12.2.2009

Written Dec 2, 2009 

 

  One year ago today, Hannah received her angel wings. It is hard for me to believe that a year has now gone by with out Hannah. It just seems like yesterday we were all home together being our happy family doing things that normal families do. Then the indescribable happens, it is amazing how in an instant things can get turned upside down and how your lives journey can take another path. Cancer is awful and what it does to these children is terrible.

We are now copping and learning how to be a family without Hannah here on this earth. We incorporate her in everyway possible and Jackson talks about her all the time. We are figuring out our new “normal” life and walking down our new path with Jesus lighting the way.

We are doing are fair share of grieving. We are NOT letting grief define who we are but we are simply letting God define who we are. We are together putting one foot in front of the other and being thankful for all the things we had, all the things we are, and for all the things that are yet to come.

"Rise and go; your faith has made you well." 

Luke 17:19

We miss Hannah like crazy! I still look back into the rear-view mirror when driving, thinking that she should be there in her car seat. But with God’s grace he has given us the strength to make it through each day and we glorify him every step of the way. Whether, it is through our daily life or through Hannah’s HOPE Foundation we have felt God comforting us, giving us strength, and putting the right people in our path when we need them at that very moment in time.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:19-22

We are following God’s plan for us.

Two weekends ago we were invited to attend the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Memorial Service for the Oncology patients/families. It was a very emotional day, but the service was beautiful. There was a slide show of all the children, we lit a candle in memory of Hannah, a lovely couple told us about their story of loosing their daughter, and an amazing choir sang Where Joy and Sorrow Meet. The words of that song are touching. The verse stood out to Jon and I.

There is a place where hope remains

In crowns of thorns and crimson stains

And tears that fall on Jesus’ feet

Where joy and sorrow meet

Just to think, all our tears that we have shed and will shed are falling on Jesus’ feet. He is our savior, without him, we would be lost. Through him our Faith has withstand the grief of loosing Hannah, he has given us HOPE and in that we are reassured that we will soon see Hannah again! How we long for that day to come, Jackson even tells us he is ready to go to Heaven to see Hannah. Our treasures are in heaven not on this earth!

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about the things we cannot see.”   Hebrews 11:1

We again want to thank everyone for thinking about us, those we know and those we have yet to meet, Thank YOU! This past 16 months have been a whirlwind and with your love and prayers we have truly felt your support. Thank you for keep us in your prayers. Also, please keep Hannah’s HOPE Foundation in your prays as we continue to grow. (www.hannahshopefoundation.org)

Keep the Faith!