I'm Thankful For...

• This day the Lord has made. Let's all rejoice and be glad in it. 
• My family. 
• My friends.
• The possible thunder storms headed this way. 
• My co-worker Stephanie for getting me this awesome bracelet.

• Coffee. Always thankful for coffee.
• The ability to run again. After nearly a month break, I'm back in the saddle so to speak. It's nice to be running again, although I can tell I lost some of my fitness I had built up from April's 10K. 
• The new John Mayer album "Born and Raised." I love it more than words can say. Country twangs and all. 
• Aloe Vera. First sunburn of the summer has been pretty rough. Aloe has been my friend.
• Getting to meet a whole lot of new people. All this stuff with Asher has allowed me to meet and interact with a ton of people, and I love it. My blue-orange self loves talking and interacting. Plus it's all for a sweet little girl. I'll take it. 
• Boulevard Bread's double chocolate vegan cookie. If you haven't had one, go get one. It will change your life. (I've had two this week...don't judge.)

What are you thankful for today?

God: The Great Road Map

One week ago today, my life shifted. I found out Asher was going to be put in the hospital for three day (which turned into 5 days) to start her chemo treatments.

That very same day, I made a decision to choose one of two ways my life could go. Since this blog is a reflection of myself and this exact point in my life, I'm about to get real honest.

I had been contemplating making a decision over a difficult dilemma, but when I found out Asher had cancer, the decision became clear.

I had been praying about what to do about my dilemma for a few weeks. All the signs didn't seem clear until I heard the words Ewing's Sarcoma and chemo treatments.

Life is too short to not be doing what God wants you to do. Period. End of story.

Relationships are hard. Long distance relationships are even harder. While I hate that my decision hurt someone deeply, my love for my family and this little girl runs so much deeper. She is my family. Family is home.

I knew I wanted to help Asher, Justin and Susan, but I had no idea I would take on a role like the one I've taken on. And that just goes to show how great our God is. He has the power to put us in the place we need to be, regardless the "decisions" we make to get there.

I am not perfect. I hate that my life journey hurt someone. But I'm not choosing this path. God is choosing my path. I am just a follower. A follower of Christ. So I am at peace with my decision. I realize other people may not understand it, but they are not on my path. And that's ok. God has a path just for them.

I have no idea where my path will take me, and I love that. So for now, I just move forward.  #letgoandletGod

"It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us." Colossians 1:11-12 The Message Bible

Round One is Over

One of 13 treatments is complete. Asher did amazing. She is such a trooper. Five days in the hospital is not for the faint of heart. Despite the three nightly chemo infusions, she did get to play outside, watch movies and have visitors.

Camp Wannaplay is a legit establishment, and Children's Hospital tries in every way to make the children and their families feel at home. Or as "at home" as one can feel in a hospital.

Sweet girl got to come home yesterday. And she got an awesome pixie haircut.

It only takes 10-14 days until her hair will fall out completely. So Susan and Justin are trying to get her prepared for what is to come. I personally think she will embrace the Bald is Beautiful mantra and rock her bald head. Isn't she absolutely precious?

In other news:

Kathy Thompson, a friend of Susan's, is creating necklaces in honor of the Bit.

Each necklace is handcrafted, and no one necklace is the same. Kathy currently has 10 necklaces made and is selling them for $20 each.

Seventy-five percent of the profit goes directly to the Asher Ray Benefit Fund. The other 25 percent goes to covering cost of the materials.

These necklaces are so pretty. I happen to love them, as does Susan. And we all know Asher loves anything pink and purple.

Since there are only 10 necklaces made as of now, we will be taking orders for necklaces.

If you are interested in ordering a necklace, leave a comment on the this post with your name and how Kathy can contact you. Or e-mail at ashten.adamson@gmail.com and I will put you in touch with Kathy. Or find Kathy on Facebook. Or comment on the Brooklyn Project page on Facebook.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I will do my best to get you the information that you need.

More to come. Be looking for updates.
Have a great day!

Two Major Things: Treatment and Donations

Asher's Treatment: 

Treatment starts tomorrow morning at Children's Hospital. It will last three days. Asher will be administered her first round of chemotherapy. 

I think it's safe to say we are all nervous and scared. But we need to gather our strength. Collectively we are stronger together. Our prayers are stronger together. This child needs your prayers. This family needs your prayers. 

