Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Face-to-Face

On Sunday night I returned from the most incredible trip of my life. I was finally able to meet FACE-TO-FACE with 8 my closest "Internet" friends that have walked this Trisomy 18 road with me.

It's really hard to put into words what this weekend meant but I will try because I want you to understand through my words and pictures, how the Lord blessed me by placing each one of these girls in my life, through the loss of my precious little boy, Tristan. It is such a beautiful picture of how the Lord went before us and prepared every step we would take, while on this journey, so that we could carry each other on the most difficult days of our lives.

In March, Emily emailed several of the girls she has met along her journey and asked if we would like to meet at the Deeper Still Conference. We all love Beth Moore and knowing she would be in Atlanta, which is centrally located for all of us, just seemed to make sense that it would be the backdrop for our first meeting. Eight of us confirmed, we bought our conference tickets, we booked our hotel room and we booked our flights. The excitement has been building for months as we've had so much fun emailing, calling and planning for this long awaited moment.

events deeperstill

On Thursday, I arrived at the Marriott Airport hotel at 12:00 noon and checked everyone in, we had 3 rooms together! The first girl I met was Kenzie (Maddox's mom). As Kenzie, her mother-in-law and Deacon pulled up I ran out the door and gave Kenzie a big hug with tear-filled eyes because this day was finally here! It felt like we were old friends at a reunion, not meeting for the first time - I wasn't scared or nervous, I just knew her so it was real and it was comfortable. We went to our room and relaxed while we talked, laughed and shed a few tears. Around 2:30 pm we boarded the hotel shuttle and headed to the airport to meet the other girls that were flying in.

Kenzie and I anxiously awaited for Kristy, Chrissy, Kim and Angie to fly in. Every time another girl would fly in it got even more exciting, needless to say it was extremely hard for the security guard to keep us "behind" the yellow security tape - we crossed the line every time and ran up with open arms as each girl stepped off the escalator.

First we met Chrissy(Eva's mom) and Kristy(Asher and Issac's mom).


Then Angie(Poppy Joy's mom).


And then Kim(Mary Grace's mom).


The 6 of us left the airport and went to dinner at Ruby Tuesdays. We had a sweet time of sharing as we went around the table explaining how we each met our husbands.

After dinner we went back to our hotel, got in our PJ's and sat in 1 room on 2 beds and talked while we waited for Emily to drive in. Once Emily(Miller Grace's mom) got there we stayed up talking until 3:00 am.

On Friday morning we slept in until 10:00 am. We went downstairs for breakfast at Starbucks and then headed back to the airport because Karen was flying in(Jacob's mom). We ate lunch at the airport, Houlihans, and we were able to meet up with another mommy, Kirsten (Chloe's mom), who just happen to be in the Atlanta area on a business trip so we were able to spend some time talking to her at lunch.

After lunch we hugged Kirsten bye and we were off to the conference. Now, I had Mapquested all of our directions for the trip and the one from our hotel to the arena said 21 minutes, however we assumed Chrissy's GPS system would be better - wrong! But, we made it in record time, even though we literally crossed over 3 lanes of traffic to get off at our exit - there were definitely some serious traffic violations occurring! Once we arrived Downtown we had to park and walk several blocks, we were in a pack of 8 and very visible as we all matched from our t-shirts that Emily made, our necklaces that had our baby's name on it, our matching tote bags that Chrissy made, our matching bracelets that Kenzie gave us, our matching bracelets that Kristy gave us, our capris, our flip-flops and all the way down to our cute little pedicured toes. I cannot even count the number of people that literally stopped us along the way asking what our t-shirts meant. It gave us the opportunity to share about our babies, how we all met, and all that the Lord has done in our lives. We proudly wore them as it represented who we are and how we were brought together!

We only had to wait 15 minutes on the steps outside the arena before the doors opened. Look at the date this photo was taken, it says 06-27-2008, if you've followed my story long enough you realize that the 27th, by far, is the most difficult day for me - Tristan passed away on January 27th at 4:40 pm. Do I look like I am sad in this picture? NO. It was so comforting being surrounded by all of my friends on this 5-month anniversary instead of being at home. This was the first 27th that has been happy, fun, exciting and filled with lots of laughter......... thank you girls.

