Thursday, December 30, 2010

My First Auction Contribution & $1.00 Push



It all came about yesterday.  I got an email from Kari Smith.  She is a WONDERFUL singer/songwriter and I was blessed to meet her a few times AND hear her sing and play guitar all live and in person.  Please, do go check out her blog "Kari Smith Music" and make sure to check out her website to get your hands on her music and check out her touring schedule.  I have two of her CDs and LOVE them both. 

So, anyways...  I got an email from Kari (I'm on her mailing list) and well...  I'm just going to paste it below if you care to read it.  But now, here's the short version.  Rebecca Sauvager, a mother of 4 and wife, has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  The cancer has spread and become more severe over time.  Kari is putting on a benefit show/fundraiser for Rebecca.  As you can imagine, Rebecca and her family have mounting medical bills along with other daily living costs. 

So...  The first words that popped in my heart while reading Kari's email was: "It is well".  You know, from the hymn.  The next words I heard in my heart: "You have to do something."

The hymn, "It Is Well With My Soul" has always been a source of comfort for me in times of sadness, grief, trouble, anxiety, you name it.  Horatio Spafford wrote the words after losing his four daughters to a tragic ship collision.  All four of his daughters drowned.  His wife did survive.  But even before that, he lost a son.  Can you even imagine?  I hear this song and no matter what I'm going through, I'm reminded God has ultimate control. 

"When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul."


I'm not rich, so I don't have a lot to give, but I will give some.  And I also knew I had to paint something for them to auction. 

Now, I'm not trying to oversell myself here.  I REALLY don't think my work is "good" enough to actually sell at an auction.  Actually, I don't think I could ever make any money ever selling my paintings.  I do love to paint for other people.  So much so, that I've yet to paint something for myself.  But that's OK. 

Christen helped me out and got it packed and in the mail today.  I hope and pray it makes it to VA in time. 

So, here it is:









I pray someone sees it and likes it and wants to buy it so the proceeds can go to Rebecca and her family.  I can't even imagine what they are going through, but I hope in seeing those words, she will be reassured who is in control.  And I pray for her to have peace with whatever happens.  Most of all, I pray for complete healing.     :o)


I urge you to please pray for this family too. 

And here is the email I got from Kari, just in case you want to know more:

Hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas! I know I did! It was a wonderful time with friends, family, and loved ones, and the White Christmas we had here in Virginia was an added bonus! :)


Tonight's show (Wednesday) is at O'Banks Cafe & Grill in Ashland, VA from 6 - 9pm, and my shows this weekend will be at Toby's in Deltaville on Friday (New Years' Eve), and at Brunetti's in Mechanicsville on Saturday, January 1, from 7:30 - 10:30pm.


I have added one additional show that is actually a benefit show / fundraiser for one of my fans, Rebecca Sauvager. It will be held at JJ's Grille in the West End on Wednesday, January 5, from 6 - 9pm. Rebecca was born, raised, and lives in Mechanicsville. She is married and has 4 children, ages 18, 11, 4, and 3. Shortly after her youngest, Seth, was born, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. In the past 8 months, her cancer has become more severe and has spread, requiring operations to remove tumors from her brain, hip, and wrist. There are other tumors in other parts of her body, and she is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiation twice a week to treat them. As a busy wife and mother, this has obviously taken a physical, emotional, and financial toll on Rebecca and her family.


I first met Rebecca and her children at a show at Coffee Lane in Mechanicsville in March of 2009 when her 4-year old, Victoria (pictured above), stole the show - and everyone’s heart - dancing in front of the stage. Rebecca and her family have been loyal fans ever since then – coming to shows, purchasing CDs and band t-shirts, and assisting me with merchandise sales at shows.


When Rebecca and her husband recently attended a show I played at Marty's Grill in Mechanicsville, I realized how difficult a time Rebecca has had, and I decided to put on this benefit show, and JJ's Grille in the West End (CrossRidge Shopping Center) quickly agreed to sponsor it. JJ's will be donating a portion of their sales that evening to this benefit, and there will be raffles and other opportunities to donate throughout the evening. There will be live music, and all proceeds and cash tips will be donated to this cause. Even though we don’t have a large window of time to prepare for this show, I hope and pray that you will help me make it successful!
 
If you cannot make this benefit show, but would still like to donate, you may do so through PayPal (donations submitted through email address helprebeccasauvager@gmail.com) or by clicking here: www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr. If you cannot attend the benefit, but would like to make a cash or check donation, please reply to this email. In addition, if you would like to help facilitate this benefit January 5, or if you are interested or know someone who would be interested in sponsoring this benefit by offering a product or service to be raffled at the fundraiser, please reply to this email as soon as possible, or send a message to helprebeccasauvager@gmail.com.


Thank you so much in advance for your generosity and your help making this benefit a success!



All my best -



Kari

(Kari & Rebecca)





While you're in a humbled spirit, please go here and find out about the $1 push that is helping an orphan baby boy from Eastern Europe who has down syndrome.  Once you're on the blog, make sure to click this link to read his whole story.  Prayers are also welcome!!!

3 comments:

nic said...

i can't begin to imagine what rebecca and her family are experiencing, but i can pray. thank you for bringing this to us.

Shannan Martin said...

I admire your immediate reaction to this. If only we would all stop to listen, I imagine there are so many times that we would know for SURE that we have something to do. Your painting is wonderful and your heart is even more so.

Karen Hossink said...

I think it's GREAT that you're sending your painting. How often we don't think what we have to offer is 'good enough'...But God is Good Enough to use what we offer.
Thanks for opening up this opportunity to pray and give.