Journaling Through the Valley . . . and finding JOY in the morning!: Etched in Stone

About Me

Location: MICHIGAN, United States

Thank you for stopping by. It's my hope you find glimpses of my Savior interwoven thru my writings. I am the wife to one husband for over 25 years, a blessed mama to a dozen children, yes each born from me ~ two of which see Jesus face to face & ten at home, all of us yearning to see Jesus someday. We have been home educating for over 18 years with . . . well, another 15 years to go (the youngest is 3, the oldest 23!) I have walked through rejection, to continually learning I am CALLED, LOVED and forever KEPT by God - never, ever to be rejected by Jesus! (Jude 1:1) I've walked through deep sorrow to find that joy does come again, though the night may be long; I've witnessed God orchestrating miracles with my children still beyond my comprehension, & I am seeing new love forming as we begin a new road of older children finding life mates. My life has and is a journey, from the deepest, almost rock bottom pit, to stumbling through my faith and looking towards the ultimate climax of everlasting life in heaven. Will you be joining me here and there? ~ Loni

Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Etched in Stone

We got Matthew's gravestone tonight. It's beautiful. You can still see our rough draft of it on our blog and also the meaning of it. We will show an actual picture of it on Saturday, his birthday and the day we will put it at the cemetery.

It hit hard - the finality. It's etched in stone. His name - part of his daddy's and grandpa's name. The dates. The beginning of life on earth. The beginning of life in heaven. The end of a precious life on earth. The end of dreams for him, for us. But the hope of eternity.

One of Norm's cousins helped us with the design, so it has a lot of meaning & is unique. Seeing Norm and our oldest son lift it from his car to our car - driving our heavy load home, and then seeing the looks on the children's faces. It hit several of them hard too. This song came to mind tonight . . .

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
What a priviledge to carry
Everything to God in prayer

Oh what peace we often forfeit
Oh what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer

Have we trials and temptations
Is there trouble any where
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer

Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all are sorrows share
Jesus knows our every weakness
Take it to the Lord in prayer

Are we weak and heavy laden
Comfort with the Lord of care
Precious Jesus' still our refuge
Take it to the Lord in prayer

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee
Take it to the Lord in prayer
In His arms He'll take and shield thee
Thou will find a solace there!

3 Comments:

Luke's Mom said...: Hi Loni,

Thank you for sharing What a Friend we have in Jesus. What a wonderful and powerful song. I will continue to keep you all in my prayers, especially this week as Matthew's Birthday approaches.

Here's a special scripture that has brought comfort to me these days. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him. Psalm 126:5-6 As you continue to share your faith in God and show that He is your help to get you through your tough days, I pray that God will pour out His blessings on your family, sprirtually, physically, emotionally in every way that you can imagine.

Love in Christ,
Sue; 5/25/2005 2:56 AM
Anonymous said...: Im very sorry for yourloss ,my little sister Megan died on Feb 8 2005, 3 weeks after her 18 birthday ,so our family knows the pain of losing a child our prayers our with you; 5/26/2005 11:56 AM
Teena said...: Dear Loni, thinking of you this week. Especially this weekend. May God give you strength tomorrow as you put Matthew's head stone on.

Sometimes I do not have words... but want you to know I am still reading and thinking of you~

in Him,
Teena mom to 1/2; 5/27/2005 3:52 PM