Come Run (or walk) With Me!!

Something EXCITING is happening this Saturday, October 8th. Click on this link http://www.bluebellcornmaze.com/ to get the details quick or you can read through my rambling post below. :)

Kristin the friend here. I know, I know it has been forever since there was a post or tiny bit of an update. That is part not having any fundraisers to share, part my own neglect, and part respect for Josh and Kristen. I don't really think it's even possible for Kristen to make writing updates a priority right now. The Baumgartens continue forward in their struggles and always with an attitude I know I personally could not possess if the tables were turned. Their beautiful family continues on and that does not mean things have been easy or getting easier. I wouldn't say that at all but no matter what they move forward as a strong and loving family unit. Sorry none of that provides any kind of actual update. The next time I talk with Kristen I'll ask about an update for this blog and if there is any update she wants shared. But until then I have something I hope you'll do with me....

Come to the Bluebell Corn Maze this Saturday, October 8th and have a great time. So the amazing family who owns the Bluebell Corn Maze decided to start an annual 5K benefit run (this is the first year) and at the last minute has organized what I know will be an amazing 5K run/walk. I've done the 5K thing before and I KNOW this will trump running the streets of Vernal. I mean we'll be running through fields, around gorgeous old barns, and around the corn maze! I think it sounds one of a kind and I can't wait. Obviously I should have posted about this ages ago. I'm so sorry!! But it is not too late for you to join the fun with me. The registration is $15. All of that amount will go to the Baumgartens for medical expenses and you'll get a t-shirt and ticket to the corn maze!!! There is all kinds of fun things going on there from the pumpkins, hay bales, goodies, and obviously the maze.

Okay who is with me??? This will be a blast for you're whole family whether you participate in the 5k or not. Click on this link http://www.bluebellcornmaze.com/ for registration, directions, and more details.

On my mind...

New blog post about the 5K... click here

JULY 30th!! Amazing Raffle Items!! (posted by Kristin the friend)

Derby for Donations is coming up this weekend!

$1 = 1 ticket

or

$5 = 6 tickets

Buy tickets NOW at Subway in Vernal

until July 30th when tickets will be

for sale at the fair booth 9am-3pm.

's

Derby for Donations Raffle Items:

Signed Jazz Basketball

Al Jefferson Jersey

Signed CJ Miles Picture

Signed Ronnie Price Picture

Signed Al Jefferson Picture

Remember the AMAZING quilt donated by Helen

Smith last year and raffled at the 2010 fair??

This year she made 2 and

they are GORGEOUS!

Thank you Helen!!!

Professional made quilt for girl, size 44" x 52"

Professional made quilt for boy, size 44" x 52"

Nicole Smith (Helen Smith's daughter-in-law) also

wanted to help. These women have HUGE hearts!

She owns a jewely business Darling Gems and

donated this handcrafted necklace, earrings set.

Look up Darling Gems on facebook!

Thank you Nicole for caring about people

you've never met.

It is a Turquoise Jasper necklace with a hand

wired pendant, beads and clasp

Matching Earrings!

GORGEOUS! Look Nicole up on

Facebook! "Darling Gems"

Drawing will be held July 30th at 6:00pm

during the Derby as part of the

fair at Western Park.

Buy some tickets!!

All $$ will go to the Baumgarten and

Parslow families of Vernal.

Do not need to be present to win.

Questions email kristinsbaldwin@gmail.com

Life is an Adventure: Helping and Healing

I know that I said I wouldn't be posting on this blog anymore, but this is Kristen Baumgarten. The Kristen married to the Josh that this blog was created for. I wanted to share a new blog that I started in memory of a friend who lost his battle with cancer two years ago. There is a scholarship benefit 5K run/walk being held in his honor.

Just to spread the word: I started a new blog: click here: Life is an Adventure. Check it out and you won't be disappointed. (Especially if you have been affected by cancer in one way or another.) 

