THANK YOU!

“The only really happy people are those who have learned how to serve.” ~Rick Warren

This is a picture of Avery and our friend, Alicon Johnson, from the Blair E. Batson Heart Team when we dropped off donations this week. 

Wow! What can I say? Thank you? The words just aren't enough. About three years ago, I felt God urging me to step out of my comfort zone and do something. We had just celebrated Avery's first birthday, and it was a time of a lot of soul searching for me after all God had gotten us through in her first year. I wasn't sure when I'd find the time or if I was emotionally stable enough to put myself out there, but through faith, I followed what I felt God was urging me to do. For once in my life, I listened to the whisper. I got out of bed late one night, and I began to put this blog together when I didn't even really know anything about blogs. So many people have contacted me because it was a source of hope for them after finding out devastating news. Like me, they couldn't find anything else positive regarding their situation online (or from their doctors). This blog has not only given others support, it has given me support through the friends I've met along the way. It's shown me that I'm not alone in what I go through as a mom. It's also shown people that there can be a positive outcome in situations like ours. So many are offered the option of abortion and are told that their baby's circumstance may not be "compatible with life." I am hopeful that the stories shared here (whether life or death outcomes) show that every life has a purpose and their child deserves life, no matter how long or brief. I've often wondered if people grow tired of hearing Avery's story, I even worried people might think I am something I'm not- anything other than a normal person who has made lots of mistakes in my life. This feeling inside of me reminds me that telling about Avery while giving God the credit...it's what I promised in my prayers before she was ever born. I've had the opportunity to share about Avery in two area magazines, on a local television show, at a charity event, on local radio stations during the Batson Radiothon, in front of two large church congregations, and online. I am a person who (believe it or not) is scared to death of public speaking among anyone other than small children! I even waited until right before I graduated from college to take my speech class! If you really know me, you understand my shy and nervous tendencies. The only one of those things I ever sought to do was one of the magazine articles, so I know that God was in the middle of the rest, placing me in those situations! I believe he gives us all a story to tell, and if it helps even one person have a little hope, I am completely satisfied with that.
A short time after beginning the blog, I continued to hear that whisper from God, and I asked if there was a need at our local children's hospital, Blair E. Batson. When the response was for heart pillows, I answered, "yes," even though I didn't sew and had no idea how it would be possible to carry out the task. I hate asking for help, and I hate asking people to do things, but I did. The response? Well, let's just say it's been amazing. Judy Busby of Fabs and More has always kept us supplied with material and stuffing without making a profit. Between my mom and several other sweet ladies listed below, the pillows have always gotten done, and the heart kids at Batson have been able to hold soft heart pillows through their tough recovery in PICU. Others around the country facing medical difficulties have also received heart pillows and CHH applique pillows at times. Because of the enormous generosity of  my Pearl Upper Elementary students and staff, I've been able to donate funds for the Batson Heart Fund as well. This year? They gave so much that I donated almost $1000 AND am able to fund heart pillows for a little over a year! Because of them and people like Barbara Willingham and her son, Eddie, who created bracelets and necklaces to sell for CHH in Willingham's, I've even had the ability to send smaller donations to people who were traveling for medical help or surgeries. Kim Varner of Thirty One has donated proceeds for materials through a CHH sale. Just recently, Rebecca Corley of Usborne Books donated her personal proceeds from a CHH sale, and I was able to give free children's books and $72 worth of meal cards to Batson. Honestly, these things happened with people coming to me and offering, so I didn't even have to ask!
God has brought lots of us together doing small things for a bigger cause. God has done this, and he did it so he might be glorified. A quote from Mother Teresa says, "In life we cannot always do great things, but we can do small things with great love." I believe the small things we've been doing have been done with great love, and I am so appreciative of the many moments I've been blessed by others and God because of this ministry. I can only imagine the glimpses of hope and comfort so many people have now felt because of it, and it makes my heart glad to think they may have realized that God loves them in the moments they most needed to see it. I was told once that a person felt really down and alone in the PICU, and they got a package with a note from me. They all of the sudden felt that someone cared. What did the note say? The note said, "God loves you, and his people are praying for you." To me, that note in that moment was no coincidence. Every good thing comes from him, and every good thing you do reflects him to others.

