Friday, September 21, 2012

September 21, Welcome to Heaven!

Of course I will elaborate one of these days. This morning, I can't.  Vivian was welcomed into Heaven at 5:13 this morning.  We had over 10 hours to cherish her and say good-bye. 

36 comments:

  1. Dear Dunlap and Lee's families,
    I have no words. Viv changed the world in a real way and we all got an opportunity to know a saint on Earth. We will continue our prayers for you in these upcoming days. Know God is with you and so is your Christ-family on Earth.
    We love you all,
    The John and Suzanne Hart Family

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  2. Sorry for your tremendous loss of life time on earth. But praises for your gain of an angel in heaven. Many prayers for you to day dear.

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  3. We love you--no words can describe how heavy our hearts feel right now. We pray God's loving embrace consoles you. We love you and will do anything you need. I know heaven is dancing with their littlest angel in the center of it all.

    Love, Uncle Dan and Aunt Deb

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  4. No words can express our thoughts at the loss of a loved one. Vivian had 59 days with the most loving family on earth and now she is with her heavenly family. Jesus welcomed her with open arms. She will be the most beautiful little angel watching down on you and your family.
    Love,
    Mr. Gary and Miss Jeannie

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  5. Vivian has been a miracle to all of us. Her short time on earth enriched all our lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

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  6. My heart is broken for all of you! I am so glad you had time to get to know and love your little angel. I pray for you and your family that God will see you through all the days ahead.
    Love always, The Stegmuller Family

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  7. Maria, I have been following your and Vivian's journey through your blog and updates Megan shared with me. Heaven has gotten a beautiful angel and will always be with you. You, Rod and your families are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Laurie

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  8. Maria and Rod, my heart and prayers are with you. Your little angel in heaven knows that she has amazing parents who love and cherish her. You are an example for us all and you both just truly amaze me. Vivian, I am sure, is anticipating the day she gets to see you in heaven. She will always be in the minds and hearts of us all!
    Much love,
    Brittany T-H

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    1. Rod & Maria you will be in my thoughts and prayers. I myself know the loss of a child and I am praying for your strength. I too have a guardian angel.

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  9. May God wrap you in comfort and love!

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  10. Lifting you and your family up in prayer. May you feel God's comforting arms around you. Sweet Vivi is wrapped in Jesus' arms. Prayers that God will give you strength during this time. Your story and Vivi's life has touched many and been an inspiration. I don't know you, but have been following your blog since Vivi's birth. Stay strong and know that you have many strangers and loved ones praying for you.

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  11. I'm so so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers.

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  12. Evelyn has a new angle watching over her and giving her the strength to overcome all her obstacles through her journey with HLHS. Thankyou for the chance to get to know Vivian over the last 59 days. She was loved by lots and will always be remembered. Please keep in touch. My email again is ambersmorgan3@gmail.com.

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  13. Our entire family is joining you in prayer for Baby Vivian. May you all have the strength to celebrate the joy she has been and the way she has brought so many people together.

    Much love and peace,
    Karen, Jim, Kelsey and Evan Day

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  14. Evelyn has a new angle watching over her and helping her through her journey with HLHS.Thankyou for the chance to get to know vivian over the past 59 days. She was loved by lots and will always be remembered. She has touched Alot of hearts. Please keep in touch my email again Is ambersmorgan3@gmail.com

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  15. Erin T. shared your blog with our Southern Catholic family, and I just started reading it yesterday. I wish I could've had more time to pray for you! I have been very touched by your story and your faith. With simply reading a few of your posts and looking at the photos of your strong girl, I feel very connected to your story and am crying for you. My son was 2 months premature and in the NICU for that long. People have looked at us and our own struggle and thought we were strong; but we really didn't have much to struggle with. Your story has humbled me and shown me how God does have a plan for our children, no matter how long they are in this world. Thank you for your strength! God is good. I love that you had the Magnificat on one blog b/c I have prayed that so much. It gives so much peace. I hope God continues to bless you and shower His love upon you. His will be done.

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  16. A prayer that I said for you and baby... Condolences and love.

