Please Pray For The Freeman Family

I have just recently come across this family and there special little girl named Kayleigh. They are in need of our prayers as Kayleigh is not doing very well. When she was born she only weighed 1 pound 1 ounce. She is one of the smallest babies to have open heart surgery. They have just learned that she has some major brain damage and may not recover at all. Please pray along with us for this family as they make those hard decisions that none of us ever want to make. God is the only one who can heal her here on earth or heal her in heaven. I will add her link to the right but also here in this post.

Walk- A- Thon For Children's Hospital Boston

Jon, Tanner, and I on June 14, 2009 will be participating in a walk-a-thon in memory of Lindsay and to help raise money for the hospital. Team Lindsay Bear has been started and so far we have 15 people on our team. We are so excited about this special day because it is also Lindsay's birthday. We couldn't think of a better way to celebrate her birthday by walking in her memory and giving back to the hospital. We are in need of some sponsors to help us raise money for the hospital. Each team member has to raise at least $150. We can raise more than that but this is what they would like you to raise. Praise the Lord as of yesterday morning I have met that goal. Jon has raised some money as well but isn't at the 150 mark yet as well as other members on our team. If you would like to sponsor us we would greatly appreciate anything you can give. I will add a link at the end of this post. The hospital has made it very easy for you to give right online. If you don't want to give online you can send a check to whoever you are sponsoring and make it out to Children's Hospital Boston and mail it to the team member you are giving to.

We are so excited about this event and I am looking forward to seeing what God is going to do. We would also ask that you pray for this event and for each and every member of our team. We are also praying that Baby Groen will arrive before the walk. We are so thankful for each of them and their willingness to join us and help support the hospital. If anyone is interested in joining us in Boston and walking with us please let me know. You can either leave me a message here on the blog or email me at jonnlaura@hotmail.com. We would love to have more team members to join us.

Here is the link; http://howtohelp.childrenshospital.org/walk/pfp/?TeamID=GL0040
You will have to copy and paste the link for it to work. This should take you to our team page. If you scroll down you will see team members names as well as what each person has raised so far. Then all you do is click on the person you want to sponsor. If you have any questions please email me.

11 Months

Here we are once again at 11 months with out Lindsay. One month closer to the anniversary of her living with Jesus. As I look back on the things that we were going through a year ago to where we are now I am amazed at the peace and comfort that we have. God has been with us every step of the way and holding us in His arms. Yesterday was as you know the 15Th which is a day that will be forever in my mind. As you may remember that was the day that Lindsay went into cardiac arrest in my arms. I actually made it through the day only thinking about happy times with her and not going back and reliving every second of that day. I was able to share openly with Joy and Jodi at MOPS yesterday. When I was on my way home I got to thinking that we can sit and think back at all those hard times and dwell on them but nothing is going to change what the out come was. So why not just remember all the fun times, her smiles, laugh, hugs, and be thankful for all those times that God has given to us. We were at Joshua Harris church on Sunday and I went back and was reading my notes from his message. These are some points that I wrote down from his message that seem to be fitting for what we are going through: 1. God uses death and sufferings for His glory's. 2. In the face of death Jesus offers himself as the ultimate hope. One of the verses that I wrote down to look up later was John 11:25-26 which says; I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will LIVE, even though he dies;and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? I know for sure that I believe this. I know for me Easter was a hard day but also a day to rejoice. While I was in church singing I kept getting goose bumps thinking that Lindsay got to have the greatest Easter ever. One day we will get to see her again because Jesus died on the cross for you and for me. If you are reading this and don't know Jesus and all that he has done for you and for me, I encourage you to email me or talk with someone. Please don't let another day go by with out giving your life over to him.

We also want to let all of you know that we were not able to deliver the baskets on the 14Th. We had to reschedule for May 6. We are looking forward to getting them there and blessing another family. We will be sure and take lots of pictures and update when we get back. Please continue to pray for all the heart babies and there families.

