Ira at the Houston Marathon

My brother, Brad Eller, ran the 1/2 marathon this year, Jan.16th 2006.
He proudly held Ira up high at the finish line. Also shown is his childhood friend Jason.

...Correction...

Ok, I'm surprised.
Surprised by the overflow and responses
Surprised by the money
Surprised by the number of people with wristbands who have never met Joe and Laura
Surprised by the way God can multiple a few loaves and fish for 5000 men
Surprised He still loves more than we can ask or imagine.

Worth more than gold

Last August when the idea of wristbands for IRA was being thought out, my visibility into how fruitful it would become was as useless as an umbrella in NYC in January, or a shovel in the middle of a sand storm in Lubbock. I have been amazed at the love and generosity shown over the last few months for the Hays family... amazed, but not at all surprised.

So for our 5th month of selling the wristbands, I am pleased to give the following report:

Total sold: over 900
Total money given: over $10,000

When we were sending out initial emails regarding the purchases, I included the following verse. But before I say it, I want to express that these are not just physical objects we are selling and mailing and trading money for. We are expressing our love for Joe, Laura, Sophia and Ira in a manner that gives us some tangibility to our emotions. At times such as these, it becomes apparent to us outside the walls of Ira's room, for the need to do something. Our prayers are lifted up constantly throughout the day and our hearts ache for the same healing wished for by Mary and Martha. A healing that begs the question and lament of Jesus, where are you? Where were you? A question that grows us closer, in a way we are scared to grow. Thank you, from me, for your tangible love gifts to this family.

I Cor. 12:27 “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
but the verses before show how the body comes together- I Cor. 12:12-27

There have been a lot of new orders recently per the posting on Joe's site by Stacy.
She is putting together a scrap book of pictures and stories. See link

For those that have recently ordered, your money is being mailed tonight.
I'll try to get the wristbands out Monday, except it may be a postal holiday, but they'll be at the Post Office ready to go.

I've updated the numbers on the right from the new orders. Joe and Laura, Sophia and Ira sure do have some loving friends and family.
Steve