This is what I posted:

I am starting this blog in honor of my good friend Josh Graham.  I want to promote a 5K run/walk in his honor. He was my bishop, my boss and most importantly a friend (like an older brother).

I looked up to the advice he was always willing to give and inspired by is unwavering faith and positive outlook on life. I admired the way he spoke of his sweet wife and children. I admired his ambition and perseverance.

(By the way, just as some little fun facst: his oldest son, Keaton has turned into more than just his father's son. It makes me feel nostalgic to watch Keaton's personality, features, and passion for life. Christian carries his moral and sense of righteousness that he so gently teaches my own sons, and Celesta carries her father's love for the Lord. Lizzy, well, they don't get much cuter than that and that sweet two-year-old knows that her daddy is with Jesus. What an amazing knowledge for such a young baby. It says a lot about their mother, right?)

Even after a complicated cancer diagnosis, he was willing to offer his time and talents to the Lord as a bishop. His time was relatively short but had a huge impact on the members of the Vernal 9^th Ward. He gave his every energy to the Church and magnified his calling.

This man was outstanding in the community as he worked as the director for the Can Do Crew teaching and training those with special needs to develop the skills they need in order to find opportunities to contribute and work in the community. Two years after his passing, the members of the crew still love Josh and affectionately refer to him as “Boss.” They watch down the street where his sweet family lives to look for his truck and to just remember and hold on to the relationships they had developed with him.

His motto as he began his journey with cancer was “Life is an Adventure.”

That passion and spirit is being spread to others through scholarship opportunities offered in the “Life is an Adventure 5K run/walk.”

This year is the second annual event and will be held at a larger scale with sponsors and the Utah State University Extension here in the basin to enable new adventures to those just embarking on them.

The not-for-profit event is being held in Josh’s memory during the month of his birthday. The event last year was healing and inspiring to say the least.

To the many of you who have experienced the devastating diagnosis of cancer through a family member or friend, I promise that this event is an opportunity to turn a challenge into a blessing. It is an event for the whole family that gives back to the community in a way that is unique from other events.

The preceding words are not in vain. They are from personal experience, and I want to reiterate with all sincerity that I know Josh is watching over and pleased with what is being done in his honor. He truly believed that our lives were each their own adventure and that we should take whatever came our way and face it head on with the attitude that it was just that: an adventure. A new opportunity to learn and grow and experience something new in life: something to draw us closer to our friends, family and Heavenly Father.

This year the event is much more ambitious than last year, and we plan to start a committee to help with the particulars. If you are interested in helping in any way, please contact me at jbaumgarten@ubtanet.com.

So many of you have asked what you can do for us in our particular situation. (Which I hope you don't take in the wrong way, I am certainly not trying to exploit our own trials, only trying to express my sincerity.) Right now, this is my passion. This is what I want help with. I want this event to be successful to help someone new embrace life’s adventure through education.

Life really is and adventure.

Helping.

Healing.

P.S. You can register for the event at:

http://www.active.com/page/event_details.htm?event_id=1957691

Subway Uintah County Fair Events and Raffle!

has teamed up with the

Uintah County Fair & the Utah Jazz to bring you the

Jazz Bear and Jazz Dancers

Subway's 1st annual

"Big Foot Eating Contest"

Uintah County Fair

July 30th, 1:00 pm

Western Park Amphitheater

Visit http://www.uintahcountyfair.com/food.php

to see official rules and regulations.

Come get up close and personal with the Jazz Bear and Dancers

for a photo and signature session.

Uintah County Fair Derby

July 30th, 6:00 pm

Western Park Arena

Come watch the Derby and the

"Beat the Bear Race"

The Bear will be handing out the prizes for the

"Subway Derby for Donations" Raffle!!

MORE DETAILS COMING SOON

on this raffle to benefit the Baumgartens

and Parslow families of Vernal.

