Good Day. Sad Hearts.

Derek had arrived home from Denver Tuesday evening and we had some time to talk and be alone. Thank you to Karen, Kristy and Megan, my caring and loving friends, who took the girls ALL day for me so I could collect my thoughts, get a few things done, rest and have an empty house when Derek got home. Again, I know I keep saying it, but how do you ever thank and show how much you appreciate the people in your life? What a blessing of the Lord to have these ‘sisters’ in my life! Tuesday night we spent some time talking and deciding when we would tell the girls of our loss. Wednesday, May 26, would be the day. Derek planned on taking the day off and we had nothing but fun the rest of the day. Before the big pancake breakfast we made together, we called the girls into our room and began the conversation. Thank God for his Word and that we can even go to it with our little ones. We began by asking them what they thought that bad news was and then asked them if they knew what it meant to be afraid or to have fear. Adah, of course, had all the answers. She is 5 and our firstborn. She gave a few very good examples of what she thought those were. Before we read a scripture we asked them to be listening for “bad news” and “fear”. We then read them:

Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear. Psalm 112: 6-8

Adah’s eyes lit up when she heard the two phrases. After Derek read the verse he said, “we have some bad news, the baby inside mommy’s tummy died”. We had decided that would be the clearest message for their age. Layla said right away that she was sad. Adah had a few questions and then we had to ask her how she was feeling. The amazing thing about children is that they are so resilient and we underestimate what they know and can handle. It was a beautiful time of praying as a family. It was a perfect opportunity to share Jesus with Layla and to remind Adah of her commitment to the Lord. We assured them that Daddy and Mommy don’t understand it all either but we TRUST in Jesus because He is in charge! They understood that very well! Layla, our light-hearted girl, said let’s have pancakes! Thank you for their innocence.
God gave us an amazing family day! After our pancakes and French toast we headed to the Eau Claire Dells. We picnicked lunch and hiked for a few hours. I think we had forgotten how much our girls have grown up and love to be active with us! We topped off the trip with ice cream and a stop at the Owl Ridge general store.
Thank you Lord for giving our family a bond that lasts. You are what holds us together!!!