Erin is due to have Molly in a couple of months. While Molly beat a cystic hygroma, she has TS and has coarctation of the aorta. Please pray for this family as they await Miss Molly's birth, and for the heart issues she will face when she gets here.


Miss Riley

You can read this miracle girl's story on this blog. She has endured so very much in her short life. There have been new developments in Riley's condition recently, and I know mom, Angee, is concerned. Please pray for peace for this family, and that Riley will have good reports in her upcoming appointments.



Miss Ava

Miss Ava has TS, along with aortic coarctation and bicuspid aortic valve. She recently had a bad cardiology appointment and dilation of aortic root and ascending aortic valve were found. Ava returns to the Dr. for another look in a couple of months. Please remember her, and pray for the best possible outcome.


Please feel free to message me with any additional information, corrections, updates, or requests- crosshealedhearts@yahoo.com or on Facebook!

I call on you, O God, for you will answer me;
give ear to me and hear my prayer.
Show the wonder of your great love,
You who save by your right hand
those who take refuge in you from their foes.
Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 17:6-8