Saturday, August 16, 2008

3 Months And Yellow Butterflies


Today marks 3 months that Lindsay has been with Jesus. She is missed more and more everyday. Some days are harder than others and we just take one day at a time. Tanner is doing well and not a day goes by that something doesn't come up about something he remembers about her. God has been with us each step of the way in the past three months. If we didn't have him I don't know where we would be today. Tanner and I are in NJ and Jon is back at home. Please pray for Jon today as he isn't with us.

You are probably wondering about my title. When we went to Va for a little vacation we stayed at a lake house. One day while Tanner was playing in the sand at the lake 3 beautiful yellow butterflies came by us and they wouldn't leave. Everytime we were out they were out. Then I got to thinking about Lindsay and our other 2 babies that are in heaven with her and how those butterflies stayed together. Then when my parents came to visit in June the yellow butterflies were at our house but this time only one. Last week when Mom was outside with Tanner a yellow butterfly came and was flying around Tanner for awhile. Mom said that they haven't seen a yellow butterfly at all this summer. Yesterday when we were at Six Flags Mom said a yellow butterfly came on the playground with them. Everytime we see these yellow butterflies we are reminded of Lindsay. Tanner now calls them Lindsay butterflies. If you see a yellow butterfly around sometime just remember Lindsay and that she is watching over you.

We can't thank all of you enough for all your prayers, cards, posts on the blog, and for your encouraging words. We appreciate each and everyone of you. Please don't stop praying because we still need it. I would encourage you to still pray for the babies and kids on 8 south and for the doctors and nurses. You can still send them cards if you feel led. I am sure they would appreciate them all.

Lindsay Bear we miss you so much and we love you!

19 comments:

GarretJulie said...

This morning I woke up and the first thing on my mind was what today was! Watching Ethan was a bit harder today thinking of Lindsay and wishing she was here!
You guys are truely amazing. Your strength is only something I can pray for! I love you guys very much.
Jon~ we wish you could be here with us and please know that I am praying for you today as you are away from Laura and Tanner. But thanks for allowing them to come and be with us for awhile. Love you lots.
Laura~ I am so thankful that Emma has taken to you and just adores you. I know that she has become a very special neice and I am so glad that her and Tanner fight as though they are brother and sister. :) I know Tanner misses his sister but fighting with Emma is good for him. :) ha ha
I love you guys very much and miss Lindsay greatly.
~Julie

GrannyApple said...

Granny misses you tons, Lindsay Bear. I am thankful that Daddy let Mommy and Tanner stay with us for a little while, but wishes he could be here, and you too. I am thankful to Jesus for sending us the yellow butterflies, literaly wherever we go, so that we know you are with us. As the butterfly flips around us I know you are having a wonderful time in heaven with all the other kids and the rest of our family and friends, but that still means that we miss you a whole lot. While I'm out with Tanner, I am always turning around looking for you and wondering what you are into now, but then remember you are safe and happy playing with Jesus. Usually that's when your butterfly shows up. I'm praying today for your mommy, daddy and brother. Maybe you could wisper in Jesus' ear to give them a little extra comfort and peace today. Don't ever forget we love you bushels and pecks and wish we could give you hugs around the neck, and we miss you more than you or anybody else will ever know.
I love you Lindsay Bear, hope Jesus will come soon so that we can see you again.
Love,
Granny

Anonymous said...

thinking of you daily. Love the storiesof the butterflies. Shows us God is good!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your life through the blog. I have prayed that you would have a "sign" from Lindsay that all is well with her. The butterflies must be your sign!

Mary Conway

Anonymous said...

We remember you all daily and pray for you. Thanks for the wonderful picture in your story.

Lynn W

Anonymous said...

I love the story about the yellow butterflies! Lindsay's face is like sunshine, so the color yellow is very fitting! Lindsay continues to be at the forefront of my thoughts. Every time I think of her my daily stresses fade, and I am reminded to stay focused on Heaven and also on how I am reflecting Jesus' love here on earth...the love that is so evident every time I see Lindsay's big smile, and joyful eyes.

I pray God blesses you over and over for your faithfulness, and praise Him for sending the Lindsay butterflies!

Love,
Abbie Hackett

Anonymous said...

Continue to look for updates, and pray for you all.

Paul & Linda Wolpert

Anonymous said...

