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Funeral Service |
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As hard as it seems like it would be, the funeral was actually the easiest part of this whole journey. We had done our homework in April, we were reminded everyday how little a chance our son had at life. From April until I delivered, I was mentally making plans for Elijah's funeral. Birthday parties in our family are a day when we thank God for the person whose birthday it is. We realized early on that Elijah's funeral was going to be our only day to have a lot of people gathered to thank God for his life. Really, every funeral should be that way! We planned for his service all through the pregnancy after we found out about his condition. Every song we sang, the clothes he was dressed in, the poem inside the memory booklets, the song on the slide show that we played at the luncheon after the service, The Cd of songs that we played while people were coming in to the funeral, was all decided before he was even born, and that we helpful for us. It helped us be realistic, and prepared for what was to come. It also helped us enjoy the day so much more! It also made the few days leading up to the service that much more productive, knowing what we needed to get done to accomplish all that we wanted for his memorial service. |
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Saturday, September 23rd at 10am was our special day to celebrate Elijah. A friend of ours played guitar and sang, "I'll Praise You in this Storm" by Casting Crowns, and our Pastor gave the most wonderful message about how God really does stick with you during hard times, and he spoke of Job, and King David, who also had a week-old baby pass away. I know that everyone who came was able to hear how much God loves them, and wants them to know Him. Then we had a time of Praise and worship and we sang, "Falling on my knees", "Blessed be your name", "Surrender", "How great is our God", and "It is well with my soul". Those songs will always bring me such peace and joy! How great it is that we can meet with the Father and sing praise to Him at any time, and especially when we are hurting. I know that God uses those times, when we CHOOSE to worship during hard times, to bring us the most peace.
Elijah's earthly body was buried in Glenwood Cemetary in Perry, NY. |
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I ASKED GOD author unknown
I asked God to take away my pain.
God Said, No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No. His spirit was whole, his body was only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No. Patience is a by-product of tribulations, it isn't granted, it is earned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No. I give you blessings, happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No. You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No. I will give you life that you might enjoy all things.
I asked God to help me LOVE others as much as he loves me.
God said... Ahhh, finally you have the idea.
I was so amazed when I found this poem. About a week before I received the results from the AFP I was telling a friend of mine that I was praying for God to show me how to truly love others, and to have a true, compassion for the lost. He answered that prayer in a way that I would have never imagined on my own! |
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This is the bib my mom made and the blanket my grandma made for Elijah. |
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Don't forget to sign Elijah's guestbook!
Home / Our Journey / Lifechain / Peace in the Storm
Picture montage |
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