Baby Groen is also doing well. He or she is very active and moves around all the time. This is one of my favorite parts of being pregnant. I am going back to the doctor every two weeks now. We are hoping and praying that baby will come before June 14 so we can attend the walk in Boston. Please pray for a safe and healthy delivery. If you could also be praying for Jon who has been sick these past few days. He seems to be getting better but slowly. I know that he would greatly appreciate your prayers.

We again can't Thank You all enough for all your love, prayers, and support you have shown to our entire family. We love you all!!!

Happy Resurrection Day!

Happy Resurrection Day!

Good morning to all of our friends and family. I checked the blog several times this morning to see if Laura had written. I did not want to write if she had already done so.

We want to thank all of our family and thousands of friends who have stood by Laura, Jon and Tanner since last April. The support, encouragement, love and prayers has been so overwhelming and humbling. As of this morning, Lindsay's blog was over 66,500.

The month of April and May are going to be very difficult for the kids as they relive through the challenges of last year with Lindsay's surgeries and homegoing. I know that they will appreciate your prayers and notes of encouragement.

I want to express my thanks for the folks at Dover Baptist Church and the MOPS group who have so faithfully stood by the kids. You have been a tremendous blessing to our family.

Today Lindsay is celebrating Easter with Jesus. We miss her so much, but she is with her Savior and enjoying the greatest Easter ever. I could not help but think of the words to this song this morning:

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;

He came to love, heal and forgive;

He lived and died to buy my pardon,

An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Chorus

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives!

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,

And feel the pride and joy he gives;

But greater still the calm assurance:

This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

Chorus

Because He lives,

I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives!

And then one day, I'll cross the river,

I'll fight life's final war with pain;

And then, as death gives way to vict'ry,

I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!
Chorus

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,Just because He lives!

Praise the Lord -- He is risen!

With much love,

Bill and Jan Welte and Warren and Phyllis Groen

Looking Back

Well today is another anniversary date for us to remember. This time last year Jon and I were in the emergency room waiting to find out if our baby was o.k. Little did we know that God had already taken this little one home to heaven with him. I was 10 weeks and the baby was only 7 weeks. I can remember sitting there speechless when the doctor told us the news. I was kind of processing it in my mind before he came in and knowing that now my focus was to be on Lindsay and what she was about to go through. Our hearts were sad but I couldn't wait to go and pick up the kids and just hug them especially Lindsay. After we picked them up we headed to our hotel in Boston to settle in for the night. Dad, Mom, Zach came to our room that night to spend some time with us. I was so tired by then that my Mom had to give Lindsay her bath with that surgical soap we were given. Poor Lindsay cried the whole time because it was rough. Granny did a great job of getting it done fast and then Lindsay was happy again. After they left we settled in for the night and dreading what was to come in the morning. Jon and I had to get up with Lindsay several times to change diapers that were runny. When I think back to this time my heart just aches. But we can't change what God had already planned. We can look back at those special times we had with her and rejoice that God gave us those moments.
I wasn't going to write today but this afternoon I felt I needed to. I think I will post again tomorrow if I can.
Just think that Lindsay got to meet her 2 siblings in heaven before we did. I know that she is taking care of them like a big sister would.

One Year Ago Today

A year ago today Jon, Tanner, Lindsay, Mom Groen, and I were all in Boston going through Lindsay's pre-op surgery tests. I can remember that day so clear and how long of a day it was. This was also a day where Tanner met and played with another little boy named Neil. Those boys played great together and it seem to pass the time faster for Tanner. When I look back today I know that we wouldn't have thought that we wouldn't have her here with us now. But God knew even on that day while doing all those tests and running here and there that she would live with Him. I can remember coming home and dreading what Monday morning was going to bring. Then on Saturday I was sick all day and spent most of the day in bed. Then to get up Sunday morning before heading to Boston and realizing that we could be losing the baby that was growing inside. So much happened in those two days but through everything God was with us. I read something in my devotions this morning that really made me think and rejoice. This is what I read " Knowing that heaven is our real home makes it easier to pass through the tough times here on earth. Also knowing that when we get there Lindsay will be waiting for us with open arms. That makes me happy to think about because I miss her so much. I had a dream last night that she was here and that all I was doing was taking care of her. It was time to put her to bed and she was settling in like a big girl and asked me to make sure her music was on. In the dream she seemed to be bigger but all I know is that I was so happy to be with her and taking care of her again. I woke up for a minute ready to jump up and run to get her out of bed. But then I realized that it was a dream but I was happy to see her again. Maybe God let me have this dream to comfort me during these hard times.
I have thought about going back on the blog and reading what took place last year but I don't think I can right now. Julie told me this morning she did and that she had a hard time. But I encourage anyone who would like to go back and read to go ahead.

