Many of you have been asking what you can do for us. I have thought about it since Monday and these are the things God laid on my heart.
1. Make church a priority because God is your priority. Don’t go to church because it’s the right thing to do, or to socialize, but because you have a sincere desire to learn more about God. Obviously I recommend Berean Baptist Church, but find any Bible believing church and attend faithfully. I cannot imagine enduring such a loss without having a solid church family. I’ll let you in on a little secret. I almost didn’t attend this past Sunday because I had some intestinal issues. Tim had been called into work at 3:30 in the morning and we were all tired. But I thank God I attended the day before his death. People got to see him one last time and he heard the Word of God one last time on earth.
2. Husbands and wives stay married. Tim and I have had our rough times in our marriage and what I discovered is when that happened one of us was selfish (usually me). If you are going to church and your priority is God, your marriage will be sustained even when the storms of life come by.
3. “Stay the stuff” as Pastor Sean has put it often in the last 5 years I’ve heard him preach. Do not walk away from your faith. Lean on Him. Love Him. Teach your children about Him. Honor Him with your life. Live in such a way that everyone knows you have Christ and they want Him in their life as well.
4. Pray for us. We have a difficult road ahead of us. Tim and I need prayer. The girls need prayer. Our family needs prayer. Babuskha and Uncle Tolya need prayer. I intend to mail a letter expression our love for Brandon, but also my faith in Christ.
Thanks so much for all you’ve done for us already.
Grace be unto you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Carinda, this is amazing and beautiful. you are so strong and faithful. i am praying for all of you. you have no idea what your faith and strength has done for me personally. prayers and hugs.
ReplyDeleteTim and you are an amazing example to follow when pursuing God. I know He is well pleased with you each day. Our family is praying for yours. May God bless you.
ReplyDeleteCarinda, you don't know me but since Monday I feel as if I know you. I have been praying for you and your family, for supernatural strength, for sleep and rest, for comfort. Thank you for sharing your grief, for allowing all of us to pray for you and your family. I don't think you will know until you see Jesus the far-reaching effect the death of your sweet son has had on people who don't even know you. Bless you as you heal. Thank you for sharing Jesus with all of us.
ReplyDeleteI just sat and watched Brandon's funeral and am amazed at how much your son's life touched other people. We will continue to pray for your family as you serve the Lord. I have 3 precious little grandsons in heaven and knowing that I will see them someday again has been such a blessing to both us and our daughter and family. God will be there for you as you rest in Him.
ReplyDeleteLove in Christ,
Jim and Ruth Carpenter
NEPA
I just read about your son on the Bobo's FB page. I am truly heartbroken for you and will be praying for you in the coming days. Thank you for sharing Brandon's story. God is using your testimony be an encouragement to so many people. Thank you for your faith and reliance on God through all this.
ReplyDeleteWith lots of prayer from your sister in Christ,
Carrie
Here's another, "You don't know me, but.."
ReplyDeleteI heard about your horrible loss on a homeschool forum and wanted you to know I am praying for you.
Another place you may find support and encouragement is the blog, "An Inch of Gray". Anna suddenly and unexpectedly lost her 12 yr old son this past September. She shares a lot of what she's also gone through at aninchofgray.blogspot.com.
Praying God's comfort for you..
Carinda and Tim,
ReplyDeleteI have been following along your journey through your blog and to say that the death of Brandon shocked me would be an understatement.
I have been so encouraged by what God has done through your family and through others.I pray for you and Tim and of course those precious girlies.Love you guys
Sue Stephens
When I read what happened to you and your family, I cried, and prayed for God to surround you and yours with his light and love. I asked that he bring you comfort, and to help lift your family up to him during this time of grief.
ReplyDeleteI am your student with the University of Phoenix. We’re getting ready to start week three now on Personal Finance, and though I’ve already learned a great deal from you through the university’s forum of higher learning, I’ve learned even more from you as you’ve invited me to your blog.
I thank God I’ve been given an opportunity to be here in prayer for you. I feel a deeper connection with you in regards to my own personal life experiences. I’ve spent most of my adult life caring for others, and yet I’ve questioned what my purpose in life is. It seems God keeps showing me my purpose by providing avenues for continuing care for others.
I cannot say anything that will make any of this okay, but I took some time, and devoted a search of quotes that you may find helpful to refer to as you need them; if you need them.
• We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey.
Author: Kenji Miyazawa
• Although it’s difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.
Author: Unknown
• The angels are always near to those who are grieving, to whisper to them that their loved ones are safe in the hand of God.
Author: Eileen Elias Freeman
• When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.
Author: Unknown
• Faith is a passionate intuition.
Author: William Wordsworth
• When at night you cannot sleep, talk to the Shepherd and stop counting sheep.
Author: Unknown
I do not know you or your family. I came across your blog on friends Facebook page. I have been praying for you every day. My family and I are from Pennsylvania and we have a young family also. I know that the struggles we go through and have made it through have been by God's grace alone. This must be agonizing for your and your family. Our Lord and heavenly father will see you through this. I rejoice to see you are staying strong in your faith when this is the easiest time to falter. I cry when I read your posts, but they also make my faith stronger as I pray for healing and peace. I have young children also and I think of the burden that I carry for their pain and confusion as well as my own. I will continue to pray for you and your family. Even though I don't know you in a physical sense we are all family in Christ.
ReplyDeleteYou don't know me but...i was a former member of Berean, & my daughter is Rebekah Hawk, she told me of your loss & i found your blog through a facebook link i have been lifting you & your family up in prayer. i have no wise words or any experience to share, because i have never had to deal with anything like what you are dealing with, but i can say i care, and am very sorry for your loss & i know that the God of all comfort will comfort you and give you strength. Thank you for sharing in this very "open" way & thank you for the challenge to keep the faith!
ReplyDeletelifting the Kerr family up in prayer in Peculiar MO