All that being said, THANK YOU! THANK YOU for you prayers, your love, your support, and more importantly- your time!

Laura Beauman
Jake Bell 
Linda Turner
Judy Simmons
Barbara Willingham (and her son, Eddie) of Willingham's in Downtown Vicksburg
Judy Busby of Fabs and More in Downtown Vicksburg
Carolyn Fisackerly-Justice
Brenda Stokes
Becky Peterman
Laura Wilson
Lacey Martin 
Rebecca Corley of Usborne Books
Kim Varner of Thirty One
Pearl Upper Elementary staff and students

AND 

THANK YOU to each and every person who has ever bought a shirt or item to help us, donated materials, prayed for someone as we've requested, shared the blog with someone, stuffed a pillow, or done anything else regarding Cross Healed Hearts!! 

Shop and Help Out CHH!

FABS AND MORE will donate 15% of all fabric sales to Cross Healed Hearts this month! 

An extremely HUGE thank you to Mrs. Judy Busby, owner of Fabs and More, for being so very generous. I was shocked to see her post this the other day, and feel so honored that someone would want to help out CHH in such a big way. Judy already sells us fabric and supplies at a discounted rate, and has donated fabric to the cause as well. She has agreed to allow customers to purchase fabric for our heart pillows at a discounted rate to donate for Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital. You don't even have to live in this area to help out- Judy will send a PayPal invoice to you for donations, and we can pick the fabric up at the store! Thank you to everyone who helps out CHH this month by shopping at Fabs and More! God bless you Judy for ALL you do for this ministry!

Fabs and More is not your ordinary fabric store. They custom design gifts and baby items. They also upholster and offer innovative window treatments for every room in your home. Pictured above is an adorable baby gift for your next shower! My daughter loves her animal snuggie blanket which was given to her by a great friend before her last heart surgery! Check out Fabs and More on Facebook to see lots of other ideas!

Judy has Halloween treat bags for your trick-or-treater!

Fabs and More is located at 1106 Washington Street, Downtown Vicksburg, MS 39180

You may also contact Judy at 601-636-0510!

A note from Judy Busby, owner of Fabs and More: For the month of October, Fabs & More would like to present to Cross Healed Hearts 15% of all fabric sales for the month. You can support this ministry by purchasing fabric from Fabs & More at a discounted price to donate to CHH. If you live out of town and would like to purchase fabric for this ministry, I can send a paypal invoice. What a wonderful God we serve!
I was reading this blog several weeks ago and was so moved by the stories. Many parents are finding the support they need thru this ministry. I just wanted to help raise awareness for Cross Healed Hearts- what an awesome God we serve. It is amazing what prayers can do!

More Cross Healed Hearts

Mr. Blake- *please say a special prayer for little Blake

Mr. Sawyer

CHH T-Shirt Fundraiser Update

I am selling a new Cross Healed Hearts T-shirt to raise money for our Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital pillow and blanket ministry. Heart "cough" pillows are given to pediatric heart patients recovering from surgery in the PICU. Blankets are given to infants and mothers carrying babies diagnosed with Congenital Heart Defects.

...The idea behind this shirt is to hope in the Lord to heal your heart- lifting your brokenness to the cross-He will piece you back together, stronger than you were before. ♥

Shirts are sapphire blue with the logos as shown. The small logo is the right front pocket area, and the large logo will be on the back of shirts. They are Gildan brand (I believe Toddlers are Rabbit Skins brand). The shirts we had last year were the same brand, and have washed and worn really well- no fading, etc.

All shirts are short-sleeved.

Youth and Adult Sizes: $20.00

Toddler Sizes: $15.00
*toddler sizes will only have the little cross-heart logo (a larger version of the pocket design) centered on the front. They will not put anything on the back due to their size.