I wanted to also let you know that Jon, Tanner and I will hopefully be going to be delivering the baskets on April 14. We have everything set up with the social worker on 8 south and we are really looking forward to going. We have emailed a few of the doctors and nurses that took care of Lindsay to let them know that we are coming. We have already heard back from a few of them and they will be there on that day. I also wanted to share another thing I read in my devotions today that sort of goes along with delivering the baskets. The title of it was Joy is an action word. The scripture was John 16:24 which says "Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
It went on to say this; If we want to experience true joy, the spirit of joy that God meant for us to have, we have to do something. We have to be willing to step outside ourselves and reach out to others. It's true we can't do everything, but we can pick one cause, one charity, one family, one friend, one something that will become the object of our help and our kindness. What one thing are you willing to do? Ask God to guide you to where He most wants you to share your joy. At the end it says this; Helping others does make me feel good, Lord. Deepen my desire to reach out in a new direction to offer Your joy to others. WOW!!! Isn't that amazing to read and knowing that in a few weeks we will be helping others. Thanks Lord for giving this to me today.
May each of you who read this at some point share something with someone else and share the joy that you have in Jesus!!!

Prayers For Annabelle's Family

We would like you to be praying today for Annabelle's family today. A year ago today there little girl went to live with Jesus. Although we did not know them this time last year we have become close this past few months. Rebecca and I have never met face to face only through emails and writing on the blogs. Rebecca has become a big part of our lives as now we share something together. Our little girls are now dancing in heaven together and playing with Jesus. They are in no pain, have no tubes, and they have healthy and whole hearts. We couldn't ask for anything better for them.

I would encourage you to read Annabelle's blog and if you feel led to leave them a comment. Please pray for them today as they go through there day together. This day is coming for us and I know that we will be able to get through it by feeling God's comfort and grace. They do have a son named Wyatt and Rebecca is expecting again with another little boy. They also know that this new baby has all 4 chambers of his heart. This is a great answer to pray for them.

We are going to remember Annabelle today here in our house. My bible study ladies are coming to our house today and we are going to do something special for this little girl. Tanner and I made cookies last night with an A on them for Annabelle. We did make a few with an L for Lindsay. There are 9 kids that also come with there Mom's to bible study. We got 9 balloons so that each kid could let one go today in memory of Annabelle. Tanner also picked out a special one to let go for Lindsay. I will be sure and post pictures later.

Rebecca, We love you and we are praying for you and your family today. May you feel Gods loving arms wrapped around you today.

Lindsay Basket's

 

 

 

 

Here are some pictures of our MOPS Mom's putting together the Lindsay Basket's. My heart was filled with joy watching each Mom writing notes of encouragement to the families and arranging there baskets. I pray that each family that gets a basket will be blessed in some way. We don't have a date for them to be delivered yet but I will let you know soon.

A huge Thank You to all of you who donated things and sent money for the basket's. We couldn't have done them without your help. My pray is that we will be able to do more basket's again soon.I have more pictures to add so keep checking back.

