In memory...

I just got back into Jackson from my trip to OKC, OK for Anna's memorial. There aren't really words to begin to explain what it is like to experience what I have over the last few days. On the drive there I thought a lot about words that I could share of comfort, of hope, just something. I didn't want to fumble over my words when I got there...so I spent most of the 8 1/2 hour drive thinking on what I could say. At the end of it, I came up with nothing. What can you say to a grieving family who just lost their five year old? Do words really exist that would be worth saying to a mother who just lost her baby? No, there really aren't. When I got there I found that it didn't matter. After spending some time with Anna's family, I realized why I was there. To listen and to just be there...it didn't matter what I said or didn't say. Anna's grandmother told me about Anna, showed me pictures, told me more stories about Anna. It was a sweet sweet time. It was good to be able to hear about Anna's life, about funny things she said; to share in the wonderful memories of her life.

There was more of this Thursday morning at her celebration service. A couple of people shared about Anna and how they were effected by her. One of the ladies shared great stories about Anna. At the end of the service they played a video of Anna singing in front of the church then another video of Anna singing and dancing to Bullfrogs and Butterflies...and as she flapped her arms out like a butterfly I read the front of the program that said, "Fly to Jesus...and live." Anna did fly to Jesus and she is alive. And like her daddy said during the service, speaking on how she must be so happy and being able to have fun, doing things that her earthly body could never do..."even if she had a choice, she wouldn't come back here."

"You are our Lord.

We never forget you.

We honor family and friends.

Bless our food.

Bless our spaghetti

When it is time to go to heaven,

we will be ready.

You are our God."

(said by Anna July, 2007)

Anna.

Sunday, November 25, 2007 2:51 AM CST

Anna traded in her broken down "earth-suit" for her glorious new body at 1:25am. After listening to the song "Fly To Jesus," we told her to fly to Him and she did--in my arms with her daddy holding us close. We ushered her into her heavenly Father's arms. She must feel so free now. Her hurt is gone, ours remains. We will miss her so.

Anna...

Saturday, November 24, 2007 1:10 PM CST

"Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble...or (are) threatened with death?...No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loves us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't...Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow....can't keep God's love away." (Romans 8:35,37,38)

"For we are not our own masters when we live or when we die. While we live, we live to please the Lord. And when we die, we go to be with the Lord. So in life and death, we belong to the Lord." (Romans 14:7-8)

Anna has been mostly unconscious since yesterday afternoon. Her body seems to finally be shutting down. We have reached a milestone of sorts. She has been sick for 2 years and 9 months and she was 2 years and 9 months old when she was diagnosed.

We covet your prayers as we walk through these waters.

A Sonic run...

Well readers,
I would post but my niece Sahara just came asking if we could go to Sonic to get a drink...can't pass that one up.
Later...
Enjoying the little things with the little people in my life,
Heidi

73 degrees...

So, it's November the 17th and I just want to let everyone know that I have been driving around today with my windows rolled down...what a beautiful fall day...in the middle of November!

Anna...

Keep Praying...

This is part of the latest post from Anna's mom:

"Yesterday Anna slept most of the time. I was grieving the loss of her smile, her voice, the way she makes us laugh. She was still here, but those things were missing yesterday. Thank you to friends who came over this weekend who brought joy and laughter to our home."

Visit her website at http://www.caringbridge.org/ok/annajane/

THE JACKET....

Here it is...the jacket I have been waiting for all my life...well maybe just the last month or so. At any rate, I found THE jacket, the soft on the inside, water resistant on the outside, not too fitted, not too loose jacket that keeps me toasty warm.
My search began when I decided to move to the chilly northwest...and now that the weather has cooled here in the south down to a freezing (53 degrees today) really terribly cold temperatures...my knees and back have started aching every time I even think about walking outdoors so I decided today would be the day. I walked in and out of many stores before I broke down and proceeded to check out the isles of overpriced Gander Mountain that has recently moved in to Jackson. Before I knew it I had on this wonderful jacket, it made me warm, it felt just right, I didn't want to take it off...but I had to, you know to pay for it like a grown adult. Being the investor that I am, I had thought about this purchase in advance and had given myself a good one hundred dollars to spend on THE PERFECT JACKET...given that I found it. And ladies and gentlemen...I did it. I held to my budget...I just had to add that in to make myself feel better:) So, here is a picture of the jacket...although it isn't THE jacket as mine is brown on the outside and purple on the inside but of course there is no picture that exactly matches online for me to copy and paste for you all to see...sooo you will just have to see the real thing in person. But for now, a taste... THE Sheer Bliss II Jacket (in Bark not white, imagine it!)