I would like to share a little something that meant so much to me several days ago. A dear friend of mine gave me a children's Bible story book to read to the kids. Anyway, the story I read to Anna Lea and Jon Brent was The Good Shepherd. Oh, how the very simple words ministered to my soul!
Some of you may recall that right after Jason was told of his possible diagnosis, he went home and picked up his Bible. He turned to Psalm 23. A favorite of so many, but what comfort it brings in time of great need. This particular story paraphrases the Psalm so beautifully for children to understand. I want to share with all of you.
The 23rd Psalm
God is my Shepherd
And I his little lamb.
He feeds me
He guides me
He looks after me.
I have everything I need.
Inside my heart is very quiet.
As quiet as lying still in soft green grass
In a meadow
By a little stream.
Even when I walk through
the dark, scary, lonely places
I won't be afraid
Because my Shepherd knows where I am.
He is with me
He keeps me safe
He rescues me
He makes me strong
And brave.
He is getting wonderful things ready for me
Especially for me
Everything I ever dreamed of!
He feels my heart so full of happiness
I can't hold it all inside.
Wherever I go I know
God's Never Stopping
Never Giving Up
Unbreaking
Always and Forever
Love
Will go, too!
Amen and Amen! How these words resonated with Anna Lea and seemed to bring her such peace. What about Jon Brent, you ask? Well, he got stuck on the second sentence in regards to being a little lamb. He started "baaing" like a little lamb. That in of itself brought a laugh to us both. Our Savior is indeed with us and I know He even cries with us. There are still plenty of tears being shed over the loss of sweet Jason. Some days more than even the first day. Anna Lea and I were going through some pictures yesterday and ran across several pictures of Jason. We just held each other and cried. No words, just tears. No words needed. We feel each others pain. On a lighter note, Jon Brent walked in the room while we were crying and he started to tell us, "don't fry." "When you fry, you have to go to your room." You see, Jon Brent "fries" frequently over silly things. We are constantly telling him when he cries he has to go to his room until he stops. Once again he brought a smile to me and Anna Lea until we were laughing through the tears. I am so thankful for the understandng of a 3 year old at a time such as this!
I'm really looking forward to sharing more on this blog with you. I hope you'll be along for the ride.
Stephanie
P.S. You can still leave me comments on this site as you feel led. Oh, how I love your encouraging words! Click on the word 'comments' to send message.
50 comments:
Thank you, Stephanie, for continuing to share your journey. I'm bookmarking your page, so I can continue to feel I am part of your life! We feel like you guys are part of our family, even though we've never met. You are on my heart daily. Thank you so much for your faithfulness. You are such a blessing, and God is still doing a mighty work through you!
Sarah and Mike Atkinson
Dear Stephanie;
Even though I don't know U personally, I feel like I do thru all of your sharing! I have been following Jason's CB site, since about 1 week before he went home to be with the Lord. You have certainly ministered to me personally, & for that I thank you & our Lord & Saviour, Jesus Christ!
I am still gonna follow you(kinda selfish on my part), becuz it helps me! God bless your & your children!
By the Grace of God,
Andie Marks
Kennesaw, GA
Thank you so much for continuing your journey on this site. I have read all your CB posts, signed your guestbook several times.
You have been such an inspiration to me, and I feel like I know you and your family even though we never met. You are one strong girl with beautiful children.
Janel
Florida
Stephanie, Thank you for keeping up with letting us know how you and the kids are doing. I have gotten so much out of reading about your familys journey.
Allison Brownlee
Tupelo, MS
Steph,
I LOVE the new blog site. You're gonna have to teach me how to do this. I have my blog name set up and reserved, but know NOTHING about how to make it cute like yours is (and so many others). I want a lesson in ALL your spare time! STM
Thank you Staphanie for sharing your journey with us. I too have a blog page for my daughters journey in the "leaukemia world". There have been many times when I have found comfort in your words and your faith. You have touched the lives of so many through sharing your struggles with us all. Those of us who are in this fight together, can find comfort in reading one anothers stories. It helps me to take the focus off of me and my struggles and try to encourage others. My daughter is 17 and is 6 months out of her bone marrow transplant. Her diagnosis was chronic myeloid leukemia and we found out July 2007. She is doing well and is now into her senior year of high school. We check in on you daily and will continue to keep you and the kids in our prayers!
Thank you again,
Patti Mallett
(oliviamallett.blogspot.com)
Hey Stephanie!
Great blog! Love the pics and nice layout! I happen to love the 23rd Psalm as well, I particularly liked the version for kids, never heard that one!! Going to bed now, I am ridiculously tired...