10 Months

Wow we are only 2 months away from Lindsay being gone a year. This just hit me this past weekend while we were in Boston. Groen Buliders had their business meeting in Boston this weekend, so on Friday afternoon we packed up and headed to Boston on Am track. We were able to take Tanner with us this weekend. He was very excited about riding the train and taking the T around Boston. Lately when talking about going away this past weekend he was thinking that we were going to the hospital. So we wanted to show him that we can go to Boston and have fun and not go to the hospital. He had a great time and was able to swim and walk around Boston.
We decided to stay an extra night in Boston before heading home on Sunday. We ended up staying in the Hyatt right by the airport. You may not think that staying there is such a big deal. But until we got up to our room did it really hit Jon and I. This is the same hotel that we stayed in the night before Lindsay's surgery. The room was set up the exact same way and the memories just hit me hard. I could picture everything that happened that night. I really wasn't sure that I could even sleep in the room because it made me so sad. I just prayed and asked God to help me to get past it and only think of happy times with Lindsay.

We are not only coming up on a year of her passing away but next month on the 7Th will be a year since her first surgery. Thinking where we were last year to where we are now is not at all what we expected. No one could have prepared us for what was to come after surgery. But through this whole time God was with us and he never has left us. He has taught us to hold on to each other and most of all to hold on to Him. We have learned that you need to take one day at a time and to enjoy each day to the fullest. I miss her everyday and think about her all the time. But one day we will be able to see those blue eyes again and see her smile that melted your heart. Until then we will hold on to her memories and the happy life that she had with us. We would like you to keep us in pray during the next 3 months. April will be her surgery dates, May will be a year of her going home to Jesus, and then in June we await the arrival of Baby Groen. I have yet to clean out her crib and get ready for the baby. I know that in time this will need to be done but I don't feel that I am ready yet. Also to keep praying for Tanner. Lately discussions have come up about going to heaven and dying. I think as he is getting older he is started to think and process Lindsay being gone more. He had to grow up fast last year and go through a hard time that most 3 and 4 year old's don't ever go through. He is really excited about the baby coming and talks and asks questions a lot. I know that he will be so happy to have someone else around to play with.

In other news; This Wednesday we will be finally putting together the Lindsay Baskets. I have decided to have our MOPS group from church help me put them together. I am very excited to get them done and soon delivered. My friend Jodi and I got together last week and put a few samples together and let me tell you they are cute. I was going to add pictures today but I will wait until after they are all done. So check back later in the week for basket pictures. I also have gotten in contact with the social worker on 8 south and we have the go ahead to bring them to the hospital. She thought this was an awesome idea and thinks that the families will love them. We don't have a date picked yet to deliver them but I am hoping maybe next month.
Jon and I also have been thinking about Lindsay's birthday coming up in June and what to do. We found out that on her birthday Children's Hospital Boston will be having a walk to raise money for the hospital. We thought this would be an awesome thing to do and a great way to celebrate her birthday. We are hoping to have a team of people join us in Boston on June 14 to walk and celebrate. I will post more info on this in the next few weeks because we will need help raising money for this event.

I just came up with a few more things to be praying about so I will list them for you;
1. All our heart baby friends
2. That the families who will receive our baskets will be blessed and that they may find Jesus.
3. That we will be able to continue to make baskets after this first round is done.
4. Baby Groen would arrive before June 14 so I can be apart of the walk :).
5. Baby Groen to continue to grow healthy inside and for a safe and healthy delivery.

We again can't thank all of you who still continue to follow our blog. The Lord has truly blessed us these past 10 months and we Thank Him everyday for allowing us to be Lindsay's parents. Lindsay Bear, We miss you so very much and we love you even more!!!

Please Pray For The Gledhill Family

We have been following and praying for Gracie Gledhill the past few weeks. This little girl got a new heart but once they put it in it wasn't working. She was placed on ECMO and as of this morning they were going to unhook her machine's. Her story hit home to us because even though Lindsay never got her new heart here on earth this little girl went through all the same things as Lindsay. Our hearts are aching for this family as they go through this difficult time. I will add her blog page here as well as on the side with our other heat baby friends. Please be praying for this family today as they let there little girl go home to Jesus.

As we have been following this blog we are in some way grateful that we didn't have to go through as much as they did. We could have been in the same boat with Lindsay getting a new heart. There is so much involved with a transplant, the rejections, the heart not working, and all the other things involved. God spared her and us from all of that and now she is happy and has a brand new heart. We couldn't ask for anything better for her. But we know the pain that this family is going through right now.

