With Hope

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

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....

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.

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

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!

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

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.