There were 19,000 women in attendance so imagine that many people attempting to get in the doors, all at once, running in to get the best seats. Thanks to Emily, she ran straight down front to the floor and we all sat on 1 row together, on the 10th row.


On Friday night the conference began at 7:00 pm. The music by Travis and the Praise Team and the Special Guest, Mandisa was wonderful and the message by Prisicilla Shirer was unbelievable. I felt like she was talking directly to the 8 of us as she spoke of being "in the wilderness". In Exodus 19, it talks about how God invited the Israelites into the Wilderness of Sinai, and how He takes us through the wilderness to hear Him. Verse 2 says, "and camped in the wilderness". This was a temporary place, as in we are to pitch our tent NOT dwell there permanently. God took them there so that they could be brought face to face with Him and even though they didn't want to be in the wilderness, they were there to hear Him in a way they never would have heard Him before. Oh this message spoke to my heart, I have never heard God speak like He did while we were in our wilderness with Tristan. His voice was so vividly clear and I honestly don't believe we would have heard it had we not been in the wilderness. Our lives are so different now and we are different now. Trayc and I do not believe we would be who we are right now had we not been in the wilderness because our hearts and minds were open to our God, for what He had to say not what man had to say.

The conference was over about 10:00 pm. We were so hungry, we drove around attempting to find a restaurant open that late but of course all we ended up doing was getting lost so we gave up, found our way back to the hotel and ordered 2 pizzas at midnight! And for a second night in a row, we all sat in 1 room on 2 beds talking, eating pizza and snacks until 2:30 am. Sleep was obviously not a priority to any of us on this trip because we'd waited so long to be together.

Saturday morning came way too fast, in that we had no sleep! We had to get up at 6:00 am because we needed to leave our hotel by 7:15 am. We wore our matching t-shirts again, thanks to a little Febreeze. We were some of the first to get in the doors again and had good intentions of sitting on the floor just like Friday night however as we entered the arena we were stopped by several LifeWay representatives who knew our story, as it was posted on the Deeper Still blog several weeks ago. We were able to meet some precious ladies who hugged us, talked to us, said they had been praying for us and then they cried with us - yes, we were crying before the conference even began. We finally met our main source of contact, LifeWay representative Michelle Hicks. She, too, hugged us and talked to us and said she wanted to pray with us but she said, "I'll let you go get your seats first". Guess what, we didn't have seats because we had been stopped by so many people that wanted to talk to us about our babies we never got them. It may not seem like a big deal that we didn't have our seats, but you have to remember there were 19,000 women rushing in, we needed 8 seats together, and when we looked up it was already filling up to the top. Michelle Hicks said, "We'll get you some seats!". Well, we weren't sure how it would happen but she worked it out and we had 4 and 4, exactly how we wanted them, on the 6th and 7th row. Perfect seats!!!!

Kay Arthur and Beth Moore spoke and it was just as applicable to our lives as Priscilla's message was on Friday night. And the music, well once again the Lord was present in that place. Have you ever had moments that you wished you had a camera taking pictures, although it would not be the "appropriate" time? Oh I wish I could have taken pictures of the 8 of us on Saturday. We were singing praises to our Lord, we were reaching our hands up to Him, we were crying out in worship, we were sitting in our sits with our heads bowed crying sweet tears and we were standing with our arms interlocked singing "My Chains Are Gone" (which we all call Poppy Joy's song), what moments those were! And then my favorite moment was at the end of the conference, we were all standing, singing with our hands raised up in the air and connected. These were the hands of 8 mommies, whose hands are aching to touch their precious babies again and yet we know our Lord has a plan, we know His ways are perfect, we know He will take care of us so we are lifting up our hands to our Lord in praise and worship thanking Him for everything He has done for us. Those are some priceless moments, those are the ones that were captured in my mind and I will never forget them.

After the conference we had the most unique opportunity, we were able to meet Beth Moore. As soon as the conference was over LifeWay representative, Michelle Hicks, took the first person by the hand, and in a single file line, we mingled in and out of thousands of women as we were escorted to the back of the arena. As we approached the security guards, Michelle gave each one of us a backstage pass to put around our neck. As we were walking down the hallway Beth Moore and her daughter, Amanda, were right behind us. Beth walked in the room, shut the door and then went around the room hugging each one of us and then she talked to us as a group. At the end she asked us all to kneel down on the floor (with all of our knees touching) and she, her daughter Amanda and Michelle Hicks walked around us, touching our shoulders and praying and then as Beth got to each one of us she placed her hands on our heads and specifically prayed for us. The emotions were so overwhelming in that room, we were crying out loud. Beth's prayer was so real and said with such power and boldness as she thanked the Lord for us and for our babies, as she asked the Lord to comfort us during this time of grieving, and to guide us in our steps, to heal our broken hearts and to strengthen us as we move forward. There was NOT a dry eye in that room.

