Well as you can see that Dad beat me to it yesterday. I was going to write but thought I would wait until today. We hope where ever you are reading this from you are warm and cozy in your homes.
Yesterday has already come and gone but we can still sit and remember Lindsay. We had a nice day together as Jon was home all day with us. The sun was shining and the sky was beautiful just like Lindsay. We all seem to be doing well and we find ourselves back into a normal life. Although I would rather have Lindsay in our normal every day life, we are learning to keep her memory in our daily routines and in our normal lives. On Thursday night I had to go to a steering meeting at our church for our MOPS group. On my way there I found my self going back through those days at the hospital and remembering all we went through. As well as thinking and missing Lindsay a lot. After our meeting one of my friends was asking me some questions about Lindsay. I was so delighted and happy to talk about my little girl that I jumped right in. I then found myself with 2 of my other dear friends standing and talking about Lindsay being in the hospital. They shared with me a lot about what they had all gone through while Lindsay was in the hospital. They shared with me how much Lindsay had changed not only there lives but the lives of their family. As I stood there and listened to them share my heart was overjoyed. Lindsay brought one of my friends and her husband to there knees every night to pray and now they do it all the time. To hear how even there kids were involved by praying for Lindsay and how much there prayer lives have changed was such an encouragement to me. We often sit and wonder why God took her from us, or why it had to be her, or what did we do to not have her here. But then to hear stories like this kind of gives me a glimpse as to why God needed her in heaven. I am sure there are so many other stories out there about how Lindsay has changed people. If you are reading this and this journey has somehow changed you or your family or even led you to Christ, please share this with us. Over these past 8 months Jon and I are so proud to be Lindsay's parents and that God choose us. I drove home that night not feeling sad but feeling blessed that through my little girl's time in the hospital has brought people closer to Jesus and rejoicing that one day I will see her again and hold her in my arms. Psalm 16:9-11 says this; Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
We would like to ask you to remember us in pray on Jan 22 at 10:15. We will be going to have a fetal echo cardiogram done on the baby. I am glad that we will be having this done but also nervous and scared. But I know that God is going to be with us and that he already has this baby formed in his image and no matter what the results we can handle them.
We are still amazed how many people still check this blog. Who would have thought that when Dad started this that we would be over 60,000. With out people praying for us and without God by our side who knows where we would be. We love all of you very much and thank you again from the bottom of our hearts.
Lindsay~ Daddy, Mommy, Tanner miss you so much. Thanks for bringing us such joy while you were with us. We miss your smiles, giggles, laugh, and we miss seeing you everyday. We love you a bushel and a peck, a hug around the neck, a barrel and a heap, and we are talking in our sleep about you!!
Thanks Carrie, Jodi, and Michelle for sharing your hearts with me.
10 comments:
Dear Laura, little did you know when you and Jon began your walk "through the valley" that He would use you in ways you never planned to be there for others.
Many years ago I remember the first time I went to a church where the people stood and shared a testimoney, this blog began so we could support your family in prayer yet it is to those of us who read it your families testimoney time . It says God is REAL, He CARES.
Thanks., LVS
Thanks again, Laura, for sharing your heart with us. I'm so proud of you, Jon and Tanner in being an encouragement to us through this most difficult time.
Lindsay, Granny certainly misses you tons. Especially the new pictures mommy would send of your little faces, smiles and new accomplishments. Through the sharing of these ladies, Jesus has given me a glimpse of what you are doing and your new heavenly accomplishments. Although I can't literally hear your little voice, I can see how you are still being used by Jesus to touch others. Granny loves you a whole bunch and can't wait to see you someday.
With all my love,
Mom/Granny
I am so thankful that you have friends that talk about Lindsay! As your sister I wish I could be there with you when you are having a bad day. But I am sooo thankful for phones. :)
Lindsay~ Aunt Julie and Uncle Garrett miss you lots! I know Emma misses you and it's fun to hear her talk about you! I just hung a new picture of you! When I sit in the living room I can see you smiling back at me. I miss hearing you when I talk to mommy! We love you very much and can't wait for the day we will be together again!
Love you guys lots,
~Julie
I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat as I read you so openly share your heart once more, Laura, and the comments from your family. I have been so blessed to have walked and continue to walk this journey with all of you. I have learned so much from you...how to perservere in the midst of your world being turned upside down. How to cling to Jesus and depend totally on Him. How prayer is the utmost important thing in the good times and the bad times. I'm so grateful that our paths have crossed. I'm blessed to have been able to pray along side you all these months! I look forward to continuing to do so.
