This week marks 1 year since Lilly passed away. While it is a time that will be difficult to overcome each year, we have also chosen to use it as a time of reflection. Richard and I decided to use this week not to be sad, but to reflect on who we have become through this long journey and to make sure we are living as God wants us to.
We really do view this week as a major milestone. I remember a year ago when a minute seemed like an hour and day seemed like a week. I used to dread every Monday because it marked another week without Lilly. Sometime when I least expected it, those sad days have gone away. I still miss Lilly with all of my heart, but the calendar does not dictate when I am sad anymore. I really can't believe how quickly this year has gone by and how the Lord has healed and restored us in this year. He has given us strength that we never knew we had and also made us feel comforted and loved in a way we never thought we would need.
The anniversary of Lilly's passing will not be a time we will ever be able to forget. For one, it is the week of the year when everything starts to bloom. On the day of the funeral last year, I noticed green buds all over a section of our garden...we came to find out that they were daylilies. Amazing enough, they are emerging to greet us again this week. What a gift!
I debated on telling the story of how we lost Lilly and exactly what they day and week looked like. But instead of dwelling on such a low time, I think it is better to focus on how our lives have improved over the year. Thanks to everyone for the love, support, and prayer you have shown us. It means more than you can ever know.
Our prayer is that we can look back on our lives one more year from now and continue to be amazed at how God is transforming, using, and loving us.
God bless you all!
You are always in my prayers... and as always I am inspired and humbled by your steadfast faith and unbreakable spirit. You are a testament in ways you cannot understand. Thank you for sharing your story and your lives.
ReplyDeleteShannon
On reading what I wrote after I posted it, I realized that "ways you cannot understand" did not sound how I meant it. I meant that your story and your words always touch my heart in ways that I cannot explain to you. Thank you again.
ReplyDeleteI have thought about you this week and prayed for you.
ReplyDelete{{{{{hugs}}}}} prayers for you and your family. what a diffucult time but i know God will guide you through this just as he has the past year.
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing, and your strength inspires me. You truly are walking with the Lord. God Bless you and your new baby.
ReplyDeleteCarrie Bower
www.lilabower.last-memories.com
I've been thinking of you and Richard all week. I'm so happy to hear that you had a nice week of reflection and am so amazed at the wonderful things the Lord has provided through this time. You are in our prayers!
ReplyDeleteWe love you and we love God's Spirit in you both. What a gift you guys are to so many.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful outlook you have. Way to embrace each day as it comes and try and be positive! How inspiring for people reading this to know that there are good and bad days! You are so strong!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing your journey with us. We still pray for you guys and think of you often. We hope that someday we will have the chance to tell you the influence your sweet Lilly has had on our lives.
ReplyDeleteMicah and Heather Ladd
I continue to follow your journey. You and Richard have truly been a Christian example to me this year. Your faith in this time of tragedy has inspired so many people to trust the Lord more. I am a complete stranger to you, and yet your story and the way you choose to live your life this past year, have transformed my life. I continue to pray for you both and your new journey. Much love!
ReplyDeleteI am so looking forward to the next few months, thank you for sharing your heart. I love you!
ReplyDeleteI love you
ReplyDeletePraises to the Lord that you have survived this year with His grace and that you have come to know His love even more. I wish for you many years of happiness and always a strong presence of God on March 6th as I am sure even when you are old and gray it will be a day that you will pray a little longer on. Blessings for your week.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are amazing. It is so refreshing to hear how He has used you and Richard to show His love even during an unimaginable time. You guys are still in my prayers! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteWow. Tears. God is so faithful. Thank you for sharing your reflections, Jenn.
ReplyDeleteRomans 9:17-"For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."
His transforming power is evident in your lives and it is resulting in the glory of His name! How amazing.
I love you both dearly!
wow...that was so well written. you are such an amazing person and your faith in God inspires us all. it's so awesome to see how far you and richard have come...you are truly blessed!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your sharing your heart. God is so faithful to his promises. Continuing to pray for baby girl thomas:) Love you guys.
ReplyDeleteMy prayer is that your week has been beautiful and blessed. Your faith in our Father blesses me beyond words.
ReplyDeleteYour Faith is such an amazing thing to witness. I can only hope that when the one year anniversary comes around for us I can have such a positive out look on it. You and your husband are such amazing people for my husband and I to learn from. Thank you for sharing your life with absolute strangers.
ReplyDeleteRaychel
That was a beautiful entry! Thank you for sharing it with us! The Lord has done such great things in you two!
ReplyDelete