Comments on: she’s gone on ahead

By: Proto Attorney

Proto Attorney — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 19:47:07 +0000

I am so sorry for your loss.

By: John O'Leary

John O'Leary — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 07:17:11 +0000

I am humbled to read about all that you have been through these last months and days. I am just learning about all that you have been going through and am so sorry for your loss. As I read your story I am so encouraged by your words and your faith!

By: Brad

Brad — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 22:10:45 +0000

I just looked back at the list of the so-called famous high and mighty who died in 2007. The loss of all of them combined could never equal the loss of a precious innocent child. God bless and strengthen you all.

By: Jared Nelson

Jared Nelson — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 05:08:35 +0000

Michelle and I are so sorry to hear of your loss. Your family is in our prayers.

By: Julie Hickman

Julie Hickman — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 02:54:15 +0000

The service today was heartbreaking and scared all at the same time. Thank you for sharing Bella with us. Thank you for letting us grieve alongside you.

Tonight, as I tucked Sullivan into bed, I told him about Bella’s passing. We cried together. He said admist tears that he didn’t want her to go away, he wanted her to be here. With tears to match his, I told him I felt the same way, but that she is safe in the arms of Jesus, and one day we will get to hold her there with Him. Then we prayed for your family, Sully prayed especially for Seamus….and I can imagine that many many many more prayers are being said this eve and will continue far past this night. May those prayers along with God’s gracious hand carry you day by day.

By: Mandi (Hughes) Fuller

Mandi (Hughes) Fuller — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 19:06:52 +0000

Christy and Patrick, I’m so sorry that I am not there to hug you and cry with you. But I see that you are surrounded by a multitude who are equally willing, and able. I have been reading your updates since you mentioned Bella’s blog on the DTS alum site, and have been enthralled with her journey. Many, many of my friends have read the posts with me, and questioned and wondered along with your words.

It is almost 1pm on Friday, and you both are preparing for your daughter’s burial. I hope this time presents for you an unabashed opportunity to grieve freely. To our limited understanding, we are given promises, allowed to trust in them and fall in love with them, only to have them removed from our site. Knowing that there is more to the story that we cannot see doesn’t always quench the pain of loss. Christ’s Body has you tethered to hope and faith, knowing that in times like this, we need a little room to feel lost.

We love you and will continue to envelope you in prayer. Love, Mandi, Josh, and many others who’ve heard your story but have yet to meet you.

By: Joey (Daly) Hansen

Joey (Daly) Hansen — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 18:58:46 +0000

Praying for you today.

I am so sorry for your loss.

Joey

By: Lad & Malia Nompone

Lad & Malia Nompone — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 16:32:56 +0000

Our hearts are grieved with you, and we will pray that the Lord gives you strength and comfort through his Holy Spirit, that you may indeed grieve with hope. We love you,
Lad & Malia

By: Linda Vandercook

Linda Vandercook — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 15:10:23 +0000

A tiny precious life that brought so many people down on their knees to pray! She is in our Heavnly Fathers warm and loving hands today. We hurt with you all. May his gracious love surrond your family.
The Vandercooks, John, Linda, Emma, Jane & Sarah

By: Stengle

Stengle — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 05:53:36 +0000

Crying for your loss today. Prayerful that God’s glory would be seen. I really wish I could be there tomorrow but have a work commitment.

Love you both so much.

By: Maria DeCesare

Maria DeCesare — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 02:34:23 +0000

I am so sorry for your loss. My heart is aching so…Thank you for sharing the video of Bella with all of us. I am at a loss for words. Please know that your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Love, Maria

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 00:35:16 +0000

I am so sorry for your loss and am aching with you. It is such a comfort to know that Bella is healed in Heaven with the Lord, where you will one day be with her again. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Love,

Collin

By: Matthew O'Hearn

Matthew O'Hearn — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 00:33:07 +0000

“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep you life. The Lord will keep you going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints… we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? …. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. Whosoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die…Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No comes to the Father except through me. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me…. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one…you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Isaiah 43:1-3, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 40:30-31, Psalm 121, Psalm 23, Psalm 116:15, Romans, 8:28, Romans 8:35, 37-39, John 11:25-26, John 14:6, John 10:14, 28-30, John 14: 27, Philippians 4:7

“The King of love my Shepherd is, whose goodness faileth never; I nothing lack if I am His and He is mine forever. Where streams of living water flow my ransomed soul He leadeth, and where the verdant pastures grow, with food celestial feedeth. In death’s dark vale I fear no ill with Thee, dear lord, beside me; Thy rod and staff my comfort still, Thy Cross before to guide me. And so through all the length of days Thy goodness faileth never: Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise within Thy house forever. When through the deep waters I call you to go, the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow; for I will be with you, your troubles to bless, and sanctify to you your deepest distress. When through fiery trials your pathway shall not lie, my grace, all-sufficient, shall be your supply; the flame shall not hurt you; I only design your dross to consume and your gold to refine. When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise then when we’ve first begun.”- Henry W, Baker, 1868, Rippon’s selection of hymns 1787, A collection of Sacred Ballads, 1790.

Though now we may walk through the shades of death, we know that Bella is in the strong hands of the King of Life, whose sovereign grace never fails us.

In His Sovereign Grace,
Matthew O’Hearn

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 22:51:15 +0000

Oh, how we wish we had wise and comforting words for you! But words fail, and we are weeping with you. We just pray that our mighty Lord would comfort you, as only He CAN. We are also so very thankful for precious little Bella… and for the privilege knowing her and praying for her.
You are all in our prayers. With lots of love,
kathy dekany and family

By: The Dawsons

The Dawsons — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 21:07:32 +0000

We are heartbroken and are praying for each of you today. Our words fail to express how our hearts are aching for you. We are praying for each of you to be comforted as you grieve the loss of Little Bella. Much love, Jeff and Joanna

By: Sheila Black

Sheila Black — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:53:23 +0000

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

By: Jason and Leah Helopoulos

Jason and Leah Helopoulos — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:30:58 +0000

We both sit here with tears rolling down our faces and hearts marked with grief. Please know that you are in our prayers and thoughts. I wish we were there to give you a hug and cry with you. We rest assured knowing that you are in the strong and mighty hands of our Savior. May you find refuge in the shadow of His wings.

By: Alina and David

Alina and David — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 19:18:13 +0000

I can’t tell you how sorry we are… words really can’t express all of the pain and all of the emotions. We just want you to know that we are praying for you, even if sometimes these prayers are silent ones. The Spirit and the Father knows what we are and what we need… May He be with you…

So much love,
Alina and David