A song written by Steven 10 years ago for a family that lost a child. It was sang at Maria Chapman's funeral, what a testimony of faith shown by the Chapman family, the words minister to me so...
thought I would share...
This is not at all how
We thought it was supposed to be
We had so many plans for you
We had so many dreams
And now you've gone away
And left us with the memories of your smile
And nothing we can say
And nothing we can do
Can take away the pain
The pain of losing you, but ...
We can cry with hope
We can say goodbye with hope
'Cause we know our goodbye is not the end, oh no
And we can grieve with hope
'Cause we believe with hope
(There's a place by God's grace)
There's a place where we'll see your face again
We'll see your face again
And never have I known
Anything so hard to understand
And never have I questioned more
The wisdom of God's plan
But through the cloud of tears
I see the Father's smile and say well done
And I imagine you
Where you wanted most to be
Seeing all your dreams come true
'Cause now you're home
And now you're free, and ...
We have this hope as an anchor
'Cause we believe that everything
God promised us is true, so ...
We wait with hope
And we ache with hope
We hold on with hope
We let go with hope
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
May 28th
In tears today... I decided that on the 28th of the month I am going to share a memory of Rachel... looks like I have some catching up to do... Please feel free to share with me by adding your comments at the end of this blog...
It's been one month since Rachel went home to be with Jesus. We still miss her soooooo......
Even though I was travelling this year, Rachel and I had some really sweet times... In Missouri we saw, the Arch, the great Mississippi, Anheuser Busch plant, Grease the musical, Carrie even took her to OU. Probably my favorite memory of our travels was our trip to Washington DC. We had been walking, walking and walking, she was TIRED! We got to the Vietnam War Memorial, after looking through a book of names she looked at the wall and said, "now what's that wall thingy?" I knew that it was time to move on....
It's been one month since Rachel went home to be with Jesus. We still miss her soooooo......
Even though I was travelling this year, Rachel and I had some really sweet times... In Missouri we saw, the Arch, the great Mississippi, Anheuser Busch plant, Grease the musical, Carrie even took her to OU. Probably my favorite memory of our travels was our trip to Washington DC. We had been walking, walking and walking, she was TIRED! We got to the Vietnam War Memorial, after looking through a book of names she looked at the wall and said, "now what's that wall thingy?" I knew that it was time to move on....
Saturday, May 10, 2008
I am thankful
by Rachel Fulenwider
There are many things I am thankful for but only three stand out to me.
First, I am thankful for technology. Technology is not just the things that runon electricity. It's everything. We would still be in the Stone Ages if it weren't for it. I would not want to be in the Stone Ages. I wouldn't have my straightener, (which broke), computer, phone and music. Technology helps understand the world better. It gives us things to enjoy in our life. You can't get ever get bored with all the technology we have now. I am so thankful to have it.
Second, I am thankful for money. shopping, and food. I love food. I love energy drinks, candy, and all the stuff that is bad for you. Yeah, I like the occasional broccoli or peas, but not nearly as much as junk food. I could not survive without my favorite foods. If I didn't have Red Bulls or Sobe Adrenalines would be dead as a doornail. They give me my energy. I am also really thankful for shopping. Shopping is the time to hang out with friends and just have fun. You go shopping to pamper yourself. I love everything about shopping. OK. Now, I may be really thankful for the others, but not as much as money. I couldn't do the other things without money. I may not always have a lot of it, but when I do spend it the second I get. I can't save money. It's not my thing.
Finally, I am most thankful for God, family and friends. We would not be alive if it weren't for God. If it weren't for him, we would not have anything to be thankful for. He created family for a reason. Family is there to support you. They are with you from the beginning to the end. They will never forsake you. I wouldn't know what to do without my family. Friends are there when you need a break from things. Good friends will laugh, cry, act stupid or do anything with you. When I see everyone around me fighting with their friends, saying mean things, or even breaking friendships. I know how lucky I am to have my friends.
You may not have a lot, but the most important thing is to be thankful. Don't be jealous. Be thankful for what you have. First and foremost be thankful that you are alive. Be thankful for who you have not necessarily for what you have.
