Ella....GREAT NEWS!

We received great news about sweet Ella (her story is here http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ellaupchurch/journal)! They were told that Ella would most likely have 8 rounds of chemo. Last week while she was at Egleston having round 6...they told her "THIS WOULD BE THE LAST"!!! They had scans done that week and they were clear. As of now, she is cancer free. However, they journey is not over! She has still been sick and will continue to have to be monitored, but her next scan is JANUARY 1oth! What a blessing they can go thru this holiday season without chemo. So much to be thankful for.

I have learned so much from my cousin Sheli during this season of their life. She is 9 years older than me so growing up she seemed so cool and I wanted to be just like her. They past 5 years I have spent being her "friend"...no feeling of age difference. I have never known a woman filled with such grace, beauty, strength, poise, integrity, servanthood....she embodies the kind of woman I hope I can be some day!

Several months ago, Remax of Greater Atlanta (where my Aunt/mom of Sheli/grandma of Ella works) planned a Benefit for Ella to raise money for her medical expenses. Little did they know that it would fall on the weekend of her last chemo and news of being CANCER FREE!

It was a wonderful night to be with family and to celebrate Ella and her amazing family! Please enjoy some pictures below. And for any of you that followed Ella's story and prayed for her, thank you!