Donation of Life

Would you give a donation for life?

I'm happy to announce that my uncle recently received a liver transplant at the wonderful St. Luke's in the Houston Medical Center.  He had been on the waiting list for about 7 months so when the call came, we were surprised and thankful. He had went through tedious amounts of tests, blood work, paper work, and other routines just to qualify. Though he was frightened and excited to trade in his old non-working ill liver for a newer one, he was thankful more than anything for the donation from the person who obviously no longer needed it and who was laid to rest.

Unfortunately, one of my younger cousins, Ronda, was involved in a tragic motorcycle accident back last year in Campton, KY.   Though she lost her own life, 3 lives were saved because she was an organ donor.  This is a true example on how God can change something so tragic into a wonderful blessing.

We rarely dwell or even like to think about death.  It's something we hope is an event that is way-way-far off! It can be a scary or depressing topic. On top of that, who even wants to think about what happens to our body parts after the fact? However, preparing for your death should be another item on your task list for life's ever occurring events.  Since death is an event that none of us can avoid, it's best to get prepared now instead of leaving the unhappy tasks to our grieving family members. 

There are so many people in America still on that ever long waiting list just hoping and dreaming for a donation of life.  Many still pass on without having the chance or being educated about donating to save a life. Growing up, I heard absurb horror stories about organ donation. Check out some of these organ donation myths. Yet organ donation can be the greatest gift you could ever give to someone....just ask my uncle! < -->
Become a donor at: http://www.organdonor.gov/ or call 1-888-ASK-HRSA.


Don't fear death for God created the cycle of Life.  He made a donation to you so it's your turn to make a donation of life.

Issues with Breathitt County Officials

Have you been robbed?

I really enjoyed writing my last blog entry, "Crossing Over". It gave me a chance to escape and hope for a brighter day.  Lately however, I have been far,  far away from that special Heaven place! :)  I have been dealing with my Mom's issues with getting the County to fix the public road -- Fugate's Fork Road.  If you lived in that area or in Breathitt County, I believe you would understand my dilemma with the county officials.

My mom and many of my family live on Fugate's Fork Road.  It's just a simple 2-3 mile county dirt road running up a holler on the side of the mountain. Don't let the name fool you - we, the Fugate Family do not necesarily own it!! It is maintained by the county which means THEY-- the county officials -- are responsible for maintaining the safety and conditions of the road. 

The Fugate's Fork Road is very dear to me since I walked it nearly everyday for six years to catch the school bus.  So to see the road ignored and damaged affects me personally.  Though I currently don't reside there, my friends and family do.  I have been hearing the struggles and disheartening of the Fugate's Fork residents for many months now.

The road on Fugate's Fork has never been in the best of shape, especially in the last year or so. Lately though, it has gone to the extreme.  The garbage has not been picked up THREE weeks,  my mom and others haven't received their mail nor is she or many other residents in that area able to safely leave Fugate's Fork.  My family has spent countless hours notifiying the County Judge, the magistrate of the area, the County Garage, and even the disctrict representatives.  Yet they are blately being ignored by the County and District Representatives. Time after time after time their requests have been ignored, excused, or even thrown into the trash.  Which makes me wonder how robbed they really are? Why is that these officials able to get elected into office? What's even more surprising is that these officials are running for office in the next election? One official even made a comment that he would fix the road if my family voted for him!

Are you like me? Do you find this issue astounding or appalling? How many times have you heard of votes being bought or bribbed? When I was younger, I thought it was neat that you could get money for voting for someone.  My grandpa was drunk and had lots of money on every election day...guess where he got it?

Now that I am older, I get angry at the thought of uncaring officials robbing poor people and taking advantage of people.  They care only for themselves.

I have contacted several state officials and will continue to contact and fight for Fugate's Fork.  I need your help though---prayers, suggestions, --and ---NO...I not your money! :)  Contact the KY's State Governor, the Attorney General, the Election Fraud Department, the Secretary of State, Lieutant Governor, and any other media contacts that you might have.  Email anyone and everyone you know about this....

Doing this alone is a struggle.....but having friends fight with you makes it better.  I am not afraid for the Lord Lights My Way.

Peace....and Thanks.....BTW - Can you bail me out if you see me in the Breathitt County Jail?? :) LOL

IT's Illegal for Someone to Buy or Bribe Your Vote.  YOUR VOTE DOES COUNT.  YOUR VOICE MATTERS!!!

