daytime television

Mark got to take home our table's centerpiece, with the winning sticker on the back of his program. I love the white and green.
 On Saturday, we were able to attend the annual COPA ball, a black tie event to raise money for the Maricopa Health Foundation, which is hugely responsible for Stephanie and Christian's recovery through the Burn Unit at Maricopa County Hospital. You may remember last year we attended as well. Only last year, Stephanie and Christian were in comas. The tone of the event, for us, was obviously much more somber. We did not know how or when or if they would recover.

This year, the event was joyous. A celebration of the miracles that faith + medicine can produce. Stephanie and Christian were guest speakers and had the whole audience captivated with their remarkable story. Tears flowed. Standing ovations were given. We were so grateful to be in attendance and so thankful for the donor who purchased the expensive table (it IS a fundraiser) so more of C and S's families could attend. I don't know who it was, but we are most appreciative. And, as you likely already know, Stephanie and Christian will be on OPRAH today! Don't miss it!

Ellsworths

Go Here for an update on my friends, the Ellsworths. Lansing and Dallin died in the Moab plane crash last year (one week after Stephanie and Christian's plane crash). Marie (far left in bottom photo) keeps a nice blog about her family and how everyone's doing. They are incredible people - the kind I aspire to be like.

music and passion are always in fashion at the Copa....

This is the Nielson Clan (actually only about 1/3 of the adult Nielson clan) at the Copa Ball at the lovely Camelback Inn Saturday Night. The 5th annual event was put on by the Maricopa Health Foundation to benefit the patient and community services it supports. One of which is the Arizona Burn Center, where Stephanie and Christian have been receiving care for the past 7+ weeks. We are ever thankful for the phenomenal medical attention and love the doctors and staff have provided them. So....we were thrilled when the President of the foundation donated a table to members of C & S's families.
This picture was taken post dinner. Stephanie's brother, Andrew, and his cute wife Megan dined with us, but left early (thus missing the photo op.) to make it to the hospital to see Stephanie before visiting hours were over. They headed back to Utah on Sunday. It was great to talk to them about how the children are doing, the vegetarian family count*, and stories of Christian and Steph.
We had a great time and were especially entertained by the live-auctioneer. He was amazing and Mark had to stay my hand several times, from bidding on something. Anything. He (the auctioneer) was just so fun and convincing, he really got people into the spirit of bidding and I was no exception. Alas, we left empty handed. No Sedona getaway, no Suns pkg., no framed pink underwear, signed by Joe Arpaio. The woman who bought the pink underwear was the only bidder on that item, and the auctioneer kept her bidding anyway. She outbid herself at least 4 times. It was funny. All for a good cause though. Debbie did win the fancy centerpiece, pictured above - not in the auction, more of a door prize really. *the entree was filet mignon, which C & S would not have appreciated, but their dog, Jimmy is a carnivore. Jimmy, can you say leftover filet mignon? yum yum.

pizza and prayers

On Saturday, we spent some time with Stephanie and Christian at the hospital. First stop was to see Miss Stephanie. She was more responsive than I've ever seen her. Her sister, Page, was there when we arrived and the two seemed to be having a delightful conversation - Page talking about happy childhood memories and such, and Stephanie waving her mummied-arms and moving something fierce! She wanted to talk so badly! It was exciting, but we also felt her frustration. We told her we love her and we're so proud of her. We just keep praying for her and hope that she feels some comfort when we tell her of the thousands of people who are also praying. If flailing is any indication, she feels it and is very grateful!

We also talked with her Dad who recounted some funny stories about Steph's boyish page-boy haircut as a child, which happens to be the subject of her blog today.

Christian has been awake and alert for several days and it was great to visit with him finally. He looked so good! He's really healing nicely. We brought him his favorite LGO avocado pizza and he accepted it so graciously - mmmm-ing and smiling and thanking. Christian was visibly tired and I am sure we stayed too long, but he seemed happy to talk to us - repeatedly expressing gratitude and concern and love for Stephanie, and us all. We assured him of our love as well.

So many miracles we've witnessed already. And we're praying for more.

We are overwhelmed with grief for Christian, Stephanie and the Doug Kinneard family; and now for our friends the Ellsworths. Lansing Ellsworth and his son, Dallin were killed in another tragic plane crash Friday in Moab, UT, just 6 days after Christian and Stephanie's crash. I wish I could accurately express our sadness this week. But I will just say that our prayers are with the Ellsworths now too.

Lansing and his wife, LynAnn are both from Mesa and I became friends with them while they and I were living in Tucson. They are extraordinary people with faith and service at the heart of their beliefs. Never a bad thing to say about anyone. Never a complaint. Always positive and giving. Wonderful parents. Much like Stephanie and Christian. My heart aches for LynAnn, their 3 other children and all of the extended family, as well as the families of the 8 other victims. Words cannot express.

Christian and Stephanie have so many friends, family and awesome people they don't even know, praying for them. What a blessing. Thank you. Thank you. We are hopeful for their recovery. We love them so! News coverage here. And updates from Stephanie's sister here.