Lord, We ask that you bring peace and comfort to the Gledhill family today. Surround them with your love. Be with there other 3 kids as they walk through this time with there parents. I hope that Lindsay will welcome Gracie into heaven today and that she will take care of her and play with her. Amen

http://thegledhillfamily.blogspot.com/ You will have to copy and paste it.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today is Jon's 30Th birthday and I want to wish him a very Happy Birthday! As I was pondering what to write for him I was going through some pictures of his birthday last year. The kids and I decorated with balloons and banners and made him a special dinner. The kids had so much fun playing with the balloons and waiting for Daddy to come home. Going back and watching those videos makes my heart so sad. Sad because this year we won't have Lindsay with us to help celebrate her Daddy's birthday. But I am sure she will be watching and celebrating in heaven. I am so thankful we have so many memories and special times that we as a family can go back and look at. Jon is the greatest Daddy in the world to our kids. I love to watch him play with them and even now to watch Tanner being his helper. I love listening to Tanner and Jon working in the basement together and to hear what they talk about.

Jon, I hope that your birthday today is extra special. I am so glad that God has given you to me and that for 10 years we have stuck together through some hard times. I couldn't have asked for a better Daddy for my kids. Your tender heart, big hugs, making the kids laugh, and the care that you give them is amazing. Lindsay Bear was so special to you and I know how much your arms ache for her. But I am so thankful that one day we will get to see her again. I hope that in some small way you will be able to feel her presence today and know how much she loves you. I love you so much and I thank you for being the best husband in the world!

Daddy, I love you very much and I miss you like crazy. I hope you have a fun birthday. Thanks for being the best Daddy to me and Tanner. Love, Lindsay Bear

Daddy, I hope you have a good birthday. I love you, Tanner


Here is a little video of the kids wishing Jon a Happy Birthday! (2-14-08)

Happy Anniversary to Dad and Mom Groen today!!

CHD Awareness Week

This week is CHD week. CHD stands for Congenital Heart Defects. We have come to know many babies who have been born with so many different types of heart defects. I encourage you to watch this little video and read the statics that they give. I didn't know half of them and was very surprised when I read them. Our two heart baby friends Annabelle and Lindsay Dean's pictures are in this video. We all need to be aware of these defects and pray for all these babies and kids who have it.

One of my elementary school friends Sibahan lost her baby to CHD. We have since become close and I know that she is trying to raise more of an awareness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHi7VioHGDo.

Please be in prayer for our dear friend Rebecca. Her daughter is Annabelle. Well Rebecca is expecting a baby and we are very excited for her. Please pray that God will protect this baby and that he or she will have a healthy heart.

One last thing is we want to wish my sister in law Jenny a very Happy Birthday today. We love you lots Jenny and we thank you for all your prayers and support you have given to us. Thanks so much for all the hard work you did on putting the special books together from the blog.

Happy Birthday Grandpa Groen

Today is Dad Groen' s birthday and we want to wish him a very Happy Birthday! Dad has a special name that he gave to Lindsay after she was born. He would call her the Little Pinkster. The reason for this special name is because her skin when she was little was so pink.

We love you Dad/ Grandpa and we hope your day is extra special. Thanks for all you have done for all of us. Thanks for supporting us and for all the trips you and Mom made to Boston while Lindsay was there.

Dear Grandpa,

I miss you so much but I am having a good time in Heaven with Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Groen and all our other family members. Thanks for being such a great grandpa to me and Tanner.

I love you,

Pinkster

Baby Groen's Test

May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will SHOUT for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests. Psalm 20:4-5

This verse jumped out at me on Wednesday night while I was doing my devotions. I knew going into the test on Thursday that no matter what we found out the God was going to be victorious and he was. Everything with the test went very well. They got all the pictures they needed even though Baby Groen was a wiggle worm. After the ultrasound the doctor looked over the pictures. The hardest part of the whole test was the waiting part. He finally came back in and said that everything looked great. They didn't see anything wrong and everything was working the way it should. He told us that unfortunately this test doesn't pick up any minor problems. That if there was any of them we wouldn't know until after the baby was born and checked out. He also said that what Lindsay had was a very rare thing. He said that this baby most likely wouldn't have the same problem. We walked away feeling relieved that everything is working and no problems. Thank you all for your prayers yesterday. We really felt them all and we were very relaxed and had ton's of peace.