Shipping: $3.00

Unfortunately, I found out that she can't get long sleeves! I'm sorry for those of you that wanted them- I guess they can't get them in the sapphire blue.

The Cross Healed Hearts' T-Shirt Fundraiser!

Shirts= $20 each + $3 for shipping!

It's time for what will now be our annual t-shirt fundraiser! The shirts will be in the color shown above. The larger logo will be on the back of the shirts, and the smaller logo is in the front pocket area. For now, I am only taking orders for youth and adult short-sleeve shirts. I am waiting on confirmation and pricing info. on toddler sizes and long-sleeve, but will post that as soon as possible.

Simply message me at crosshealedhearts@yahoo.com, or post on my wall (or send a message) on Facebook if you'd like to order. If you need your shirt(s) shipped, please also send your mailing address.

Profits from this sale support the...
"Heart Pillows and Blankets for Batson Project"

A team of lovely ladies volunteer to create heart "cough" pillows for pediatric heart patients at Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital in Jackson, MS. The children receive these pillows after heart surgery in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Not only do these pillows provide comfort as they use them for coughing in recovery (which is necessary to prevent pneumonia), they are also a token of our love, support, and prayers that become a keepsake as visitors, doctors, and other medical staff sign the back side for patients. Sharpie markers are also supplied by us for signing. One side of the pillows is made of a ultra-soft "minky" fabric, while the other is made of red cotton twill. Materials are sold to CHH at a discounted rate by Judy Busby at Fabs and More in downtown Vicksburg, MS. We also create fleece tie-knot blankets for infant patients and pregnant mothers carrying "heart" babies at Batson.



This is my little miracle girl, Avery, modeling with her heart pillow.

They are given with a Sharpie marker.

Here is an example of one of the blankets.


Aside from the hospital ministry, Cross Healed Hearts applique pillow cases are made by Linda Turner. We purchase small pillow inserts for these pillows, and ship them across the U.S. to children we come in contact with who are living with medical difficulty.
Modeling with this special pillow is miracle girl, Juliana, who lives in Michigan.


As you can see Cross Healed Hearts is much more than an informative and inspirational blog- we strive to bring the love of Christ to those who are suffering. As a mother who has been through the mental and emotional distress of fetal cystic hygroma, Turner Syndrome, and Congenital Heart Defects, my hope is for others to understand that God loves them and they are not alone in their struggles. I also hope to bring hope in knowing that parents and children can both become healed, whether in life or in death, and that God has a specific purpose for each and every one of us regardless of the outcome in our own personal situations.


If you wouldn't like a shirt, but will still like to support this ministry, fabric donations can be made at Fabs and More, and we sell hair clips at Willingham's in downtown Vicksburg and at Private Collections in Madison, MS for the same cause.

Pillow Stuffing Party, August 2011

I found out earlier this week that the pillow supply at Blair E. Batson was dwindling. I immediately contacted my mom and all of the wonderful ladies who help me. They all came together, and we were able to create 32 heart pillows which will be delivered in the next week. Without them, someone would not receive a heart pillow, so I am extremely thankful for this!!


Avery- testing out the pillows!


The inspiration behind Cross Healed Hearts!

Cooper- being cute!

Heart "Cough" Pillows for Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital PICU Heart Patients!



My mother, Laura Beauman, worked so hard to help this week (as she always does). She cut out pillows, delivered some to be sewn, sewed some herself- she goes above and beyond to help me with this ministry. I couldn't do this without her- thanks Mom, I love you!


Ms. Barbara Willingham, of Willingham's in downtown Vicksburg, always lends a helping hand! She has such a big heart, and I'm very thankful for all of her love and support! Make sure you all stop by her store to see all of her 'pretties.' Thank you Barbara!!

My sis-in-law, Rebecca Beauman, came again to help us out. Thank you, Rebecca, for loving us and taking time out to work on these pillows!


