...bailey's story...


Our story is a story about a MIRACLE. It is not the kind of miracle that is so often shared in Christian circles. We have heard stories about untreatable cancer that disappeared and of a child that was never supposed to walk or talk and is now a healthy adult. These are often the kinds of stories people share with you when you are experiencing difficult circumstances. Stories about the TRAGEDY that was avoided or the near miss that is now in the rear view mirror of life. We value these types of stories and we CELEBRATE them!

Ours was not that kind of story. Our daughter Bailey Hope was born on February 20, 2009. She died on August 13, 2010. The eighteen months in between were horrible and heart wrenching as we experienced our worst fears coming true. We were not rescued FROM heartache and tragedy.

Our miracle was that we were joined IN this journey by friends and family that gave of themselves and by our GOD who held us in unexplainable ways. This is our story. We do not share it to garner pity. There are others who have similar stories. There are so many others who have more tragic stories.

We share our story because it is impossible to talk about our beautiful daughter, without talking about our beautiful God. We must talk about our daughter. We must talk about our God. It is the MIRACLE behind the MIRACLE.





Thursday, 26 August 2010

Thank you

We want to say thank you to the countless family members, friends, co-workers and even those we do not know for the incredible love and support they have given.  So many individuals and families have given selflessly in such beautiful and unique ways.  We have been blessed. Thank you.

Sunday, 15 August 2010

services



 viewing  

monday
august 16, 2010

6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

throop funeral homes
214 church street
coopersville, mi  49404


directions to throop funeral homes

service

tuesday
august 17, 2010

11:00 a.m.

coopersville reformed church
423 w. randall st.
coopersville, mi 49404

directions to coopersville reformed church

more information here

Saturday, 14 August 2010

From our arms to his.

Our sweet Bailey is finally free. Today is the first day she will not have to struggle or experience pain. For that we are so grateful.

Monday, 9 August 2010

Heaven Stands

Today was an extremely difficult day for us.  Bailey hasn't eaten for about 20 days and our hospice nurse shared that Bailey's lungs are completely full of fluid.  While we know she is dying it's beyond difficult to watch it and hear it, day in and day out.  As I sat there holding our beautiful daughter and crying, the song, "Your Hands" came to my mind.

.....when my world is shaking.....Heaven stands.
.....when my heart is breaking.....I never leave your hands. 

Gods hands literally shook my world two weeks ago.  It was the Thursday night after Bailey stopped eating, she had a very difficult day and we felt as though God was going to take her home.  That night their was the most incredible thunder storm.   I laid on our living room floor holding Bailey's hand, watching the lightning bolts streak across the sky, and feeling the thunder shake our house.  God clearly reminded me of how GREAT and powerful He is.  Heather, I command the earth, I am bigger than death, I win.

What a comfort to know that when our world is shaking, heaven stands.  When our hearts are breaking, we never leave his hands