Thanks again for all of your prayers. We still need them as we continue to navigate the loss of Anna, and are forced to re-enter the real world soon... even though our hearts and minds are protesting. Our home is filled with pink flowers and plants since the service. They are beautiful, and remind me of Anna's sweet, delicate life. But the flowers will fade and wilt, although my memory and love for Anna will not.
Here is a photo of the "celebration cake" my 5-year-old niece, Alivia, had the idea to make for Anna because we're happy she got to go to heaven. She wanted to cut it in half, and then put it back together because Anna now has a whole heart. So sweet! We plan to release the 11 pink balloons we had at the memorial sometime soon to represent releasing Anna to heaven (yesterday turned out to be too stormy).
Matt and I are still overwhelmed by your support, and thank God for blessing us with your prayers, encouragement, and friendship.
I can't wait to hear the song and what a beautiful heart shaped celebration cake for Anna. What a special gift. We all wish for heaven. Continuing to send up prayers for you and your family. I can't wrap my mind around what you are dealing with. I know the Lord will continue to be ever present.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful, Liss. Good news about the song - I can only just barely wait. Great job by Alivia and whoever assisted her in decorating this cake. Love you all and will definitely be keeping you in prayer.
ReplyDeleteSuch a special way to honor your little girl!
ReplyDeleteWe have been following your blog since early December when we were asked to pray for your family on a Facebook post. I have been debating on whether or not to post a comment. We ourselves went through something somewhat similar last December right around the same time. Our son was born two months early diagnosed with Down Syndrome in utero, with two holes in his heart. As I went back and read your blogs with my husband I felt your pain. We relived those moments you spoke about when you had your ultrasound when the doctors would come in and out and so on. Our son had open heart surgery at 6 weeks old and it was the hardest day of my life. We were blessed that Jesus held him in his arms while he lay on that table without his heart beating for several hours, but in the end gave us back our sweet angel. He is doing great now, but I have been able to process a lot of emotions that I hadn't been able to yet by reading your blog. We also have two older sons one 7 and one 6 who we decided tor read soe of your blogs to and they were able to dealvwith some of their emotions also while we spent family time praying for Anna. I remember wondering why us what is Gods reason for this. Im sure that you have both been in the same spot during your last few months. So I'm not saying that this was his reason, but I want to thank you for sharing your story with the public, because it has helped us as a family deal with emotions of a different sort as a family in A way we may have never done without your story. What made me decide to post tonight is something I came across tonight. As soon as I read it I thought of you and Anna, and decided tht was Gods answer telling me to share our story with you. I hope you enjoy this and it comforts you. You and your family are still in all of my families prayers. May God continue to surround you with the love and comfort that we can only get from him. Here is the writing
ReplyDeleteMy first CHRISTmas in Heaven
I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below, with tiny lights, like Heavens stars, reflecting on the snow. The sight is so spectacular, so please wipe away your tear…. For I am spending CHRISTmas with Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs that sing so clear, but the sound of music can’t compare with the CHRISTmas choir up here. I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring, for its beyond description to hear the angels sing.
I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart, but I am not so far away, we really aren’t apart.
So, be happy for me dear ones, you know I hold you dear. And be glad because, I’m spending CHRISTmas with Jesus Christ this year.
I sent you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above; I sent you each a memory of my undying love. After all love is a gift more precious than pure gold. It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.
Please love and keep each other as my Father said to do. For I can’t count the blessings or love He has for each of you. So have a Merry CHRISTmas and wipe away that tear. Remember I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
Unknown
I am so glad you are recording the song Alissa. It was incredibly beautiful and you were so courageous to sing it, for your daughter - I know. I also love the heart cake. Our little ones process so much more of these experiences that we can ever imagine. To think Alivia wanted to separate it and then put it back together again! She certainly got the message. We pray for all of you, including your little Isaac and Liv and Bren, praying that the Lord will allow the little ones to lead you to find rest and peace. Bless you!
ReplyDeleteHi Guys, Im truly humbled. I have one beautiful daughter who turned 10 on Christmas Eve. I share her week on week off with her Dad. I had been watching and praying for you until I was lost in my own selfishness. Tonight, I couldnt sleep and was reminded by God to check-in. I wish I coyld have made it to Anna Joy's service. I, like everyone else feel a bond with you both. I don't understand why she isn't with you. I do understand He chose you for Anna very carefully.
ReplyDeleteI pray you find your way through the wilderness of grief. Be joyful that Anna touched soooo many lives in her 11 days of earthly life. You both have touched my spiritual journey with your blog. Thank you for being real, raw and faithful.
I cant wait to meet such a brave family if God! Prayers, hugs and love to you.
So glad to hear you're recording Anna Joy's song! Among other times of the day the Lord brings you to mind at bedtime when I ask Him to give you good rest and sweet dreams. He is so faithful to have people covering you in prayer at all times.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet cake. I have no wise words, advice, or anything profoundly encouraging to say except that I am still praying for you every single day.
ReplyDeleteMy family is continuing to pray for all of you. Although we never knew her, we were and continue to be so touched by Anna Joy's life. I look forward to meeting your little girl in Heaven someday. Bless you all.
ReplyDeleteWith love,
Shannan, Mark and Cody
Alissa, how beautiful that your song for Anna Joy will be recorded . . . I want to be one of your first customers! And how sweet your niece must be . . .her thoughts are very precious!
ReplyDeleteAs Anna's heart has healed,so too will yours and Matt's in a different way. I know that it seems impossible. But I believe God will find a way to help the parents he chose for Anna Joy.
Healing hugs, Debbie
Love the cake!!! And I'm sure the song will be beautiful! Prayers continue for your family from ours.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted you to know that we're continuing to pray.
ReplyDeleteI have been unable to post on your blog, probably the only person in the world prevented from posting... for technical reasons. However, it probably was a good thing, since I had been tempted earlier to imitate Matt's style of writing…. I am happy to hear you are producing a track of your song for Anna Joy, Alissa. The thought crossed my mind while hearing the song at the Memorial Service. Later I wondered if Anna Joy might be singing to you, something like the poem posted above.
ReplyDeletejust to clarify, I meant the post on January 3, which included "My first CHRISTmas in Heaven".
ReplyDeleteAnna Joy fas forever transformed Christmas for me. She has brought together and directly linked the birth of Jesus, the grief of Rachel, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection. She lived out the life of Jesus, in the presence of God.
My Husband Chris and I went to NNU and graduated in 2000. We knew your brother Matt. I was first alerted of Anna through a mutual friend, Angel OBrien. I love reading your posts and pray for you continually. I recently heard a song on the radio that I think will be an encouragement to you during this trying time. It is called "God is Still God". The artist is Heather Williams. Hugs to all of you! I have shed many tears for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteTiffany Gintz
you dont know me, but i just read your entire story and im now soaked in tears, and regret that i didnt find this sooner to be an extra prayer for you all. You are so strong, and are completely in my prayers!
ReplyDeleteStill thinking and praying for you guys as you navigate these tough days. After the beautiful memorial service, I have been reflecting on how Anna Joy and her family's faith has touched me. I hope to write some of those thoughts down and share with you two. It was so amazing to hear how Anna Joy's short life has made such a lasting impact on the world. in my devotion last night, one of the verses was Anna's verse. I will never read that or hear it again without being reminded of her. Praying for God's continued comfort for you.
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