There are many things I am thankful for but only three stand out to me.
First, I am thankful for technology. Technology is not just the things that runon electricity. It's everything. We would still be in the Stone Ages if it weren't for it. I would not want to be in the Stone Ages. I wouldn't have my straightener, (which broke), computer, phone and music. Technology helps understand the world better. It gives us things to enjoy in our life. You can't get ever get bored with all the technology we have now. I am so thankful to have it.
Second, I am thankful for money. shopping, and food. I love food. I love energy drinks, candy, and all the stuff that is bad for you. Yeah, I like the occasional broccoli or peas, but not nearly as much as junk food. I could not survive without my favorite foods. If I didn't have Red Bulls or Sobe Adrenalines would be dead as a doornail. They give me my energy. I am also really thankful for shopping. Shopping is the time to hang out with friends and just have fun. You go shopping to pamper yourself. I love everything about shopping. OK. Now, I may be really thankful for the others, but not as much as money. I couldn't do the other things without money. I may not always have a lot of it, but when I do spend it the second I get. I can't save money. It's not my thing.
Finally, I am most thankful for God, family and friends. We would not be alive if it weren't for God. If it weren't for him, we would not have anything to be thankful for. He created family for a reason. Family is there to support you. They are with you from the beginning to the end. They will never forsake you. I wouldn't know what to do without my family. Friends are there when you need a break from things. Good friends will laugh, cry, act stupid or do anything with you. When I see everyone around me fighting with their friends, saying mean things, or even breaking friendships. I know how lucky I am to have my friends.
You may not have a lot, but the most important thing is to be thankful. Don't be jealous. Be thankful for what you have. First and foremost be thankful that you are alive. Be thankful for who you have not necessarily for what you have.
letter written to us in 2006, by Rachel
Dear mom and dad,
First of all I want to say thank you. And that I am really lucky to have you as my parents. You have always taken care of me. When I need something you always get it for me even if it means you have to sacrifice something in return. You are always there cheering me on in any sport. When Andrew was having problems you didn't give up on him. You worked hard to keep us a family. You made hard decisions. In the end, it all worked out. I have been blessed by God to have christian parents. Ya'll have raised me in a christian home and have kept me in church. You have been great parents. There is not enough words to describe it. Thank you.
love you
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Mother's Day 2008
Mother's Day 2008…
We are reminding ourselves to thank Him for blessing us with our precious Rachel for 15 years & Andrew. She blessed us beyond measure and continues to do so even in her absence. Oh how He loves us!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Thank you
I wish I had a better word than thank you it does not seem to be enough but THANK YOU! All of you have been awesome!!! We definitely feel loved and cared for.
Today is a good day... so far... Yesterday was a bad one compounded by very little sleep. I finally gave in to some ambien and slept 9 hours. With a little sleep I am much better today. Working on the easysite is very therapeutic for me. I update it often. It is our desire that people see the child of God that Rachel is and that her faith and our faith will get us through. We want to be a witness to His faithfulness no matter the storm. I remind myself often that our suffering and pain is but just glimpse of how He suffered watching His son die on the cross so that she can be with Him and so that we may see her again in her new glorious body! We are keeping the faith and relying HIM. We can feel the prayers, thank you!
Hanging on to Him,
Chris, Georgia and Andrew
One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and seek him in his temple. Psalm 27:14
Today is a good day... so far... Yesterday was a bad one compounded by very little sleep. I finally gave in to some ambien and slept 9 hours. With a little sleep I am much better today. Working on the easysite is very therapeutic for me. I update it often. It is our desire that people see the child of God that Rachel is and that her faith and our faith will get us through. We want to be a witness to His faithfulness no matter the storm. I remind myself often that our suffering and pain is but just glimpse of how He suffered watching His son die on the cross so that she can be with Him and so that we may see her again in her new glorious body! We are keeping the faith and relying HIM. We can feel the prayers, thank you!
Hanging on to Him,
Chris, Georgia and Andrew
One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and seek him in his temple. Psalm 27:14
Lost...
