IN MEMORY OF STEPHEN 1982-1983

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
Who comforteth us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. II Corinthians 1:3-4

January 18th, 2004 a tiny baby weighing just 1 pound 12 ounces was born into the world.

His name is STEPHEN.

Charlie’s first born child….a son.

Named in memory of his twin brother, Stephen.

Born at just 26 weeks…his dad and mom would endure a trial of daily prayer and hope…that this child will survive.

Today…Stephen is a sweet little guy full of energy, and very smart.

He also has “twin” sisters! They too, born only 1 pound 15 ounces and survivors!

Home in less than a month.

And he also…as his dad…has a sibling in heaven.

…only this child was stillborn.

She also was born very early in the pregnancy, weighing just 1 pound 13 ounces. She is spoken of in the post “A Lone Butterfly of Comfort.”

Two in heaven….Kaitlyn and Stephen hold a very sobering remembrance in our hearts.

The realities of life…

…there is going to be sorrow…and pain and suffering. These are all common to mankind. Yet, God has promised us Grace and strength in time of need. He promises that he is with us always.

A song written by a man who lost his dear wife says it all:

God’s way is the best way…though I cannot understand what lies ahead…I know he’s in control…for he watches o’re my soul..
God’s way is the best way…it’s the only way for me.

And he has promised us HOPE…

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Hebrews 11:1-3

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are you ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:8-11

In reading this story of Hope’s Journey…I sincerely pray that you
leave with a cup of refreshing that has given you hope for each day that lies ahead in your life.

That you have tasted that the LORD is good...he is our strength and shining shield. Our all in all...our help in time of need...our sure deliverer and our comfort.

He is faithful.

I pray most of all that you, my readers, know the LORD Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour.

Now the God of all hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13

I invite you today…

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Revelation 22:17

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ.
This is the true God, and eternal life.
I John 5:20


It is with my sincerest appreciation to all my readers for the comments left as I shared this story of Hope.

Thank you for the encouragement and refreshing you were to me and the new friendships I have found in you.

Always remember.... It will be worth it all when we see Jesus!!

NOTE: I'm sorry that this story of faith comes from the end back to the beginning. If anyone knows how to reverse it please let me know. Thank you.

THE CALL...

January 25, 1983 Stephen went to be with the LORD

The call came at 4 a.m.

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
I Thessalonians 4:13

Just four days after my 28th birthday. My husband was still in Spain…and I was alone.

The phone rang awakening me out of my sleep. The early morning hour was very quiet and still. I anticipated some kind of news.

Was Stephen okay?...

Was it my husband calling from Spain…was he alright? He was due home: a delay…the trip extended?

The voice on the other end was a nurse who asked who I was and said a doctor wanted to speak with me. My heart began to beat like a drum as I waited for the doctor to come to the phone.

“Madame…………………..Stephen is dead.”

“Oh..my”

Just like that! News of this sort.. so blunt and so blank?

Once again REALITY set in… not only the news..but the fact that these people could not speak good English and thus…a very blunt to the point .. fact.

He asked if I could come immediately to the hospital. I froze.

“My…husband is not here and I have other small children, I will have to make some arrangements. I’ll…I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

I hung up the phone and dropped to my knees.

“I’m all alone…what am I going to do? “

Stunned…my thoughts were frozen and then I cried out to the LORD.

The one who had sustained me through the past nine months: the one who provided all my needs, answered all my prayers, gave comfort, hope and encouraged me with even his creation; that beautiful white mountain.

I thanked him for his loving kindness and for the soul of Kathryn..saved! I cried with thanksgivings of praise to my God who had performed all things according to his will and according to his good pleasure. I thanked him that my sweet son…

Was with Him.

I cried for help. I needed my LORD. I was afraid …afraid of what I was about to face. I pleaded for the grace to get through this time.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Psalm 121:1-3

While the children continued in quiet sleep. I called long distance to family and friends…to hear familiar voices. I needed prayer and I needed them to know.

I called Kathryn but got no answer.

I called Claudine… she had a house fire during the night. I had no idea.
She expressed her sorrow of the news and not being able to come over to help me.

I told her I would be okay. I’d call Helen.

Helen….no answer. It was 5 a.m. no one was up yet!

I’ll have to wait till at least 7 a.m.

I called the hospital and told them it was impossible for me to be there and that I’d try to be there by 7 or so.

I then went to my room and searched my closet.

What do I wear? Oh, Lord..I don’t even know what to wear?

I changed my clothes a couple of times. The weather was still very cold and I knew I would not be back home for some time. I’d have to pack things for the children…get them up and ready to leave!

I awoke the children and gave them the news. We prayed together and I explained as they already knew. Their little brother was now in heaven.

They could dress themselves and be ready to go.

I let little Charlie remain asleep.

Finally 7 a.m. I tried Helen and she answered…

“Oh dear! Yes, come straight way! I will watch the children for you”

I was also able to reach Kathryn. She would meet me at Helen’s.

I went in to awaken little Charlie and hugged him with tears. I held him tight, as I thought upon his little brother. How thankful I was to have Charlie.
Thankful for the precious children I was blessed to call mine.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born….
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2a

to everything there is a season...part 3

As the days passed upon hearing this news about our newborn son; I found a wealth of comfort in the scriptures.

How very thankful I am to be a born again Christian and grateful to know that my Bible is the very words of my God. Oh what peace!

Often my readings would be found in Psalm 119.

My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. verse 28

Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. verses 49,50

Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. verse 67

It is good for me that I have been afflicted: that I might learn thy statues. verse 71

I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
Let I pray thee,thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. verses 75,76

Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. verse 114

Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. verse 140

We cried with friends and family as we spoke together on the telephone. I felt grief for them all, knowing how much they desired to be with us. This was our first realization of the journey we faced...alone, but with GOD at our side. My husband and I prayed together...

"LORD, we lay our lives before you. We trust your judgments and pray that through this trial, our lives will glorify you. We pray for lost souls we will meet. We pray for wisdom in raising our children, and especially our son Stephen. We ask for strength when we are weak, for courage when we fear, for faith to trust and not question why?"