Last but certainly not least, is Ms. Judy Simmons. Judy is always there to help, and has such a giving heart. Not to mention, she usually comes armed with sweets (although not today because she was out of butter)! Thank you for all that you do for us Judy!
\

Mrs. Pat Hartley joined our efforts this week, and sewed for the cause- Mrs. Pat, we love you and appreciate all of your help! Thank you for always loving us and praying for us!

Although she couldn't make it to stuff today, Mrs. Linda Turner took time out of her busy week, and sewed pillows at the last minute. She goes above and beyond to help, and is always there when I need something.
Mrs. Linda lives just down the road from my parents, however, the bridge between their streets, is closed down to be replaced. Linda brought applique pillows to my mom's house several weeks ago, and had to drive out of her way to get there. To pick up heart pillows this week, my mom and Linda met at the bridge- you can see the pics below. They were both dressed from work- now that is what I call dedication!


I'd also like to thank Judy Busby of Fabs and More in downtown Vicksburg for giving us discounted fabric and support. God bless each and everyone of you who donate Sharpies, pray, and help with this ministry in ANY way. You'll never know just how much it means to me and those who are touched by Cross Healed Hearts!


People are always commenting on how great it is that I do this. The truth is, I don't do very much, and I don't expect the recognition. The ladies above, along with many others who donate, contribute to fundraisers, and pray for this ministry and those on our prayer list- they are the ones who deserve credit. Above all else, God deserves the most praise. He is the one who makes things possible, and He is the one who blessed me with Avery, urged me to begin the Cross Healed Hearts journey, and has continually made things happen along the way. All of this for the sake that others may be comforted by Him, and come to know Him and depend on Him more.


Be sure to check out our upcoming posts about the CHH T-shirt Fundraiser! Our funds have been used, so this will help us to purchase more materials to keep up with the demand. I was told this week that approximately 5 pediatric heart surgeries are being performed weekly at Batson. We will need to supply almost double the amount of pillows, so we need your help!

Miss Juliana- another Cross Healed Heart!

From Angee Brock...

Usually when I get on the computer, the first place I go is Cross Healed Hearts to read about others. Riley, my youngest of 4, is a heart patient. She was diagnosed post delivery, and over the past year, we have had new discoveries with her heart and some issues with a blood disorder. I know that our last visit to Riley's doctor's appointment, prayers were laid upon us and her visit was great. Through CHH, I have met great families who are strong in faith and I am SO grateful they are in my life. By sharing the story of my hero, my daughter, I pray that it helps someone in my position, as well as others' stories have helped me.
Being a single mom of 4, one who is a heart patient, I need all the support and prayers I can get. My faith only grows when I help others and others are there for me. I thank God that I met Megan and others through CHH. I am so blessed that I have such a great support group of parents that understand and are behind not only myself, but my children as well. Megan, I love you and I love CHH. Thank you so much for what you are doing. Keep the faith, pray more, and hug your babies!!

Angee

from Lauren Celeskey...

Cross Healed Hearts run by Megan Bell has been so amazingly sweet to me. I've received support, a CHH pillow & shirt, and prayers, all off which have truly meant a lot to me. The prayers and support give me strength in my own personal fight with my Chronic Illness (CHD/Heart Condition) and Cross Healed Hearts has provided some to me with open arms. I appreciate this organization so much! Megan and everyone else who has a part in it are the sweetest & kindest people who welcome others with open arms.

Lauren C.

From the Kasik Family...

I wanted to write how blessed I have been to find CHH. Our Molly was diagnosed w/ Turners Syndrome when I was 16 weeks pregnant. The road throughout my pregnancy has been a bumpy one, not knowing first if our little one would make it through and also trying to juggle all of what we are anticipating to come after Molly's birth. Because of prayers heard from so many including the CHH group, our Lord has allowed our baby to be healed from many of the conditions that the medical staff originally thought would mean our baby girl not making it to birth. The support you give to parent's like my husband and myself has helped us through the journey and has reminded us to always keep our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and will never forget all that you've given to us and our family. We can't wait to display the special pillow you have sent us in Molly's nursery! It is a wonderful reminder of God's unfailing love for us all!