Lost
by Rachel Fulenwider
September 2005
"Rachel we're lost" Cleo said. NO we're not. The creek is hard to get lost in. "Rachel I'm scared" Cleo wined. This is fun enjoy the cool outdoors. I Know where I'm going.
"Rachel let's go back. Im getting tired" Cleo said. We should almost be to the bridge. I think. Once we get there we can go home. "Rachel, are you sure you know where we are going?" Cleo asked. Yes, I promise. Andrew and I used to come down here all the time. "Yeah you and Andrew, " Cleo added. I'm pretty sure it's this way. "Rachel your lost just admit it," Cleo said. Fine we are lost. "We are so dead," Cleo yelled. "Let's go back Rachel" Cleo wined. OK, I have to figure out where we are first. Let's see. If we came in on the left. Then, we go that way. I think. Let's just go this way. This way is evidently not getting us anywhere. "Rachel, Cleo, I'm going to run to Pettit's. I'll be back in a few minutes." mom yelled. "Georgia wait. We're lost. Help us!" Cleo cried frantically. Cleo shut up. I figured out where we are. Her voice came from that direction. So, let's follow where her voice came from. Look, Cleo it's our fence. Let's go! Finally, we made it back. Don't go in the house, you are way too muddy. Let me get my mom. "Man, you girls are covered in mud. Take your shoes and socks off and we will rinse you off. You two go inside and take showers. Make sure you don't touch anything," mom demanded.
I love the creek. We had such great memories there. That one story only a few people know about. You were lucky enough to hear it.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Originally posted on May 6, 2008
Let me go back to 2002... a dear friend of mine was critically ill, in fact she almost went home to be with the Lord. I gave her a card of encouragement. Now fast forward almost 6 years... she is going though these cards, a huge pile I might add. She pulls out 2 and comes across mine. This dear friend signs it with all her love and gives it back to me. Amazing how God brings things full circle. What a treasure!!!
I am not very eloquent at the moment, the card says it all.
You
Cynthia
are going through trials and difficulties, not because God has abandoned you, but because He has chosen you and called you to know His heart ~~ Roy Lessin
There is a purpose in what you are walking through, and God would never allow it if He could not keep you close to His heart and use it for good in the plan He has for your life.
When we face hard times, we never face them alone. The truth is that God never separates Himself from His children in any trial they face. He loves you too much to ever let you go.
~~ Roy Lessin
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 NIV
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Remember
To all the lives Rachel touched
We as a family would like to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the outpouring of love you have shown this week. We know that you are hurting just as we are and trying to make some sense of it. I am not sure we will ever make sense of it… Even we have to keep reminding ourselves to quit trying to make sense of it. We sometimes have to remind ourselves every minute that we may not ever know why…
Just try to remember…
Remember…
Rachel as the vibrant young girl blossoming quickly into a young woman who loved everything about life. Remember not how she took her life but how she chose to live it. She was vibrant, always smiling, bubbly, funny, goofy, and laughing. Remember how she lit up a room when she walked in. Remember her fierce protection of her friends and her loyalty to them. Remember her love of life- she loved so much and so hard that she lived life full steam and when she finally ran out of gas she crashed for hours and nothing could wake her. She was even passionate about her sleep, the girl LOVED her sleep. You should have seen her bed when she got up, it had to be completely remade, and you might even find her sideways or at the foot of the bed. It was a mess.
Remember…
how she loved you as friends. She loved each and every one of you (guys & girls) in a very special way; and yes, even when you got on each other's nerves. She loved you intensely and with every ounce of her being. She loved being goofy and hanging out, being mischievous, sleep over's, going to the movies, she loved to lay out and attempt to get a tan even though she rarely turned more than one shade darker and she loved "TP-ing" houses. She loved IM-ing, talking on the phone (sort of), singing, playing on her dance pad and listening to her Walkman MP3. She loved SIMS and both Father of the Bride movies. She loved shopping trips, Wal-Mart scavenger hunts and dares and of course mani-pedi's.
No matter the circumstance she loved you!!!
Remember…
She loved life. She loved her family and pets. She loved her friends fiercely, intensely and passionately
She loved her school and everything about it.