With Much Love,
Lisa
Dear Laura & Jon,
The testimony of your walk with Jesus each step of the way cotinues to bless me. Yes, my prayer life has changed---maybe because I need others to pray for to fill the many minutes and hours now that Lindsay is Home.
I am much more aware of prayer needs these days and that time with my Father is always so precious.
You have been and continue to be a blessing to me.
Love, hugs & prayers,
Miriam
Last nite we went to a Perspectives class. No that is a broad word isn't it. It really is about missions. But Don Richardson the speaker kept saying when i get to heaven I'm going to ask Joseph...or Paul... or Moses... this or that and I couldn't help thinking,' I probably will get there before Jon and Laura and I will give Lindsay a great big hug from her mom and dad and then I will say everybody be a duck!! Just to see her stop stare at me with her big blues then start to waddle and quack! But really he was talking about seeing and talking to all these Bible 'heros' and I was thinking I can talk to my dad and play with Lindsay!!
Dear Laura,Jon and Tanner and the Weltes...I can't tell you how close i feel to all of you because of this blog...I have a friend who lost a son many years ago and I still remember them on his anniversary date...she like you tells me that it feels so good to have other people remembering too...I love you ultrasound pictures and will be praying on Jan. 22..as I always do...May God continue to bless...Melanie Vara (Whiting Bible)
Dear Jon, Laura, & Tanner,
I just love your family so very much...really more than you could ever know.
Laura,
when I left you Thursday I couldn't stop thinking about my first visit to see Lindsay in the hospital. I have have since been wrestling with thoughts of her in her hospital bed and tubes all over the place. It was hard to see her tiny little body like that, I cryed that day and I still cry. But today I feel settled especially now that I have read your words. It was was to be,... that I saw Lindsay that bright sunny day, even in my pain from my surgery the week before. I had to go and I knew it. I was to go and support you and Jon and see Pretty Girl(Lindsay Bear). The impact was such that it has changed my life forever. The following week I sent Greg to visit, he was hesitent but felt compelled to go and pray. After Greg's visit with Lindsay, Jon, Laura, & Tanner, Greg knew what God was asking him, us to do. I knew it too!
We were truly blessed through Lindsay Bear. God showed us how to pray as a husband and wife and how to pray as a family when crisis comes. Greg and I have found ourselves on our knees, we have held one another in prayer, we have prayed aloud and in quiet, we have prayed laying down, standing, and sitting. We have prayed in the car, out at dinner, we have prayed with non believers, we have prayed with friends and family. Greg and I can now pray for those we don't know and have never met before. Greg has prayed with co-workers and the vice president of his company. He has lead grace during company dinners and sponsored dinners through his company. Through Lindsay God told us clearly how important our prayer life MUST become and has become. Lindsay's life was the last stepping stone to our understanding that prayer is more then grace at dinner and more then listening to the words of our pastor during Sunday Service. Prayer is a daily tool, a trusted avenue strait to the Father. Greg and I have grown so much these 8 months, we are amazed by God's overflowing grace, and overflowing love. We have learned that even when we fail He does not. Even though the departure of Lindsay leaves many questions still, I feel confident that at least one has been answered.
I love you Lindsay, thank you for changing mine and Greg's marriage and prayer time together and with our 3 little ones. You are an amazing and sweet pretty girl, I can't wait to rock you to sleep again in heaven.
with Jesus' love,
Carrie
I will admit that I was nervous to ask questions about Lindsey. Probably because I am a mom myself and could never imagine going through that. But you have truly showed me how comforting God can be in at the most important times in life by your strength and Love for him. I never had the opportunity to get to know Lindsey and get to share any wonderful memories of her, but I will say that she has changed my life. When we prayed one MOPs meeting for your family and tears were rolling down my checks for people I never even met, I knew I felt something that day. JESUS in that room. I know that I have said it before but you are an amazing person. Most people would shut the world out and become depressed. But not you. Your strength, and ability to still love the Lord like you do has opened my eyes to how powerful Gods love is for us. Love you Girl!! Jodi
Dear Jon, Laura, and Tanner,
I couldn't stop thinking about you and praying for you today! I'm anxious to hear how your appointment was today! Please know that we continue to lift you up in prayer!
Love,
Kelly Woods in VA
(Bobby, Kiera, Garrett, and Leigha too!)
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