Erin Kasik

From the Ayscue Family...

David and I wish to thank all the volunteers of Cross Healed Hearts for your hard work, and above all, your prayers. Our four year old daughter, Caylen, was born with heterotaxy, including fourteen heart defects, multiple spleens, primary ciliary dyskenesis and sensory processing disorder. She has had three heart surgeries and several others, and has a pacemaker. The past four years have been incredibly difficult, with so much uncertainty and suffering. The most powerful medicine anyone has given us is prayer. God has used these prayers to work many miracles in our lives and to provide strength, courage, peace and comfort. We are so very, very grateful for the prayers and support of people like you - what you do has a huge impact on lives, whether you know it or not. Caylen loves her CHH pillow. We use it as her prayer pillow, a tool for comfort, and a tangible reminder that God loves her so much. Having her little pillow with the cross is a wonderful way for us to help her focus on God and Christ's love for her when she's upset or hurting. Thank you so much for using your God given talent to help our little ones!

The Ayscue Family

From The Adams Family...

Our daughter Berlyn was diagnosed with Aortic Stenosis shortly after she was born in 2010. Not only did this come as a great shock to our family and friends, but it also brought as sense of sadness and fear as we did not know what to expect for our daughters future. At 7 weeks Berlyn had her first balloon dialation.

Just recently our friends at Cross Healed Hearts provided her with a beautiful pillow that she sleeps with every night and for her to bring with us in any future procedures she must endure, but it also has provided us with a sense of hope in knowing that so many others care for our daughter as well. Little Berlyn loves her soft pillow, and words cannot express how truly grateful we are for the simple act of kindness that Cross Healed Hearts has provided to not only Berlyn but our whole family.

It helps to know that we have an extended family of people we've never actually met but are here for us whenever we need the love, support and prayers.

Thank you Cross Healed Hearts for all you do!! Everytime I see the pillow I am reminded that I am not alone in this and God is in control over little Berlyn's life.

Love,

The Adams Family

CHH Update...

Ian and his big sister♥


Berlyn♥


Brooklyn♥


Emma and her big sister♥


Juliana♥

*deliveries not pictured: Noah, Molly, and Spencer♥

More heart "cough" pillows, Sharpies, and a few blankets were delivered to Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital last week, one heart pillow went out to miracle boy, Ian Martin, CHH applique pillows were mailed to 5 sweethearts in Wisconsin, Georgia, California, Michigan, and Vermont, while one is ready for a little angel here in Mississippi, and a heart pillow/blanket were mailed to a special little guy awaiting heart surgery in South Carolina! We are also in the process of making a new batch of heart pillows for Batson with our remaining materials. I ♥ it! God is great!


An incredibly huge "thanks" to ...Lacey Martin, Lisa Baldwin, Mynette Minshew, Tara Minshew, Laura Beauman, and Carolyn Bradley for donating Sharpies, Linda Turner for donating time/materials to the applique pillows, Carolyn Justice, Judy Simmons, and Laura Beauman for donating time to the heart "cough" pillows, Pearl Upper Quest: Sherry Downs and Becky Wigglesworth for making blankets, Nicole at Private Collection in Madison and Barbara at Willingham's in Vicksburg for sharing CHH hair pins and information, Judy Busby at Fabs and More in Vicksburg for helping us out with fabric cost, and as always to all of you who PRAY for this ministry as well as the children we are able to touch!

Next up...CHH T-shirt Fundraiser! I got the design today, and asked for a few changes, but it is going to be REALLY cute! The funds raised will again go towards materials for our CHH Batson Projects. Be on the look out- coming soon!♥

CHH at Work!

Thanks to Mrs. Linda Turner, I will be sending out these CHH applique' pillows on Monday!! It's amazing how God connects us all. I am sending these packages from Mississippi to California, Connecticut, Georgia, Michigan, and Vermont!! I hope they provide a little bit of comfort to some very special baby girls, as well as remind them of what God has done!