After meeting Beth, we went next door to a quaint little Mexican restaurant for dinner and then we were back on the roads of Atlanta heading to Target. We each bought a piece of pottery and lots of snacks! We went back to the hotel and got our bathing suits on went to the pool for an hour. Then we were ready to smash some pottery! There are books on grieving that reference breaking a piece of pottery because of your anger, saddness or brokeness but I am assuming this would not take place when you are hiliariously laughing, however what do you expect with a room full of 8 mommies? We had each bought a different color of pottery so we stepped outside the hotel room door and smashed it on the concrete floor (YES, it was extremely loud and it was 12:00 midnight). We were all laughing so hard because not only was it loud but some of us had to smash our pottery 2 and 3 times to get enough pieces to share! After everyone smashed their pottery, we placed the broken pieces on the bed, took a picture, and then we each kept our main piece of our pottery and took a piece of each others. A few of the girls are going to glue the pieces together, others are framing the pieces and others are placing them on a cross. Whatever we do with them, it will be our symbol that we were broken together and the Lord placed each one of us together along this journey.


And, our second project (which was much quieter) was making a mat. Kristy did a post a few weeks ago and it so touched my heart. I had emailed the girls after reading the post and told them that this is how I felt, that THEY had carried my mat for me during this journey. So I had bought some placemats and markers and we each wrote our baby's name, days they lived and their birthdate in the middle and then at the top we wrote "Carrying your mat Luke 5:17-20". We passed them around and each girl signed the mats. We've all talked about framing the mats. Every time I look at my mat I will remember that these are the names of the girls that carried me to Jesus in prayer, that loved me, supported me and encouraged me.

Sunday morning came far too soon. We went downstairs to Allie's for the breakfast buffet and then the hardest part of the trip came, we had to begin saying goodbye. Angie left right after breakfast and then Kim left an hour later.

We had a few hours left before the last 6 of us had to begin saying goodbye, unfortunately I was the next one to leave. I hugged each girl as I fought back the tears and then the tears started flowing quickly as I said goodbye to the last girl, Kenzie, she was the first girl I hugged on Thursday and the last one on Sunday! Pulling away from the hotel was hard, it's not like we can get together again next weekend. We are already planning on a trip next year but that seems like a long time away. It's so hard to find friends that just completely understand you and yet I found them but they are in different states.

This weekend was more than I ever imagined it would be. We have laughed, cried, shared, hoped, dreamed, worshiped, praised the Lord, prayed and made altar call committments. This was also a weekend of refreshing and renewing of our minds and our hearts as we move forward in our journeys no matter where that might take us.

These are the faces of
8 mommies,
from 8 different cities,
from 8 different backgrounds,
with 9 babies in Heaven,
who met on the Internet,
who love their Lord.....

Kim, Emily, Karen, Yvette,

Kristy, Angie, Kenzie & Chrissy

67 comments:

sumi said...

AWESOME!!!

What a great God we serve! I love learning about the wilderness, our pastor always says that the bride comes out of the wilderness (she doesn't stay there, yay!) leaning on the arm of her beloved at the end of Song of Solomon. It is in the wilderness that we truly learn to lean on him and where he becomes our beloved!

I am just a wee bit envious that you all had such a good time. I am a grieving mommy too but my little girl was older, so I think my situation is a bit different. But the one time I met with someone other than my hubby who had actually walked down this road it was such an incredible blessing!

Spending time together with girl friends at a conference like that is always awesome, but doing it with people who have walked through the same wilderness as you must have been ten times more blessed!

Hugs, Yvette, I'm looking forward to seeing your broken pottery item. :-)

Angie said...

Yvette,

What a perfect recap! I love how you went through, picture by picture to explain the weekend. It still feels a little surreal when I think about it, but I will forever treasure the time we had together!

