tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255904066855682022.post1499454542761941969..comments2023-08-12T07:52:48.909-07:00Comments on Joyful In Hope: This awful, amazing roadAlissa Peppleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14586168573468202444noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255904066855682022.post-34914316001117489102012-07-07T18:38:30.904-07:002012-07-07T18:38:30.904-07:00Praying your last sentence back to you and Matt......Praying your last sentence back to you and Matt....May the God of hope FILL YOU.Jackie Ferradohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16107102146083731942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255904066855682022.post-45431374572394044292012-03-07T11:52:31.203-08:002012-03-07T11:52:31.203-08:00Hi! You don't know me but I followed your blog...Hi! You don't know me but I followed your blog since Anna was born because my husband and I found ourselves in the same situation. Anna and my daughter Hope is just one month away. Hope was born on Jan 13,2012 with a congenital heart disease called Ebstein Anomaly (we found out on my 20 weeks ultrasound). Our darling Hope passed away and went to heaven 17 days later. I am going through the same pain and reading your blog made me cry for I am in the same situation. I feel your pain. Anna and Hope are both in heaven now...we feel connected to your family somehow for we move from Everett, WA just 8 months ago...this was before we even found out about my baby's condition to be close to family here in CA but now thinking back of moving back in WA. Thanks for sharing your blog. Anna and my Hope are both beautiful angels now...Cyrellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13737238722427218113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255904066855682022.post-17597354987895408022012-03-05T09:37:26.555-08:002012-03-05T09:37:26.555-08:00Thank you for sharing your journey so honestly. T...Thank you for sharing your journey so honestly. The Lord brings you to my heart so often and I pray for you always. I hope that doesn't sound generic. I think so often of things I'd like to say or words of encouragement I could give but I always come back to the simple ones: I care so much, I'm praying.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09652304693670344168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255904066855682022.post-25232619076837350392012-03-05T02:20:50.962-08:002012-03-05T02:20:50.962-08:00I've been thinking of you often and praying fo...I've been thinking of you often and praying for you every day. Andy made a video telling Jacob's story and "Blessings" is one of the songs, but every time I hear it, I think of you guys and Anna Joy. I pray God grants you serenity and comforts you in your grieving. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and emotions with the rest of us. I don't think you will ever know how much God is working through you, your words, and Anna's story. My sister just lost her first baby and I directed her to your blog for words of encouragement and to see how one can praise in sorrow. You are amazing and faithful.Katyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16234860398975717215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255904066855682022.post-46720682389934644132012-03-02T20:45:42.844-08:002012-03-02T20:45:42.844-08:00You last blog was amazing and really spoke to me. ...You last blog was amazing and really spoke to me. Thank you for sharing the songs and including the lyrics. I have been a big fan of of Selah for many years. I have been exploring there sight and fallen in love with some of their new songs from Hope of the Broken World. If you have not already heard them check out their home page and you can view them right there. While cleaning up the kitchen this evening I was listening to "Moments Like These". When Todd sang about his daughter up in heaven my heart literally skipped a beat. I hope this song brings encouragement to you. He sings about being down on his knees before the Lord. It is amazing. Another song on the album titled, "I Turn to You" is one that I hope you can find comfort in as well. It speaks about turning to God for all life's trials. I pray for you continually. I find myself crying at times while I hold my daughter wounding why God allows some children to live and others to not. My heart aches for you and all that you have and are still going through. I pray that the birth of Claire allows you some healing as you hold that precious baby girl who shared a bond with Anna. Thank you also for sharing the ways that people can support a person going through the loss of a child. Praying for you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255904066855682022.post-81330393781575293632012-03-01T09:25:30.873-08:002012-03-01T09:25:30.873-08:00The song you sang at church stuck with me through ...The song you sang at church stuck with me through the week and I found myself singing it (in a much less beautiful voice than yours) at random times as I went through my day...I continue to pray for you and your family.<br />Kate HemmingerKatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15082292745644363399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255904066855682022.post-8270706606031890422012-03-01T00:21:58.096-08:002012-03-01T00:21:58.096-08:00I am so excited to read this post, Alissa! It is s...I am so excited to read this post, Alissa! It is so wonderful to hear your most intimate thoughts and feeling of grief, on a blog, on the web, for all the world to see! I believe that you have written a testament of freedom for yourself, Matt, and Anna Joy. I see a declaration of freedom from the terrible power of grief to isolate you from those who love you. I am relieved that you have emerged from that terrible isolation to speak to everyone who loves you and prays for you, Matt, and Isaac. You clearly explained to everyone what is happening to you, how to support you, and the terrible burden of grief you carry. <br /><br />I have been hopping up and down, so to speak, wanting to hear those very words. I prayed for them. I wanted to jump in and do my chaplain thing, and explain to you and Matt just how to go about getting to where you just got! Meanwhile, I had enough sense to keep quiet, to keep praying, and to wait. I have never had the sense before that I was waiting in a very long line of people for my turn to be a comforter! I am used to being the only one doing the comforting, and here was this great scrum of family, friends, and church so clearly and wonderfully supporting you, Matt, and Isaac. <br /><br />You have taken a giant step toward your new life.