God bless,
Zack
Welcome to bloggityville! I have been so blessed through your words on the other site and I know that God is using you to minister to so many others! Thanks for continuing to share!
jessica
Steph,
I like the new site. Hopefully, I don't have to use it to be informed about my own family. I hope little LeLe has stopped throwing up. I can't blame it on my mom's cooking since she had chicken nuggets. Hugs to the kids!
BRAD
Stephanie...love your new blog...so glad you are continuing to write. It is a true gift you have been given to minister to others. I will continue to keep up with your sweet family and look forward to reading your inspiring words!
Jan Hayes
Stephanie, I am a friend of Sherri's who has followed your journey through caringbridge and prayed many, many times for your beautiful family. I'm so glad you've come over to blogspot and I look forward to continuing to be blessed by your amazing love and faith in our Savior. Thanks for sharing your story with us!
Allyson
Hey, Stephanie. I love your new "home" on the web. I'll be checking here regularly. And, I love Jon Brent. He is so Collin. And, I rarely stop enough during our "Collin" times and just thank God for the laughter. So, thank you for that reminder. I love you very much.
Amy
Hi Steph - Still following you and the little lovebugs to see how things are going. Put the blog on favorites so I can log on quickly. I just have to have my updates and like so many others want to continue to be a part of this journey. Still praying and loving ya girl.
Elane Phillips
Hi Stephanie,
So glad you are sharing your blog with us. You have no idea how much the 23rd Psalm touched me this morning. It seems like every day God gives us a little something we need, He is good.
Mandy Lowrimore
Great site. Thank you for continuing to share.
Katie Walker
Hey Stephanie! I'm going to add your link to our blog if that's ok! www.amandaandkellyadams.blogspot.com
I continue to pray for you and your family!
Amanda
Hi Sweet Stephanie,
I have you "bookmarked" in my favorites at the top of the list and will be visiting you daily! My prayers continue for you as I have learned that this is a new road you walk and there are many twists and turns. I will be walking it with you in prayer and love, trying to encourage you each step of the way. I love your blog set up and I am just amazed how Ally is such a little "mini" Jason, wow. It must melt your heart every time you look at her. And Anna Lea's little heart is so precious and tender. Jon Brents spirit is priceless!! They will be okay because they have you for their mom, leading and loving them through. The Good Shepherd is carrying all of you in His loving hands, moment by moment. I love you girl and am right here for you.
Love and Hugs, Laurie in Ca.
Sweet Stephanie,
Thank you for continuing to minister to the hearts of those of us who have been strengthened and changed through your transparency during your life journey. I continue to pray for all of you often. I must admit that Peggy and Nancy are on my mother's heart often. Thank you for sharing Anna Lea with us at school. Know that there are many of us who would love to help you guys with kid stuff! Amelia and I are great sitters when you adults need a time away! Know that you are continuing to help many of us by sharing your heart so openly. God is being glorified through your willingness to allow His light to shine through you!....and somebody tell Jon Brent it's okay to "fry" sometimes!
What a beautiful blog and love your insight on Psalm 23. You never know what will come out of those babies when reading a Bible story!
Praying for you all so often,
Erin
Stephanie-
I just dont know what I would do if I didnt have something written by you to read on a daily basis. Thanks for starting your blog, so we can all still keep up with you. You are like our own little celebrity here in the burg.
Love!!!
and...i linked you from our blog too! hope that is ok!
Great title for your blog, Stephanie. Isn't it wonderful to have The Shepherd, Our Savior, the Lord Jesus, to walk with you every day, every step of you day? Don't know how anyone lives just a regular day without Him, much less goes through what you and others have and are experiencing right now. Your words of faith still bless and strengthen me each time I read....and I LOVE the picture of the kids....too Precious. My prayer for you today is continued healing and comfort four you and your little lambs. Those tears, the laugher and the smile and new memories are all a part of that healing with which Jesus blesses us.
Cathy W
I am so glad you are going to continue to share with us. You and your family have been such an inspiration to all of us. Christ shines in you. As I watched my sister bury her husband one month ago I saw that same strength in her. In less than 1 1/2 years we have watched our Father, her 35 year old daughter (leaving a 1,3 and 4 yr old behind), her mother in law(who lived with her) then her husband (cancer) go to their heavenly home. I don't know how those who don't have Christ as the center of their lives make it through these times. Know that I am thinking of you and praying often.