Love,

Angie

Laurie in Ca. said...

Yvette,

What a beautiful time of worship and play, tears and blessings. I had been praying for your weekend for quite some time, asking the Lord to bless it. Isn't it just like Him to go above and beyond anything we asked for and truly give you a taste of Heaven? I agree with Sumi here, a wee bit envious (only because I would have loved to "GROUP HUG" all 8 of you in one moment):) Each one of you have written about this weekend, filling in the blanks, yet only the 8 of you girls truly know in your heart of hearts what took place. I love the late night, early morning slumber parties. Sweet Emily is such a night owl!!:) This memory will be cherished in your hearts as one of your biggest treasures after such great losses. Yours is a bond woven in Heaven. A path of restoration for 8 beautiful ladies who have blessed me so much to follow and take into my heart. I love you Yvette.

Laurie in Ca.

boltefamily said...

I love it Yvette! You did a great job of putting the trip into words! I did a little post but I am STILL trying to get it all down.

Anonymous said...

Wow. After following all y'all's stories, how wonderful now to read each of your accounts of your meeting. Still praying for each of you.

Karen in TN

Jaclyn said...

i read this with tears going down my face. WHat a wonderful weekend and what a blessing to have friends who truly understand what you are feeling. Thank you for sharing this post. Tristan has not been forgotton.

Unknown said...

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy that you girls got to meet and spend this precious time together! Sometimes in our lives girlfriends are the best medicine! I hope that you will have a "forever" friendship and get to have these get togethers often! The Lord will bless you and keep you! Still praying for each of you and your families!
Franklin, TN

Anonymous said...

You don't know me, but I have been following your stories... somehow I stumbled upon these set of blogs. I have been reading and praying and crying for a while now.

I am so thankful that God allowed you girls to meet. It is so hard to find friends, and here the internet helped you girls find comfort in each other... from similair situations.

I just wanted you to know that a mother in CA is loving on all of you through my simple prayers. You guys are awesome!!!

Jenny said...

that is amazing! i'm so happ all of you were able to get together, to laugh, love, grieve and just BE. i pray all of you will continue to feel the love of Jesus hugging you tightly.

Mandy said...

I so wish I could have been with you girls. I have teared-up reading all of your accounts of the trip. It sounds like your spirits were lifted and you all were able to praise the Lord together. What a blessing!

Mandy
GA
www.madelinegracefoundation.com

asplashofsunshine said...

It is amazing how the internet can bring people so close together. All 8 of you deserve all the happiness, friendship, and smiles that you can get. Thank you for bringing the world many smiles through your words and, of course, with Tristan's life on this Earth. I began reading this blog coincidently the day after Tristan passed away. I am a more joyful mother because of people like you. Thank you!

Jen in Al said...

absolutely incredible!!!!!!!!!! i was praying for you all! i just knew it was going to be such a beautiful experience for all of you! i get tears in my eyes every time i picture you all praising the Lord together. what a testimony of the grace and love of the Lord. what sweet incredible Mommies you all are! i love all of the keepsakes you gave one another. that is just so special and tender. you bless me more than i can say...thank you for sharing your journey! i thank God for each of your children. continuing to pray, :)jen in al

Anonymous said...

Oh, gosh, that's just too much! I love reading your various perspectives, each so beautifully and thoughtfully written. We'd seen the wonderful shirts, but this is the first mention of the tote bags, bracelets, and pottery project! I'd never wish to share in your most obvious common element---the loss that drew you together---but oh how I'd love to have crawled up on those hotel beds with you, hugged each of your necks, and thanked you for sharing your stories and your faith. May our Lord continue to bring healing and restoration to each of your hearts and families. Your family is most "like" my own---an almost 12yob, almost 10yog, homeschooling, and struggling for years with secondary infertility. We lived in South FL for 11 years, until moving to my dh's hometown in VA this past year.
You might read the post I wrote on Kenzie's blog---you might actually be old enough to remember the Twila Paris song I reference there (these other gals are babies! :-) It is posted under "Mountain Mom"---I forgot to sign in here before commenting.
God bless you!
Lori C.
Salem, VA

Chrissy said...

Thinking of each of you today. Continuing to pray you through these particular days.

Karen said...

Great job! How could I forget to blog about the driving?!?!...that was such a highlight! I love you girl.

