A couple of weeks ago, our Church, Ocean Hills Covenant Church, asked us if we were willing to be interviewed about Drake's story. As the pastors were planning for the message on Easter Sunday they decided the theme for this year's Easter service would be, "When it looks like death has won." They felt that our journey with Drake was an example of what it is like to walk with God, "When it looks like death has won." After prayerful consideration, we said yes. We were honored that they would even consider our story worthy of being featured on Easter Sunday. This would mean that hundreds of people would be hearing about our little boy's life... Wow.
Jon and I were both anxious about the filming process. We didn't know how we would react emotionally. I still cry at church EVERY Sunday, so I sort of expected to have a melt down. Our Pastors were very reassuring and respectful- if this was too hard, we could stop filming, take a break, or just say no. SOMEHOW, we pulled this off! Again, we are blown away by how God shows up to be with us and speak through us, so this story can be heard. Also, as we are continuing to grieve, we are getting to the point where we can hold it together a bit more emotionally, especially if we are prepared.
That doesn't mean it isn't still painful. Let me share with you the text from the sermon before they played this video at Church. Quoting Pastor Jon Ireland;
"The good news of Easter is that Jesus Christ, who overcame death, can overcome anything. What does anything mean? It means anything! He can overcome anything that you are facing. He wants to live in you and through you. He wants to change the way you think, he wants to change the perspective about your suffering- about the way you are facing pain and heart ache.And he can make all the difference in your life. when it seems like death has won.
We have a story that we are going to share with you and let you watch on video. It's Jon and Stacy's story. They are a young couple in our Church. You're going to see the difference that the risen Christ has made it their lives. It's not there is not pain. In their story there is a lot of pain, there is a lot of heart ache. But Christ is making all the difference in the midst of their darkness."
So , the point of this video is not to show a "Happy Ending". On Sunday, Pastor Laurie put it well when she explained, "God didn't rescue Jon and Stacy from their grief, but he did show up to walk along side them." That was a good reminder for us, as we sat their and watched our own story.....
Please feel free to pass on this short video documenting Drake's Journey. God used Drake to impact our faith in a profound way. We are happy to share it with anyone else who might need to see some light in the midst of struggle and heart ache. You can share it through this blog- or directly through You Tube @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NTqwx_Ss8Y&list=UUte1PO__BpP4NUWUutpRnRQ&index=4&feature=plcp
(Also, props to the amazing W.Ashley Maddox who created this film!)
12 comments:
It's really beautiful.
Very beautiful and touching. God is using both of you and sweet Drake in so may ways. God bless you both!
Thank you for your story and how God has used all of this in your lives. May God continue to bless you through everything that happens in your lives.
Wow, I just saw this because a friend who posted it on FB. It brings back so many of my personal memories. I'm so impressed with your strength and grace, this happened so recently and you two have such amazing faith. I dont know how people can go through something like this without God, I would have lot my mind. t's almost been 2 year for us (April 14th) since we lost our little boy in a triplet pregnancy. My water broke at only 13 weeks. So either I would go into labor and loss them all, get infected and have to be delivered or by some miracle make it to viability (11 more weeks) so that my 2 other babies had a fighting chance. We knew that Nathan had a 5% chance of survival if he made it to delivery. I remember always wondering if he would still be alive, holding my breath at every ultrasound until they found three heartbeats, crying when I had yet another complication and thinking this could be the day we loss them all. Knowing that if Nathan passed away, Noah (his identical brother) had a 75% cance of passing also. I remember being in bed around Easter thinking, God gave up his son for us, if He asked me to do the same, can I do it for Him? I felt this strange sense of peace and hope knowing that if God asked me to give up my precious boy somehow we would get through because He did it for us and knows how it feels. My little miracles were born a week after Easter at around 1.5 pounds each. Nathan, Noah and Amelia. Nathan only lived a short time since he didn't have lungs because of the lack of fluid for so long. We prayed and prayed for miracles, God answered so many of them, but chose not to answer all of them, we are so greatful for our 2 little miracles who survived because God let Nathan's hang on long enough to give them a chance. No a day goes by that I don't think about my Nathan and what life would be like with him here. I'm so thankful also tha t God let us meet him, even for a short time and that he is in a better place now. Celebrating Easter with our Lord and Savior, what a party that must be. I will be praying for you and your family as this isn't an easy road to travel, but it does get bearable with Christ. One of my new favorite songs recently is "He Said" feat. Chris August. I pray God continues to give you all strength and grace to continue to use this for His great plan. Blessings
You don't know me but I know Linnea Bergstrom and she gave me the link for your video. We lost our son three weeks ago after having an hour with him. He had Anencephaly and we knew he wouldn't live but were blessed with the hour we did have. Your strength is amazing and I have the same thoughts that you expressed in video. It's never anything that we hoped for but we have been blessed. Know that your Drake has a friend named Noah Christopher up in heaven with him.
We love you guys so much.
Amen!
I continue to stand in awe. Your story is an amazing testimony. Thanks for sharing it with all of us.
Jon and Stacy, thank you for trusting God. He is being glorified by you. He is faithful. You continue to be in my prayers.
Oh wow - I've been following your story via our friends on facebook, and hearing how you have been held together and made stronger is a blessing. I am so sorry for your loss, and I am heartened by your openness and your ability to see miracles during what must have been some of the worst times of your life. Thanks so much for sharing, and may God continue to bless and heal you!
Your faith continues to amaze me. Thanks for sharing this video.
Words cannot even express how much I am inspired by your faith. Thank you for letting God speak so beautifully through the both of you. You are often in my prayers!
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