pray for a grieving mommy, daddy & siblings...

Baby Genny had a stroke and they removed her from life support. She has now joined her big sister in Heaven with her Heavenly Father. Please, please lift KayCee (her Mommy) up to the Lord. She is a believer, and really needs to feel the comfort of the Holy Spirit right now.

Genesis Rebekah (Genny)

6-23-2008 through 6-25-2008

some things just really suck

miscarriages, for one. sudden loss in general. most of us have probably experienced it in some form or another. the things that happen, that are obviously part of God's sovereign plan because He allows them, but we will never understand them. at least, not in this world.

a friend of mine and her husband are mourning the death of their baby boy. on december 4th, baby Mason was admitted to the ICU with meningitis caused by group B strep and MRSA. this past thursday night, he went to be with Jesus.

Suffer the little children to come unto me,
and forbid them not,
for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

If you are a parent, hug your little one(s) more tightly when you tuck them in tonight. And please pray for my friend Cheri and her beloved Seth as they mourn the loss of their son, Mason Garrett. He would have been 2 months old on Monday.

"Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted...."

In the past 2 weeks, one acquaintance's husband was killed in a car accident, and I have learned that two friends had miscarriages... one kept fairly quiet about her most recent loss for a month, the other went to her check-up yesterday and the baby did not have a heartbeat. Both women have had multiple miscarriages (4+). Please pray for the Lord's comfort for these friends.

Cancer takes another beloved woman home.

After my family moved South, God led us to a very special church. It was a church that felt like home. It met in the local community college, then the high school, and finally we built a multipurpose building. Oh, and wasn't perfect by any means. In fact, while I was in college, my parents made the tough decision to stop attending there. However, the church was so special that til this day my Mom has some very dear friends she met there, and so do I. (3 of whom are now some of my blogging buddies.)
Every so often, some of the ladies get together for a luncheon. Some of them came to Baby Bear's bridal shower.

One of the women has been battling breast cancer for 3-4 years. Mrs. Y is what I will call her here. She was a remarkable woman, one who loved others well. My most vivid memory of her is from a youth retreat to the beach. She came along as a chaperone, and she was a prayer warrior. I'd had a lingering cough, which is quite common during allergy season. My Dad's health was acting up again, and I was worried about Him. Mrs. Y had a gift of knowing how to comfort and her prayers for me provided comfort. My cough did not go away completely, but God gave me peace.

I haven't seen Mrs. Y very much in the past 10 years. But whenever I have, she seemed like her same old self- at peace. Even in the midst of her battle with Breast Cancer. Last week, her kidneys failed. She was in her earthly home when her soul left her body, and now she is in her eternal home worshiping her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Healed.

Please keep the Y family in your prayers as they celebrate her life and mourn their loss.

the past week has prompted a lot of reflection, introspection, and judgement. it has confirmed my pro-life stance, and challenged me to pray for people who see nothing wrong with premature elective termination of human life.

i think i knew deep down what had happened by last tuesday, but i could not resign myself to accept it until yesterday's blood test confirmed my fears. last sunday night, before i went in to see my ob before the infamous ultrasound, i felt my heavenly father wrap his arms around me. ok, maybe it was the holy spirit. actually, since i believe the father, son and spirit are one, that equates to one extra big hug.

i wonder how i will refer to our baby we did not get to meet... will i say "i have one daughter on earth, and one child in heaven?" probably not... that's a lot of explaining that i would feel the need to share.... and this is not the topic of a casual introductory conversation.

women have come out of the woodwork and cyberspace to tell me they've been in a similar place. it's comforting, though in a sense it makes me mourn for them as well as my own loss. it was so early... but our baby was being formed. our child lived inside me, depended on my body, even if for a brief time. his or her days were numbered, for whatever reason (God knows). i have to believe that letting go now is easier than saying goodbye later.

this whole situation is very surreal, but right now, although i can't say i am happy with the answer, i am glad to have one. i've held baby bear tighter today. her sloppy kisses have made me laugh more deeply. she will be a great big sister someday, Lord willing. but not yet. for a little while longer, she has mommy and daddy to herself. at 4:00 this morning, when she woke up and needed mommy, i got her and brought her into our bed. she actually settled down enough for us to get some sleep, something rare as she normally prefers her own space as much as we prefer ours. by the time her daddy left for work, she was out soundly (sprawled all over his side of the bed, of course.)

life goes on... and one life will not be forgotten.

beautiful

death is not often referred to as such
neither is mourning
my friend's dad lived a beautiful life
he served his country well, earning a bronze star in vietnam
loved his family well
his last word spoken was "hi", to his son and namesake
perhaps his first word in heaven as well
his innocent grandson slept calmly on his mother's breast
his wife... sad, strong, yet relieved
her beloved, no longer in pain
with his Maker
his daughter, brave, faithful, beautiful
honoring her parents and Lord
loved ones from afar
gathered solemnly with hope
flowers, photos, memorabilia, flag
reminders of a legacy
a short, full life
healed in Him
*****
The funeral service for Anna (WBT)'s Dad was today. Hubby stayed home with Bear, and I rode up with my parents. Another good friend who now lives halfway across the country was able to hitch a ride with her parents, who just happened to be at her house when she heard news of her childhood friend's death. It was bittersweet to see her again. I wish circumstances had been better. One of these years we'll make it out to visit her and her hubby. Several family members drove from 10+ hours away, the church took care of her wounded sheep, and the service was appropriately mournful and joyful.

Thank you all for your continued prayers for this family as they grieve the earthly loss of their father, husband, brother, uncle, and friend.