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255904066855682022.post-77648129213827956742012-02-29T22:12:22.488-08:002012-02-29T22:12:22.488-08:00I love you Liss and I pray, smile and cry right al...I love you Liss and I pray, smile and cry right along with you every time you post. I love you. I'm praying!Bridgettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01095008389946812114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255904066855682022.post-70357021848086112732012-02-29T14:08:34.516-08:002012-02-29T14:08:34.516-08:00Alissa and Matt, I have been reading your blog sin...Alissa and Matt, I have been reading your blog since before Anna Joy was born. I found out about your family from my cousins FB. I just wanted to let you know how much Anna Joy's life and your ability to share your faith through your journey has touched me. I think of your family daily and lift you up in prayer. A song that is always in the back of my mind is "There Will Be a Day" by Jeremy Camp<br /><br />There will be a day with no more tears<br />No more pain, and no more fears<br />There will be a day when the burdens of this place<br />Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face<br />But until that day, we'll hold on to you always<br /><br />I love this song. Knowing that we have this promise for our future is such a blessing of comfort. <br /><br />Thank you for sharing your family's story of faith.mforarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07395427313234407754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255904066855682022.post-56630244621541670622012-02-29T13:42:56.174-08:002012-02-29T13:42:56.174-08:00The idea is to write it so that people hear it and...The idea is to write it so that people hear it and it slides through the brain and goes straight to the heart. <br />Maya Angelou <br /><br />There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. <br />Maya Angelou <br /><br />I like these quotes, Alissa, and thought of you and your writings. I pray that the agony lifts as you continue to tell your story and I wonder if "they overcame by the word of their testimony" and the blood of the lamb.." has something to do with telling our stories...after all, that is our testimony...how He brings us through. It is healing and you write in such a way that it does go "straight to the heart." I continue to think and pray for you and your entire extended family...I do love you all.Lauren Gubbehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230866145798254733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255904066855682022.post-12635614271012228532012-02-29T10:34:20.128-08:002012-02-29T10:34:20.128-08:00I check your blog so often because I long to hear ...I check your blog so often because I long to hear how you are doing and the things that God is doing through your family. THank you for being so vulnerable and for pointing each of us to Christ in a new way. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about your family and pray that God will be near to you.<br />Your extended family holds a special place in my heart and I am thankful that you have such amazing people to journey through this with!<br />You are all so loved!<br />Joye HamptonJoyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14782237986234897911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255904066855682022.post-5636797174731738972012-02-29T08:46:19.648-08:002012-02-29T08:46:19.648-08:00I love you my friend. Thank you for sharing your ...I love you my friend. Thank you for sharing your heart with us. I see God working through you in so many ways. I see His fruit of the Spirit in you. I will continue to pray that God blesses you and your family abundantly with his Joy, physical and emotional energy, protection, and His Hope. I pray that God blesses you by showing you and Matt a side of Him that He rarely reveals to His people and only reveals when they strive to follow Him during the hardest of times. When I went through difficult times, God showed me sides of His character that I don't think I would have had the capacity to understand had I not been through such torment. I pray that He does this for you.<br /><br />Love,<br />Amanda MontgomeryAmanda Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09294791808653783280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255904066855682022.post-85046542159653078232012-02-29T00:13:56.491-08:002012-02-29T00:13:56.491-08:00Alissa, I know that you and I have never known eac...Alissa, I know that you and I have never known each other personally well, but my heart aches for you and your family. Your sweet spirit and vulnerability is so refreshing. I wish in so many ways that you had never had to go through this hurt to be where you are today but I do know that in the midst of all of this, God has made himself known to you and wants to continue to show you his love daily. Each time I read your blogs or think about your family, I can not help but think how your faith so vulnerable and real has influenced so many people toward Christ. I sincerely think that if I read your story and did not yet know the Lord, I would be drawn to Him because of the evidence of his love in your life. I think about you guys a lot and will continue to pray for you-and not just for a few months-you have made a life-long impact on my life so you can just go ahead and consider yourselves part of my regular prayers. I know that with sweet Claire being born, you have probably experienced such a mix of emotions and I will pray especially for you all and your family that you will both be able to rejoice and cherish this sweet baby girl and still feel ok both mourning for Anna Joy and also rejoicing in the sweet time you spent with her. Love you guys.