What If They Find Out?

Several of you have asked questions about the family being able to link back from comments you leave on their personal blog and "discover" the project because of all the links and buttons. I don't really have an answer for that except I guess it's a risk we're willing to take. In order for a project like this to really circulate, we have to get the word out through other bloggers linking and blogging. I know right now the family is extremely busy with Annette's treatment (for updates on her chemo and radiation doses, go here). My hope is that they will be so busy with caring for her that they won't have time to just sit and click on all the comments on their personal site.

If you want to leave a comment on their personal site, I'd suggest "unlinking" your blog or website when you leave a comment. You can still leave your email address for them to reply to if they get the chance to personally respond to everyone, and by not having your site connected to your comment, we can protect the "surprise" element of the project.

Thanks again for sending in the questions, and a super-huge thanks to all of you who have sent letters, linked, blogged, and posted buttons regarding this project.

Annette's MRI

Annette's MRI did not come back good. The tumor on her spine is growing so fast that they have to begin radiation right away; chemo is too slow and the area is too large and dangerous to attempt surgery. You can read the rest of the details here.

Please lift up this family in prayer.

And please help spread the hope for them.

This morning the Lord pressed upon me to pray that He would honor the prayers of His servants. James tells us that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. And we are all made righteous in Christ Jesus.

So let's pray. Let's uplift. Let's write.

And let's hope.

What is the Maxey Family Letter Project?

The Maxey family has had their share of loss and struggles.  They lost their first daughter, Maddy, at 14 months to cancer.  Recently they discovered that their 3 month old daughter, Annette, has an AT/RT tumor and she is undergoing treatment for cancer as well.  The Maxeys also have a 2 year old son, Grant.

When I heard about this family, I was devastated for them.  I couldn't comprehend what these poor people were going through.  I prayed for the Lord to give me direction in how to help them.

Thus the Maxey Family Letter Project was born.  I was surfing the web one day and saw a link for the Mother Letter Project and it was like the Lord shone a spotlight on it.  I thought it would be a great thing for strangers everywhere to send letters to this family.  I prayed for His direction and later received confirmation when I heard that Natalie said sometimes the only thing that gets her through some days is knowing about people out there - complete strangers - who pray for her family and her baby girl.

We are asking that if you have come to this blog that you will consider writing a letter or writing down a prayer for this family and sending it in to them via the comments section of this blog or to the special email address we've set up, hopeforthemaxeys (at) gmail (dot) com.  Don't know what to write?  Here are some guidelines and suggestions.  You can write to a specific family member, to the family as a whole, or you can write a separate letter to all four of them.  Whatever you feel led to do.  Please include the state you live in with your letter (do not leave your address and if you do not feel comfortable leaving your state in the comments, please send it via email).  This way when we have the bound book to present to Natalie, she can see that people all over the United States and world are praying for and encouraging her family.

Obviously we want this to be a surprise for Natalie and the family, so please do not leave a comment about this project on their personal blog.

If you want to know more about their story, please click on their blog button to the side or go here.

We would love it if you would advertise this project on your blog or website.  You can find our buttons here.

Still got questions?  Check out our FAQs page.

Gotta question we haven't answered?  Please email it to us.

Thank you for being a part of this project.  Your contribution will greatly bless a family in need.

"So speak encouraging words to one another.  Build up hope so you'll all be together in this; no one left out, no one left behind."  1 Thessalonians 5:11, the Message

Help Spread the Word!

Here are some buttons to advertise The Maxey Family Letter Project on your site or blog. Scroll down and pick the one you like the best, and help us get the word out!

<a href="http://hopeforthemaxeys.blogspot.com/"> <center><img src="http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo254/DancingInTheMargins/Maxey/button1.jpg" /></center></a>

<a href="http://hopeforthemaxeys.blogspot.com/"> <center><img src="http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo254/DancingInTheMargins/Maxey/button2.jpg" /></center></a>

<a href="http://hopeforthemaxeys.blogspot.com/"> <center><img src="http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo254/DancingInTheMargins/Maxey/button3.jpg" /></center></a>

<a href="http://hopeforthemaxeys.blogspot.com/"> <center><img src="http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo254/DancingInTheMargins/Maxey/button4.jpg" /></center></a>

<a href="http://hopeforthemaxeys.blogspot.com/"> <center><img src="http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo254/DancingInTheMargins/Maxey/button5.jpg" /></center></a>

<a href="http://hopeforthemaxeys.blogspot.com/"> <center><img src="http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo254/DancingInTheMargins/Maxey/button6.jpg" /></center></a>

<a href="http://hopeforthemaxeys.blogspot.com/"> <center><img src="http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo254/DancingInTheMargins/Maxey/button7.jpg" /></center></a>

<a href="http://hopeforthemaxeys.blogspot.com/"> <center><img src="http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo254/DancingInTheMargins/Maxey/button8.jpg" /></center></a>

Guidelines for Letters

Here's a few guidelines to stick to while writing:

1.  Do not be intimidated due to the magnitude of their circumstances.  I understand it's hard to figure out what to write to someone who has gone through/is going through much.  But don't let that stop you from sending your compassion to them.  Write from your heart, and they will be blessed.

2.  Write what you feel, not what you think you "should" say.  Share your favorite verses, your triumphs, your stories of struggle and loss.  Share what got you through the hard times.  It doesn't have to sound like a Hallmark card.

3.  You don't have to write a novel.  Sometimes the best words come in the smallest packages!

4.  But if you want to write a novel, by all means, do so!  Feel like you've got a lot to share?  Then share it, and don't worry about length.  We have no restrictions!

5.  If you're at a loss for words, then write out a prayer.  Sit down with your notebook and write as you pray.  It is amazing reading prayers that have been written on your behalf.

6.  Write more than one letter, if you want to.  You can write your letter to one specific person, the entire family, or a separate letter for each person.

7.  Please include your state and/or country.  We want to show the family just how large the network of the Body of Christ is, and how deep its compassion runs.  Our goal is to see letters come in from everywhere!  Please do not include your address, and if you are concerned about leaving your state in the comments, please send your letter via email (hopeforthemaxeys (at) gmail (dot) com).

8.  Please keep it clean.  We are giving this to a Christian family, so it goes without saying no profanity or crude language, please.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.  What should I write about?

Please see our Guidelines page.

2.  When will you print the book?

The print date has not been decided yet.  We're hoping to receive several hundred letters, so we will determine the print date based on the number of submissions.  We will announce it as soon as it is determined.  And we can always print more books!

3.  Can I contact the Maxey family?

No.  Due to security issues, we will not post their contact information here.  If you'd like to send them a message outside of the Building Hope Project, you can leave a comment on their personal blog.  However, please do not mention this project in your comments, as we are wanting to keep it a surprise.

4.  How can I keep up with Annette's progress?

We will post short updates of her progress here, taken straight from the family blog.  You can get these updates by subscribing in a reader, following this blog, or checking their personal blog daily.

5.  Can I make a donation to this family?

At this time we do not have anything set up for monetary donations.

6.  Why "Building Hope"?

We took the name directly from 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Message translation.  The Maxeys are Christians, and it is our goal and duty as their brothers and sisters in Christ to build them up, encourage them, and help carry their burdens.  We hope that this project will encourage them to continue to lean on the True Hope of men, Jesus Christ.

Got a question we haven't answered?  Please email us!