My heart is heavy tonight. I've spent many hours reflecting on the past months and the many hours of prayers and tears that so many of you have shared with me, Greg, and the kids. My heart hurts with the very real possibility that we may soon be leaving. Leaving friends who have become our true brothers and sisters. I really have no words right now. I just needed to let you all know how much I love you and how thankful I am that you are in my life. Thank you for loving my family and for being with us during some very dark days.
Tonight while blog surfing I found words to a song that really struck a chord with me. Maybe it might encourage some of you out there also.
OPEN THE SEA
(Written and sung by Amy Henning)
The Israelites faced a sea before them
A mountain on each side
Pharaoh's army was in pursuit
There was nowhere for them to hide
Then God opened the sea;
did away with the enemy
In a mighty display
If He did it for them so long ago
Will He do it for me today?
I Pray
Open the sea, make a way for me
I'm holding to Your hand
Whatever pathway You should choose
I will see it as dry land
Wherever You lead me, I will go
Holding to this truth I know that You can open the sea
Sometimes my sea, it overwhelms me
I want to see dry land
Waves of doubt and fear rush in
And I struggle to understand
Then You take me right back to the edge of the water
Reminding me of before
And in that moment I know Your heart
And I cry out with faith once more.
This is a very jumbled up blog entry, but that's pretty much indicative of my mindset right now. I sat down to share these pictures of Miss Livvy Loo Loo (sometimes also lovingly called Livers by her very strange mom) and all of the previous thoughts just stumbled out. So back to my original thought of my littlest angel. I have just been having a good 'ole cry here at the computer and wanted to share them -
Here's a chance to see an angel...
FYI-that's not a scar on her chest, she's wearing a heart necklace given to her by a dear friend! :)
Hands, feet, and a wee lock of hair!
I love all of you!
Shannon
17 comments:
I'm so thankful for Angels...she is so precious, Shannon.
I know moving can be hard and the possibility of moving away from little Olivia is just not even in my thoughts right now...I don't want you to have to leave so soon.
But, I do know that you are a very strong woman (isn't that weird? We are old enough to call each other women now...yikes!) and you know where your strength comes from. When we found out that we were going to have to move to Alaska, I couldn't believe it. If something happened to anyone, I couldn't ever even get in a car and drive home...it was a flight and a long one away from family and friends. But.... God put wonderful people in our lives up there that I would not trade for anything....will it be different and hard? At first, you bet.
Will we all come and visit you and stay at your house on our way to DisneyWorld? Can't wait!
We are praying for you and Greg in your decisions. I know it's not fun to have to do it so quickly, too. Much love to your sweet kids!
Okay, so I can't talk (or read apaprently) about this without EXCESSIVE tears, but I have decided that nope, you are not going. We are all going to stay here in Little Rock until we are old and gray and fart when we walk. That is all I have to say about that. Greg will find a great new job tomorow and that is that. If need be we can all bunk into one house until we get this figured out. Now, with that said. I am sorry you are having a tough time. I have to tell you my arms have been aching for Livvie too. I wish for anything she was with us right now, and my heart hurts with missing her. I love you my friend! Don't underestimate my ability to sabotage a moving truck!
Seriously still with the word verification? I CAN'T DO THESE!
Shannon, Olivia is beautifu and you are so blessed to have pictures of her. I am praying for you as you decide what to do with the move. Kind of a sucker-punch, isn't it?
Shannon,
Thank you for sharing. She is beautiful. You are in my thoughts and prayers as you are making a difficult decision. I can't imagine being away from my family, but family will always be family no matter where you are! Traci
I'm so happy you shared more pictures of your sweet, beautiful Olivia. We will be praying for you guys as you try to decide what to do about the move. Florida doesn't sound so bad on these dreary, cold Arkansas days.
She is beautiful! What precious pictures! I know you just cherish them!! Will definitely be praying for you guys and your decisions!
Shannon,
Olivia is beautiful. Like someone else said, what a blessing that you have such sweet pictures of her. I know that you will always carry them close to your heart. Thank you so much for sharing her beauty.
I am so sorry that you are faced with such a difficult decision. I will be praying that God gives you not only wisdom but PEACE in whatever you decide. If you do move, you will always have reason to come back to LR to visit. I am so thankful that God has surrounded you with such precious friends in these darkest of times.
Olivia is a true angel~ The pictures of her just melt my heart every time I see her..I am glad you have this blog to write your feelings on and share, I wish bloggers had been around when Kenny was born and then died. There is so much ahead of you and your family this year, remember to take each day moment by moment. You are very strong but it is ok to feel weak at times because it is those times that help us to grow stronger. Remember there are many who love you and will be here to support you. Losing a child is the most difficult thing I ever have had to endure. I was always glad to know that God has sent people (family and friends) into my life to support me in the journey. (((hugs))) your familly will be in my prayers. The intense feelings do get better in time, but you never ever forget your child, no matter where you live or go.
Thank you for sharing your pictures. I have been thinking about you a lot. I will be praying that the decisions you face will be easier. I am sorry your heart hurts...it such a horrible feeling.
Shannon, What a beautiful little Angel you brought in to this world...these are the first pictures I've seen of her and her little face is precious! I look forward to the day when I get to see her and baby Janey in Heaven - what an honor and joy it will be to see both of them. We're still praying for you and your sweet family.
Shannon - I just read your previous post and wanted to let you know that we'll be praying about this decision. I too am from Little Rock and trust me - I understand your fears of living far from your family and friends and can not even begin to imagine how tough it would be to be so far from Olivia. In case, you didn't know, my husband and I live in Jacksonville,FL (the Orange Park area specifically)...if you do decide to move here, we'd be more then happy to help introduce you to the city - please email me if you have ANY questions at all! May God's peace be with you and your family!!!
lindseyeason@yahoo.com
She is beautiful. Thank you for sharing such precious pictures and an angel with us. Bless you
What a beautiful angel she is.... I hope she and my girl have met each other and are smiling tonight. :)
shannon - thanks for your words, I appreciate it more than you know. Olivia is beautiful, thanks also for sharing her pictures. I'll be praying for you and your family.
Your angel is absolutely gorgeous. Thank you for sharing pictures. I will be praying for you and your family with the possibility of a move.
Hi,
I just came here following the link you added on your sidebar. Thanks for that!
I can't even imagine what it's like losing a child. You're being so brave. I wish I could be more eloquent, but it's hard to type or think when tears are pouring down your face. God bless you always.
Hi there. I found your blog via Beth from Bowling Green.
The pictures of your Glory Baby Olivia are the most angelic I've ever seen. I love the way you write about your faith and love for the Almighty God. Your blog entries have brought me to tears and filled my heart with a desire to love God even more for the ways He blesses us. Your blog will reach others who are dealing with or may deal with loss. Keep the faith..... and keep blogging!
Valerie (www.valeriejones.blogspot.com)
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