The Macs » Blog

cora’s playground

Cora’s Playground is in the works.
Over $40, 000 has been raised.
Can you believe that?
We are blown away by your kindness and generosity.  
Seriously, blown away.
Papers have been signed and the equipment is ordered.
If all goes according to schedule, 
Cora’s Playground will become a reality by the end of the summer.
We have enough money to get started.  Any additional donations that come in will be used to help cover the final details: 
benches, a plaque, etc.
We don’t know what else to say except thank you!

Pictures and more details coming soon…
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  • Nicoolmama - Amazing! Can’t wait to see pictures.ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - How FANTASTIC! Take the credit mom and dad for making this happen. What a great way to honor your beautiful daughter. I(as I am sure everyone else is as well)am so thankful to contribute in such a small way..but you and Grammy keep sewing and we will keep buying!Thanks for giving us an update..You continue to inspire me in so many ways..odd isn’t it that you can inspire a complete stranger so much..
    Always in my thoughts and prayers, still wishing I could take some of your pain away.

    KimReplyCancel

  • PamperingBeki - Good job, Mom!

    I love that you already had plans for a playground, seemingly hours after Cora passed. It speaks to your true character. Even in the worst time of your life, you were thinking of others and how you could make other lives better.

    God bless you Jess!ReplyCancel

  • Christina - That is so wonderful! My daughter asked just the other day (maybe the day before yesterday?) if we could go to Cora’s playground one day. I would love to…we live in Dallas, so we’ll see. It made my heart glad that she was still thinking of it though.ReplyCancel

  • Cindy in WA - Who hoo!!!!!! How amazing!!!! I can’t wait to see the pictures of the progress!! Hugs to you and Joel. You are in my thoughts daily.ReplyCancel

  • Robin in Benton - How Wonderful!!!! I can’t think of a more appropriate tribute for your daughter – and you guys are awesome for doing this! I can’t wait to see the pictures – and I’ll be one of what I’m sure will be a huge crowd there when Cora’s Playground is dedicated. Blessings on you both – you are in my thoughts and prayers often.

    RobinReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - It is beautiful to witness God’s grace!ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - Congratulations…what an honor for your little Angel.ReplyCancel

  • wicker0407 - That is amazing it was an honor for me to donate and I will try my best to buy some dresses once you re stock your etsy shop we all have to fight for them they are so darn cute! Cora will forver be in my heart she was so adorable and I am forever changed because of your blog and her. I continue to keep you and Joel in my prayers. Cora is in heaven now with little Kayleigh Anne Freeman and I am sure they are having fun together now made whole with no pain and in the arms of the Lord.
    God Bless!
    Summer and Family in CaliforniaReplyCancel

  • Misty Rice - Oh oh oh …. so cool. I am so excited and I can’t wait to see pictures, and Cora’s name displayed over it some place.

    God Bless.ReplyCancel

  • Luciene Pires - Praise the Lord for Cora’s playground!!!

    You don’t know me but I know a corner of your heart as you share it on your blog!

    I’m Brazilian so I am very far away from – and feel so very blessed to pray for you and your family!

    I would like to share something with you. Maybe you’ve watched, maybe not…here it its:http://deathisnotdying.com/

    I pray it may bless your heart…

    All’s grace,
    LucieneReplyCancel

  • Jenny - That is amazing!! What a wonderful tribute to your daughter!! I can’t wait to see the thought and detail you put into this playground. You and your husband are truly inspiring people.
    Your family continues to be in our prayers.ReplyCancel

  • Darby - What wonderful news to see first thing this morning… Praise the Lord!!ReplyCancel

  • Marla Taviano - Praise the Lord!!!ReplyCancel

  • Heather - Yay! That’s so exciting! I can’t wait to see it! I get so many comments on my Cora’s Playground necklace and I just love the opportunity to tell people about Cora and what an amazing little girl she is 😀 I think of you guys all the time and continue to pray for your strength.
    Hugs and prayers,
    Heather~ On the HomefrontReplyCancel

