The Blanket Fund

Hello family and friends,

I am praying that all of you are healthy and well.

By now you have hopefully learned of the tornado that hit that the Schlag Family’s home. If not, please visit schlagfamily.blogspot.com. When you heard what happened did you ask, “What can I do?” With Michelle and Nate so very far away from many of us, we are left feeling helpless to support them in this time of immense need.

Though the actual tornado lasted but a short time, the reality of its devastation is widespread. For the Schlag family this ordeal is not over. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not next month. Unfortunately, the reality is that it will be a long road back home.

In an effort to support them through the day-to-day struggles that they are facing, I have set up a fund logistically entitled, "The Schlag Family Disaster Relief Fund." However, I lovingly refer to it as, “The Blanket Fund.”

Why is it called, “The Blanket Fund”?
Well, because it sounds so much more positive than "Disaster"! Being positive will yield positive results, right? Though I believe this is true that’s not the only reason. As the tornado ripped apart their home, Michelle covered her children with a blanket and with her body. She protected and shielded them both physically and emotionally from the unimaginable situation around them. With your help we can “blanket” the Schlag family in our love, compassion, and support. By clicking on the link that says “Donate” you can send the Schlags a figurative piece of blanket. Together we will create a giant blanket that will wrap our love and support around them.

Where Will My Money Go?
It will go to an account that Michelle and Nate have access to as they need it. I have chosen to link you to Pay Pal so that you will feel comfortable knowing your money is transferring safely and securely. If you would like to leave a message with your donation, simply click on "Add special instructions to the seller." Please note, that unfortunately Pay Pal is not a free service and will retain 2.9% of your donation. Sorry :( If you would rather, you may send The Schlags a check written out to: The Schlag Family Disaster Relief Fund.

How Much Should I Give?

2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Remember this -a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.


Donate today! Donate once or come back and donate week after week! Michelle, Nate, Trent, Dylan, and Aliya need our help!

A little while back there was a tornado that hit Epsom, NH. As I passed through the affected area I was astonished to see the road was packed with cars so thick the two lane 50 mph road had slowed to one lane. My heart broke when I realized that the people packing the highway were not there to offer support. Instead , they stood on the road taking pictures while the devastated families literally picked up the pieces of their lives. Are you taking pictures or are you willing to do everything you can to help pick up the pieces?


Thank you! Thank you for reading this! Thank you for praying for The Schlag Family! And of course, THANK YOU FOR DONATING!!!!

Do you know someone who might like to help? Please pass this link along!

Love and Peace,
Kerri

Thank You

The following was said this morning in the car:



"Mommy, Did you Nana was in the hospital for a few days?"

"Yes."

"I was sad, when she was there."

"Me, too, sweet heart. But the doctors made her better, right?"

"Jesus made her better," he corrected me, "because Miss Grace prayed for her."

"A lot of people prayed for her and you're right, Jesus made her better."

"Now she's home. I'm happy she's home so she can take me to the airport, now."

(They love going to the airport together to watch the planes)



The trauma of that day, the day my Mom had her heart attack, is still very raw for all of us, even the smallest members of our family were, clearly impacted. I can't begin to thank all of you enough. For prayers, for thoughts, for phone calls, for messages on my voice mail, for emails, for your love, and for your understanding of why I still haven't called you back. I'd love to sugar coat it all. To brush it all off my shoulders and to say that it's fine because she's fine now. But the truth is, when I saw my mom in the emergency room, in more pain than I've ever seen any human being, pale as a ghost and clearly talking as if she were saying her last words to me, my own heart suffered an emotional attack. It's funny how your mom, even when you're in your 30s, is still supposed to be untouchable. I can count on one hand how many times I've ever seen my mom sick at all. In that moment, as I held her hand dashing down the hall to the operating room, I remember thinking about Oalin. How in the world would I ever tell him that something happened to his biggest fan, his best friend, his Nana. There is a bond between them that is unlike any other. I can't describe the love that they have, but it's different, different than the love between a mother and child, different than the love between husband and wife. So warm and so incredibly special. I know that bond because I had it with my own grandmother, my Memere. During this past month, I've thought a lot about her. If I could come up with one phrase that would sum up what I believe my Memere stood for it would be, "Family is all that matters." My mom had few guests while she was hospitalized, she really just needed to recover. But seeing all of her siblings come to visit for, quite literally, 5 minutes (because that was all my mom could handle) was so heart warming, so supportive. As much as I knew everything was going to be okay, having the thoughts and prayers from family and close friends was truly what held me together and what helped my mom to recover. The biggest irony I have realized in a profound way is that on Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus, yet, he didn't receive a present. We did. The life of my mom.

Oalin and Nana at the Airport