6PM...Mountain Time??? (finally posting the total...sorry for the delay!)

So sorry I didn't have this posted by 6:00 as promised.
I thought I was giving myself plenty of time after the Saturday service, but I had another event today, and was away from the computer until now.
My apologies!!!

I would like to announce the to-date total amount that has been donated to Kenan and Cathy in the wake of the tragic loss of their little daughter Evelyn.

Before I announce the total, however, I would like to reiterate the purpose of this fund.

Some of you who follow sports may have heard the recent news story of the rich donor who gave the University of Connecticut $3 million dollars to build a new football stadium. When the school hired a new coach, however, the rich donor, unhappy with their decision, ended up withdrawing his donation!
The withdrawal of his support reveals an agenda.

Our original thought for this donation fund was to help Kenan and Cathy pay unexpected medical bills. But maybe they will decide instead to use the money for something else. The other night, Kenan mentioned he’s always wanted to drive down Rte. 1 in California. Maybe they will take a trip out there, and let Kenan live that dream! Or maybe they will schedule one weekend getaway every month for several months. Maybe Cathy will want to paint her nails. Maybe Kenan will want to paint his nails. I don’t know! But in the end it's not up to us. Our purpose in giving the money is solely to minister to them and bless them, with no strings or expectations attached: no agenda. Whatever they choose, they should be free to use the money as they have need.

That said, Kenan and Cathy, our hearts have been heavy for you; and for us, it's a relief to have some tangible way we can help ease your burden. Additionally, we know that God gives not only what we need, but He also gives in abundance--and so do His people. (In this case, many donors to this fund are Christians. Many others, however, would not make that claim. But it doesn't matter--we all are participating in something Christ teaches is right: to love one another. In this case, the expression is monetary.)

I mention abundance because I believe that once the final donations are tallied, there will in fact be an abundance. It appears the donations will very likely cover the medical bills and then some. That is an answer to prayer. So be it!

With that said, on behalf of the many, many generous people who have donated money, prayer, hugs and support---Kenan and Cathy, we love you guys!

The total amount donated to Kenan and Cathy through Paypal/checks/cash that Jill and I know of is $5,565.

I know there are more people who plan to give, and there are those who have given through other avenues. Also, I know caring people from Kenan's work (Wegmans) and Cathy's work (the Dental office in Pittsford) are also working out plans to support them. There are several other stories of caring people who have supported Kenan and Cathy in various creative ways.

Christians, this is part of your Testimony about everything that is good about being a follower of Christ! We support our own in love, do we not? This is the Church being the Church, as we were meant to be.
For those who give to Kenan and Cathy but have no specific interest in being a Christian, consider this:
When asked which was the greatest commandment in the Law, Jesus responded: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'...And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40)
Regardless of what religious (or not) beliefs you hold, it seems to me the outpouring of love for Kenan and Cathy is at the very heart of what Christ intends for our lives. And it is good.

As we consider how to comport ourselves from this point forward, we acknowledge readily the days since Tuesday February 1st have been very painful. And for the rest of us, we may move fluidly to our next busy task. But for Kenan and Cathy, it doesn't end here. So as friends and family, let's continue to support the Careys in every way we know how.

Kenan and Cathy--we love you guys. May God bless you both!

Paypal Back Up

Paypal should be working again...let me know of any issues!

Temporary Paypal Issue

We are aware you may not currently be able to access the "Donate" button...this is temporary, and should be resolved by 10:00 Thursday evening, the 10th. We will post again, once the issue is resolved. If you encounter problems after that time, please send a message to Lee.Teitsworth@gmail.com.

Remember, the "deadline" for donations is Saturday the 12th, which is the day of the funeral. By 6:00 P.M., we will publish the to-date total amount donated to help Kenan and Cathy. Though they technically already have access to the funds, Kenan and Cathy do not know what the total amount is. We will present the total to them on Saturday (not during the service, obviously, but that day), so they will have the encouragement and know the love you all poured out to them in the previous week and a half!

Service for Evelyn Saturday the 12th

Someone posted this info in the comments, but I will re-post it here, where it may be more visible:

There will be a memorial service for Evelyn Jane Carey on Saturday Feb. 12th at 10am. The service will be held at Avon Wesleyan Church, which is located at 300 Genesee St. in Avon, NY.

Cathy and Kenan invite all who would like to attend!


Psalm 139: 13-17

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!

The Logistics of Grief

Dear Friends and Family,

My name is Lee Teitsworth, and I am writing on behalf of my close friends Kenan and Cathy Carey. Cathy was due to have her baby Saturday, Feb 5th, 2011; but Tuesday the 1st, Cathy did not feel the baby move at all. Concerned, Kenan and Cathy went to the hospital for an ultrasound, and their fears were confirmed: there was no movement because the baby had died. Tuesday evening Cathy was induced, and in the night gave birth to a stillborn baby girl. They named her Evelyn.

Their pain feels tangible, doesn't it?

At a time like this we as friends and family feel heartbroken, and a bit helpless. My hope is to recognize and meet a need in a way that will minister to Kenan and Cathy, and be a blessing to them.

Because we recently had a baby of our own, my wife Jill and I are keenly aware of the expense involved. In fact, I have two medical bills sitting on my desk that we incurred in December '10. As a sampling, the following are actual costs, before insurance: Anesthesia: $200.38. Recovery room: $764.65 (Jill was there about an hour). Lab/immunology: $85. Obstetrics/semi-private room: $2140.00. IV solution: $49.24.
And the list goes on, and on and on.

Whether or not a patient has insurance coverage, medical expenses can very quickly become anything from painful, to shocking, to outright devastating. It won't take much for their bills to quickly climb into the thousands--and while I don't know the details of their budget, I do know they had planned a home birth, and any hospital stay will have incurred more expense than they had planned.

Although my original thought for Kenan and Cathy is that our donations will go toward payment of these medical bills, they may decide instead to use the money for a getaway, to begin a recovery and healing process. I would love to see them do something like that as well. But in the end it's not up to us--our purpose is solely to minister to them and bless them, with no strings or expectations attached. Whatever they choose, they should be free to use the money as they have need.

To this end, you can securely donate through Paypal or with a credit card, using the link below. Obviously 100% of what comes through goes to Kenan and Cathy. If you donate online, be aware that Paypal does collect 3% of any transaction.

If for any reason you feel uncomfortable with donating online, you may also send checks (made out to Kenan Carey) to us at:
1709 Rush-Scottsville Rd.
Rush, NY 14543

** We have discovered a third option, which makes it possible to donate anonymously if you choose, and/or avoid the 3% Paypal admin. fees. With help from his parents, we have contacted Kenan's bank; and according to them, it's possible to simply deposit money directly into his account. Rather than post Kenan's banking details on the internet however, if you're interested in donating this way, contact either Dan Carey at his home phone, or me at lee.teitsworth@gmail.com, and we will give you the details necessary to complete the transaction. **

Thanks everyone--let's make this a real encouragement for two great, great people!!!