Holden's 3rd Birthday

What a miracle that we were able to spend our son's 3rd birthday (Glory Day) as a family - and not just as a family, but with JOY.

We decided to start a yearly photo tradition with Holden Bear.  (Check out the Molly Bear's ministry!)  Sweet girl was so happy and loved getting to snuggle Holden Bear.

We drove to Snyder to pray and release balloons at Holden's resting place.  It was a precious family experience.  Some dear friends even left Grey some toys there, which was such a kind gesture and one she (and us) appreciated a lot. 

Celebrating Holden's birthdays without our son in my arms will always jolt my heart.  It was a bittersweet day for us, but we rest in the knowledge and promises of Christ our King.  

We sing:

There Will Be a Day

Jeremy Camp

I try to hold on to this world with everything I have

But I feel the weight of what it brings, and the hurt that tries to grab

The many trials that seem to never end, His word declares the truth

That we will enter in this rest with wonders anew

But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings

That there will be a place with no more suffering

There will be a day with no more tears

No more pain, and no more fears

There will be a day when the burdens of this place

Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face

But until that day, we'll hold on to you always

I know the journey seems so long

You feel you're walking on your own

But there has never been a step

Where you've walked out all alone

Troubled soul don't lose your heart

Cause joy and peace He brings

And the beauty that's in store

Outweighs the hurt of life's sting

But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings

That there will be a place with no more suffering

There will be a day with no more tears

No more pain, and no more fears

There will be a day when the burdens of this place

Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face

But until that day, we'll hold on to you always

I can't wait until that day where the very one

I've lived for always will wipe away the sorrow that I've faced

To touch the scars that rescued me from a life of shame and misery

O, this is why, this is why I sing

There will be a day with no more tears

No more pain, and no more fears

There will be a day when the burdens of this place

Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face

There will be a day with no more tears

No more pain, and no more fears

There will be a day when the burdens of this place

Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face

There will be a day he will wipe away the tears

He will wipe away the tears

He will wipe away the tears

There will be a Day

We love you so very, very much Holden.  Three years without you sometimes seems like an eternity, but we know it is all a whisper.  A blink.  

Happy 3rd Birthday Holden Newell Erwin.

Love,

Daddy, Mommy and Grey

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.  

Revelation 21:4