Love,
Karen Fahmer
fahmer.blogspot.com

Corie said...

What a story! What a weekend! So glad you all had the opportunity to meet, hug, cry and share with one another. Praise God for His faithfulness.

Kim (marygracesummons.blogspot.com) said...

Yvette,
What a great recap of our wonderful weekend. I miss you already! I am going to copy and paste your account for my memory so I can read over it a year from now....it was perfect.
You are the most precious person I have ever met. I love you friend. I thank God for Tristan every day!
With love,
Kim

Julie said...

I have learned and been encouraged from reading you gals' websites as I walk through this journey now. Thanks for sharing your lives with us.

kingfamily said...

What a wonderful opportunity God has given all of you!
I've been crying the whole time I've read this.
Still praying, Brandi in PA

So Blessed said...

Beautiful faces, beautiful hearts, beautiful memories...such a special weekend that forever blessed each of you in the sacred bond you all share. How generous and loving is our God who brought you all together to comfort and uplift one another during the difficult time of grief. Thank you, Lord, for the precious gift you've given these sweet mommies.

Jessica said...

Wow! It sounds like you had a truly amazing time. I wish I was there! I am so glad you were all able to meet.

amie said...

wow!! I was doing fine until I saw the back of the t-shirt with all the names. Then I lost it. What a beautiful idea. What a neat group of moms. I am so glad you had this opportunity. All you girls are a Godly example to moms. So glad you had a great weekend!
Love,
Amie Beasley

Anonymous said...

I found my way here from Boomama and was just so blessed by your post. Beautiful does not even begin to describe what you and the other ladies have together. Thank you for sharing a part of it with us.

Anonymous said...

This post is amazing. I am sitting at my computer weeping for loss and also weeping because you all have found one another to walk through these tough times. Thank you for your encouragement and example of love for one another!

Melis said...

How unbelievably good He is to us!

I love Beth Moore and have been reading the all access blog. That's how I came across this post. I would have loved to be there with the 8 of you! I have two babies dancing with Jesus too. I miscarried one right after the other in early 2007. It was one of the darkest times of my life, but just like you said it was then that God spoke most clearly to me.

As I read your post and am writing this I am holding my precious baby boy that was born just 8 weeks ago. No one could ever replace the babies I lost, but as I watch this little guy nurse, my heart is full.

So I just wanted you to know that reading about your experience at Deeper Still has comforted me. We serve such a good God. He is certainly the true comforter.

God bless you and the other girls. It's so wonderful to know we aren't alone, isn't it!?

Mozi Esme said...

I'm so glad you guys found each other. What a story!

Anonymous said...

OH MY GOODNESS! How amazing is that! That is so wonderful! God is so good!!!!! I've been to that exact event you went too but it was in Nashville! I know you were each touched by Beth, Kay and Priscilla! I am so glad you all got some precious time together. The things you did are all so symbolic and priceless! I wish you all, all the happiness in the world!

Annie- nashville

Joni said...

Your story was such a blessing to me to today. Thank you.

April said...

What an awesome story of the Lord's goodness to bring you precious ladies together during this trial of your life. It was an honor to read your experience at Deeper Still.

I found you through the All Access Blog at Lifeway.

I will be praying for the ladies (and their families) in the brown shirts.

Jennifer @ Conversion Diary said...

Wow, what an amazing story. That is so wonderful that you all got to meet in person. You guys are all amazing. God bless you, and thank you for sharing your stories.

Sincerely Anna said...

I came here via BooMama's link and I just want you to know how touched and how blessed I am to have read this post. I'm speechless and in awe over how He brought you these 7 women and that each one of you is carrying the mat for one another. How incredible.

Cindy-Still His Girl said...

Incredibly beautiful. I'm so happy for each of you, and am thanking God that He brought you together!!

Anonymous said...

I am sitting here wiping off tears reading this post with a mixture of sadness for your loss and joy for the blessing that you have all found. What a gift God has given to each of you. I am in awe.
Andi

Kari said...

What a beautiful post! I have a special group of friends who have all lost babies. There is nothing like having friends who understand where you are coming from!

Hugs!

Renna said...

I came here via BooMama's blog. Wow. I was so blessed by your bittersweet story. God's ways are truly amazing!

Jennifer said...

This is simply amazing. Wow!

