Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Our Precious Joel with the Lord Jesus...
The Lord chose to take Joel to be with Him in glory around 4:30 PM this afternoon. We are at home and we will try to share more of our last day with Joel some time later. Please know that we so much appreciate all of you who have supported us through this trial. Joel had such an impact on so many people. It was a priviledge as his father to spend these days and nights with him as he fought a good fight for life. His life is such a blessing to us, pray for our family as we go through these days....
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41 comments:
I am so sorry for your loss, your family will always remain in my prayers
oh, we are mourning with you. and still lifting you in prayer. we are praying for comfort and peace and for every one of you right now and will continue. you are an amazing family and God's glory has and will continue to be shown through you. we love you so much.
-matt and suzanne
My heart breaks for your family. I am so sorry for the loss of your precious child. Your strength, courage, and faith in the Lord have moved me beyond words. God has used sweet Joel's life and your amazing witness to show His glory. Our prayers are with you and your family during this incredibly difficult time.
Laura in KY
Although I am saddened by Joel's passing, I am edified by seeing YOUR sweet Christ-like example in remaining steadfast in faith, showing you know that GOD is still in control, not us mere humans.
Please know we will continue to pray for your family's restful nights ahead in the coming days. WE also pray you see continued examples of God's grace in this time of mourning. Having been thru that valley of the shadow of death, we know there is JOY on the other side of this hard time of mourning. We will pray for you to see glimmers of that "brighter place" on the other side of this sad time on a DAILY and hourly basis.
In Christian Love,
Becky
a homeschool mom in Okc
I'm so sorry.... I will keep your family in my prayers. {{{hugs}}}
At this time of such a great loss, would like to share this with you all:
"I am home in Heaven, Dear Ones: Oh, so happy and bright, there is perfect joy and beauty in this everlasting life.
All the pain and grief is over; every restless tossing pased; I am now at peace forever, safely home in Heaven at last. Did yo wonder I so calmly trod the valley of the shade? Oh! but Jesus' love illumined every dark and fearful glade. And He came himself to meet me in that way so hard to tread; and with Jesus' arm to lean on, could I have one doubt or dread? Then you must no grieve so sorely, for I love you dearly still; try to look beyond earth's shadow, pray to trust our Father's will. There is work still waiting for you, so you must not idly stand; do it now, while life remaineth; you shall rest in Jesus' land, when that work is all completed, he will gently call you home; Oh, the rapture of that meeting, Oh, the joy to see you come!
Our hearts go out to you over the loss of your precious son Joel. We will continue to lift your family up in our prayers. We have been humbled by the example you have set through this very difficult time. We trust our Sovereign Lord will continue to sustain you through the days ahead as He has in the past weeks.
Terry & Cindy,
Our hearts are breaking for you as parents but reminding you that the joy for little Joel at this time is far greater than anything he has expeirenced through this trial and valley he has traveled! We pray Gods peace, love, and strength for you and the kids through the days to come. While they will be bittersweet, long and sometimes lonely remember to cling to the Lord of all and know He is with you. Thank you for having the faith to share this journey ~ it has not been in vain. Joel has touched us all and along with your personal and family faith we have all seem our God face through each of you.
We will continue to take you to the the Lord in our prayers and your are not forgotten.
In His Arms,
Bryan & Leslie Medlock
WCBC, Pine Bluff, AR
When I lost my nephew they read this poem at his funeral. It provided me with great comfort, and his mother said it meant a lot to her to. I hope it will help you.
A Child of Mine
I'll lend you for a little while
A child of mine, God said
For you to love the while she lives
And mourn for when she's dead
It may be six or seven years,
Or forty-two or three
But will you, till I call her back
Take care of her for me?
She'll bring her charms to gladden you
And - should her stay be brief,
You'll have her lovely memories
As a solace for your grief
I cannot promise she will stay
For all from earth returns
But there are lessons taught below
I want this child to learn.
I've looked the whole world over
In my search for teachers true
And from all beings that crowd life's land
I have chosen you
Now, will you give her all your love
Nor think the labor vain.
Nor hate me when I come to take
This lent child back again
I fancied that I heard you say
"Dear Lord, Thy will be done.
For all the joys Thy child will bring
The risk of grief we'll run
We will shelter her with tenderness
We'll love her while we may -
And for the happiness we have now know
Forever grateful stay."
