Voice Night!

While I usually get excited about my fave show The Voice, I need to talk about a different voice tonight.

Six months ago today, my sister Rachel and her best friend Brian (pictured here last month) were in a near-fatal head-on collision. I say near-fatal because they are both literally walking miracles. 

Rachel was in ICU forever, it seemed, and ended up in staying in the lovely Regions Hospital Resort in the Twin Cities for 3 months. Brian was released a bit earlier but had a stint in the nursing home in Luck before getting home. Today, she gets around with a walker and he has upgraded to a cane.

Sadly, they still have quite a long ways to go to get back to normal life, normal mobility... you know, things we take for granted.

It was a defining moment for both their families. So scary. So much uncertainty. And thanks to all of you, so many prayers to lift them upward toward recovery. Love you all for that!

This weekend while we sang in church at our uncle's funeral, I could tell Rachel was anxious to get her full voice back. She can talk, sure. But she used to sing like a bird. She's still recovering from having all those tubes jabbed down her throat for weeks on end.

We can't wait to hear you sing!

In the meantime, they're taking baby steps and dealing with the aftermath of things like "no fault" (i.e. no benefits) vehicle insurances and medical insurance benefit maximums, etc. It's super overwhelming. And while they are grateful for their lives – and their friends and families who've donated and are still donating – they could use more help.

As I mentioned this weekend, I was delivering some raffle baskets for their upcoming benefit. Here's the details on that...

To my local readers, please realize this is in our hometown 4 hours northwest of Wisconsin Rapids. But if you feel moved to support it, let me know. I can take monetary donations, items for raffle baskets or the auction – or even put tickets in raffle baskets for you (if you have some specific interests – like not Packers. Just kidding!).

Otherwise, those of you Up North: Please mark your calendar and show up October 26. Our entire family thanks you in advance.

#CountYourBlessings