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Friday, January 23, 2009
Love From Lillie and Beau  Good evening all!! I hope everyone enjoyed the snow this week. It was beautiful and
I know all the kids had a ball sledding and building snowmen. I have an awesome story to share with you
this evening – an email I received today from my sister Rene (Auntie Nay). Once again our little
warrior fireman has been busy at work and has been mischievous as well. During the year Beau was in the
hospital, Jennifer and I kept up with several children who had neuroblastoma and one of them was Lillie Boyte.
Lillie and her family live in Winston-Salem, NC. Lillie lost her battle with neuroblastoma on August
28, 2007. She was three years old. Michelle (Lillie’s mom) wants to form a foundation in Lillie’s
memory to help bring awareness to and raise money for neuroblastoma. If I have my story right, a friend
of Rene and Buddy’s, Betsy, attended a Bible study at Michelle’s church. When Michelle started
talking about getting this foundation started, someone told her to call Betsy. Betsy owns a public relations
business and has years of experience in that field. She kept up with both Lillie and Beau and prayed for
them diligently throughout their journey with neuroblastoma. When Michelle contacted Betsy, she told her
she wanted her to meet Rene and Buddy Collins who had lost their grand-nephew to neuroblastoma. Betsy told
Michelle all about Beau’s Buddies. Rene and Buddy met with Michelle this week and they talked about
and shared ideas about forming “Lillie’s Friends”. How awesome would it be to have Beau’s
Buddies in the east and Lillie’s Friends in the west!! Well, the story doesn’t end there.
This morning at 1:14 am Rene woke up because she felt someone tugging on her so hard that she thought Buddy was trying
to wake her up. She woke up facing her alarm clock and saw it was 1:14 and realized Buddy was sound asleep.
Immediately she heard little voices say “Love from Lillie & Beau” by Boyte & Stanley.
She thought she was crazy but she heard little giggles and the voices repeated it again “Love from Lille &
Beau” by Boyte & Stanley. The tugging sensation became stronger, and as she stated it came over
her like a proverbial ton of bricks – Jennifer and Michelle are supposed to co-author a book about Lillie and Beau.
She felt like two little angels were being mischievous in the middle of the night and they certainly got her attention.
Below is the email she sent to Michelle and Jennifer today. Jennifer/Michelle, Hebrews 1:14 “Are not all angels
ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”The reason for the quote from Hebrews is because I woke up at
1:14 a.m. this morning – I woke up because someone was tugging me so hard that I thought Buddy was trying to wake me
up. I woke up facing my alarm clock – Buddy was asleep, and I immediately heard little voices say “Love
from Lillie & Beau” by Boyte & Stanley. Yeah, I thought I was nuts too! I promise you heard little giggles, and I heard
the voices repeat it again. The tugging sensation became stronger, and it came over me like the proverbial ton of bricks.
Jennifer and Michelle are supposed to co-author a book about Lillie & Beau. I feel like two little Angels were being
mischievous in the middle of the night! When I got to work, I typed in Bible Verse 1:14 to see – it came up on my computer the verse
above! I reviewed all of this with Buddy and a minister this morning because I felt like I was nuts –
the minister said it made perfect sense; so, I felt much better about telling the two of you. I feel strongly that we
walk into each other’s lives for a reason, and I feel all of the people/pieces are coming together beautifully for “Love
from Lillie & Beau”. The book will be simple and short – no more than 12 to 15 pages. It will be one
that children can understand as well as adults. I see it as soft, pastel – wispy. It will start with a pretty
little girl with flowing hair/hair bow and the precious little boy with big blue eyes talking about how much they love their
mommies. It will transition to their sickness – to the level that will actually “rip out the hearts of people”
– the last page of the book has a picture of 2 very happy/healthy children totally embraced by Jesus – the perfect
ending – what could be better?! “Love from Lillie & Beau” will promote neuroblastoma more than anything else has ever done because
it will so strongly touch the emotions since it is about two children – not one. It also shows how two Moms have
survived and can witness for God. Even though dads, sisters, grandparents, etc. were devastated by the loss of these
children, the pain of the Moms will capture people. I think the book will sell and funds will flow in for neuroblastoma
like you can’t imagine! It will help you, Michelle, to further grow Lillie’s Friends locally to raise even
more money for the cause. Jennifer – it will help Beau’s Buddies blossom more down east! I kept tossing in bed saying how in the world
do we publish a book – it was easy when I wanted to establish an AAU team – I got an ex-NBA star involved.
