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A little blogging about my Wish and some very special people:

June 2008 

Well, the auctions of my gowns for Lyme research/charity have officially ended.  The first three went off successfully and are in their new homes. 

A wonderful family in NC purchased my Elegant Orange gown design and hope to give it as a gift to someone special.  My great Uncle and Aunt in MD purchased my Audrey Hepburn Inspired design; I love them very much.  My Enchanting design has been awarded and sent to Florida.  All proceeds from the three purchases will be presented to the Lyme Disease Association (www.lymediseaseassociation.org) designated for Lyme research.  

My Ballroom Prom gown did not sell, sooooo, we will be showcasing it at the Lyme forum and from there it will be auctioned on eBay...You can see a description of it on my 'gowns'  or 'eBay auction' tab.

May 2008

Me? I am battling Chronic Disseminated Late Stage Lyme disease.  I have had three of the co-infections - Babesia, Bartonella and Mycoplasma.  This has all complicated my battle.   I was a very late diagnosis. 

I was recently granted a Make A Wish.  Thank you to Mrs. Perkowski from Erie PA and one of our school administrators for caring about me and contacting MakeAWish to encourage my fight. 

April 2008

On April 20th, seven of my gown designs were spotlighted in the Atlanta GA Pure Fashion runway show at the World Congress Center. http://www.purefashion.com/

Thank you to Mrs. Brenda Sharman, National Pure Fashion Chairwoman and Mrs. Rhonda Boyle, Atlanta Pure Fashion Chairwoman for hosting my wish.  You are both beautiful, gracious, Godly hostesses. You and your Pure Fashion models made me feel like part of the family.

Through the new friendships that I made, I cannot begin to explain how it is encouraging for both me and the models to meet each other and hear each others stories.

At first, we didn't know 'who we were to each other'; then, before long, once the girls saw it was 'safe' for them to come and talk to me and once they understood my situation better, we were able to begin to get to know each other - one by one. I think it must have been difficult for the girls b/c they didn't yet know what Lyme disease 'looks like', and they were thoughtful to make sure the day was special and gave me space to be able to rest.

These girls are all incredibly beautiful and sweet.  They were all so kind. Each one has this joy that radiates from them. The Pure Fashion ministry that they have been a part have taught the girls not only the joy of a personal relationship with Jesus but also to seek and live out a life of faith through the virtue of modesty and purity. The girls showed me they have a heart to serve.

During the show. Pure Fashion spotlighted and modeled my designs. You should have seen how graceful and elegant they were presented. Allison, Ashley, Marina and Chloe did an incredible job of 'showcasing' the four gowns that will be auctioned. The seamstress in Atlanta was Miss Colleen. She and her two homeschool daughters and another young lady, Sydney, worked hard interpretting my designs to bring them to life.  It was exciting to see them. In fact, I had to try the one on myself!

My dear friend, Erin Lebo, measured, created patterns from muslin for Greta and I and brought three more fashons to life. I have to say, making the Princess Retro dress was the most fun. Erin and I moved those circles all OVER the dress until we found just the right combination. It turned out to be one of the favorites of all of the dresses. I am so glad that my dear friend Greta was able to wear it and that she enjoyed it so much.

After the Pure Fashion Show, alot was happening. So many families and young girls, teens and young adults were waiting in a line to greet me. I was not expecting that; but, they were all kind, had waited a long time and just wanted to say thank you for coming, some wanted to thank us for bringing Lyme awareness to Atlanta (Yay!), or to tell us their stories about what they were going through with Lyme, or ask questions about Lyme disease, there were alot of nice compliments about my fashions, they loved our Greta original hairstyle, some just wanted to hug me, some cried and some of the girls asked for autographs. Everyone was very nice.

"Thank you" from my Heart

I love my doctors. They take such good care of me.  Thank you Dr. Jones.,    Dr. Berry., Dr. Beals., Dr. Singman., Dr. Gottlieb., Dr. Iokomi, Dr.Feini,          Dr. Nash and "Doc" Devitis have helped me understand what is happening in my body and brain. They give their time to my family to help us fight my battle and all these co-infections.  I am blessed to have Randi Weist, Erica Courtney and Kitty Markley to help me with my pain management.

Thank you Mrs. Battenfelder, Mrs. Halter, Miss Chavette, Mr. Ellerman and Cynthia Foraker from the Make A Wish foundation for for the gift of seeing my designs created and shared in a way that reflect who I am as a designer who lives by faith. Thank you for taking care of my family. The Georgian Terrace was gorgeous! And our limo drivers, Glenn and Mike were wonderful!

