Saturday, August 22, 2009

Grave side service


This morning at 10am we laid our precious Dallin, Kaitlyn and Braden to rest in Austin, Texas. The grave side service went very well. Thomas dedicated the grave, and gave a beautiful dedicatory prayer. My father (the babies grandfather) bore his testimony and talked about how we will not only be able to see them again, but also be able to raise them in the next life. We had a good friend sing a beautiful song. Our wonderful Bishop gave us some comforting advice and council. We are so grateful that friends from our ward were able to come the long distance to be there for the service. Thomas had his best friend Jason come from Dallas as well. It really meant so much to Thomas for him to make the trip from the Big D. We are grateful for all who pitched in to help. Everyone has been so supportive and we are so grateful for all who have prayed on our behalf. We have been strengthened by every ones prayers and support. We feel at peace knowing that our precious little ones are back home to that God who gave them life. We know they just needed their bodies and that was all. They didn't need to be tested in this life, they were too perfect to be here. Knowing that brings us great comfort. God be thanked for his matchless love and support in our trying times.

22 comments:

  1. Our prayers are with you especially today. God bless your family. We love you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Amanda and Thomas, my love and prayers are with you. I am glad that you have the knowledge you do. Without it, I can't imagine how you would be going through this difficult time. Your faith, love and dedication continue to amaze me. I thank you for touching my heart with that. May the heavenly Father continue to give you strength and watch over you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That was the hardest thing I can possibly imagine ever having to face as a parent, leaving our child to be buried. Harder even than the long NICU battle we fought with our other son. I am thankful you are finding peace with the knowledge that your angels are in heaven, watching over their parents and sisters. God bless amazing friends and family for helping you through this.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You are AMAZING! We are praying for your three precious little girls. May God continue to Bless you and strength your spirit!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I don't know if you've seen these lyrics of additional verses of "I Am a Child of God" that were written specifically for families who have lost children but wanted to share them with you:

    I am a child of God and He has called me home.
    My earthly journey's through but still, I do not walk alone.
    He leads me, guides me, walks beside me, helps me find the way.
    He welcomed me with open arms. I live with Him today.


    I am a child of God and I have gone ahead.
    My earthly life was brief but oh, such peace and love you gave.
    You loved me, held me, stood beside me and though I cannot stay.
    You gave me much to help me and I live with Him today.


    I am a child of God and I will wait for you.
    Celestial glory shall be ours, if you can but endure.
    I'll lead you, guide you, walk beside you.
    Help you find the way.
    I'll welcome you with open arms
    One bright Celestial day.

    --Donna Kulliard

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thomas and Amanda, I am so sorry for the deep grief and pain that you must be enduring. I can't even imagine burying 3 of my children. I'm so glad that you are staying close to the Lord, he's the only one who can get you through this.
    I am the mother of 7 year old quadruplets (27 weekers) and despite one of them getting bilateral grade 4 bleeds, they are all fine. The one never needed shunts or any intervention as his bleeds resolved themselves. Miracles happen every day. I'll be praying for miracles for you and your entire family.
    I used to sing the song "Angel Lullaby" to my 4 each night before I left the hospital. It helped me to remember that there were angels looking out for my babies even when I couldn't be there. In thinking of the words, I feel like the song could have been written for you. Here's a link:
    http://www.imeem.com/people/vjpJ2ct/music/20_JVB4p/carol-lynn-pearson-lex-de-azevedo-angel-lullaby/
    Your 3 on earth have 3 very special angel friends guarding and helping them.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Praying for your family. Stay strong.

    Jac

    ReplyDelete
  8. All is well. All is well. i love the additional verses of I Am a Child of God - wonderfully comforting. They are, you are, He loves us sooo much.
    love, Erma

    ReplyDelete
  9. It sounds like the service was exactly what you needed it to be. I'm so glad for that. Your church has been amazing; I'm so happy that you have such wonderful support. We'll continue praying from afar - for you, and for them, that they can continue to support you close by.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am so terribly sorry for the loss of your three children. I am holding your family and your three fighters close in my heart. Much love to you all.

    ReplyDelete
  11. God bless you in this time of sadness for the loss of your three children, and many prayers and blessings to you for the three children that are living. You are wonderful parents, and the Lord will bless you.

    ReplyDelete
  12. The two of you display a level of grace that can only be a boon to your beautiful children. My heart hurts in reading the news about Braden, and every single one of you (including your precious departed angels) will be in my thoughts and prayers.

    Cathy Chandler
    https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/colinchandler

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love and prayers for you right now. I am praying for those precious little girls of yours, that they will continue to be strong. What a beautiful blessing it is for you to know that you will be able to see and raise all of your sweet children one day. That will help you to remain strong for your sweet girls who are fighting to be here with you. What a beautiful testimony you have.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am so sorry for your loss. I will continue to pray for your family.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Your strength and testimonies continue to increase mine. I am so grateful to read the new verses to I Am A Child of God. My niece lost her 4 month old daughter in June and I am going to send her a link to your blog. I am sure it will help her. Continue to be strong and we will continue to pray for you and your darling little girls.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am so sorry you have experienced yet another loss. There is little that can be said to a mother and father that have lost 3 of their 6 children.

    Hearts everywhere break with yours.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thinking about you and praying for strength and comfort for your family during this time. It's something that's so difficult to understand and my heart breaks for you both. Continue to be strong and the beautiful lights that you are.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I am praying that there will be much improvement on the next head ultrasound for each of your precious daughters!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am so sorry for the losses you have suffered. But, I'm inspired by your unwavering faith and love of the Gospel. My prayers will be with you in the weeks ahead. I pray that your remaining little angels will be going home with you soon.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh, dear Amanda, I haven't been able to remember to look up the blog of you and your sweet husband Thomas... till now, bless Barbara Jamison for telling me...oh my word... what a trial of your faith... what a beautiful tragic tale of parenting... I am in awe of you both, and am strengthened by your resolve to trust in the Lord. My heart just broke when I saw their lil' casket... oh honey, I am so sorry... I go to the temple every week and will keep you and your lil' girls names on the prayer roll... I pray you will have the energy and sustainance to carry on... please express our sympathy to your mom and dad also... I will be sending this on to my girls and have them write as well... please feel our love for you and yours, and kiss those lil' angels for me... I believe in miracles too! love Ruth Demke

    ReplyDelete
  21. All our love & prayers to you. - The Halls (Weston, Emily, Warren & Ben) KW1

    ReplyDelete
  22. I have very similar pictures of our little one's burial service. The knowledge the Gospel brings is very comforting. Prayers and happy thoughts to you all....

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for the comments! We love to hear from you! If you prefer to not leave a comment on our blog you can email us at stanseljourney@gmail.com.