Ellen said...

hello, I came her via somebody-or-other's blog, I forget whose!
I was wondering if you would mind emailing me so that I could then email you back?? I have too much to say to put it all here in a comment.
I am also a mother of a Trisomy 18 baby. She lived 2.5 days, and that was 27 years ago!! I did not come to your blog because of that...I came to see what the story of the 'brown tshirts' was all about and then was shocked to see the words 'Trisomy 18'! If only I had this kind of support all those years ago. You ladies are truly blessed. I honestly have never found another mom who went through what I did, even though I serve in Women's Ministries and am a Biblical Counselor. It would be such a blessing to connect with you even though I am an 'older' mom who went through it long ago.
Anyway, would love to write you and share a bit more.....my email is ellen.castillo@harbor316.org
thanks!
please feel free to visit my blog, via my profile!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for the most beautiful post. You've so blessed me and countless others with your story. Your babies are in our hearts now, too.

SimplyAmusingDesigns.com said...

I've followed your story from before you birthed Tristan and I'm so thankful that God is Faithful to His Word. And when He says that He will "work all things together for the good of those that love Him and are called according to His purpose", I believe Him! What a beautiful testimony to the awesome power of a living God and sweet friendships.

Thanks for sharing this - I needed one of those "good cries" today. :)

Colored With Memories said...

i came here via Lots of Scotts...and am so blessed that i did. amazing!

life with the wisners said...

what a wonderful tribute to the Lord and His work.

thank you so much for sharing this. the pottery is the most amazing thing.

and having beth moore pray over you all.

what an awesome experience. again, thank you for sharing this.

(i came here by lots of scotts.)

Amy-neighbor said...

here b/c of lotsofscotts, saw your story and have 5 babies in heaven due to miscarriages - one at 19 weeks, that I delivered stillborn. I went in to find out the sex of the baby after an abnormal trisomy test....they wanted to do more tests and thought we could find out what it was at the same time - only to find there was no heartbeat. The most likely reason the trisomy test came back abnormal - no heartbeat. That was a shocker!

The journey is just that in fact....one I am still one and rediscovering in the oddest of ways. I loved reading of God's faithfulness to you and these amazing women! Thanks for your transparency.

Amy-neighbor said...

I am here via lotsofscotts - loved reading about the conference. Amazing what technology can bring together!
It touched me b/c I have 5 babies in Heaven due to "unexplained" miscarriages....4 losses in a row, one in between my 2nd and 3rd child. One loss in particular was at 19 weeks - went in b/c of an irregular trisomy test and they said we could find out what it was...only to find out while laying on the ultrasound table there was no heartbeat. That was the most likely reason for the abnormal test. Anyway, I haven't followed your story b/c I just found out about you, but would love to scroll back through the posts. I loved hearing about God's faithfulness with you and your friends and what he can bring about thru tragedy and heartache. I have 3 amazing boys now and now there is a plan for how and when each one came into my life....press on!

Marla Taviano said...

Wow. This is incredible. God bless all of you beautiful, beautiful girls! Oh, I can't wait to see (and hold--pretty please!!) your babies in heaven!

Barbie @ Mamaology said...

God is so amazing in having you meet and allowing each of you to find comfort in one another. May He cont. to bless your friendships and May He bless you with peace and joy in Him.

carrie-anne said...

incredible!!! i am sorry that you all have such a thing in common, but how awesome that God placed amazing women in your life! i wish for you as many blessings as possible. boomama sent me here thru her. i'm glad she did. incredibly touching. thank you for sharing

Love Being A Nonny said...

What a mighty God we serve! This post touched my heart. What a testimony you ladies have. You are blessing others and reaching farther than you will probably ever know. What a mighty God we serve!

Angela Conklin
a NC friend

Carolina Mama said...

Awesome how God meets our needs. What an awesome story and legacy for your families. God Bless.

Anonymous said...

I think I just got a little glimpse of heaven reading this. Beautiful story and amazing how God weaved your very special stories together! He's cool like that! ;-)

mandy said...

oh wow.

this post has taken my breath away.
unbelievable, thank you for sharing.

my best friend was at this conference ~ i'm checking in with her to see if she saw y'all.

Jamie {See Jamie blog} said...

What an awesome, awesome blessing for you all!

Julie said...

There are no words to say....

