This time on the show we talk about some news including the new Selena Gomez quest. Ronan Dawn and Cassandra Hexthorn join us to shine some light on the fire school for our fire study hall. We take lots of questions via email and the chat room. Ditto is back with Daring Adventures of Ditto Episode 11 and Friendly joins us with a song. Listen to learn how you can use the Petnome to win your choice of a Summer Dragon, Death Scarab or FOG Unicorn pet via email, twitter or on facebook. Join us for our next show recording live Tuesday, Oct. 5 at 8:30 pm CST. Contact us with questions at ravenwoodradio at yahoo.com and on twitter at @ravenwoodradio and @spiritcaller.

This time on the show we have lots to talk about including Wizard 101's 2nd birthday and the exciting news that Selena Gomez will be joining us in the Sprial for a new quest later this month. We also answer lots of listener questions via email and the chat room. Christina joins us again for Tip of the Iceburg and Ditto is back with Daring Adventures of Ditto. Listen to learn how you can use the Petnome to win your choice of a Summer Dragon, Death Scarab or FOG Unicorn pet via email, twitter or on facebook. Join us for our next show recording live Sept. 22 at 8:30 pm CST. Contact us with questions at ravenwoodradio at yahoo.com and on twitter at @ravenwoodradio and @spiritcaller.

We at Ravenwood Radio have said it before and we’ll say it always; one of the best things about Wizard 101 is the community. And this October, this wonderful wizard community has the opportunity to pull together to not only support their favorite podcasters, but to support a really important cause as well.

For the past three years, thousands of gamers have come together to participate in Extra Life, a 24-hour video game charity marathon. This year, Leesha and Steve will be among them, playing Wizard 101 (and other games) for 24 hours on Saturday, October 16. We will be taking sponsors to help raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network. This money will go directly to hospitals that provide charitable care to improve the lives of 17 million children each year.

Sponsor Steve or Leesha for as much as you’d like or as little as $24, only $1 per hour. Every little bit will help us to reach our goal.

As we play this year, we do so in memory of a beautiful young wizard, Emma Bradford, who was taken from the Spiral far too soon. Born with a congenial heart defect, Emma braved several surgeries that allowed her to live a happy life. A determined, smart and fearless young girl, Emma spent her short 7 years loving life and inspiring friends and family with her spirit. Children’s Miracle Network served as a valuable resource to Emma’s family, who are grateful for the support they received in difficult times. And like us, Emma played Wizard 101. She enjoyed completing her “questes”, befriending people in game and as we hear, was quite adept at her spell cards.

Emma’s father, Shane, told us about her introduction to a wizard:

"Emma experienced her first run-in with a wizard at a place called Give Kids the World. It was truly amazing! I believe she was a dragonfly princess who sang a spell over an evil trying to conquer the land. She LOVED every minute of her wish and we are so grateful to have lived every moment with her."

Shane also shared with us a story of her final days and that of a very special photograph:

"Mom pulled Emma’s sister’s tooth the night before she left us. Even though it was not ready, that made Emma determined for her tooth to come out too. No fear! Not enough pain to stop… mom continued until her tooth popped out. There was much cheering and when I talked to her that night, she was SO excited and proud.

The next morning, she spent an hour or two playing her favorite online game, Wizard 101. I am guessing she was working on her level 3, Emma Shadowwalker. Later that night, she went with her sisters and friends to Vacation Bible School. During her time there she sang, laughed and praised God better than most people ever understand. Through a miraculous series of events, Emma was put right where she loved being – in charge of her class. While they were doing everything she asked, things couldn’t have been better. In the next few minutes, Emma went from perfect to straight into heaven, as there was little anyone could do to keep her here. The night she danced on earth and in heaven, two pictures were taken. One brought us an incredible sign of hope, showing that it was her time and that she would be cared for until we join her. The light shining in our church that night was captured on one child alone. The picture couldn’t have been timed or centered better as Emma is directly in the center. Emma was illuminated for possibilities unknown, but maybe it was God smiling down and opening the way for her.

Emma is often our light, or at least pointing us to the greater light of Jesus and God. She wanted to help take care of thousands of babies when she grew up. Maybe through Children’s Miracle Network, she can help reach a few."

Emma will certainly be there with us in spirit as we play on October 16. And you may even see her wizard sometime in game, as her father continues her character’s quest to become the “Savior of the Spiral”.

Visit the official websites to learn more about the Extra Life marathon and about Children’s Miracle Network.

Click here to donate and sponsor Steve.

Click here to donate and sponsor Leesha.

Thank you to Emma’s family for sharing her inspiring story with us. And thanks to all of our sponsors for their support.