Thank You

Our pastor that did Owen's graveside is the pastor of my parent's church (the church I grew up in), and he said something at the service that kind of hit me and opened my eyes.   He talked, through tears and with a sincere heart, about how Owen was loved by so many people, and how many people had joined in prayer for him.  I knew people had prayed for my baby to be healed, but I guess standing there looking at Owen's casket, hearing those words, and being surrounded by a group of people who prayed and now they hurt for us and with us, opened my eyes.  So many of you opened your hearts to us in our time of need.  Churches prayed, prayer groups prayed, small groups prayed, Sunday school classes prayed.  Our family prayed, our friends prayed, and their friends prayed.  Many of you sent us messages, notes, emails, texts, and called to tell us you were praying.  And many contacted our family and friends to let us know that you were praying.  We have received card after card in the mail to tell us still you are praying.  To know now that those times when we felt hopeless and didn't know what to pray or just didn't have the strength to pray; you prayed, you called out to God for our baby boy for us.  You opened your hearts to us in our time of tragedy, and you prayed.

Brad always tells our teenagers that "prayer changes things."  And it has.  I believe that because of prayer, God increased the fluid around Owen for two weeks.  I believe that because of prayer, God gave us 7 more weeks with our baby.  I believe that because of prayer, God gave Brad and I the strength to face this time in our lives.  Because of prayer, God gave us calm and peace in the hospital when Owen was born.  Because of prayer, God has given us comfort in our time of sadness.  Because of prayer, God gives us hope, He gives us joy. 

Thank you for your prayers.   2 Corinthians 1:11