I went downstairs to get some water, and on the kitchen table, David had left his book written by Cameron Kent (local news
anchor)! We can reach out to Cameron to help us, and Buddy has a long time friend who writes children articles for national
newspapers! I think Buddy has already contacted Betsy Flagler this morning! Buddy and Ronnie are the legal experts that can advise this project.
Betsy A. – you are the P.R. person that I am bringing into this full speed ahead! So, Jennifer/Michelle –
think about – let me know what you think – I think we have the tools to do this – you just have to come
up with some words from your children – you can do this – I have faith in you! Love you both bunches! René Of course, both Jennifer and Michelle were excited and are ready to
move forward with this book. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for your declares the Lord…. As I wrote to Rene today,
I believe this is all part of God’s greater plan. God knew before Lillie and Beau were born what
was ahead for them and their families and He had a master plan all laid out for them. He knew Jennifer
and Parham and Lillie’s parents would love and cherish them while they were here. But, God also knew
that once He brought Lille and Beau home to be with Him, their parents wouldn’t just sit there and grieve and ask why
God – why? He knew they would take what had happened to their precious little ones and use it to
help others. He knew their faith and trust in God would shine thru for all to see and that their courage
and determination would be used to His glory. God brought Michelle, Betsy, Rene and Buddy together –
it was all a part of His plan. And, I am not one bit surprised that the God used Lillie and Beau to talk
to Auntie Nay this morning. Auntie Nay is very special and she and Uncle Buddy have friends like Betsy
who can help pull this whole thing together. What a wonderful tribute this will be to Lillie and Beau and
what a wonderful way to raise money for and bring awareness to this horrible monster neuroblastoma. Please
keep Jennifer and Michelle and “Love from Lillie & Beau” in your prayers. I’ll keep
you updated on its progress. God Bless!!! Love Grammy
Friday, January 9, 2009
Beau - God's Ambassador   Good evening all! I hope everyone had a Happy Year. Can you believe we are almost half
way through January already. I must share with you an email I received this week. Over
and over I have shared with you how God has used Beau to touch the lives of so many people. Well, here
is another story that comes from the other side of the world. God continues to use our little warrior fireman
and in this instant to help a mom who lost her 5 yr. old daughter to neuroblastoma. I received an email
this weekend from a woman named Pauline. Her email started out by saying Hi my name is Pauline from Dubai.
In case you don’t know, Dubai is in the United Arab Emeritus (next to Saudi Arabia). She went
on to tell me that her daughter Evangeline was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when she was a little over 4 and died a year later
(this past November) when she was 5 yr. old. I could tell from her email that while she was not an American
or British subject she spoke English. In her grief, she started searching the internet for information
on neuroblastoma and found Beau’s website. She was so touched by his story and the updates. She felt
something when she read them and then she found my email in one of the updates and emailed me – several times now.
She is from India and grew up in a very poor family. An American lady sponsored her and made sure
she went to school and studied. This wonderful lady gave her a childhood and a life she might not have
otherwise had. Pauline says all her life she has remained close to God and has memorized many verses in
the Bible. She was able to go to a Christian medical college (founded by an American lady doctor) and is
now a pharmacist working in Dubai. She was still living in India when Evangeline became ill and pasted
away. Evangeline was born on Easter. According to her mom, she was a smart, beautiful, active and talented
little girl and was her mom’s whole world. Unfortunately, it sounds like the hospital in India was not the best and
I have to wonder if Evangeline was able to get the kind of treatment she should have had. For some reason,
the doctors would not let Pauline stay in the room with her during the last 30 minutes of her life. Pauline
didn’t even get to tell her goodbye. This has tormented her every day since Evangeline left her to
go home with God. She loves God but has so many questions. She doesn’t understand why God had to
take Evangeline when she prayed so hard for her to be healed. She wonders if her sweet baby can see her,
if she knows she loved her and wanted to be with her in those last few moments. What are the odds that
a mom who lost her daughter to neuroblastoma in November (just a year after Beau went home to the Lord) would find his website
on the internet and end up emailing me asking for us to pray for her? It was all God’s doing.
