IMMEDIATE URGENT CHURCH-WIDE SERVICE OPPORTUNITY

Would you be willing to prepare a meal for one of our families?

Church family, the Schwambs need our help. They would never ask for this, so I am happy to stand in the gap for them.

Baby Lauren has hit some very rough spots on her road to recovery recently. To sum it up, she was born on January 14, 2006, 2 months premature, and immediately had major health complications. She has been in the hospital for much of her little life. Last night, she had to be transferred urgently from Walter Reed to Children's Hospital in D.C. The doctors believe she is stable now, but she still faces a long hospital stay, perhaps two weeks.

Tim & Cristi have kept everything going for their family of 5 with smiles on their faces, rarely missing church even amidst major health challenges and crises. Big sister Addison, age 8, and big brother Brennan, age 6, have been incredibly supportive and helpful during all of Lauren's trials. And hats off to their wonderful small group that has been encouraging them and holding up their arms every step of the way. But this family needs our prayers, love and support now more than ever.

Now, 14 months into this trying time for the Schwambs, we want to broaden the "helping hands" base beyond their small group, and beyond the church staff.

Would you be willing to prepare a meal for the Schwambs?

Regarding food allergies, Cristi doesn’t tolerate dairy products well. Brennan is severely allergic to milk, eggs, and peanuts. But don’t let these restrictions intimidate you. Cristi assured me that Brennan is fine with eating a different meal from the rest of the family, custom prepared by mom.

It would be helpful for them to have meals or snacks they can easily transport to the hospital and throw in a microwave up there.

Grocery store gift cards are great, too, if you’re high on cash and low on time.

You may deliver your meal to the hospital, to the Schwambs’ home directly, or to the church office.

Contact Murray at murray@fxcc.org or 703-631-2100 for more specifics, and to register your desired “date of delivery”. We can accommodate more than one meal per day, but my goal is to even it out reasonably.

Thanks, everyone.