But should the angels come for her
Much sooner than we'd planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand
Your family will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time...Our most sincere condolences.-The Morphis family
I have followed your story of courage and faith with awe. Now God has taken this little one home to Him forever. Bless you and please know that many, many have prayed for you in this. Many lives have been touched by your faith. You have my deepest sympathy.
Dawn Z. in Iowa
So many tears... and even more prays for you all.
We Love you all so much!!!!
Pam & Family, Uncle Bill and Aunt Irene, Billy & Family.
You have our continued prayers as you continue your journeys, without your precious Joel beside you, but always, always in spirit. Joel has touched my life ... his story, his journey, and his family's fight have had such a great impact. I do know that he has touched so many, and most of what the Lord has done through this journey -- we may never know. He has used Joel in such a mighty way. We are so sorry for your loss, yet know that Joel is in such a much better place. I can picture him running and skipping beside the Lord asking question after question ... in that little boy way.
If we can ever do anything ... besides prayer (that's a given!) ... please do let us know.
God grant you peace and comfort, and may He restore your joy ....
The Crook Family, Kansas
Although I just heard about your situation tonight, my prayers are with your whole family. May the Lord strengthen you at this time and give you His peace.
Just as I was greatly encouraged by your testimony of your faithful trusting in the Lord throughout this whole trial, I am sure that many others were a witness to how much you love the Lord as well. You are an inspiration to me.
I am so so sorry for your loss. I admire the strength and faith you have shown through this entire journey. And I will pray for your continued strength for the days ahead.
With deepest sympathy,
Susanne (Williams) Decker
I'm so sorry for your families loss. You family will remain in my thoughts and prayers. Your faith is a great inspiration to many.
Terry, Cindy and children,
You have been such an inspiration to our family as we have seen you go through this trial. Your steadfast faith in God and your complete honesty in sharing your heart has encouraged us in our walk with God. We will continue to pray for you and hold your family up before our heavenly Father. One day you will all be reunited...oh glorious day.
Bob and Cindy Cole and family
I am so sorry for your loss. Please know tht your sharing Joel's life and struggle have touched me and many others I'm sure. We have held our little ones closer and have prayed for your guidance and comfort throughout these last few weeks.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob comfort you and stregthen you and your family.
With love and prayers,
Theresa
Dear Cindy & Terry,
For three weeks now I have been reading Joel's Journey. Tonight as we came home... after children were in bed I came to the computer. To be honest I was afraid to look~ I had checked on Joel earlier today and lifted him up to the Father... and continued to think of him and all of you....
I am so very very sorry. I sit here starring at this screen... no words adequate enough.... my heart hurts for all of you.
I do know that the faith/trust that both of you have shown on this journey will forever be remembered. I know that your life, Joel's life will continue to touch others.
We will continue to pray.... for all of you. Josiah keeps coming to my mind. Along with others ...
your on our hearts/minds ....
May God give you the strength you need.....
Teena mom to 1/2 dozen
We will pray for you for strength as you face the coming days without your precious little one. Thank you for sharing your journey with us, what an incredible testimony. Bless you.
I wish there was something I could say to bring you comfort. Joel was so special to me and his journey was an inspiration to me. I would like to share what the pastor said when our 3 year old grandson was taken from us. I hope it will give you some comfort. I would like to thank you and your family for sharing little Joel with us.
Little Angels
When god calls little children
To dwell with him above,
We mortals sometimes question
The wisdom of His Love.
For no heartache compars with
the death of one small child,
Who does so much to make our world,
Seem wonderful and mild.
Perhaps God tires of calling
the aged to his fold,
So He picks a Rosebud
Before it can grow old.
God knows how much we need them,
And so He takes but few,
To make the land of Heaven
more beautiful to view.
Believing this is difficult
still somehow we must try,
The saddest word mankind knows
will always be "Goodbye".
So when a little child departs,
We who are left behind
Must realize God loves Children,
Angels are hard to find.
Again my deepest sympathies are with you and your family. We continue to keep you in our prayers. May the Lord be with you and give you peace and comfort. Thank you for giving me the chance to know Joel. Susie Musick
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. We will be praying for God's strength for your family.
Terry, Cindy and family,
We continue to pray for your family, especially tonight. We've been following Joel's Journey for the last 3 weeks or so. Our hearts ache with you as only a parent would when losing a child. Thank you for sharing Joel's story and your amazing faith the way you have. You've caused a lot of people to look inward at their hearts and faith. This trial has not been in vain. We pray the Lord will sustain you and your children during these upcoming days/weeks/months. Joel is in glory!