She loved her teachers and her coaches- she was furious that many of you were leaving; however she was beginning to understand that is the life of a coach but she did say that if even one more chose to leave she said she was going to Tom Bean.
She loved learning, reading and yes even homework.
She loved to travel and was able to go many places this past year… Richmond, Virginia, Williamsburg, Washington DC, Missouri, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina.
She loved UT and OU, can I even write that in the same sentence???
Yes she loved life, but most of all she loved Jesus!
Remember…
the good times spent laughing and cutting up in the halls and in the lunch room at "your" lunch table, on the bus for whatever occasion, slumber parties, football games, movies (sitting on the front the row at the Odeum), track meets, volleyball games, softball games, classes together, youth group activities, shopping, working in the concession stand, getting your nails done together. Remember her witty sense of humor, she loved to laugh and be goofy. Remember her passionate and intense love of life, family and friends.
Remember…
To thank Him for the blessing of 15 awesome years with her. Thank Him for the gift of her precious life and how she touched each and every one of us in some very special way.
Remember…
Most of all remember her love of Jesus! We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that she loved Jesus & that her last breathe on earth was her first breathe in heaven. Now she is rejoicing in heaven with Jesus and probably making him laugh too!
Remember…
written by her momma
We as a family would like to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the outpouring of love you have shown this week. We know that you are hurting just as we are and trying to make some sense of it. I am not sure we will ever make sense of it… Even we have to keep reminding ourselves to quit trying to make sense of it. We sometimes have to remind ourselves every minute that we may not ever know why…
Just try to remember…
Remember…
Rachel as the vibrant young girl blossoming quickly into a young woman who loved everything about life. Remember not how she took her life but how she chose to live it. She was vibrant, always smiling, bubbly, funny, goofy, and laughing. Remember how she lit up a room when she walked in. Remember her fierce protection of her friends and her loyalty to them. Remember her love of life- she loved so much and so hard that she lived life full steam and when she finally ran out of gas she crashed for hours and nothing could wake her. She was even passionate about her sleep, the girl LOVED her sleep. You should have seen her bed when she got up, it had to be completely remade, and you might even find her sideways or at the foot of the bed. It was a mess.
Remember…
how she loved you as friends. She loved each and every one of you (guys & girls) in a very special way; and yes, even when you got on each other's nerves. She loved you intensely and with every ounce of her being. She loved being goofy and hanging out, being mischievous, sleep over's, going to the movies, she loved to lay out and attempt to get a tan even though she rarely turned more than one shade darker and she loved "TP-ing" houses. She loved IM-ing, talking on the phone (sort of), singing, playing on her dance pad and listening to her Walkman MP3. She loved SIMS and both Father of the Bride movies. She loved shopping trips, Wal-Mart scavenger hunts and dares and of course mani-pedi's.
No matter the circumstance she loved you!!!
Remember…
She loved life. She loved her family and pets. She loved her friends fiercely, intensely and passionately
She loved her school and everything about it.
She loved her teachers and her coaches- she was furious that many of you were leaving; however she was beginning to understand that is the life of a coach but she did say that if even one more chose to leave she said she was going to Tom Bean.
She loved learning, reading and yes even homework.
She loved to travel and was able to go many places this past year… Richmond, Virginia, Williamsburg, Washington DC, Missouri, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina.
She loved UT and OU, can I even write that in the same sentence???
Yes she loved life, but most of all she loved Jesus!
Remember…
the good times spent laughing and cutting up in the halls and in the lunch room at "your" lunch table, on the bus for whatever occasion, slumber parties, football games, movies (sitting on the front the row at the Odeum), track meets, volleyball games, softball games, classes together, youth group activities, shopping, working in the concession stand, getting your nails done together. Remember her witty sense of humor, she loved to laugh and be goofy. Remember her passionate and intense love of life, family and friends.
Remember…
To thank Him for the blessing of 15 awesome years with her. Thank Him for the gift of her precious life and how she touched each and every one of us in some very special way.
Remember…
Most of all remember her love of Jesus! We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that she loved Jesus & that her last breathe on earth was her first breathe in heaven. Now she is rejoicing in heaven with Jesus and probably making him laugh too!
Remember…
written by her momma
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