Day 20 ~ Capture Your Grief

Hope: Do you have hope for the future? What do you hope for those who will join this club in the future?

What helps me and gives me comfort through losing Carleigh is that I have the hope of seeing her again one day. I know that the brief moments we had on this earth are not the end.

Day 10 ~ Capture Your Grief

Beliefs: Do you have a certain belief about what happens to us after we die? You might believe that we go to a heaven or you might believe that our bodies eventually turn to dust and that is the end of our story.

I fully believe in God and the Bible. I believe that when we die on this earth we go to Heaven. I draw much comfort knowing that this is not the end. One day I will see my children again and then we will never be separated.

Reuniting in Heaven

 
This week we are talking this week about the hope of heaven and the glorious reunion that each of us long for with great hope. (My original post is here.)

There has been many times since Carleigh was born that I have thought about the glory of Heaven and what it will be like when I am reunited with my children and I get to embrace my Savior. The joy of those moments is more than I can even imagine. I can’t even begin to express how much I look forward to that day.

I think that knowing that I will be reunited again with my children one day has made this road more bearable for me. No one or nothing can take that hope away from me. Sometimes that day seems so far away but I know that this life one earth is but a blink of an eye in the grand scheme of eternity in Heaven.

The excerpt below is from my original post. I don’t think I could rewrite it any differently today.

What do I imagine Heaven is like? Well, I know it is very beautiful and I envision the purest light ever radiating to every place-every nook and cranny. The streets of Heaven are lined with gold and precious jewels and stones are everywhere. It is warm and big, fluffy clouds surround everything. (Big, fluffy clouds may not even exist in Heaven but they sure do make me feel good. They remind me of things that are very soft.) There are buildings and mansions and many people. A heavenly tune floats through the air and songs of praise are sung.

I think that once you enter Heaven (of course I have no way of knowing this) you are greeted by people you love. They welcome you and hug you until you get accustomed to your new home and then they take you to meet Jesus. I am not sure of age in Heaven. I don't even have a guess as to how old people appear to be. I have a couple theories though. I think that either they look the age that you remember them or when they passed away or that everyone is at a same general age. I often think more of the latter. I have a hard time grasping little babies in Heaven.

I believe I will know my children instantly and they will know me. I imagine running into each other's arms and being filled with so much love and joy to see them and to know them as a mother should at last. There would be no sweeter words out of the mouth of my children than to hear them say "Mommy, I love you!"

I love you too.

Treasure in Heaven

 

I have a special necklace that I wear almost every day. It is a cross necklace that Carleigh wore during her visitation and service. On the necklace I also have her baby ring and a pendant with her hand and footprints. This necklace is very special to me.

About 2 weeks ago I noticed that the cross on the necklace was gone. I searched all around our house for it hoping that I would find it but I couldn’t. I’m pretty sure it may have come off while we went to a local museum and if that’s the case then it definitely is gone forever. At first, it upset me but after some time and a conversation with my aunt I’m feeling much better about it. First, because I’m pretty sure I can get the cross replaced and while it’s not the exact one that Carleigh wore at least a replica can be a reminder. Second, this small piece of jewelry is just a “thing”. My real treasure is not on this earth, but in Heaven.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  Matthew 6:19-20

I’m so glad that one of my most precious treasures (my children) is in a place that is safe and where nothing can be destroyed or lost. While the keepsakes I have on this earth of my daughter mean a lot to me, they will never compare to my treasure that is waiting for me up in Heaven.

Heaven IS for real

My friend Kristin sent me the book Heaven is for Real to read after I told her that I had been wanting to read it. I had seen a video about the book and it just intrigued me. I know a lot of people have a fascination with Heaven. Does it exist? What will it be like? I have read 90 Minutes In Heaven and really liked that book so I figured I would like this one too. I was wrong. I loved this one. There's just something about it being from a child's point of view that makes it that much more real.

It's hard for me to put into words overall how I feel about this book because it moved me so much. One of the parts of the book that stood out to me the most was when Colton said, "Yeah, she said she just can't wait for you and Daddy to get to heaven." (Referring to the sister his mom lost through miscarriage.) I have always hoped that my children know about me in Heaven and this has shown me that they do. They know about me and they love me and they can't wait until we are together again. Talk about pulling at my heartstrings!

Ever since Carleigh has been gone I have longed for Heaven in a way I never have before. I have never wondered as much about it as now. This book has given me a small glimpse into Heaven and for that I am thankful. This has definitely secured my belief that Heaven IS for real and that I can't wait to get there.

Reuniting in Heaven

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 what it will be like the day we are reunited with our precious babies in heaven.

What makes this road bearable for me is knowing that one day I will get to see my children in Heaven. It's a day I look forward to very much.

What do I imagine Heaven is like? Well, I know it is very beautiful and I envision the purest light ever radiating to every place-every nook and cranny. The streets of Heaven are lined with gold and precious jewels and stones are everywhere. It is warm and big, fluffy clouds surround everything. (Big, fluffy clouds may not even exist in Heaven but they sure do make me feel good. They remind me of things that are very soft.) There are buildings and mansions and many people. A heavenly tune floats through the air and songs of praise are sung.

I think that once you enter Heaven (of course I have no way of knowing this) you are greeted by people you love. They welcome you and hug you until you get accustomed to your new home and then they take you to meet Jesus. I am not sure of age in Heaven. I don't even have a guess as to how old people appear to be. I have a couple theories though. I think that either they look the age that you remember them or when they passed away or that everyone is at a same general age. I often think more of the latter. I have a hard time grasping little babies in Heaven because everyone in Heaven is worshiping and babies don't really do a lot of that.

I believe I will know my children instantly and they will know me. I imagine running into each other's arms and being filled with so much love and joy to see them and to know them as a mother should at last. There would be no sweeter words out of the mouth of my children than to hear them say "Mommy, I love you!"

I love you too.