Crossing Over

What will heaven be like?
Close your mind and imagine with me for a moment.  You're standing on a deserted beach listening the waves crash upon the shore.  You look out and see the beautiful sunshine beaming down upon the blue water.  The sun's rays bring warmth while brightening your soul. Listening to the waves, it calms your senses. You glance behind you to see the dark, deserted, overgrown woods.  The bushes and trees are mangled so close together, enclosing it's mystery and sadness.

From out of nowhere, a figure wrestles its way from out of the woods and falls upon the beach.  The figure kicks off the overgrown bushes that appear almost alive and try so hard to pull the figure back into its darkness. Looking tired, depressed, and worn from the travels of the woods, the figure manages to stand up. Suddenly it walks toward you.  Closer and closer it comes.  As it does, the figure's appearance begins to look oddly familiar.  Naturally it does, because it's you! You and the figure stare at one another for a moment looking lost.  Fear and sadness rushes over you but then you realize there is nothing to fear, it's just you.  You...and...uh...you....are suddenly enveloped together, staring out at the waves crashing against the shore.  Once again the warmth of the sun calms your soul.  You feel thankful to have found that down trodden tired part of you, safe inside you now, away from the woods. You feel thankful for the warmth of the sun and the beauty of this place.

As you hear the waves of the shore crashing again, you see a bottle wash upon the shore.  The sun's rays beam of the glass container showing a worn label.  Out of curiosity, you draw closer to see the markings on the bottle then you realize there's a note inside.  Before you can think about breaking the bottle to get to it, you clearly see the words, "Thank You" written inside.

Thank you? Why would someone write that? Then you realize where you must be.  All the peace, all the serenity, all the calmness? Ah it must be Heaven!  The note must be from Him, yes, Him, the big man upstairs.  Why on Earth would He thank you? Yet He does. He thanks you for coming  here to this place, seeking eternal serenity,  for allowing Him to give you the peace, to rest your mind.  He thanks you for befriended the one, that you that was lost in the woods, almost trapped and never able to leave. You almost laugh at the thought of God thanking you but you realize it's true.  All the years of thanking Him, He is thanking you.

You look out towards the east of the shore and see a glare of light almost blinding you. The sun is heading west now so it's rays bounce off the beauty of the object on top of the rugged the mountain in the east.  You try to focus and walk down the beach to get a closer look.  Sure enough, it is what it is.  God has kept His promise.  The golden mansion sits high on top of the mountain.  You had heard rumors all your life of the streets of gold.  You wonder if it's really true.  So naturally you make your way east.

Yet the moutaintop sits so high, it seems impossible to get to it unless you swim towards it.  That doesn't seem possible either for the waters are rough and crashing against the many many rugged rocks surrounded the beach and mountain.

From out of nowhere, you see a tiny boat.  Not the newest looking thing but still a boat.  It doesn't look very held together but perhaps you could use it anyway to cross to the other side.  Yet the fear starts to set in.  "I can't do it.  The waters are too rough.  I would surely drown."  Yet you are driven to see the place, to see its beauty, so why not? Get in the boat!

So, you finally get your nerves up and get in the boat.  Thankfully there is one paddle.  At least there is a paddle, you think. Two would have been nice but one will do.  You start on your journey to paddle in the rugged water.  Not long after you have been paddling, you realize it's pretty easy.  You keep your eyes towards the shore, the prize.  As you stare, you see them, your loved ones.  All those that have gone on before you.  They are waiting for you at the shore.  What? Is that...? Yes, it's my grandma, it's my...! On and on you see them all there smiling and waiting for you.

But wait....they are not smiling....
..............They are laughing. And they keep laughing that you begin to laugh with them.  "Wow! they are really really happy to see me."  You feel overjoyed and continue to laugh. Suddenly you realize why they are laughing.

He's behind you, yes, your True Friend, the One who brought you Here, brought you to the serenity, the peace, and that part of you, the Giver of Life.  He's been behind you the whole time walking in the water, pushing you along while you thought it was you paddling all along.  You thought the paddling was easy but now you know why, for He did the work for you.

What's even more funny? The water was never deep.  It was shallow all the time.  You could have wadded through it all the way.  Yet God wanted you to conquer your fears, go for the streets of gold, while He pushed you along.

Isn't it great that there is an End waiting for us? A place full of serene and calmness...? I go there every chance I get when I call upon God.  He gives me a quick glimpse and assures me that there will be a beach waiting for me when I get there.

God Bless You!
Seek Heaven out in those dreary dark moments in the Woods!