So, there's this family that I know. Nathan, the husband, is one of my forever friends. His family was friends with my family so we were friends because we had to be at first. You know, when our parents got together to play cards we were shoved into a basement and told to play nice. When we were older, we chose to be friends. He has caught a lot of my tears and loves me despite knowing me.
When he got married to Jess after a SHORT courting period, I wondered if it would last. They were so young. I justified my marriage at a young age with the fact that I had known Aaron my entire life (and because Lilly was growing in my belly oh, and because I loved him;)).
Despite my doubts, I bonded with Jess instantly. I knew after a couple of times hanging out with her why Nathan fell so hard and fast. She is honest and fun and caring and kind. She is the type of person that makes you want to be a better mother, wife, friend, daughter, sister. She is full of light.
After MANY infertility issues the couple faced, they were finally farther than the scary 12 week point with pregnancy. They were ELATED. The two of them were both SO excited and couldn't wait to hold their sweet baby. At 23 weeks the doctor said she was a girl, a girl with Dandy Walker Syndrome with a 5% chance of survival. Her name was Ava. Ava had a nursery, little dresses and two parents who loved each other and loved her. Ava Violet was stillborn at 39 weeks and life changed.
They cried. They mourned. They shouted to God. But they didn't falter in their beliefs and they are now stronger than ever.
A couple of years ago, Jess sent me this message:
"While I was at the women's retreat this weekend I took a class on spiritual meditation. I pray, but don't spend much time in quiet contemplation and believe that it is important. So, I'm sitting in a room, listening to peaceful music & and imagery is being guided by the teacher. She says things like "god's light is a color, what color is it to you, focus on your color" etc and I'm there and listening but definitely not in that serious level of meditation. After about 10 minutes she says "choose a place in nature" and all of the sudden I saw a field with a waterfall behind it and a swarm of butterflies & I saw Ava. She was grown maybe 5 or 6 but wearing that little white dress with the pink flowers all over it that we buried her in. She was dancing in the butterflies with a man, I couldn't see his face, he was in a long white robe, he had long brown hair and she was smiling and laughing. It was like I was given a window to see through and just watch. Tears just kept pouring down my face, it was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. When I wrote that letter to her about doing everything I could to be there with her in Heaven some day, it was like I was supposed to see that to remember the promise I made to her and get a glimpse of what that will be. I'm just hoping that I can store that image in my head, or maybe I'll be lucky enough to see it again, I haven't tried again because I'm nervous that I won't. I guess I wanted to share this with you because it was too special to keep to myself and I know how easy it is sometimes to look around and question things, especially at a time like this."
My friends have since been blessed with two handsome fellas, but still have so much light to offer. They have applied to adopt a baby girl from Ethiopia to add to their beautiful family. Below is a link to a fundraiser page and this is the one of the most beautiful lines from her request for support.
"God is taking great care of our daughter in heaven and now He is calling us to take care of one of His here."
Please pray for this family and the little girl they hope to care for as their own. Donate if you're able.
She has shared a little of her story here:
https://www.purecharity.com/the-lowry-family-adoption?aff=138ba
So much love and so very proud to call them my friends,
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