Today was one of those days that leaves you speechless in the very best way. Our bake sale fundraiser for Marley was more than a table full of treats—it was a table full of love, and generosity. I’ve cried at least ten times, because I’m just so overwhelmed by the goodness that surrounded us. 

From the moment we started setting up, I was met with helping hands—a friend who showed up early to price items (thank you, Kara!), church family who ran errands (love you, Arod), and complete strangers who handed me donations without ever having met Marley. I watched one man from our church quietly stop by our table multiple times just to lay a hand on Marley’s sign and pray. That image will stay with me forever. 

There were over 20 people who baked and packaged goods with such love that we were able to keep restocking our table all day long. We had 109 entries into our pie raffle (shoutout to Dana and Roger Batts + Piefalootin), and people went out of their way to show us some love. Mary—Marley’s very first school bus attendant—and her new Buddy League coaches both came by and placed donations straight into my hands. My amazing mother-in-law spent the night to help and then drove over an hour and a half to take Maddox to his Bible quizzing tournament so Jonathan and I could divide and conquer. 

And speaking of Jonathan, he showed up the way he always does. He took Marley to her baseball game, kept Marshall happy, and gave me the time to be present at the fundraiser. Our village is strong, generous, and full of the most beautiful people who choose to help—even while walking through their own challenges. 

I was meant to serve others today, but the truth is—I was the one who was deeply ministered to. God showed up in every detail and reminded me that we are not alone in this. People showed up for Marley in a way that has left me changed. I don’t even know how to say thank you, but please know this—your support is part of Marley’s story, and we don’t take that lightly. 

From the bottom of my overflowing heart, thank you.

To learn more about NARS1, visit The Rory Belle Foundation— the home for NARS1 families. This treatment journey wouldn’t be possible without their love, advocacy, and support. Created in memory of Rory Belle, who passed away from NARS1, the foundation continues her legacy by giving families like ours a fighting chance and hope!