These heart 'cough' pillows and Sharpies are ready to be delivered to our local children's hospital, Blair E. Batson! A very BIG hug and THANK you to all of those who donated Sharpies!




I am so thankful that God chose me to begin this little ministry. It is truly amazing, and has helped me so much by connecting me to other mothers who face some of the same circumstances that I do. As I've said before, I promised God when I was pregnant that I would share what He's done with everyone, and as I've shared, He's shared so much more with me about what He's capable of doing. Our God has no limits, He's so much bigger than we give Him credit for, and He is always at work- BELIEVE it! ♥

Check this out...

This beautiful metal butterfly was sent to my little Avery by Barbara Willingham of Willingham's in downtown Vicksburg, MS. Willingham's is loaded with beautiful items for your home, stylish jewelry, great smelling candles and home scent products, adorable baby gifts, and more! Barbara has been such a big supporter of this ministry by helping with heart pillows and selling CHH hair clips in her store to raise funds. She also connected us with Bluffs and Bayous Magazine who featured Avery's story and CHH in their March issue.


Since Avery will be starting daycare in the new school year (she'd previously been kept in a small home daycare), I wanted her to have a special blanket for her naptime. Judy Busby of Fabs and More in downtown Vicksburg, MS made this soft minky blanket for us! It is just the right size, and I know Avery will be nice and comfy when she lays down for her naps! Judy has also been a huge supporter of CHH. She supplies the fabrics and materials for our heart pillows at a discounted rate, and has also donated fabric to our cause. Judy will also take fabric donations at her store for CHH. If you haven't been to Fabs and More, you really need to check it out! Everything is specialized to your liking, and you can't imagine all of the creative products she has available!

A very special thank you to both of these amazing ladies and their businesses- we couldn't do this ministry without their support. Support these businesses and thank them for supporting our children! Both Willingham's and Fabs and More can be found on Facebook! ♥

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

CHH News

I am thrilled to announce that our first baby blanket delivery was made on Thursday, March 3, 2011! We donated about 50 blankets to the Heart Program, and donated $350 in honor of Pearl Upper Elementary (where a fundraiser was held in February) to the Mississippi Children's Heart Fund. I was so happy to bring my 5th grade student, Victoria Lawrence, along to Blair E. Batson, since she has helped so much by making blankets and sharing her skill with others. I know it was a wonderful life experience for her to meet our social workers, see the Radiothon in action, and even make her own monetary donation to Batson. While we were not on air, I was able to share our story with 96.3 D.J., Scott Steele. Come to find out, one of my doctors who delivered Avery, also delivered his daughters!

The Bluffs and Bayous, March 2011 issue is now out, with a nice article about our story and Cross Healed Hearts. I've stocked up on more fleece fabric (since it's been on sale) and have purchased more Sharpies and heart pillow fabric and supplies with money raised through the heart sticker sale at PUE and CHH hair clip profits. We have begun to work on more heart pillows already, and are making some larger ones at the request of our social worker. We've been told that the patients are loving our pillows, and that they are serving the functional purpose of stability and comfort through heart surgery recovery.

We've also begun another Cross Healed Heart T-shirt sale because several people began asking about them. The sale ends in mid-March, so please contact me via Facebook or email if you are interested! The cost is $15 for toddler sizes and $20 for youth/adult sizes- short sleeves only. I can even ship for a few extra bucks!

I'm constantly amazed at what God is doing in my life and the lives of others, and and totally excited about what he's made happen with this ministry. If you or anyone you know would like to share your story of hope on this blog, or are in need of prayer, please email me today at crosshealedhearts@yahoo.com.

God Bless,
Megan Bell

Bluffs and Bayous, March 2011

http://issuu.com/bluffsandbayous/docs/bb0311_issu

Check out our article in Bluffs and Bayous, March 2011 issue! A special thanks to Mrs. Barbara Willingham for connecting us, and to Mrs. Cheryl Rinehart, publishor/editor Bluffs and Bayous Magazine, for accepting our story.