Linda Jane Stewart
Stephanie, thanks so much for continuing to provide us with a source of therapy. What a shining example of God's love your life is, and what a blessing you are to so many. Your precious children are so fortunate to have a mother who will forever keep the memory of their sweet daddy alive for them, and those of us in cyberspace are so fortunate to have access to your continues faith and wisdom. Perhaps you have found your true direction in the winds of change in your life, as devastating as those winds have been. You have not allowed this incredible loss to shatter your hope, corrode your faith, silence your courage, nor conquer your spirit. Thank you for continuing to bless and teach us by sharing both your good days and bad ones. We will continue our prayers for you, the children and your extended families, and know that you will get through this, one day at a time, because you know where to look for your Source of Strength. May each day be a little easier and less painful for each of you. Carolyn Laster
Stephanie,
I love the new site - it's beautiful! And I love that I still get to keep in touch with you and your family. I'm going to bookmark your site so I can check in on you, along with all my other friends who have joined Blogville! You will forever be in my prayers! :)
God bless!
Kara
Hey, my friend!! LOVE the new site!! I am so glad that you are continuing to provide all of us CB junkies with updates into your innermost thoughts....we would all need some kind of intervention/withdrawal therapy if you hadn't done this!!! Hang in there and give those sweet babies a hug for me!! Love you much!
Hey Steph, glad you're in the blogging world with us! (it's just as addictive as CB was and is!) I've also linked yours to mine if that's cool with you (littlepotin.blogspot.com) it's so much fun being able to keep up with everyone's happenings. A note about your post... I LOVE this version of the 23rd Psalm - it ministered to me in a new, fresh way even at 32 years old! :) Thanks for sharing - and we'll be in touch!
Stephanie-
I'm a friend of (Gina Porter's). I've followed your journey and think of you often. I loved the child sized words of the Psalm 23. Sometimes (actually most of the time)the words from my childrens' Bibles make more sense to me than my "big girl" Bible. May you continue to heal. You have so many people praying for you and your precious children! Thank you for sharing your life with all of us!
Kresta
Stephanie . . . thanks for not leaving me, I mean us. Sometimes it seems that you are only writing to me. Your words speak so much to me and to every other person that reads it, I am sure. God has taken a very real, wounded heart and is working through it to be an extension of His healing. I wish I could recall every word I read on CaringBridge ... they were all a part of the big plan. I'm just glad I was part of it. Yours and Jason's story would make such a wonderful book! I'd like a copy of the first printing ... :) Keep writing and I'll keep reading. You and your children are a blessing! Jason was so blessed to have you by his side.
In His Love,
Regina Breland (rbreland@tbclife.net)
Hey Stephanie, So excited you are doing this. CB has been such a part of my daily routine, but I can adapt...anything for you and your family! Will continue to check on you and post. Thank you for doing this. Your faith has truly been amazing and contagious!! Emily Stogner
Dear Stephanie, I also shall follow you from caring bridge. You are such an inspiration for me as well since I lost my husband to cancer in May. I just had a "first" Sunday Sept. 7th would have been my dear Wes' 57th Birthday, but of course he is celebrating with our Lord now as your Jason is. Thankfully I am visiting our oldest son and his wife here in Alaska. I live in Kosciusko, MS. I have been praying for you and your precious children since I got introduced to your site several weeks after Jason died. My love to you and continued strength of God to continue to hold you in His everlasting arms. Becky Rasberry
Welcome to the blogosphere. I look forward to reading more about your journey. Even though we reconnected through a difficult experience, I am glad that we reconnected.
Here is a link to my blog:
http://www.scriptedbyshasta.blogspot.com/
Isn't it great how a small child can bring such healing laughter to our lives when we need it the most. Jason would of belly-laughed over hearing the "don't fry" story!
I am going to put your blog on mine today. You will find that blogging can turn you into a blogaholic. Enjoy the comments from everyone and YES add pictures alot! (but don't forget to add you in the pics as well)
You are a strong and couragious young woman and I am proud to call you friend.
Joy
Debi
Stephanie,
I am so grateful you will continue to share with us. I pray for you and your family everyday. We were in Hattiesburg this weekend for a short trip ( we didn't have any electricity here b/c of Gustav) I thought about you the entire time we were there. The next time we have a planned visit I would love to get together. How precious it would be to see our children play together. Love, Kaye
Stephanie,
I have kept up with your blogs throughout this amazing journey. I struggle with this issue of bad things happening to good people and have for a while now. My Granddaddy is with Jesus and has been since 2003. I have asked questions and discussed this with my father numerous times. We both agree that it is not an issue of why can't they stay with us but believe they have been given the gift to be with their Savior. You see my Granddaddy walked closely with his Savior as did Jason. The only explation I can come up with is they earned the right to be with their Savior. I'm not saying there aren't people out there that haven't but these few get to bypass the struggles and heartache this world has to give. I don't know much but I know my Grandfather and your awesome husband are in paradise with our Savior and one day we will all rejoice. Love you guys.
