Cheri and I wanted to thank everyone for their prayers and kind words during this difficult time. We've been overwhelmed with the love we have felt both from family and friends, but more importantly from our Heavenly Father. Over the past few days, we can't help but think of the many blessings large and small that we have witnessed. The hospital room where we stayed literally became heaven on earth and we are eternally grateful for the choice experiences we had there. There are not enough words to describe nor list all that we are thankful for from wonderful nurses/doctors/volunteers at the hospital to Cheri's Mom dropping everything to come to our aid, to a loving Bishop and Relief Society President who have gone above and beyond, to our wonderful family all over the country pouring out their love and support. The most important blessing we feel thankful for is Macie choosing to be part of our Family. We are honored and humbled by her.
Macie really is our angel. She was so perfect in every way and we know that she will be always be with us. We will be having a graveside service for her on Thursday and although we know that will be a hard day for us, we know that our separation from her will be temporary. A few scriptures/quotes have given us comfort:
"But Jesus said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." (JST, Matthew 19:14)
"The Lord takes away many, even in infancy, that they may escape the envy of man and the sorrows and evils of the world. They are too pure, too lovely, to live on earth. Therefore, if rightly considered, instead of mourning, we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil and we shall soon have them again." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 196-197).
"...that the mother who laid her little child, being deprived of the privilege and satisfaction of raising it up to manhood or womanhood would, after the resurrection, have all the joy, satisfaction, and pleasure, and even more that it would have been possible to have in mortality, in seeing her child grow to the full measure of the stature of [her] spirit..." (as quoted in Gospel Doctrine, p. 454).
Very fitting for us is that Macie will be buried in a cemetery called "Pioneer Cemetery" and will be with other little angels like herself who went before their families and like Pioneers of old paved the way for others to follow. Our family hopes and prays to live our life worthy to join our precious Macie in the highest degree of Celestial glory.
-Spencer
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Our Blessings
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8 comments:
Thank you for sharing such tender thoughts with us. We are so grateful to you for allowing us to be part of this grieving process and allowing us to mourn with those that mourn.
When I read your earlier blog, the same quote from Joseph Smith came to my mind: "The Lord takes away many, even in infancy, that they may escape the envy of man and the sorrows and evils of the world. They are too pure, too lovely, to live on earth. Therefore, if rightly considered, instead of mourning, we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil and we shall soon have them again." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 196-197).
I believe this with my whole heart. How blessed will be that moment of reunion.
May God continue to bless you all.
Excellent perspective, Spencer. You and Cheri are such examples of faith and strength through this tragic time. We love you all and hope you can continue to feel hope and peace.
You are all in our prayers. And, you are also a great example to us of faith and trust in the promises we have been given. love, James and Marne
Those are wonderful and hopeful thoughts. I was thinking of my own troubles as I read yesterday, "Now this was done that the Lord might show forth his power in them." Though we are having our own set of troubles I was thinking how this scripture applies to all our trials. So often when things are hard our eyes are opened to the power of the Lord. Blessings and trials all at the same time.
Spencer and Cheri,
Please know that we are thinking of you and praying for your comfort and strength right now. What an experience to go through at this time but isn't it such a true miracle that we can be with those loved ones again. This life is such a short time and then you will hold her in your arms again and tell her how much you love her. What a blessing to look forward to. We certainly are thinking of you.
Love,
the Walkers
Cheri and Spencer,
We've been thinking and praying about you this week, and these thoughts you've shared certainly are comforting. The gospel really is amazing, isn't it? We hope Cheri is recovering well from the delivery, and we'll continue to pray for your strength. We wish you the best.
Alicia (Hansen) and Stephen Nielsen
Hi Cheri and Spencer,
You have been in our thoughts and prayers all week. It sounds like the strength of your testimonies of the gospel is really carrying you through this difficult time. You both are an inspiration to us. We truly are so blessed to have the knowledge of the gospel aren't we? Your little Maci will be with you forever! What an amazing and comforting thing to know. We are blessed to know the Hales family and you both.
With Love,
Jake, Melissa, Maggie and Joshua Manley
Spencer and Cheri,
My name is Andi. Katie Cannon Miller sent me a link to your blog. My husband and I actually just lost our baby girl 3 months ago. It's the hardest thing I've been asked to go through, but I receive peace knowing that my family is eternal. I just got a new job at an elementary school and there are a lot of new moms that worked there. So naturally, the kid that I tutor assumed that I had a baby. He asked me today what she was going to be for Halloween. I told him she was going to be an angel. That's what she is along with all of the other babies who are taken so soon.
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