As I was sitting here writing this post I was thinking of Lindsay and wishing she was here so that she would be able to hold her sister or brother. This picture came into mind and I knew I had to use it. This is my nephew Ethan Houston. (sorry Jul) Lindsay loved little babies and she was aways so cute with them. She was always curious about them and she was especially with Ethan. I wish we had more pictures of her and him but we don't. We will cherish this one with all our hearts. I can picture Lindsay in heaven holding so many babies and being a little Mommy to all of them. I know she is really taking care of our 2 babies who are in heaven with her.

8 Months

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.

Happy Spiritual Birthday, Laura

First of all, I want to thank each and every one of you for the way you continue to support Laura, Jon and Tanner. Your prayers and notes of encouragement mean so much to them as well as to Warren, Phyllis, Jan and me. As of this morning, the blog went over 61,000. None of us ever dreamed that when the kids started this journey that there would be such overwhelming support that has come from around the globe.

Today is a very significant day. Today is Laura's spiritual birthday. On January 16, 1983, Laura Ruth Welte invited the Lord Jesus Christ to be her personal Lord and Savior. I won't embarrass her by telling you WHERE she was when this significant event took place, but as her Dad and Mom, we will never forget that day.

The prayer of every parent is that there kids will grow up to love the Lord and serve Him with all of their hearts. This past six months have given evidence to the fact that Laura has a deep, abiding trust and faith in her heavenly Father. The growth that we have seen in her as she has faced one of life's deepest trials, has blessed our socks off.

I couldn't help but write today as Laura's spiritual birthday coincides with Lindsay's 8th month with Jesus. Because Laura invited Jesus into her heart on on January 16, 1983, she has the wonderful assurance that someday, she will be with Jesus and Lindsay forever!

Laura, we love you and are so proud of you. Happy spiritual birthday!

PS -- Drop her a line today and wish her a happy birthday. And if you don't know what a spiritual birthday is, Laura would love to share that with you.

Here Are A Few Pictures Of Baby Groen

A side 3D picture where you can see an arm and a leg.

A 3D picture of the baby. I think he or she looks like Lindsay!


Side view with one arm strecthed out and one up in the air.




Our ultrasound went really well. The baby was moving a lot which was so neat to see. Evey thing is measuring what it should be which is also good news. The babies heart rate was 140, the baby weighs 9 ounces, and she counted all 4 chambers of the heart. Jon and Tanner were with me which was really neat. Tanner thought it was pretty neat to see the baby moving all around. In fact when she first started the baby put his or her hand in the air and waved. This brought a smile to Jon and my faces because Tanner did the same thing on the day of his ultrasound. What a joy it was to see another little life growing inside. God is truly amazing at what he does. We have one more ultrasound to go to on January 20Th. This one will be the one where they just look at the heart. So please be praying for that one with us. We know that no matter what God is in control and that he has already formed this baby the way he wanted.

We love you all!!

Happy New Year

We hope you are all enjoying the new year so far. Our family is looking forward to all the blessing God has in store for us this year. As we look back on last year we would have never guessed we would get to 2009 without Lindsay. But God knew that before she was born and here we are. We look back at all the good things that 2008 brought us. All the memories we shared together as a family, and all the hard times we have had. God was and still has been faithful to us all year and he continues to be as we start the year 2009.

We had a wonderful Christmas with our families. We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in NJ with my family. We had a wonderful day and shed lots of tears. Lindsay was missed so much but I know she was watching us from heaven. We then headed back to New Hampshire Christmas night so we could have Christmas with Jon's parents and Uncle Aaron and Aunt Alyssa on Saturday.

We rang in the New Year by just staying at home and enjoying one another. We have much to be thankful for this year. As we start this year we look forward to the birth of the new baby and all of the many other blessings God will share with us. We will also still need lots of prayer and we still have some firsts to go through. But we know that with God we will get us through all of them.