  • mommaof4wife2r - wow…soooo exciting…and what a great physical way to see the body of christ in action! you all are ever in our prayers…and we can’t wait to see this playground come to reality! yeah god!!!ReplyCancel

  • Laura Fiegel - How wonderful!! I can’t wait to see the finished project 🙂

    Also, is there anyway I could get the code for your Cora’s playground button? I would love to put it on my blog http://www.thefiegels.blogspot.com

    Thanks!!ReplyCancel

  • Audrey - Yay! How wonderful is our God that he can work such miracles through everyone that contributed?ReplyCancel

  • Courtney - Awesome! I can’t wait to take my kids to play on Cora’s playground. I’m so happy for you guys, this will be somewhere you will always have to honor your sweet Cora.
    Looking forward to seeing the pictures too!
    Praise God!
    Courtney MayfieldReplyCancel

  • Heather - How wonderful!! Can’t wait to make the drive up to Newton and see the finished product!!ReplyCancel

  • Marsha - Awesome! What a sweet way to remember your sweet Cora! I can’t wait to see the pictures!

    Love and prayers,

    Marsha in VAReplyCancel

  • Heather - You can can’t on a few visitors from California for the big opening! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Holly - So amazing!!ReplyCancel

  • Toni :O) - Yay!!! What a terrific way to honor the memory of your sweet little princess and such a tribute to you and Joel….a sure sign of how our wonderful God works. Continuing to pray for you and send you love and hugs (( )) (( )) for strength from Michigan. Hang in there.ReplyCancel

  • Susy M - You and Joel are such an inspiration of God’s grace. Cora will never be forgotten and I am sure your children will remember their big sister as they play and enjoy her PlayGround! I know God has other children waiting to be blessed with such incredible parents. God Bless you both and your families!ReplyCancel

  • mandi @ it's come to this - That is such wonderful news!! Plus I can “hear” the joy in your post:) Looking forward to pictures!!ReplyCancel

  • Amy - Woo-hoo! That is wonderful news.

    You are the BEST mom in the whole world, Jess. You really are.

    I am awed and inspired by you every day.

    You are always in my thoughts and prayers, sweetie.ReplyCancel

  • Falling Around - Oh, Jess… that is so amazing! I can’t wait to see pictures. I would love to bring my kids to Cora’s Playground for a visit and time of remembrance. Though we are in California, that is one of my goals – slide down Cora’s slide with my kids.

    Blessings to you,
    ChristyReplyCancel

  • Elle's Mom - Yay!!! That is incredible! So happy!!!ReplyCancel

  • Rachel - That is awesome news! I hope you will be able to see your daughters joy on the smile of all the kids playing on Cora’s playground!!!ReplyCancel

  • Peyton's Pages - Yay! Can’t wait to see pictures!ReplyCancel

  • Ruthie - That is so awesome! How exciting. What a special way for Cora to be honored. I really pray this project continues to bring a lot of joy.

    RuthieReplyCancel

  • purejoy - awwww what wonderful news!! you continue to be in our prayers. many blessings to you as you being this (hopefully) fun undertaking!ReplyCancel

  • Team Martins - This is GREAT news! Can’t wait to see this legacy bring smiles to so many.

    God’s blessings to you every moment of every day!ReplyCancel

  • Amy H - YAY! That is wonderful. How amazing. What a difference she made in just 11 months. You must be so proud of her.ReplyCancel

  • Kelly - Yea!
    God will continue to use this to bring glory to Him!ReplyCancel

  • Erin - What exciting news! Can’t wait to see pictures of the progress…ReplyCancel

  • Debbie K. - What wonderful news! We will remember Cora always. God Bless!ReplyCancel

  • Erica - that is absolutely fabulous that so much money was raised in honor of your little cora! i know she is worth far more than that but what a great way to honor her memory! i can’t wait to see pictures!ReplyCancel

