Memories & Ministries

Walking With You was created by Kelly of Sufficient Grace Ministries to help support those who have lost a child. Together we share our stories, helpful information, scriptures, encouraging words, prayer requests, and more. To join in on Walking With You please visit Kelly's blog.

This week, we are sharing ways that we incorporate the memories of our children into our lives and family. We can also share any ministries, outreaches, or just beautiful ways that our children's lives have impacted the lives of others.

Right now we have a few pictures out in our home of Carleigh. All of her keepsakes are in a tote as her memory box that my aunt and uncle are making is not finished yet. We plan on moving sometime in the not so distant future and at our new home I want to have an area that is for both Carleigh and Jordan. I wish so much that I had an ultrasound picture of Jordan to put out. I tried so hard to track down my records to possibly find one but to no avail...

This coming Christmas will be our first without Carleigh here and I know I want to do something in her memory but I'm not sure what yet. I have a little time to figure it out I guess. The day we got her diagnosis (Dec 15) is not too far off from Christmas. Maybe I could do something that date to do something good on a day that brought us so much pain.

I visit the cemetery at least once a week and very often Kyndra is with me. I enjoy seeing Kyndra running carefree around her sister's grave and playing in the grass and dirt. We've been there enough that when I get her out of the van she wants me to put her down and when I do she goes running to Carleigh's headstone and touches it with her hands. She knows which one belongs to her sister, even if she doesn't realize she even has a sister that is no longer here.

I've always known I've wanted to do something to help other families but I just didn't know what. There are already so many great ministries out there and I didn't want to take away from them. I finally decided to do something for my local hospital. The same hospital where I work. The same hospital where we got Carleigh's diagnosis. The same hospital my daughter was born still. I am providing them with Kelly's Dreams of You memory book and the Comfort Bears. (Kelly graciously donated 3 sets of each to get them started. Thank you!) I hope that these items will help provide comfort for families. I also hope that they will never be needed. I plan on providing these items for as long as they are available and I'm alive.

Recently I created a post titled Angel Friends where mommies can find and remember other mommies and babies who have lost, whether they lost their baby from miscarriage, stillbirth, infant loss, or abortion. Each life that has been lost is precious and deserves to be remembered and recognized, no matter the circumstances. If you would like your baby's/babies' name(s) added to the list please leave a comment on the Angel Friends post and I would be happy to add it for you.

I have had people email and comment how Carleigh has impacted their lives. I love receiving and reading them. It's amazing how such a brief life can make such a big difference. I know the way my life has changed and I pray that hers will change others too.

As far as Jordan's story, even though it is difficult to share, I felt compelled to speak out to save both women and babies. My first time speaking in public was at my local women's center fundraising banquet last October where I gave my testimony and shared my poem. I received my counseling at this center and was able to save a baby's life through sharing my poem. This center is very close to my heart and I will always be grateful to them for the love and compassion they showed me when I was dealing with PASS. I give back to them in Jordan's memory whenever I can.