Pat and I pulled up to MMS at 2:00 PM. We checked in to the office, said hi to my 5th graders, and before we knew it we found ourselves in the middle of a group hug! ha Pat was a little overwhelmed with 32 fifth graders hugging him, but I know deep down he loved it as much as I did! :)
The kids (64 of them) Mrs. T and Mrs. L, Chel, and a lot of family worked so hard! The trailer was unloaded in less than an hour, the supplies was sorted on four rows of tables and the kids had enough time to grab a cookie on the way out! It was chaos, but I loved every minute of it! Thank you to the fifth graders, Mrs. Thomason, and Mrs. Lauritsen, we couldn't have done it without you!
Don't worry, they made sure to have a little fun :)
Some of us stayed and organized the rest of the items. It was an awesome sight to see all the donations set on the tables! Truly amazing.
At 7:00 PM about a hundred people showed up to help. It went SO FAST! I couldn't believe it! In 25 minutes we had assembled 350 bags, placed them in boxes and had them all taped up ready to be loaded in the trailer. I took a step back and saw, family, friends, and strangers all mingled together. It was a awesome sight to see. Thank you to everyone who was involved in any little way. We couldn't have done it without you.
My dad welcoming everyone.
Three of the the four lines.
All loaded into the trailer, we have so many boxes!
Looking back, I really thought we were stretching it to aim for 44 bags. :) The final result...350! Truly amazing. Thank you for being so willing to pitch in, these really are going to help so many parents stay by their child's bedside, which will hopefully bring a little peace to each child fighting for their life. I really don't think we could have given anything better for Preslee's Birthday. We feel so blessed to have been able to do such an amazing service project. Thank you again for your donations through mail, PayPal,and those dropped off at the Beckstrands in Rexburg. You are all the greatest!
Thank you Brittany at Too Sweet Cakes for this little surprise! It was perfect.
i wish we could have been there to help. we love you guys and hope to see you soon.
ReplyDeleteThat is so heart warming to see a community pull together and give their time and service to others. What a blessing that is going to be to all those families going through difficult times. Way to go! Way to make a "Hard thing" into a gift of love.
ReplyDeleteWhat a GREAT sight to see so many people and all of the gifts! Looks like you guys had a GREAT time! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteAwesome!!! I cannot believe how geat people are. I wish I could have been there to be just a small part of it. The Lord will bless you for organizing such a service project! I KNOW Preslee is so proud as she continues to look on.
ReplyDeleteInspiring!! I wished I could've been able to be apart of it, but thank you for setting a wonderful example and serving others when you're having a hard time yourself. I'm sure Preslee is just absolutely happy :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Ashley and Pat for letting us be a part of that evening..it is one we will NEVER forget! I couldn't believe how much was there and how fast it got done. Preslee is so blessed to have the two of you for her mommy and daddy! The feeling I felt there was so tender and sweet. Love, Katie Sommer
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad it went so smoothly and that it was such a positive experience... there is no doubt it will mean the world to the families who receive the bags. What a relief and comfort it will be!
ReplyDeleteYour strength and perspective have really changed my life recently. So, thank you. I am still praying for you, and I feel my prayers will be answered.
Wow, that is amazing! I wish so bad we could have been there for that night and support you guys. Hope you're doing well & hope to see you guys soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that went well for you all. I wish I could have actually been there to partake in it all. I think you're amazing. I love reading your blog. You're an inspiration to me! God Bless you and your family!
ReplyDeleteYou two are truly amazing, seeing the pictures made me sad I don't live closer so I could have been there to help and see it all! Preslee's cake is SO cute! We love you and think about you often!
ReplyDeleteAmazing!! What strength you two have to do something so incredible on a day that must have been so hard. The Lord is working through you and you are inspiring. We are praying!
ReplyDeleteSimply amazing!! What a great job you guys did!
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting pics! It looked amazing!
ReplyDeleteLove it!!! Preslee and Kayden are so blessed to have you and Patrick and Chels and Dave as their parents! Glad things went so smoothly and so many are going to be blessed because of your hard work!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the pictures! They show how amazing this whole process was. You are truly an amazing person!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like it turned out so amazing. I wish I could have been there more then anything but I'm so glad so many people came to help you. you are sure loved Ashley! And you know I love you :)
ReplyDeleteGood for you--you have found the perfect way to channel your grief: by doing something for someone else. Doesn't take it all away, but certainly helps! What a great project.
ReplyDeleteWOW! Way to go, Ashley! I love people who are so determined and accomplish what they set out to do. I particularly like the "I Can Do Hard Things" insert you had. Very, very good idea. I wish there were more people like you in the world. I'm sure Preslee appreciates it so much. What a great way to honor her.
ReplyDeleteSOOOO HAPPY for your success. WOW! WHat a great thing you guys are doing.
ReplyDeleteSo happy to hear that it went well and your dream came abou. I, too, wish I could have been there to help. But thanks for giving us an opportunity to help through paypal. What an amazing blessing to those who will receive your gifts! You give life to thought "think of yourself and sadness remains, think of others and happiness takes place" Thanks for our example Ashlee.
ReplyDeletethat is soo awesome!! :) what a good example you are. I can only imagine the support and love you have brought to so many others.
ReplyDeleteThis project is AMAZING! I have truly loved and appreciated your posts although I have never met you I feel of your great spirit and know that Preslee is so proud and appreciative to have such wonderful individuals as her parents. The eternal plan of salvation is truly a blessing. I was to late to help, but I hope one day I will be able to do something as important and helpful as what you have done! Thanks again and conratulations on your new little one coming to your home!
ReplyDeleteIt was truely an honor for my daughter and I to come help with Preslee's birthday. You have an amazing support group. There was such a sweet spirit there. We will never forget that evening. Good luck to the two of you this coming year. You will always be in our thoughts and prayers. Michelle and Kylee Christensen
ReplyDeleteThis is incredible Sidd. What an impressive and heartfelt gift to give other families who are struggling and fighting to find some sort of comfort. I commend you for your efforts and for making a difference in the world and being a positive influence for others. I have to think back to the good old days when we played sports. I remember this phrase...someone said this about you, "She's a fighter!" I couldn't have agreed more in so many ways now :)
ReplyDeleteI am amazed at what you are doing.
Love, Andyshemi
When we watch the news or read the paper, it is hard not to get discouraged but then something like this little sweet girl comes along to remind us of just how wonderful life is and how precious every person is in the eyes of Heavenly Father and His Son. It reminds us that being charitable, living through hard things, not giving up, keeping our faith will be what brings us the most love and the most joy. I know you must miss your little Preslee so much but she is so proud of her parents and everyone who participated in this wonderful act of kindness. She has changed lives. She is your perfect little Angel forever. God Bless you and yours and may this year bring you much happiness, love, peace and joy. Mary from SLC
ReplyDeleteWhat an awseome thing Ashley! I got the chills rading about it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great cake and an awesome thing you guys did! I'm glad it was a huge success and I know the families who receive them will feel your love!
ReplyDeleteWOW!! I can't stop the tears! Looking at what your sweet family has gone through and what you have done for others in return is INCREDIBLE! The comfort that I know It is giving a friedn at theis very moment, who is sitting by her babies bed in Salt Lake. You truely are so inspiring. I am constantly learning from you, and I've never even met you! Earthly Angels are you!
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