I am amazed at not only the beauty that you all have been given in your suffering, but the love of our Papa to link you all together. There's is nothing like having someone who REALLY understands what you are going through. What a blessing to have each other.

You are truly beautiful woman. He is taking the ashes and breaking forth the beauty in you.

Thank you for allowing us to see this story.

I am so sorry for your losses.

Hugs,
Julie

Anonymous said...

Amazing and Beautiful - God works in the most unimaginable ways!

The Hull Munchkins said...

Oh wow! What a touching experience that must have been. Getting to see Beth Moore would be awesome, but getting to share it with those women and make the connections you all made is truly priceless!

Thanks for sharing about it. I loved the way you made your memories together tangible with the pottery and place mats. Now you have something real to look at when you need encouragement.

I'm so glad the Lord brought you all together.

Blessings to you,
Patty

Unknown said...

I am always so heartbroken to hear about another aching to hold her baby while that baby is dancing and experiencing fullness in our Jesus in Heaven.

My son was no infant, I had him for 17 years before he went home to be with the Lord. God's so good to us - and your little group of Mommies with babies in heaven is a living testimony to the magnanimous understatement when we say God is good. May God bless you richly, sweet mommas and may God grant you peace, joy and much comfort in the days and months ahead. He is our rock and our refuge - He empowers and He comforts. He is God almighty and I am so glad I read your story.

Blessings.

Kelly said...

I was just sobbing when I read this because I can't imagine how each of feel and yet you find joy together. I'm blessed by the faith that each of you have to still praise God even when your prayers weren't answered. I pray He blesses you more than you could imagine.
I'm thankful that God has given you "sisters" to walk through this with.

Just Me said...

It was really neat seeing how each of you took a different approach in writing about this experience. Do any of you remember how each of you found one another?

Again, I enjoyed reading about how much this time with the girls blessed you. This part, however, could be my favorite, even though it seems so "simple"--
"These are the faces of
8 mommies,
from 8 different cities,
from 8 different backgrounds,
with 9 babies in Heaven,
who met on the Internet,
who love their Lord.....

Kim, Emily, Karen, Yvette,
Kristy, Angie, Kenzie & Chrissy"

God does do amazing things...I am glad He brought all of you to celebrate the lives of your precious babies.

Continued prayers to you and your family.

Andrea @ Mommy Snacks.net said...

I cannot imagine the pain each of you went through in losing your little angels, but your story is so encouraging! God is so amazing - to bring you together like that online. Touching story - prayers and encouragement will be sent your way tonight!

Anonymous said...

I am virtually speechless at your post. Found you through a link on BooMama's blog. I have not lost a child. I can't imagine your pain. Did you find it amazing to be able to worship and grieve at the same time? God bless you all. And thank you for taking the time to share this story.

Darlene Schacht said...

Trayc sent me over here. Wow, that was such an amazing time you all shared. God has such amazing ways of sending comfort when we need it. Praise His name!

Tracy said...

Wow. This is the best blog post that I have ever read! I am SO glad that all 8 of you were able to spend such a great weekend together. You all will be life long friends, I'm sure.

Anonymous said...

This is an amazing story. How GOD has moved through you and others. If you don't mind I would like to blog on this at some point.

Sara said...

Wow, I'm so happy you all were able to meet. Beth is something else, isn't she?

Amy Jo said...

Wow. I don't think I can even come up with words to express all that's on my heart. I am so very, very, very sorry for each one of your losses. I cannot even begin to imagine what you have been through. I am thankful, however, that God, in His amazing grace has brought all of you together to love, support, bless, and journey together. What an amazing weekend you had. I pray God's sweet blessings upon each of you as you continue to grieve, heal and grow.

Anonymous said...

Praise God for the blessing each of you bring to each other.

Betty Ann Tilson
Garner NC

bignateym said...

this is ridiculous(in a good way) I am reading this because I followed a link from Stuff Christians Like to BooMama and saw a post about the ladies in the brown shirts. And now I am sitting here crying (and I am a guy)
My wife and I lost twins to twin to twin tranfusion. They would have started their freshman year Tuesday, and today would be their birthday so right now I am just a mess, and my wife just called and reminded me it was their birthday and now I am just having a good cry because apparently I need one. One day I'll see them but until then I'll keep them in my heart and enjoy my three other children.
Your support for each other is a beautiful way to live as Christ

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