- Posted by Kristin the friend

Quilt Winner and Successful Rodeo Weekend Fundraising

Kristin the friend posting. :)

Mary Hatch Gata of Vernal was the lucky winner of this beautiful quilt raffled as part of the booth for the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo. Isn't it gorgeous!! Congrats to Mary and her family. :)

There were many other quilts, items, and baked goods also sold and raffled as part of this fundraiser. I want to say THANK YOU to all the amazing people in Josh and Kristen's ward who organized, participated in and executed such an amazing fundraiser. What wonderful people we have here in Vernal!! If I receive any other pictures from the event I'll be sure to post them.

Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo Booth July 6 - 9th

Kristin (the friend) here sharing fundraising info on behalf of the Baumgarten's friend Kassi Luck.

If you've never been to Vernal during Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo you are missing out!! Come this year and I hope to see you there. :) http://www.vernalrodeo.com/

WHAT: Fundraising booth during the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo

WHEN: July 6 - 9th

WHERE: Booth on the County's lawn, 150 East Highway 40

CONTACT: Kassi Luck 435-790-3111, kassi_ray@yahoo.com or leave a comment on here with your contact information

HOW YOU CAN HELP: There are a few ways:
(1). We need lots of delicious goodies to sell as "Bake Sale" items. Please sign up to donate something!!
(2). Any items(blankets, crafts, etc) donated can be sold/auctioned/raffled at the booth.
(3). We still need volunteers to help run the booth. Kassi has a sign up sheet so contact her.
(4). And of course it would be wonderful to have any and everyone visit the booth to show your support and get a few goodies!!

Thanks to the Amazing Price for Life Foundation

I(Kristin the friend) attended the Restless Heart concert last Thursday night and learned about an amazing foundation set up here in Vernal called the Price for Life Foundation.

This foundation was set up just recently by the family of Dale Price who lost his battle to cancer this year. In his memory a charity golf tournament was held last Thursday June 9th at the Dinaland Golf Course. They generously chose the Baumgartens as a recipient of the money raised during the golf tournament. The Price family plan to make this an annual event to benefit other local families suffering from cancer. Thank you does not say enough to this loving and oustanding family. I am humbled and amazed by their example. Thank you Price family!

Donations were also received during the Restless Heart concert that night and Restless Heart committed a portion of their sales that night to Josh's family as well. The music and show was beautiful and I'm so glad my husband made me go. :)

Thanks to everyone who participated and showed their support during these events. I wish I knew more to share about these amazing events and the generousity of those involved. Again I say thank you and I pray you are abundantly blessed for all you do and continue to do for those affected by cancer.

Eliza

The day that Eliza was born Kristin, the friend, and I(Sha) went up to the hospital to see the little angel.  I almost felt like I was intruding, it felt like sacred ground.  Every birth feels that way to me.  Babies are so newly sent from our Father's arms and the veil is thin.  This was different.  Josh had had surgery just a few weeks before.  He was sick and seemed so fragile.  The uncertainty of his diagnosis and treatment was scary, making their emotions fragile as well.  As I walked into the room, I felt love.  When I looked at baby Eliza and held her I fell in love with her too, as was clearly written on Kristen, Josh and Grammy's faces already.  As Kristen held her I saw peace.  As Josh held her I saw joy.  That is what Eliza has brought, love, peace, and joy. 

Even though this year has been one of difficulty and trial, there has been a bright ray of sunshine in the Baumgarten's daily lives-Eliza!  (Not to say that the boys haven't been also, but this post is about her)  As Kristen was getting ready to have Eliza I asked her if she was excited. She said that she was excited for her to come but thought that the timing was way off and wished she could have her without all the chaos and uncertainty of Josh's diagnosis and treatment.  I remember thinking the same thing and my heart broke for them.

But now, at least for me, and I think Kristen would also agree, the Lord's timing of bringing Eliza was perfect.  Crazy to think that He would have known huh?;)  This little girl has brought so much love, peace, and pure joy into her family's life and those around her.  I have been privileged to witness the special bond that she has with each member of her family.  When she is around they light up and love eminates into the room.  It is precious to say the least.