Thank you Mrs. Sharman and Mrs. Boyle for hosting my wish. If anyone is looking for a teen program that nurtures a personal faith through a modeling program that teaches a teen about her inner beauty, and the virtues and that inspire modesty and purity while having fun with fashion. http://www.purefashion.org/ Mrs. Brenda Sharman  and Mrs. Rhonda Boyle  are beautiful role models of this ministry's mission and they blessed me so much by inviting me to come and be a part of their program this year. This is a professional program that inspires young women to seek and learn know their identity and purpose.

Thank you to Susannah, Allison, Ashley, Marina and Chloe, Shannon, Mary Kate and all of my new Pure Fashion teen model friends.  You were wonderful and took such great care of me. You all did a fantastic job. I have come home with so many new and special friendships.

Dear Erin, Miss Colleen and apprentice helpers. Thank you so much for sharing your talent and for all your hard work in creating the beautiful gowns.  They are all so elegant and gorgeous. You had the hardest job of all and you made my designs look so pretty. I really appreciate you very much.

Thank you Mrs. Smith, Miss Virginia, Miss Mindy and your daughter for taking care of the LDA - Lyme Disease Association table during the program and Miss Dana Lynne for creating the Ebay auction cards and helping with our phone conference. Thank you Mr. Kennedy for volunteering your time as an Ebay Specialist to make this auction special and for helping me to bring Lyme awareness to people everywhere.   Thank you for this awesome website!!!

Here is a surprise. I received a very nice donatiaon for Lyme research. I was not expecting this special gift given to support my wish for a cure. Thank you to Mr. & Mrs. Jim Curtis, Tee Time Golf Pass http://www.teetimegolfpass.com/  for your donation of $500.

Mr. Jim, Miss Julie, Josh. Thank you for traveling to support me. I love you so much and miss you already. Miss Jeanine, I missed you.

Mrs. Foxie, thank you for driving so far to come and be with my family. Thank you for the gifts and for sharing your day with me. I'm sorry about the busy day and not being able to spend more time with you.

Miss Cheryl, Thank you for taking care of my medicines and carrying our box to us and coming to visit. I hope your trip to Jamaica was a blessing and that your missionary team and you had a great reunion.

Dear Lauren http://www.iamagel.com/lauren and Ashley,  TY! for traveling to support me and to see the program. It was fun getting to know you.

Thank you to a very special doctor in Atlanta for giving his time to make sure I was okay.  When Dr.B. heard I was coming; he told my Mom and Dad he would help me if there was a need. On his own time, he came to the World Congress Center to meet me and my parents. He is a man of faith, a daddy. He understands late stage Lyme and how to care for patients like me when things get complicated. This was a HUGE blessing and comfort for our family.

http://www.recognitionwithstyle.com//Fashion%20Parades/purefashion.html - Thank you to Mrs. Elaine Lord, creator of RECOGNITION with Style Magazine for making Greta and I feel so special and including my story in your magazine.  Mrs. Lord's magazine features hair styles. She recognizes good causes that happen throughout communities and captured our 'hair styles' (that were Greta originals!) on the runway and published them in her magazine. You are a lovely lady.

Dear family and loved ones, Jenkins family, Lady IL, Mr. & Mrs. Menges, Miss Laurel, The Hoffmans, The Heffners, Masters Family, Celona Family, Lynne, Kitty, Gay, Mr. and Mrs. Larsen, Mrs. Tew, Gracie, Jennifer, London, Charles, Gretchen, Ticker, Weary1(Mrs. Lauren) and Ashley, Robin O., the Nazerene Youth Group, Eileen, Mrs. Marsh, Mrs. Swartzentruber, my TALD and HW friends, Aaron and Terri, Pastor Mumford, Pastor Derek, Pastor Bob, Pastor Mumford, Pastor Aaron for praying with me, Mr. Ramsey, Mr. and Mrs. Ritz, Mr. Wilson, BASIC Blowout family, ballet friends, my aunts and uncles and Hope friends..thank you to each one of you for your prayers, encouragement, time and help and for showing me Jesus. There are some awesome prayer warriors on this list!

Friends Who Bring Joy on the Journey

"Greta is my dear friend who has been one of those special people who you feel you can share anything with and also be challenged in your walk. I've been blessed by our conversations and I appreciate how we both are able to really 'see' each other. She's one of those dear friends, who, when I'm having a rough day and she is nearby, and I reply with "I'm fine" can say, "GREAT! Now, how are you REALLY feeling?" I've appreciated her grace and strength in her faith walk. I was beyond excited that I could share my 'wish' day with Greta. I think she is one of my few teenage friends who encourage my free spirit.  Greta was very proud to be going and walking for my other dearest friend, Gracie, since Gracie could not be there.  Gracie is a strong, caring, loving girl who is battling every day of her life because of the complications of Lyme disease being diagnosed late.  She is going to win her battle by God's grace. I love you both with all of my heart."