John Mayfield III
Welcome to the world of blogging! How I have been blessed by your faithfullness. Susan keeps us updated, but are so glad you joined the Blogging world! We will continue to pray for all of you!
In Christ's love,
Robin (Andrew's mom)
annandrew.blogspot.com
We will continue to keep you in our prayers....and want to keep up with how you are doing via this new blog!
Stephanie, thank you so much for continuing to allow us to be a part of your lives. You have taught me more than you could ever imagine over the last 7 months and I am forever grateful to you for that.
The 23rd Psalm was my grandmother's absolute favorite. I adored her! She was everything to me. My little girl, Isabelle Clair is named after her. She, too was afflicted with that NASTY cancer and died WAY too young. She gave it the "good fight" as Jason did but eventually, after 21 months, she went home, too. It was read at her funeral and when we are feeling sad and missing her, as we so frequently do, we read it. (I talk about her like she hasn't been gone for very long but it has been 20 years this past January!) The psalm is written on a bookmark underneath Isabelle's mattress and has been there since I set up her room. HMMM...guess I needed a little therapy, myself?!?!
Anyway, we are still praying for you and your beautiful children. We are hoping for the very BEST that life has to offer! We know God is keeping very close watch over you. We will continue to walk with you in prayer.
So fondly,
Lindsey Thoms and family
Stephanie,
I somehow found my way to your CB site and oh how I prayed for your dear husband and your entire family, that God would spare his life and make him whole again. I cried with you when you lost him and held my babies close when I realized how precious my life is through Jason's journey. I wish so many great things for you and your sweet babies. Please know you are loved and prayed for by complete strangers yet brothers and sisters in Christ.
In Him,
Cathi
Stephanie,
Glad you are doing this web site. The story that you put on there is so true and sometimes we have to hear it in child terms even for us to understand. Love and Prayers.
Dave and Sharlene Burgess
sburg321@hotmail.com
Belton, SC 29627
I have decided that you are WAY popular! I feel like I know a lot about you, but were you this popular in high school? Now you are like one of the really cool kids and everybody wants to sign your annual.
On a serious note, it's a beautiful site. The pictures are so sweet, and your words and insights are sweeter. Again I say that you are a sweet aroma to the Lord and to others.
The way you are trusting in the Lord and praising Him is beautiful and it stands alone as a testimony to how God is literally carrying you through this time.
I probably won't "blog" much, but now you can say that you got me to text and blog. Maybe I'll get on face book before this decade is over.
MM
Stephanie,
Love your new blog! Thank you for allowing us to continue to walk this journey with you. You have ministered to so many by opening up your heart to us. I know that this will continue to be great "therapy" for you! I am also going to link your blog to mine. Keeping you and your family in our prayers.
Love,
Kristine
HEY Step!! So glad that you are continuing to let all of us continue you on your journey!! I catch myself checking daily to see if you have written...it so inspirational!! I have my friends at church also doing the same thing!! God is doing so much good work through this journey!!
love ya,
Monica Lewis Bridges
I made it. I am anti "blogger" and "facebook," but for you, I will conform. Brad, are we going to continue our battle or declare a truce?
Hope Anna Bug is feeling better.
stephanie, is it ok to link to you on my blog?
Good Morning - Brad, You really had me going, I don't know about everyone else.
John Mayfield, III - Thanks, you have a lot of your Daddy in you. (a good thing).
Steph - Hope today is better for AL
and you. But the Travel trailer thing sounds pretty tempting. lol
Still in my prayers.
Love this!
SO glad your encouraging words can still be found in cyberspace! Thank you for letting us continue to be part of this journey. Your "therapy" provides a balm for my soul too!! Keep sharing God's love through your written words!!
Janet Patterson
Stephanie and Kids- We are so excited you will be moving into the neighborhood! Can't wait to have yall as neighbors! Thanks for continuing to share your life! What a testament you are to all of us! Know that we love you and are still praying for you daily!
Love- Julie and Corey Tator
Stephanie, I so understand what you said about the weather. I lost my sister in October of 1988 to post-partum depression. I was pregnant also. It was cool weather and fall leaves everywhere! It was also on Columbus Day. Everytime I feel the cool crispness I think of her, rather I think of her loss ...the wake, the funeral...being at the cemetary. It is more of a familiar feeling now ... not so painful...just memories. Some one has said you get over it or you get use to it. Getting use to it seems the norm as the feelings become familiar. Hang in there girl...Congrats on the new house. What a blessing (??) to be next door to Brad. The blessing will be having a wonderful sister-in-law next door. The children will, of course, love it.
Regina Breland (rbreland@tbclife.net)
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