The Gustafson family
Monticello, AR
I wish there were roads that brought your burdens to me, so I could carry you, so I could carry you.
I wish there were valleys after each mountain so I could rest with you, so I could rest with you.
I wish there were bridges into your heart, so I could give life to you, so I could give life to you.
I wish there were ladders to climb to the heaven, so I could follow you, so I could follow you.
I wish there were tunnels reaching through time, so I could be with you, so I could be with you.
I wish there were steps through this last river you're crossing, so I could go with you, because I would go with you.
But sinces there are no ladders to heaven and no steps to follow you, I give you only what I have to give...my love.
written by hannah
Ken and I will continue to pray for you through these next days and beyond as the Lord brings you to mind. We are so very sorry for your loss of Joel, one of your darlings, yet we know that you are comforted by our Father's care of you and of him. I remember in the book of Job how at the end of the book all his fortunes were restored twofold: livestock, wealth, etc. Yet he had the same number of children as before. We know as believers this is because his children, though their life on earth had ended, still lived on in God's care and presence.
Joel now beholds Him upon Whom the rest of God's people remaining behind long to gaze...
May the Lord bless your family, again tonight, and evermore.
I know there are many things happening and all sorts of arrangements and demands for your time and attention right now. But if you or a friend of your family gets the chance, would you please update your blog when you can? Many of us have come to love your family from afar.
Yours in Christ, and with both tears and smiles,
Ken, Debbie, and Lisa May Fields
So sorry!! I'll be praying for you all
Our continued prayers are with your family during this grievous time. We are terribly sorry.
In Him always,
the Ebling family
Revelation 7:15-17 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
My family's hearts ache with this news. From the first time we found out about Joel, he has been in our prayers. He is now in Glory with the Loving Father who has cared for him even before he was formed. We will continue to pray for your wonderful family. Your family has taught me many things through this journey.
In Christ,
Stephen
For all the saints who from their labors rest, who Thee by faith before the world confessed, Thy name, oh, Jesus, be forever blessed. Alleluia!
Words are inadequate but prayers continue.
Can't you just hear Joel before the throne asking Jesus, "I'm all done?" and imagine His tender reply.
~with love, a friend you haven't met yet, Helen
I am so sorry for you loss. Our children are so precious to us. It is so hard to be left behind. Your family has been such a witness and a blessing and I pray God's comfort and strength on you all.
May the Lord Bless You and Keep You,
Mary Beth
I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Jill
Ohio
I am so, so sorry for your loss. Please know that your family is in my prayers.
May the Lord sustain you.
with tears on my face,
ThoughtfulMom
http://thoughtfulmom.blogspot.com/2006/03/praying-for-your-children-written-for.html
We are grieving with you and praying for you. Even though we have been watching and praying from far away, it has been so evident that Joel's life glorified God, as does your entire family. Thank you so much for your example and encouragement to us.
It was a pleasure to work with your family and with sweet Joel. Thank you for your kindness, understanding, and patience. I am deeply sorry for your loss and grieve with you. Joel is at rest and at Christ's side. Praise be to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Amanda RN
I am so very sorry for your loss, your family is in our thoughts and prayers. I have truly been touched by your blog and in aw of your great trust in our great Lord Jesus Christ. May He hold your family up with strength during days to come.
In His Grip.
Tisha
Terry & Cindy,
God will honor you for your faith and courage through this valley of shadows. We are praying for your family, and asking God to use this time in your life for His glory.
We Love You,
The Westalls
Dear Morris family
While we grieve the death of little Joel, please know that the saints of Bethel Baptist Church in Owasso will be lifting up your family before the throne of grace tonight as we gather for mid-week prayer. Our prayer is that as you grieve, you will be helped by the Holy Spirit of God to grieve--not as others, who have no hope--but as those whose hope is solidly anchored in the fact that the tomb where the Lord Jesus once lay remains empty!
Bill Ascol, Senior Pastor
Bethel Baptist Church
Owasso, OK
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.
Praise God Joel no longer hurts. He is where there is no cancer, no tears.
But, he is no longer in your arms, and so I mourn with you. May you take comfort knowing you will see your precious son and brother again. This life is only for a time, it is over so quickly, and then for the believer, how great the joy! God will wipe away these tears. Our prayers are with you.
Elizabeth Giromini
Oh, how my heart goes out to you! I am praying for you all! May God's grace, comfort, and mercy sustain you!
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