A week ago we celebrated Eliza's first birthday.  Again, I felt privileged to be there, to capture it, to witness the love that she brings and that all have for her.

Many thanks!!

Kristin (the friend) here. I've had lots of people tell me they had a great time at the Creative Trends fundraiser last Monday and say "thanks" to me which is absolutely misdirected. The only thing I contributed was sharing the information on facebook and on this blog. The THANKS goes to many people but most of all Lindsey Hackford, her mother, grandmother and family for countless hours planning and executing the raffle, bake sale, cutathon, and getting the word out to make the fundraiser a success. I know a little bit about the work that goes into something like this so THANK YOU!!

The ladies at Creative Trends also put in hours of energy, support in planning, and giving hair cuts all day on Monday.

Max and the crew at BBQ'd for the DELICIOUS pulled pork sandwiches, chips, and drinks. Many local businesses and community members donated amazing items for the raffle and the list goes on. I am not surprised at the generousity of all these people because that is simply the kind of people that they are. I AM amazed however at their humility and insistance that it was no big deal and not a sacrifice even though I know many hours were given. I am thankful for these many examples of service and Christlike love who insist that any time, energy, or donation is a privelage to give. This is all about showing the Baumgarten family love and support. Thank you to everyone who has offered that in any way.

To finish up I wanted to include this message from Kristen Baumgarten's parents:

"Thank you again to all who contributed or in any way had anything to do with the "Cut a Thon" and all of the other fund raisers. Thankyou!!! And may God bless you always with what each of you need for your Christlike efforts on behalf of our kids. YOu are in our prayers! Prayers of gratitude! (SEems we say prayers of gratitude a lot.... It feels good!)thank you..... Bill and Laurie Kremin"

AWESOME items being raffled this Monday, May 16th!! Plus, come for lunch and bake sale. Mmmmmm.

Lindsey Hackford, her mom GayLynne Case, the ladies at Creative Trends, and many more have been hard at work getting ready for the Fundraiser coming up this Monday. CLICK HERE for all the details. Now that I've seen the AMAZING items being raffled(pictured below) I am getting extra excited. Please come have a yummy lunch(you have to eat anyways!), and check it all out Monday, May 16th in the Kmart plaza in Vernal, outside Creative Trends. The pics below(taken with my phone) are just some of the things being raffled. I'll list what I do not have pictured at the bottom.

$1 per ticket or $10 for 11 tickets

Max from BBQd will be selling lunch from 11am - 1pm,

donating all profit to the fundraiser.

Cookies, Cinnamon Rolls, Goodies Galore!

We need more sign ups for the Bake Sale! Can you bring something?

Call GayLynne Case 435-789-6083 or 435-219-3067

------------------------------------------------

Raffle Items:

*Queen size quilt donated by Melanie Watts/Creative Trends

*Childrens Books Basket including 25 brand new children's books(Scholastic favorites like "If you give a mouse a cookie") donated by Amanda Redden

*Sun Hat donated by Bitter Creek Books

*Bear Figurine

*Blue Purse donated by What a Girl Wants

*Jewelry(in the small white box w/ purple ribbon) donated by Bridal Affairs

*Car Seat Cover(orange, green, and blue polkadots) donated by Nickole Hansen

*Scentsy Warmer and Scents donated by Shawna Laroque

*Dinosaur Gift Basket donated by Dinosaur Gift Shop

*Blue Purse(same as shown above) donated  by What a Girl Wants

*Greatest Glory Vinyl Sign donated by Lime Leaf Vinyl

*Bird Wall Decor

*White and Black Purse donated by Wonderland Purses and Pearls

*Holiday Decor

*2 Adarondak Chairs donated by Lowes (picture below not the actual chairs and not necessarily the same style. Just an example from Lowes.com)

Also being raffled:

*2 Quilts donated by Kari and Kami Rousch

*2 Large Candy Baskets donated by Little Sweet Pea

*Gift Certificate and Basket donated by Merle Norman/Senses

*$100 Walmart Gift Certificate

*Gift Certificate to Amore Italian Restaurant

*Patio Lantern donated by Duke Holmes

*Product Basket donated by Creative Trends

*Creative Trends Gift Certificates

*Fabric Frenzy Gift Certificate

*Paint Your Heart Out Gift Certificate

*2 Full Body Streamline Massage Gift Certificates

*Maurices Gift Basket

------------------------------------------------------------

If I've left out or messed up any info let me know!

HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE THERE!!

A little help to stop any confusion in its tracks

Kristin "the friend" Baldwin here. :) The simularity between my name and Kristen Baumgartens name has caused some confusion. I've been the author of every single post about fundraisers on this blog. (Link HERE to a post I wrote about approaching Josh and Kristen about fundraising in the beginning.) Because my name is also Kristin and my last name starts with a B there have been some readers who assumed or thought Kristen and Josh were posting about fundraisers. Not the case, ever. It has always been me posting but I'd like to do something to alleviate confusion so I need your help. What variation of my name could I use that would be perfectly clear? I would post a picture but I've had so many people comment that I look like Kristen or actually think that I am Kristen Baumgarten that that may be a lost cause as well not to mention I don't have any current pictures of myself really....oh wait I do! I'll add it to this post just for kicks. Flashing my face around isn't my idea of fun but anything to stop the madness! I don't think we, Kristen and I, look enough alike to be mistaken as sisters or especially as each other but I swear it has happened more times than I can remember! Also, isn't my little girl adorable?!?

Anyway, for the first time in my life I am wishing I had a middle name to go by! Anyone want to dub me a special nickname for when I post to this blog that NOONE could be confused by?? Seriously. Give me some ideas and I'll start going by it when posting on here. I don't really have any nicknames set in place unless you count Porky(which traumatized me for life as a 6th grader), Montana(simply because that is where I am from), and Scof(a short version of my maiden name). Any better ideas?? I'd rather not have to relive my adolecence but I wouldn't fault anyone for taking advantage of the easy Porky jab. Just know I've been doing pushups and will gladly use my new superhuman strength to retaliate. ;)

Dear Anonymous

*I (Kristen Baumgarten) am posting this here as well as my personal blog for reasons that are obvious to anyone who continues to read...*

Dear Anonymous Commenter:

   Thank you for your honesty and candor. I realize the opinions you expressed are real and I honestly can see your point of view. You are clearly a regular reader of this blog and so you know that I do not hold back a lot of what I am thinking and/or feeling. Please allow me to explain my point of view with the same candor as you shared yours. (Also be assured that this will be the last you hear of this from me. I will not discuss this with others as I am not sure who you are, and you are clearly someone who knows me well).

   To start, I would like to apologize to you and anyone who may share your feelings that you feel my blog has been an attempt to seek pity, sympathy or financial help. It has certainly not been meant to be so. I certainly do not remember having ever posted asking for someone to send me money, to feel sorry for me or to dwell on our family’s circumstance.

   I started my blog in 2007 as a way to share stories and pictures with family members who are miles away and may be interested in the on-goings of our household. As of late, (as in the last year or so) it has turned into more of an emotional outlet where I have been able to sort through my feelings and therefore have used it as a source of healing.

   Since I am not convinced that my initial reasoning for starting my blog even exist, I will be changing this blog to a private status for my eyes only. I still find writing to be therapeutic and I choose to continue to use my blog as an online journal. I realize that you know my family and details of our circumstances and so I will not attempt to sort through who may or may not be offended by my emotional posts. I will leave this post for a week or so before I change the status as to give you a chance to find and read this.

