FRIENDS

These past couple weeks have been very difficult for our family. Less than two weeks ago, my stillborn granddaughter, Orie, was born. Before that time and since, Tom, my husband, has been feeling increasingly unwell. After 3 visits to the local ER, today he was admitted to the hospital diagnosed with congestive heart failure and pneumonia. It indeed has been a stressful time.

Dealing with these things is not easy. However, as I reflect, I realize how much support and strength has come from my friends. I am so blessed to have wonderful friends around me, with whom I can share my difficulties and burdens.

Thank you, Lord, for friends.

Believing that God Makes No Mistakes

October 21, 2007

Today is the day that we celebrate the birth and mourn the death of precious little Orie Phyllis Alice Harper, born October 17, 2007 at 1036 p.m. Orie, it was a privilege to briefly get to know you and to spend some wonderful moments with you - admiring the workmanship of God, as we gazed at your perfectly shaped little face, arms, hands, legs and feet. Although we never heard you scream "Hello" to the world, or felt you wiggling in our arms, you are very special to us. God makes no mistakes. Your life has made an impact on each of us. We are reminded that there are many things that we do not understand and that cause us pain. We will miss watching you grow, getting to know you, being with you on our family vacation at Camp Kahquah, joining around our large family table.

I can almost hear you speaking the words of Psalm 139 in a prayer to our Heavenly Father.
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous - oh how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."

Orie, you have gone on before us. We anticipate seeing you again one day.