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Monday, January 2, 2012

Welcome!

           I am truly humbled to have you join my family in our journey or, more accurately, our pilgrimage home.  Ours is an honest story of faith, hope, and restoration as we navigate a life imprinted with the deep pains and indescribable joys spurred from having one son in heaven (Warren) and two sons on earth, one with special needs (John, Warren’s identical twin) and the other son typically developing (Daniel). I am privileged to be Mama to these three boys, which I consider to be the best job and calling in the world.
            I am wife to Meade, my incredibly loving husband, whose support makes my life’s clear purpose possible. He is my rock, bestowing grace daily and serving our family with joy and patience.  He is one of those people whose zest for life is simply contagious, and his love for the Lord is even more inspiring.  We are far from perfect but feel blessed that we have been called to be a team in this one life we have been given on earth.
            This site had its beginnings almost three years ago as a dear friend developed a Caringbrige site for our family as our life was turned upside down. After a difficult pregnancy including hemorrhaging and 5 months of bed rest, we thought the worst was over as we delivered full-term and seemingly healthy identical twins in January of 2009. However, on their second day of life, both Warren and John began suffering from inexplicable and relentless seizures. Our world crashed around us as we were introduced to our children on January 21st only to have them ripped away from us on January 22nd by incubators, wires, ventilators, and heavily sedating medication. When we thought it could not get any worse, Warren died and went to heaven on February 8th at 19 days old. Through the autopsy that we had ordered to try to get answers to help John survive, we learned of Warren's tragic cause of death. I shared my feelings about this here
            The crisis continued as John remained in the intensive care unit (including a two week stint at Children's Hospital Boston) until he finally came home at 3 months of age.  Doctors told us he was going to die soon, never smile or develop at all and need a G-Tube to receive nourishment.  John has done so much better than anyone imagined or predicted. He has been seizure-free since September of 2009.  We believe the Lord is healing John one day at a time, from what is most likely a genetic brain injury, and we feel privileged to be stewards of this precious and joyful child.  We miss Warren every single day, but his life continues in heaven and on earth as we celebrate the gift God has given us through these precious twins and now additionally through our son Daniel who was born on June 6, 2011.
            Through our losses and joys, I have come to resonate with Paul who proclaimed, “To live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).  I have no doubt that it will be a monumental “gain” to die and join my Lord and my firstborn son in heaven where He will fully and finally make all things new.  But I also am confident that while we are planted on this earth, we are called to live for Christ – participating in his redemptive work and displaying His splendor (Isaiah 61:3).

            Before my life took these unexpected turns (or more accurately, became completely derailed), I earned my undergraduate degree in foreign affairs and religious studies and my Masters in clinical counseling.  Now outside of the classroom, writing has found me once again – this time as a personal outlet and companion to this difficult but rich pilgrimage through life and toward my true home in heaven. As I write, God gives me renewed vision as my doubts find a safe place and my faith is solidified. Although the joys and pains in our lives may look different, I know we are all attempting to navigate life and loss and to find a solid place to land.

            Thank you for the honor of allowing me to honestly and vulnerably share our story through three main themes:
                -Stepping Stones: what God is teaching me through our  
                  journey   
             -Little Glimpses:  a peek into the joys of our everyday 
                  life through fun photos and accounts of recent events  
             -Hands Lifted High: seeking your partnership in both 
                  praying for John’s healing and also rejoicing with us  
                  in God’s grace and provision 


       Please look around the site and sign up to receive email updates either by entering your email address to the right or by clicking on the Subscribe link at the top!  Thank you so much!

10 comments:

  1. Wow! So encouraging and powerful! Love you guys!

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  2. Beautiful description-thanks for sharing your heart!

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  3. The site looks great! What a lovely new internet home, and a wonderful introduction to your story. I know you'll inspire and comfort many people who stumble upon this website. I'll be following along, of course. Love y'all!

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  4. Youre story has impacted so many people. We love your family so much and are blessed to be on this journey with you!

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  5. So glad you have started this blog! You dont know me, but I have followed your story ever since a friend shared your journey with me when your precious boys were born. I am excited to continue to follow you and see all God will reveal to you and through you. I asked the Lord for a focus verse for 2012. Revelation 21:5 was what He placed on my heart. I got tears in my eyes when I saw it on your homepage. Bless the Lord and may His mercy, grace, and joy abound to you in 2012.

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  6. The new site is awesome, ME!! I LOVE the pictures and all of you!! xoxo

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  7. I am SO excited about your new site! It looks great!

    Happy New Year! We wish you an upcoming year of happiness, love and of course health and guidance!

    We so love you all!

    Jen

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  8. Yay! the Blog is born!! It's beautiful so far and your writing is so captivating Mary Liz... Excited to continue on this journey with you all. xox

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  9. Love the design and look of your new website! So happy that you will continue to write and that we can stay connected. Much love to you -

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  10. Dear Mary Elizabeth and Meade, so happy to see the new website and the point in your journey that it represents. I have been humbled to have followed your journey these past 3 years; know that God could not have chosen any better or more intentional parents for John (and Warren and Daniel too). Looking forward to seeing God's continued work in your family's life in the new year and the new website! Blessings--

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