9/28/2011

Our Beautiful Angel 

Loving and missing you, but cherishing that you belong to us for a while.
Thank you Lord for the Gift

Difficult Days Ahead

Sept 28, 2011

The day our world changed

As we approach this one year anniversary, I can't deny that we have relived the tragic moments of Nicole's struggle to fight for her life.
 Over those 21 days we reached out to all our family, friends and clergy. We asked for many prayers, but what we received was much more than that. 
We received countless blessings of God's love through relationships new and old. Many of you were on our prayer chain that stretched across the world, while our journey of faith took many twists and turns. 
Countless times our faith tested,but through it all, we remained and continue to remain faithful to God's plan. 

Over this last year, our human hearts continue to struggle, while our spiritual hearts continue to grow.

As this day can not be avoided,we will embrace it with quiet peaceful prayer, reflection on the beautiful life we were able to share,with an Angel that walked among us. Please allow this time to bring you to a peaceful calm trusting in God's grace and mercy.
Our Father in heaven holds our loved ones within his heart and reminds us that eternal life is our goal.
Recall your devotions,reflect on how Nicole has changed your life. Allow the God who consoled us then,console us now, and in the days to come.

Cherish your life,your families and friends,for we know not when the hour is at hand to be called home. For this reason alone we must remain with our sites on heaven and do God's work while we are here on earth.

Please continue to pray for us as we in turn have kept all of you in our daily prayers of thanksgiving.

Eternal Father thank you for the gift of Nicole's life and all she taught us to bring our hearts closer to yours, may we remain ever faithful, for without your love, this life is impossible but with your love all things are possible.

How Do You Live Your Dash
by Linda Ellis

 

I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning ... to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears.
But he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.

 

For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.

 

For it matter not how much we own;
the cars ... the house ... the cash.
What matters is how we live and love ...
and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard;
are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
that can still be rearranged.

 

If we could just slow down enough
to consider what's true and real ...
And always try to understand
the way other people feel.

 

And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more.
And love the people in our lives ...
like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile ...
Remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy's being read ...
With your life's actions to rehash ...
Would you be proud of the things they say ...
About how you spent your dash?

Robert Louis 09/19/2011

  God …I don’t ask you to make my life easier…but I ask you to give me strength to endure the pain. Amen.

  Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or  

He will give you unfailing strength to bear it.  

Be at peace, then. Put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations, and say continually: 

 "The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in Him and I am helped. He is not only with me but in me and I in Him."

Sept

This is the month we dread....the reliving of  Nicole's trauma

 

 We retreat to the shore, We put all our trust in God's never failing mercy.

Hard as we try not to go back to the suffering, you can't escape it.

Each hour,each day is recalled without trying.

 

Dear Jesus hear our prayers

Wash our tears away into the waves,warm our hearts with the sun, allow us a glimmer of hope,

we know she is safe with you in heaven.

Our comfort comes knowing Jesus has you in his arms