Caleigh's Rock Garden - A Message of HOPE

It is an honor and privilege to share our March 2022 activity - the creation of Caleigh's Rock Garden!

Caleigh Terrelonge was a vibrant 7th grader at Magothy Middle School who, in November 2019, unexpectedly passed away. The GIFA Girls partnered with the Terrelonge family to create a space of remembrance for their beautiful daughter, Caleigh, while bringing peace, comfort, and beauty to the Magothy Middle School campus in Arnold, Maryland.

Led by GIFA member Susan Ogden in partnership with Shelley (Caleigh's Mom), the challenge to paint over 400 rocks in just under a month began. Members painted at home, met up as a group, had family members paint, and more. When the date came to build the garden - we had the perfect amount of rocks - just in the nick of time! Over 700 - one for each student!

At noon on March 14th, Shelley & Ron Terrelonge, some GIFA members, friends and family of the family & GIFA members (shout out to the JMU Crew!) arrived at Magothy Middle. We quickly found a quiet space in front of the school with some benches that served as our perfect spot for the garden. We had a wonderful time placing each rock made by Moms, Dads, Brothers, Students, and Friends.

The hope of the garden is for students to be able to take a rock and/ or leave a rock to provide hope and inspire them to live life with hope and joy and never give up. Would you like to contribute? Stop by and drop off your painted rocks to add hope to middle school students' day. Your rock could be the one that makes the difference :)

Reminder that

Every step you take,

Every move you make,

and everywhere you go - you are seen, cherished, and loved by God.

And no matter where your footsteps have taken you, you are never too far gone to find your way to light at the end of the tunnel.

Just keep moving forward.

~Sydney Engler, GIFA Member

Shelley & Ron Terrelonge

Suicide is never an easy topic - or an easy answer. It's not just something that happens or just a situation you hear about. It's a real person, a vibrant life, a divinely inspired soul, a gift to this Earth from our loving God. YOU are a gift from God. Every person is formed by our Lord and is absolutely perfect in His eyes. Yes, God knows your faults. He made you that way! In your shortcomings, there are goods you have yet to see. Trust in your creator. You Matter. Each person matters.

"For you [God] formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well. (Psalms 139 13-16)

We, as humans, do NOT have all the answers. As the old saying goes, "If you think that you know it all. Think again.” We ALL fall short of God's holiness ... and is why we need Jesus. His yoke is easy, his burden is light (Matt 11:30). Don't bear the weight of the world alone in shame, hurt, doubt, fear, and more. God didn't design you to live that way.

God's love for all of us is unending. His mercy for all of us is limitless. All we need to do is open our hearts to it - have faith in His goodness. We will never be able to earn it - but believing the truth that it is given to us through Jesus Christ without merit - is faith. In faith, Caleigh lives on with each of us - in our hearts and in heaven. Now, in eternal rest, she hopes and prays for all of us to receive the gift of God's free Love and Grace. Please say yes. Start a conversation with God today. It doesn't need to be fancy. Tell God what's on your mind- he's listening.

Do you have a prayer request? Contact Us, and we will happily pray for your intention. Prayer requests are always kept confidential.