<br /><br />-Carrie HaysCarriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17618604278413592848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255904066855682022.post-44606309281292491432012-02-28T21:33:26.848-08:002012-02-28T21:33:26.848-08:00Dear Alissa I am so glad you shared. I continue t...Dear Alissa I am so glad you shared. I continue to pray for you. Your willingness to continue sharing your heart here is not in vain. Thank you for letting us know how you are doing. I know that your courage and transparency will continue to bless others and impact the Kingdom through Anna's life and your own! My heart breaks for you again tonight. My prayer is Lord God in Your mercy please shower Anna Joy's family with comfort and hope tonight. Let them feel Your love in a special way. Keep them close now Father. Please send angels to protect them from anything that is not of You. Give them peace miraculous peace Oh Lord. Keep bringing them to our minds and hearts so that we might be Your hands and feet here on earth. I ask this in Jesus HOLY Name AmenAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06791856310848472021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255904066855682022.post-29739753654967865392012-02-28T21:15:05.280-08:002012-02-28T21:15:05.280-08:00Everytime I hear Blessings, which is often since i...Everytime I hear Blessings, which is often since it's in my iPod, I think of you and then lift you both up in prayer. I just can't even fathom the pain you are going through from losing beautiful Anna! Thank you for letting us know how you feel and also how we can pray. There are many days when all we can do is just pray. I am so thankful we serve a God who loves us and listens to our every prayer, tear, scream, and hurt. Much love to you and your family!lmboschmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01066521192548545447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255904066855682022.post-65534522020535669802012-02-28T21:13:53.206-08:002012-02-28T21:13:53.206-08:00Purpose out of pain...takes much courage. What po...Purpose out of pain...takes much courage. What powerful words you share. Janine, a fellow mama & sister in ChristMama Sabinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13752695116677972395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255904066855682022.post-79488947107396677132012-02-28T20:54:29.518-08:002012-02-28T20:54:29.518-08:00We love hearing from you, knowing how you are doin...We love hearing from you, knowing how you are doing and knowing what to pray for. Praying continually for your family. Anna Joy left an indention on my heart and I'm sure you were right. It's worth it Mama...so touching.Broas Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08836049057418092662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255904066855682022.post-24391134204691183972012-02-28T20:54:29.190-08:002012-02-28T20:54:29.190-08:00I am with you is spirit and prayer. Take care,I am with you is spirit and prayer. Take care,Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18278464595222727836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255904066855682022.post-2651803337133526732012-02-28T18:37:28.781-08:002012-02-28T18:37:28.781-08:00I love you...so very much!I love you...so very much!Lauren Gubbehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13230866145798254733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255904066855682022.post-49422295118082026142012-02-28T18:06:28.972-08:002012-02-28T18:06:28.972-08:00I've been following along with your journey si...I've been following along with your journey since a facebook friend linked to your blog asking for prayer for your precious Anna. I prayed for your precious little one and pray for you now. Over and over again your story reminded me of another, but I wasn't sure if it was something you needed to know about at this time or not. But then I read this post right after reading a post from the wife of Todd from Selah. Seeing you post lyrics to one of his songs made me know I had to share. It was her story that yours reminded me of. I'm not sure if you're aware of it or not, but they also found out about some severe birth defects in their daughter during an ultrasound (if I remember right, it may have been her kidneys?), and they only had a few hours with her after her birth. Angie (Todd's wife) shared the journey of her pregnancy on her blog, and then the grieving process after, and eventually turned it into a book. I'm not suggesting you go read it now, because I'm sure all it would do is open up wounds that you may not be ready to experience again.<br />I do, however, want to share a beautiful post that she wrote today with you. She shared about how she is sharing the burden of someone else right now and it reminded her of back when so many other people shared her burden during her pregnancy with Audrey. I read it right before reading your post and just had to tell you that even though I don't know you, I share want to share your burden. To grieve with you and pray for you. <br />Today's post is here: http://angiesmithonline.com/2012/02/baros/Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16045943019954440481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255904066855682022.post-59102126268172754162012-02-28T17:18:32.358-08:002012-02-28T17:18:32.358-08:00Thank you for the post, Alissa. There's a rea...Thank you for the post, Alissa. There's a reason they refer to grief as "work" in therapy circles. It is work, and it is long, and it is personal. You are a generous soul to share your heart so openly. I love you. And yes, Anna is lovely. Those lyrics to Selah song are amazing! I haven't heard that one before - thank you for that as well. I cried through "Blessings" on the radio today too (probably at the same time via Satellite radio!). That question near the end "what if my greatest disappointments, or the aching of this life are the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy?" gets me EVERY TIME I hear it. I know I'm rambling, but one more thing: I am so glad you sang in church! Just thinking of it brings me hope and joy. Did I mention... I love you? Hug Matt and Isaac for me. Love them too.Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10854420122842976457noreply@blogger.com