   Please be assured of these three things. (I also posted these on Facebook in case you check that more often than Blogger):

• #1 we have repeatedly been humbled and in awe at the way family, friends, and community have reached out to us in the last year. It has been a humbling experience and hasn't necessarily been easy to be on the receiving end of service and financial support.
• #2 we've never asked for or solicited any of the fundraising efforts. Those who have taken the initiative to organize a fundraiser in our behalf humble us. Those who have quietly supported us outside fundraising events humble us. We hope all those who have done either, know that their efforts are greatly appreciated. I understand how it may be confusing considering many blogs concerning fundraising have been posted on the dadnamedjosh blog by one of my dearest friends who shares the same name as I. Her profile/username happens to be kristin and mine is joshandkristen. Our individual posts show our profile/usernames respectively. To avoid further confusion, I will no longer post to the dadnamedjosh blog.
• #3 to our knowledge we haven't "done" anything to cause Josh's GBM cancer or my Multiple Sclerosis. We have each actually been diagnosed and see specialists at the University of Utah and Huntsman Cancer Institute.  We are not perfect and while our diseases may be punishment, I hope that they have been given to us as a chance for us to draw closer to our Savior.

   We have not used our trials as an excuse to use the good will of others. With the exception of my immediate family and closest friends, I have tried to not ask for help in any respect. It is hard enough to accept help when it is offered. It is very hard to recognize that I cannot do it all on my own, but let me be the first to admit that I know I cannot.

  Please accept my sincere apologies for what appears to be an abuse of the good nature and kindness of others. I recognize that we have used more than our quota of goodwill and will keep that in mind as this time during our health trials continues.

   Sincerely,

   Kristen

To anyone who may be concerned by this letter:

   I am really ok. I have had the night to sleep on this information and I realize that it’s ok. We went to the temple last night and I was left with the peace found there before I read the comment that led to this post. This morning, I have found comfort in the words of a song by Laura Story called “Blessings”

“We pray for blessings. We pray for peace; comfort for family, protection while we sleep. We pray for healing, for prosperity. We pray for your mighty hand to ease our suffering. All the while you hear each spoken need, yet love us way too much to give us lesser things. What if your blessings come through raindrops? What if your healing comes through tears? What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know you’re near. What if trials of this life are your mercies in disguise?... When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win we know, the pain reminds this heart that this is not, this is not our home…. What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy? What if trials of this life the rain, the storms, the hardest nights, are your mercies in disguise?” 

Thank you!!

Kristin "the friend" Baldwin here.

I wanted to offer a big thanks to EVERYONE who helped and contributed to this fundraiser. I especially want to give a shout out to Gina McCurdy(one of the busiest people I've met) for organizing and executing it. I am excited to get my pizza kits and even more excited to drool over my friend's order that included cookies. Mmmmmmmmm.

CutAThon/Raffle and BBQ on May 16th

WHAT: CutAThon/Raffle and BBQ!
WHERE: Creative Trends Salon in the Kmart shopping center
WHEN: May 16th
CONTACT: Lindsey Hackford (435)790-7549, (435)790-7549 or find her on facebook
DETAILS: Max from BBQ'd will be there selling his yummy grub! mmmmmmm! There will be a RAFFLE and BAKE SALE. RAFFLE TICKETS FOR SALE AT CREATIVE TRENDS SALON, OR BY CALLING LINDSEY HACKFORD $1 A PIECE OR 11 FOR $10!!
ALL TO BENEFIT THE BAUMGARTENS :)
HOW TO HELP: DONATE items to raffle, BAKE yummy treats to sell, COME get a cut, some lunch, goodies, ENTER the raffle, and SPREAD the word. :)

Being those hands

(This is Kristin Baldwin posting. Since Kristen and I share the same first name it gets a little confusing so up front I thought I'd clarify :)

I started this post over a month ago and it finally feels like the right time to post it and ask for your helping hands again. A year ago, almost to the day, the Baumgartens received the news that Josh's MRI showed a brain tumor. That day began a new season of life for Josh, for Kristen, for Kimball, for McKay, and for Benson; the season of  radiation, chemo, prayers, and cherishing moments. Sweet baby Eliza only knows this season of life. Just the other day Kristen was telling me how Eliza is right at home at the Huntsmen Center and loves her visits from the nurses and Doctors who have watched her grow over the last 10 months. I'd better stop writing about those kids because I love them like family and this last year those sweet boys had too much reality mixed in with their precious boyhood.

