Monday, November 22, 2010

First Thanksgiving

Dear Holden,


This week would have been your first Thanksgiving.  I had anticipated this holiday for nine months.  I knew it would be extra special when we found out we were going to have you in our family.  I was SO thankful for you every single day!

I am still so thankful for you, Holden.  Your daddy and I can't ever say that enough.  You have opened up my heart to receive and give more love than I thought possible.  Through my tears, I have realized that without your life, just as it is, I would not have these things to be thankful for:

Jesus' love and grace in a whole new way.  I know you know Jesus personally right now, but your life has strengthened my faith in a way I never had before. 

Your Daddy.  I always loved your daddy, but I have seen him as a husband and a daddy, and I love him even more because of it.

The work your life is doing on this earth.  2000 people in Uganda are drinking clean water today, sweet baby.  Other families will be shown love during losses of their precious babies, by the Covenant Fund in your honor.  Children near Lake Volta will be able to sleep under mosquito nets.  There are many more beautiful things that have been done because of you, as well.  I pray that your life will continue to leave a legacy.  Your Uncle Joel sent me this verse: "...he being dead yet speaketh. Hebrews 11:4b"  I think you are leaving a legacy, hopefully for the eternal.  I am proud to call you my son.

Being your mommy. Yes, I wish I could hold you like other mommies, but one day I will hold you; and it will be that much more special.
I thank Jesus every day for you. 

Love,
Mommy

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.  My hope and prayer is that you are all surrounded with what you are most thankful for.  This Thanksgiving is the most special, yet most difficult, in my whole life.  Holden is with the One who is the reason we have anything to be thankful for.  He has been in Jesus' presence his entire life.  For this, I am thankful today.

We are traveling to Santa Fe on Tuesday to spend time with the Shuffield family.  Blessings.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.  Psalm 100:4

5 comments:

  1. I love you, Sarah. I look forward to the day when we can meet. I am thankful for our precious angels in Heaven and for God bringing you in to my life. I hope you your heart is light and your nasty bug goes away and you feel better. Safe travels and you will be in my thoughts and prayers all week.

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  2. 1Ch 16:34 O give thanks unto the LORD;for he is good;for his mercy endureth for ever

    Thinking of you sweet friend, how I wish this holiday was filled with only joy for your sweet family. Know our hearts will grieve with you this Thanksgiving as well as rejoice for all the sweet blessings that have been bestowed upon us because of sweet Holden. I pray many blessings over you and lift you up to the Lord so he may send his comforter to comfort you.

    Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you

    I am thankful for you and Holden. Though in my feeble heart I wish Holden was here I am thankful for the blessing he as been as a perfect angel in heaven. I know he is experiencing a joy we know nothing of and I remind myself that every day when my heart hurts for him.

    So to Holden! May this be a blessed Thanksgiving with God smiling down on you and your family, may God place his hand on you and your family and give you peace and thanks giving.

    Love you,
    Kara

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  3. Sarah - hoping you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. If you have done so many amazing things in Holden's memory. What wonderful gifts you have given. I do believe that this can do wonders for healing. And this is what God has asked us to do - serve one another with glad and giving hearts.

    Thinking about you and hoping you have a peaceful week,
    Mary Beth

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  4. I love your heart Sarah. You are such a beautiful example of Christ's love. Holden is so lucky to have such an amazing mommy. I hope you and Chet enjoy your weekend. This first Thanksgiving let's choose to see the Lord's blessings and the beauty that has risen from the ashes and be thankful. I'll be thinking of you often.

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  5. Love you sweet friend! :) So glad I found your blog!!!

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