Once again, he was using Beau to reach out and touch this mom’s life. 2 Corinthians 5:20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,
as though God were making his appeal through us. 1 Corthinthians 13:4 & 8 Love is patient, love is
kind…..Love never fails. Beau
was and still is an ambassador for Christ. But so are Jennifer and Parham. As G-Paw
pointed out to me today, Beau was first and foremost God’s child and Jennifer and Parham lent him to God all the days
of his life. When they found out Beau was ill, they continued trusting in and having faith in God and because
of this God was able to use Beau. Jennifer and Parham may not have understood why this had to happen but they continue trusting
in God. They turned to God and sought Him. Instead of sitting around in a pity party,
they made the decision to get involved with Beau’s Buddies so they could help/bless families who were also affected
by this horrible disease cancer. God’s light continues to shine through Jennifer and Parham and that
is evident by the faith, trust and strength they have shown and it has spoken volumes to all that have come to know them.
Jennifer is going to email Pauline because she knows how Pauline feels. I pray God will use her
to help bring some comfort to Pauline and in doing so she will also find comfort. We are all called to be ambassadors for
Christ. All it takes is a little time, love and patience – reach out to someone today that is hurting
and let them know you love them – you will be blessed. God Bless!! We love you!!!
Grammy
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Beau  Happy New Years to everyone!! I’m sorry it’s been awhile since I did an update.
A busy time of year and I couldn’t seem to collect my thoughts to write. I spent a lot of time thinking about
Beau and the 2 ½ years we had with him. Kayla and I spent a lot of time talking about him.
She misses him so much and she prays for him a lot. Yes, she seems to be an awesome little prayer
warrior and in her simple child like faith she prays for Beau and thanks God that he made Beau all better when he got to heaven.
I looked back at our pictures from past Christmas Eves when we would get together and Beau and Kayla would open their
gifts. Of course, the first Christmas Beau was too little to really realize what was going on but he watched
with wide eyed wonder as Kayla ripped open her gifts and Momma and Dadda opened his for him. Those bright
blue eyes of his looking around in wonder at everything that was going on. The next year he got an “egg
car” as well as a Diego car. He and Kayla had a ball playing in them. Grammy and
Gpaw bought Beau this little drum set and Kayla a little guitar with a microphone and they put on a show for us.
He would sit and beat on his drums like there was no tomorrow while Kayla sang. Beau had such a zest for life even
though he was only a tiny boy and he lived his life to the fullest. He made the most of each moment of
each day something we grownups often forget to do. God’s love for His people radiated from Beau as
he interacted with all those that came in touch with him. It didn’t matter who they were –
housekeepers, doctors, nurses, greeters at Wal-Mart, strangers on the street – Beau always had a smile on his face for
them. As I’ve said so many times before, we prayed daily for a miracle for Beau while all the time
Beau was the miracle. God knew what was going to happen to Beau before he was born and He already had a
plan worked out for his life and what an awesome plan it was. We all miss him so much and it is even more evident at this
time of the year. While we wish with all our hearts he was still here with us, we rejoice in knowing Beau
is healthy and happy in heaven. And, it helps knowing God continues to use him each day to touch the lives
of so many. Romans
8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not
perish but have eternal life.” Romans 8:32 He [God] did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for
us all….. God
could have healed Beau but I believe He had a greater purpose for our precious blue eyed warrior fireman. Children
can reach out and touch people in ways we grownups never could. God called Beau to be a missionary for
Him. In his simple child like way, Beau was able to minister to thousands of people all over the world
through this website and through the stories that people shared about him. I know some people still don’t
understand how God could let this happen and ask how God could have done this – why did he allow Beau to get sick –
why didn’t he heal Beau and restore his health. God understands how we feel. He
knows how heartsick we were when He took Beau home. He knows how much we miss Beau and how we long to see him once again.
God knows exactly how we feel. He knows only too well the heartache we felt and still feel at times but as the Bible
verses above state God gave up his only Son for us. He did not spare His own Son but gave him up so we
could have eternal life. God suffered heartache back then when He gave up His Son and He suffered it again when He took Beau
home to be with Him. He didn’t promise us that it would be easy or that we would understand the purpose of it all.
But God uses everything – often the difficult things in our lives – to remake us, to transform us to bring
us closer to Him. Everything that happens to us – the easy, the difficult, the grief, the pain, the
joy – has one purpose: to make us more like Jesus. God Bless!! We love you all!
Grammy
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