This blog was set up by friends because of Josh's diagnosis of brain cancer, glioblastoma multiforme. But I am posting today about Josh's beautiful wife Kristen.

Kristen has MS. Can you believe it? Read that again. Kristen was recently diagnosed with M.S., Mulitple Sclerosis [a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. Today, new treatments and advances in research are giving new hope to people affected by the disease.] (Click HERE to link to Kristen's post about her diagnosis)

So M.S. Really?!? REALLY!?! The emphasis on REALLY!?! is not so much meant to be negative as much as I'm being real. If you know Josh and Kristen or have only just learned about them on this blog then you know they are the best of people, the best that I know of. For them both to be diagnosed with life debilitating diseases with no known cure is in my book unbelievable. Do I really need to explain why even more than before they could use your helping hands?


Here is what I am asking. Think about how you could help. Think about who you know who are in a position to help. Are you in a position now or will you be in the next few months to put together and execute some kind of fundraiser? A bake sale, a garage sale, a lemonade stand? It could be anything and anytime. Let your kids brain storm and do it. They will get so much more out of it than whatever time and effort put in. Dollars and cents add up. Just imagine how the dollars and cents in bills would add up with one parent fighting for life with cancer treatment and one parent taking on a lifetime of MS treatment. Any idea you have and any amount donated WILL help. Go for it!


Isn't it amazing that in the last ten months this blog has had nearly 16,000 visitors? Of course many of those are the same loving friends and family eager to check up on Josh and his beautiful family on a regular basis. Isn't it also amazing that hundreds of people, from strangers to the Baumgarten family to their closest family and friends, came together in so many fundraising efforts during a recession and challenging financial time in the Uintah Basin to help with Josh's treatment costs? If you have followed this blog I know you've been touched as I have time and time again as Kristen and Josh have expressed their faith in Jesus Christ and their gratitude and awe for the love and support shown them.

Now let's be honest. If a member of your family began to experience serious health problems and was diagnosed with cancer would you be prepared financially? What if that person provided the primary income for a growing family? I can only speak for myself and I KNOW that my husband and I would be sunk. If we both needed lifelong medical treatment there is no word to describe how much more than SUNK we would be.

Here is how I feel. Josh deserves the best medical treatment available to him and more. He is getting it, for a pretty penny yes but thankfully he is getting what is available. Kristen deserves the best medical treatment available to her and more. Thankfully she is getting the best medical care currently available for MS. I have not seen what their monthly costs are for Doctor visits, treatment, prescriptions, etc and I never plan to but I would bet my very life that if we only knew our jaw would drop and I for one would probably need some air. On top of that I know that it is Kristen's hope  that she'll be able to explore all natural treatment options available to her and Josh in addition to their medical care. One she mentioned was $5,000 just to have the initial consult and preliminary tests done. $5,000 just to be tested? Yikes is my first thought but can you really put a price on health, time and quality of life? Natural options are cash only as you would guess. I desperately want to get some cash in their hands so when the time is right these hopes can become the reality for both of them.

Anyone can donate using the paypal link in the upper right hand corner. It is completely safe and even if you only have a few dollars you can still use this option.

Please share this blog with your friends list on facebook, your email list, or whatever form of communication you use most. We are in a recession folks. I know exactly what that means for us average people but we can all do a little can't we?? For some that little bit might be just sharing this blog with others; an act of kindness that only takes a few minutes. And there are some people out there in a position to do a bit more than a little so help me spread the word and reach them.

The Baumgartens have never asked for any fundraising or help in this way but I know they have been the answer to the prayers of many, including myself and I would guess many of you. This is one way we can try to lighten their unimaginable burden and perhaps be the hands of God in answering their prayers.

 Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of

the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Matthew 25:40