Dear Laura, Jon and Tanner:
I will never look at a yellow butterfly the same again. We have a butterfly bush outside the back patio and I will be watching for a yellow one, that is for sure. What an amazing way for God to send his comfort letting you know that Lindsay is fine and is still with you all. What a wonderful way to remember her.
I think of her all the time and pray for all of you.
I love you all very much.
Aunt Jeanne (and Uncle Mark too)

Anonymous said...

Dear Laura - thanks for your post - it resonated deeply with me. I think I had shared with you earlier that everywhere our family goes that would have been a special place to my dad, a butterfly always shows up! My kids, too, now see the butterflies and say, "Hey, Boppa's here!!" I truly believe God gives us little things like that to bring us comfort and to let us know that our loved ones are still with us in spirit. Know that we continue to pray for you - Hannah proudly tells everyone, "I've only had to take my Lindsay bracelet off twice since I got it!!!" She feels a very deep connection with Lindsay. Thanks for continuing the blog - I LOVE the photos!! What a beautiful, beautiful little girl!!! You should be very proud of her and how God is STILL using her in many lives! Love, Julie in CT

Anonymous said...

Dear Laura,Jon,Tanner and the Welte and Groen families...how special of God to provide these delicate, yellow butterflies to remind you of this beautiful little girl...I willl think of Lindsey everytime I see a yellow butterfly...I am praying for a day filled with comfort and peace today and happy memories until you can all be together again...God bless, Melanie Vara

Anonymous said...

Dear Laura,Praying for you daily.  Thanks again for the BEAUTIFUL picture of Lindsay.  Yellow is my favorite color and butterflies are Faith's favorite.  This will be such a happy way for us to remember her.  Faith talks about Lindsay alot and wonders what she is doing with Jesus. Thanks for sharing your story that has blessed my family. So glad that you are having some time at Keswick.  Praying for Jon as he is not with you.Sharon Mumma

Anonymous said...

I read your yellow butterfly story this pm and interestingly enough when my Mom was dying, every time I would make the trip to see her, a red cardinal would fly in front of my car. I believe it was GOD's encouragment to me as the days were very long. I have been asking GOD to fill in the "gaps" for you and maybe, just maybe HE is using those yellow butterflies!! Still praying for all of you. Carol Budd - Lakes Chapel, Medford, NJ.

Melanie L said...

I like how God uses His creation to comfort us. When I had to leave my home and move into a condo, I was sad to leave behind the birds, the squirrels, and the chipmunks. When I moved, I didn't see any more chipmunks. And they are just the cutest darned animals. I saw one in town, but today I saw one skittering around right in front of my condo. I was so happy to see that chipmunk!

The picture of Lindsay is beautiful. Thank you for sharing it.

Lisa said...

I am sitting here with tears in my eyes as I just read what your sister and mom posted. You are all so close in my thoughts and in my heart always. I can't even count the times in a week I think of all of you.

This was the first chance I've had in about a week to log on and post. However, I was praying and thinking of ALL of you on the 16th as I knew that marked another month. I was praying for peace, comfort and happy memories.

What an awesome gift the Lord has given all of you in those yellow butterflies; and now has given to us. Every time I see one I will think of you even more and pray for you even more. I will give a little "hello" to little Lindsay!

Know you are so loved and so cared for!

Anonymous said...

I think that the yellow butterfly sightings that you wrote about are so cool. It made me smile.

thanks for updating the blog.

-rachel c

Anonymous said...

I have been reading your blog for quite awhile now....but don't leave comments...but the butterfly post prompted me to post.
A tragedy occured in our community.
Last January a young boy was hit by a truck and killed while playing at the bus stop. Soon after his death they began to call him the butterfly boy. The family are not Christians.
Here is a link to their website...

http://sinjincoen.com/sinjincoen/

Please pray for them.

Anonymous said...

Jon and Laura,
We've been extremely busy lately, but we did not forget the that three months had gone by since you had to say goodbye to Lindsay. I have some Lindsay marigolds in my garden that will go to seed this fall. I planted them the day that she died. I plan to give you some of the seeds when the time comes. Maybe we can keep them going from year to year. Our prayers are with you. Kerri and Dana Robinson

Anonymous said...

Our butterflies are playing and spreading joy with your butterflies....our first would have been ten in August.

Love to all--

Love,The Bowies

Anonymous said...

My heart is with you, Laura
Love, Joan
My heart is with you, Jon
Love, David
Our hearts are with you,
Love, Neil, Erin, Austin and Catherine