F.R.O.G.

Fully Rely On God

For the last couple of weeks, I have talked about my friend Tricia and her fight against Mitochondrial Disease.  (You can read all about it in these posts:  Cookies for a Cause & Energy for Life Walkathon.)



Today, instead of telling you about all of the very difficult things that Tricia fights every day, I am going to share with you the places where she finds her strength and her energy for life when her mitochondria aren't providing it.

Tricia "Fully Relies On God," everyday, in a thousand ways.  This is difficult to do, even in the best of circumstances, but Tricia's faith shines through her suffering and is a testimony to everyone she meets.

Personally, my life has been greatly impacted by the profound faith of this child and her family.  Most recently, I joined a group of fellow cookie bakers to try and exercise daily and make more healthy food choices.  (Like not eating cookies five meals a day. ;^)  And I have been overwhelmed with gratitude to God that he is teaching me these lessons the easy way... Sweet Tricia hasn't eaten anything by mouth in YEARS, and is currently so sick that she is on complete rest and has not had any nutrition for DAYS.  Also, Saturday was the annual Energy for Life walkathon, and Tricia was not able to participate, because she is sick and in the hospital.  So, I have spent most of the 13 miles I have walked in the last 10 days, praying for Tricia, her mom Wendy, a cure for mito, wisdom for doctors, my new friends and acquaintances that are also suffering with mito, and praising Him for my health and my family.

"Rejoice in hope,

be patient in tribulation,

be constant in prayer."

Romans 12:12

The FROG is the mascot for Team Tricia her Energy for Life Walkathon team.

Team Tricia from 2011 Energy for Life Walk-a-thon
(Reader R and I are in the front row, next to Tricia!)

In addition to her faith, Tricia is also blessed to have an amazing family and MANY friends who love and care for her.  This week, Team Tricia, participated in the Energy for Life Walkathon.  Walking, laughing, hugging, raising money and awareness to support and encourage this sweet young lady who has been sick with Mito for more than three years.

However, Tricia was not with them.  As I mentioned, she is in the hospital, again, sick with complications from her Mito.  Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.



Tricia looks like a happy, healthy teenager.  Yet, she suffers from autonomic neuropathy, chronic nerve pain, chronic fatigue, breathing difficulties, delayed gastric emptying, GI motility issues, acid reflux, hypercalciuria, visual impairments, and kidney stones, and oh yeah, and she hasn't eaten by mouth in  years.

Please consider helping to support the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation by sponsoring me for the "Energy for Life" Walk-a-thon.  Every gift helps.

If you are unable to make a donation at this time, please just take one more minute to visit Tricia's Walkathon page and leave her an encouraging message!  THANK YOU!

Thank you,
Sarah

P.S. - Don't Forget...
In honor of Mitochondrial Disease Awareness week,
I am doing a GIVEAWAY!!!

The GIVEAWAY is now closed. 

The winner will be announced tomorrow!  

Thank you so much for your participation! 

The frogs and the ribbon cookie cutters are from
 Karen's Cookies!  (I love that place!)

A Dozen Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Cookies

(6 Ribbons and
6 Mighty Mitos)

AND 

4 Cookie Cutters 

(2 different frogs,
1 medium awareness ribbon,
& 1 handmade "Mighty Mito")

Check out all the details on my "Mighty Mito" blogpost, and make sure to enter by Sunday!

www.umdf.org