"If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought." James 1:5-7 The Message Bible

Ask boldly, believing, without a second thought that Asher remain strong and courageous during her first treatment. Ask the Father that Justin and Susan have the strength to endure their daughter's plight. Ask that all our prayers for this child and her family be heard. And ask for Him to show us all the good within this bad. 

Just please pray. Please. 

"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." Philippians 4:6-7 The Message Bible

Donations:

Special thank you goes out to Robin Harris and Donna Mahfouz for opening the Asher Ray Benefit Fund at BancorpSouth. 

We welcome you to go to any BancorpSouth location to made a donation to the Asher Ray Benefit Fund. Any donation no matter the size will help Asher and her family. To find a BancorpSouth location in your area, go here. 

If you do not live in an area with access to BancorpSouth and you want to make a donation, please e-mail me at ashten.adamson@gmail.com or find me on Facebook. I will work something out with you. 

On a personal note, I would like to thank everyone who sent me an e-mail or Facebook message with ideas and different things like that. I can't wait to get the ball rolling on all your awesome ideas. 

So I leave you with this: 

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 NIV

Send up some prayers. 

A Heartfelt Thank You

WOW.

I mean it's really all I can say. WOW. I am in awe of you. The amount of love and support shown to Asher, Susan and Justin, as well as everyone else in the family, is completely overwhelming in a good way. THANK YOU SO MUCH. There are not enough words in the English vocabulary to express the gratitude we feel toward you.

I know this little lady thanks you, too.

After I hit publish on the Thursday's post, I had no idea the impact that post would have. It's been viewed 2,204 times. And it's been shared on and off Facebook and Twitter so many times that I lost count. It's been printed out and mailed to various places. Read in church services.

Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'm glad you realize how special this child is and the gravity of the battle she has begun.

Yesterday was a tough day for us. It was Day One of Battle Ewing's. Now her port is in place, and her bone marrow biopsy is complete. And now we wait. Wait two to three days. The results of the biopsy will finalize the doctor's treatment plan. I've been praying hard that this is the point Asher will catch a break. Sweet girl needs a break.

While at the hospital, Susan received an amazing gift. Pocket pebbles. A small butterfly pebble with an A on it to remind us to say prayers for Asher. I picked purple because it's Asher and my second favorite color. I fiddled with this all morning, and it helped ease my nerves...I think it helped ease a lot of people's nerves.

Over the weekend, Susan, Justin and Asher took family photos. Y'all. They are awesome photos.

Via Tish from A Little Edgy Photography

The gallery is open so everyone can view and share their favorite photos of Asher. All you have to do is click the link above to see all the photos. 

I, as well as other people, have had a lot of questions regarding fundraising and donations. I'm so happy to hear of the eagerness to give and serve this little girl and her family. But I ask you kindly to please wait. 

Susan and Justin are going through major life changes right now to help Asher. And they need a minute to breathe and adjust to what's been happening. It's been a whirlwind. 

Having said that, it does not mean we don't want your help and support. WE DO NEED YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT. But one step at a time. First thing we are doing is setting up an account to funnel donations. Once we get it in place, we can move on the planning fundraisers and doing all the stuff we want to do. 

I know everyone is in total action mode. I am, too. But we have to get our ducks in a row so we can do this right. We all want to help the Bit. We all want to alleviate stress. We all want to ease the financial burden. And we will do all those things. Just please have patience and sit tight while we get things in order to do all those things. 

I am officially unofficially the fundraising/marketing/PR guru throughout this process. Susan and Justin need to focus on taking care of their sick child so I volunteered to help ease the stresses of planning and organizing fundraisers and the like. 

Now having said that, I will need help. I am only one person. I can do somethings, but I realize I can't do everything. If you are interested in helping me in anyway, please e-mail me at ashten.adamson@gmail.com or message me on Facebook. If you have my phone number, please call me. 

I want to hear everyone's ideas. I want everyone who wants to be involved to be involved. We need everyone. So if you have an idea for an event or something you'd like to do, please let me know. We want this fundraising process to accommodate Susan, Justin and Asher. We want them to reap all the benefits with little stress. 

Like I said, please feel free to contact me. My plan is to talk everything over with Susan and Justin and plan events around Asher's chemo treatments. 

What events or fundraisers do you want to do?