  • meg duerksen - SO EXCITING!!!!
    🙂ReplyCancel

  • Katy Frame (Kate Creates) - WOW, that is amazing! Congratulations!!!ReplyCancel

  • Allen and Debby Graber - Makes me want to cry. Do you have any idea what a blessing this will be for the kids? Every Sunday the kids want to play outside and are bummed when the weather is bad. My heart just wants to melt with gratitude to you and Joel for sharing this with our kids at Grace! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! Debby, Nursery Director, Grace CommunityReplyCancel

  • Brooke - That is so awesome!! I can’t wait to see the results!ReplyCancel

  • Ethansmom08 - I’m SO excited for you all! This is great news, can’t wait to see Cora’s playground!ReplyCancel

  • Jenny S - How wonderful!!! Congrats! Maybe if more donations come in you can find an organization who is researching the type of cancer Miss Cora had. I would willingly donate more into the till towards finding a cure so others do not have to go through what you and your family have endured!! You amaze me with your strength!!ReplyCancel

  • Brad & Megan - Your story inspires me (I’m a friend of a friend – Kendra Veer). I have loved reading each and every post about Cora. The playground will be a wonderful testament, not only to Cora’s life, but also to the faith and love of her parents. Keep updating!ReplyCancel

  • The Jones' - That is wonderful!!! I can not wait to see the upcoming photos!
    LizReplyCancel

  • The Carroll's - Yay!! Little kids will know about the Heavenly Father who loves them because of you and your faith!! I hope that Cora’s playground brings you much joy even in the midst of your hurt. Joel and Jess- you are an inspiration- what a legacy you are leaving!!ReplyCancel

  • Lexie Loo & Dylan Too - That is wonderful!!!ReplyCancel

  • Tina - I have been wondering about the status of her playground, but didn’t want to ask. I am so glad that the project is getting started! I cannot wait to see the pictures! CANNOT WAIT!ReplyCancel

  • Polka Dot Moon - How exciting! You both are amazing people; so inspirational. This is such a lovely tribute and legacy to your beautiful daughter.

    Not a day goes by without a thought of you and a prayer too.

    DeniseReplyCancel

  • Kristin - That is so awesome!ReplyCancel

  • Cathy - Jess, please check out this brave young woman’s testimony http://deathisnotdying.com/fullvideo/
    unbelievably awesome is our God
    blessings to you and yours,
    cathy in ncReplyCancel

  • Happiness Is... - Congratulations! That is amazing and such a wonderful way to honor sweet Cora’s life.ReplyCancel

  • Heather's Home (aka Chez Hez) - CONGRATS!

    That is so wonderful, Jess! Much love to you and Joel!ReplyCancel

  • Mommy2Sophia - That is so wonderful! Thanks for the update! I can’t wait to see how everything turns out!

    LisaReplyCancel

  • Christine - Just WOW!!! I’m so honored to have taken part in such an amazing effort, and cannot wait to see pictures of the progress. It was such a blessing to craft for Cora and to share that with my 5yo daughter. She, too, made things for me to list and sell on etsy, and we love knowing that we were able to help honor Cora’s precious memory. Thank you always for sharing your journey, for being so transparent, for allowing the Lord to work in and through you for His ultimate glory. You and Jess are such inspiring people, and I pray that God would bless you in a mighty way.

    We might not be able to make it to Kansas from Austin, but we will be anxiously watching for pictures and progress!! Much love,ReplyCancel

  • TRICIA @boutellefamilyzoo - I’m so happy to hear that Cora’s Playground is ready to break ground. I’m quite sure that all of the children in your church are super excited!
    Your story has obviously ministered to many, many people. Proof positive with all of the donations received for Cora’s Playground.
    I can’t wait to see photos.
    May God continue to bless your lives and bring you joy.
    *TriciaReplyCancel