I want to share this poem with you that my Grandmother wrote on January 1, 1996.

As we stand on the brink of a New Year,

Watching the old disappear.

We don't know what's in the future,

But we DO KNOW THAT GOD IS NEAR.

Let's thank Him for all the good times

And yes, for the hard times too.

For the lessons we learned through the difficult times

Made us stronger to see each day through.

Let's forget all the trials and problems,

That we faced in the previous year.

And press on by God's Grace to face the unknown,

With JOY and without any fear.

He's met every need in past years,

Exceeding, abundant, above,

More than we ever dreamed of,

Out if His heart of Love,

Let's trust Him and keep on believing,

Let Him lead each step f the way.

And follow daily the sound of His voice.

In order to serve Him each day.

Yes, another year is before us,

Like a blanket of new fallen snow.

Let's be careful just how we walk in it

For each one of our steps will show.

We love you all very much and we hope that God brings your family with lots of blessings in this New Year. Some of you may remember that while Lindsay was in the hospital we asked you to pray for a few of her friends. One of them was a little boy named Elijah. We just found out that he passed away on Nov. 29. If you could pray for the Marsh family we would greatly appreciate it and I know they would to. I am sure Lindsay was there with a smile and a hug for Elijah and I am sure she will take care of him.

Lindsay's Christmas In Heaven

I was just got done checking our heart friend's blog and she has posted this song. Let me tell you that listening to this song the tears are flowing. This song is beautiful and I hope you take the time to listen but grab some tissues.

Thanks Rebecca for sharing this song with me!

www.christianpublicityservices.com/dramatic_rose/dramatic_rose/sarahchristmas.htm

If you copy and paste it will work.

7 Months

As I sit and write our 7 month blog we have no power. We had a very bad ice storm come through our area on Thursday. We have been without power since Friday sometime. Please be praying that we will get power soon. There are tons of other people who are without and let me tell you it's not fun. Thankfully we do have a generator to give us power.

Wow 7 months have gone by and we find ourselves missing Lindsay more and more. Christmas is fast approaching and I find myself not really getting into the Christmas spirit. I try not to think about Christmas day and somehow hoping that it passes by us. I don't think that will happen and I know that in 10 days we will face this Christmas without our Lindsay Bear. We won't be alone and we will be surrounded by family who will help us get through this time. I keep thinking about the Christmas that Lindsay will get to spend in heaven. To be with Jesus on His birthday and sit at his feet. If only we could have a little window to look through to see what she is doing this Christmas morning. Lindsay will be missed very much by everyone in our family this year. I hope you take time to remember that Christmas isn't about all the decorating, the shopping, the presents, the food, or giving gifts. Christmas is about the birth of Jesus and that is the real reason for the season.

Last month I was going through all the Lindsay basket stuff. I came across the pink pray for Lindsay bracelets and was wondering what we were going to do with them. So I thought about it for a few days and God laid another Lindsay on my heart and mind. Her name is Lindsay Dean and she is another heart baby that we have been keeping up on her blog. God put on my heart that we should send the bracelets to this family to help them out. So we contacted them and they were thrilled to get them. So if you still have your bracelet please remember to pray for Lindsay Dean. We have added her blog to our page. We would encourage you to keep up with her story.

The Lindsay Baskets haven't been made up yet because of everything that has been happening this month. I am hoping once January comes to make them up then and get them delivered. I put one together a few weeks ago and I got so excited to get them started.

In other Groen family news, Baby Groen is doing well. I had a doctor's appointment last week and I was able to hear the heartbeat which was very strong. I am 15 weeks now and starting to feel lots of flutters and movement. On Jan 5 we go for our first ultrasound. We won't be finding out what this little one is because we want to be surprised. Sometime the last week in Jan we will have a fetal echo cardiogram ultrasound. They don't think there is anything wrong with baby but want to check things out. I will let you know on a date.

We hope each and everyone of you has a Blessed Holiday Season with your family and friends. We love each and everyone one of you.