Sunday, May 11, 2008

Celebration

We were just overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from so many people these past few days. So many of you came Thursday night to share our tears and many more on Friday to celebrate Luke's life. I will never forget the endless line of people behind us as we walked across the street to the cemetary. God filled us with peace that truly passes all understanding Friday as we said good-bye to the little body we knew here on earth. I felt God give me a glimpse of Luke in heaven and the excitement he will feel to show us his heavenly home someday. I shed many tears but had much laughter with our family who came to cry with us, laugh with us, help and comfort us. We will never be able to thank everyone enough. I hope someday to be able to give back to you a little of what has been given to us.

I have been so attached to this blog and look forward to your comments. I may have to blog more from time to time. It may help me feel closer to Luke. Please continue to share his story. We know his life had a purpose here on earth and his purpose has been fulfilled. I pray his life will continue reflect God's goodness and love.

14 comments:

girlmomx3 said...

Oh Precious Family~Luke's life was so meaningful to us. Your testimony and faith walk through his trials and ultimate victory have been so amazing to EVERYONE watching! The peace you now have can only be from God, a gracious and loving Heavenly Father.

One little victory for you, Kendall was baptized last night. Of course, her walk started long ago, but only recently, because of Luke, did she really begin to understand how big Our God is! We have been blessed to have been involved in praying for Luke and your incredible family! I can't wait to (really) meet you!

Blessings this Mother's Day,
Jane

Kristy said...

Oh, just reading this brings me to tears. I hope you know, that you have already given all of us more than anyone has given you - you have shared Luke's life with us, and shown us how to walk daily in faith, through the most painful and wonderful circumstances. And as you feel close to him by blogging, we feel the same way. For months, I'd log on each day praying for progress on Luke, and so excited when there was any bit of good news. It's hard to let go, even though we all know he's in the Best Place there is!
Have a special Mother's Day!

EricHStone said...

Eric and Susan, Hogan and Sydney
I challenge all of the bloggers and prayer warriors of this journey to post statements of how you came to know about Luke and the blog. Also a short statement on your spiritual journey expressed during Susan and Erics Journey with Luke, as the stories we have been hearing about so far are wonderful and healing.
god bless the little children,
Carissa Stone
sister of Eric Heim and Aunt to Hogan, Sydney and Luke

EricHStone said...

Brother, and family,
Continue to seek those around you for comfort and we will continue to love and comfort you as time moves forward. I can not express to you both, how thankful I am to Luke for his Servant Life as the pastor shared in the service which was beautiful despite the pain. Lukes ministry has brought me to a new level of faith I did not know I was capable of. I can not know how much you miss him. But, I can know how the loss is Victorious and definately a celebration. Each tear I have at moments I least expect are shed with joy and peace more than pure sadness, it is so hard to explain the pure Comfort that comes from submitting completely to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit on all levels of our lives. A I really loved seeing you all this weekend, I could not stop hugging you all, and felt so sad to leave on Sat. night. Gods Grace is going to continue to Shine on your family. I could not be more proud to be your big sister.
I love you all....
Carissa

Tammy Thomason said...

Your blog has been such a blessing to US! God has truly had His hand on you and this entire situation. We continue to pray for you guys and know that now, more than ever, He holds you in the palm of His hands. We love you!!

Karl, Tammy, Seth and Abby

Gloria Aultman said...

What a beautiful service for Luke. I think you already know that Luke and your family touched me in a way that made me stronger in my walk with God. I will always feel like a changed person because of this blog. You get so attached and I had such close feelings to every aspect of Luke's life. I share the story of Luke and his family with everyone I run into and will continue to do so. I am here if you need anything. Love gloria

Jennie said...

Happy Mother's Day!!
Susan you are an excellant example of a Godly mother. Your Faith,Strength and Love for God has been and is very clear. May God continue to give you peace and comfort in the days ahead.
I really don't know how to stop looking to the blog for updates.
Thank you again for allowing us to be a part of Luke's life.
See you guys soon!!

Anonymous said...

A challenge for bloggers to tell how they came to know Luke is a wonderful idea. My husband is Susan's first cousin. Their fathers are brothers. Time is challenging for us; we don't know how much we have with the ones we love. Our faith in God prevails and only our faith. Our prayers, blessings, love and deepest sympathies are with the entire family. Luke has brought so many people together. LOVE is such an important part of it.

girlmomx3 said...

I am a friend of Leslie Milder's and have met Christie Honeycutt through Leslie. Leslie knows "I am the prayin' kind" and asked me to pray for Luke and ya'll.

The 5 members of our family have accepted Christ as personal Savior and been baptized-our baby, Kendall who loved Luke's hands, was baptized just last night! We are very active in our terrific church, Lake Pointe Church, Rockwall, Texas.

I haven't had the pleasure and honor to meet (face to face) Susan yet, but hoping WHEN she comes to TX this summer--where I will promptly hug her neck--like we're old friends.

I have been blessed,
Jane

Mary said...

I thought of you this Sunday. Father Justin's sermon was amazingly powerful and timely. To par-phrase, he said that of all the millions of people in this world, and all the ministers of God, there may be someone who will only hear your voice. You are uniquely your own person; you have your own way of reaching people. How sad it would be if that person never knew God, because you never spoke. Thank you for speaking, I know that Luke and your family has touched the lives of many

Linda said...

Dear Family,
You have inspired us with your faith as you have shared Luke with us. We are all blessed by this experience as we grew to love Luke and pray with you. Thank you for the beautiful testimony that you have given us of how God's guiding presence in lives can enrich each journey, no matter how difficult. Your writing was truly inspired as you have inspired all of us. Thank you to each one of you for the blessing that you have given all of us. May God continue to hold you in His hands,
Love,
Linda, for Tony too

Anonymous said...

Dear Family -

I've not posted to your blog before, but have been following Luke's story after hearing about it from Team Victory (Bronie). Words cannot describe the emotions felt throughout our church
(Tennessee) as we've followed this journey. My prayers are with you all as you continue to heal. I can't wait to meet Luke one day. His fight (and now victory) has put a new perspective on my prayer life and that of my family. Thank you for sharing Luke's story. We are all blessed by it. --Vickie Jennings

Anonymous said...

Susan,

I have been amazed at how strong you have been through everything with Luke. It was really neat to see how you and Eric have remained strong for each other, and how Luke's struggles here on earth brought you both closer together. It was evident in the amount of time I spent with you two (sadly not nearly enough time) that your love for one another has never been stronger.

You have a wonderful family and Kids. Syd and Hogan were a joy to be around, and made me smile during the sad time of the funeral.

I hope you find ways to help people through the loss of infants. Maybe God is calling you to minister to woman that lose kids?

I am proud to be your friend.

Matt Denney and Family

Megan Pline said...

Hi Susan, I go to New hope and have been keeping up with your story. I just had to let you know what a blessing you and your family have been to me. I have been so blessed by your strength and love for the Lord. My grandmother has been going through a lot of health issues lately and we though we would lose her too. But hearing your story and seeing your strength and continued faith in the Lord has kept me faithful and has blessed my heart. So, thank you for sharing your story. And how blessed we are to have such faithful friends at New Hope.
In Christ's Love,
Megan Pline