    “O thou beloved maidservant of God, although the loss is indeed heart-breaking and beyond the limits of human endurance, yet one who knoweth and understandeth is assured that she hath not been lost but, rather, hath stepped from this world into another, and she will find him in the divine realm. That reunion shall be for eternity, while in this world separation is inevitable and bringeth with it a burning grief.

    Praise be unto God that thou hast faith, art turning thy face toward the everlasting Kingdom and believest in the existence of a heavenly world. Therefore be thou not disconsolate, do not languish, do not sigh, neither wail nor weep; for agitation and mourning deeply affect her soul in the divine realm.

    That beloved child addresseth thee from the hidden world: 'O thou kind Mother, thank divine Providence that I have been freed from a small and gloomy cage and, like the birds of the meadows, have soared to the divine world -- a world which is spacious, illumined, and ever gay and jubilant. Therefore, lament not, O Mother, and be not grieved; I am not of the lost, nor have I been obliterated and destroyed. I have shaken off the mortal form and have raised my banner in this spiritual world. Following this separation is everlasting companionship. Thou shalt find me in the heaven of the Lord, immersed in an ocean of light.'”

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  17. I am humbled by your faith and love in Jesus Christ. I know He is whispering to you and Rod.. "well done, good and faithful servant"...He knows your pain and wont leave you during this intense time of loss and suffering. He has watched as you praised Him and loved Vivian all the days she was here on earth. Beautiful Vivian....smiling on all of you and loving you. God Bless
    Teresa E. Jostworth

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  18. maria, you and Rod are an inspiration to all of us. Vivian blessed our lives and she will continue to bless our lives. You have an angle watching over you two in heaven, she will be looking over all of us, and she will be glad to see her memory live on. She is a lucky little girl to have had you guys with her every step of her journey. She is an inspiration. You are amazing, and as is Rod.
    We love you all. Thank you so much for sticking to your roots and not giving up. you have so much strength. you and rod both.

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  19. Maria, my heart is broken for you and Rod. Your strength and faith has been such an amazing thing to witness. We will continue to always keep your family in our prayers, you and Rod did such an incredible job preparing Vivian for heaven, what a lucky little girl.

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  20. I have Never met vivan, only seen precious pictures of the gorgeous little angel. In the short time that she was on this earth, she touched the hearts of many. She will never be forgotten. Prayers go out to the Dunlap and Lees family.

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  21. Maria,
    We understand completely what you and your family are going through now. Our daughter, Erin Matson Reder lost her baby boy, Adam James Reder May 5th of this year. He was born @23 weeks, and only lived a few short hours. Now Adam has another angel to be with him in heaven. You are all in our prayers.
    Mary & Jim Matson and family

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  22. Praying for all of you during this very difficult time!! My heart is so heavy today hearing this news!! Please know we will continue to pray for you and may God comfort you in a special way!! Vivian is now watching over you and will bring extra strength to you!! She truly touched my life!! Thank you for allowing all of us into your life during this difficult journey through your blog!! Always remember how many people are out there praying for you both!!! May God be with you in the coming days, months ahead

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  23. Maria, I know your sister in law, Maria, and so have been following your journey. I am so incredibly saddened and grieved to hear of this, but I also know that Heaven has gained a beautiful angel who will forever look down upon you and protect you and Rod. This life as we know it on earth, is so short, and try to find comfort in knowing that one day, you will be reunited again, in God's most perfect world. Love and prayers to you all.

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  24. Maria and Rod,
    I am so sorry for your loss of Vivian. May the peace of Christ which knows no end settle in your hearts and comfort you. Love and prayers.

    Chris Smith

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  25. I am so sorry for your loss.

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  26. Our deepest sympathies. You have given us all a lesson in true love and we are all better people and parents because of Vivian. She accomplished so much in her short time here that cannot ever be measured.
    Jeromy and Lisa

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  27. Dear Maria and Rod,
    We have been praying daily for all of you throughout this journey. Count on our prayers as you begin the next chapter. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Viv sure has left this world a better place!
    God bless you and bring you comfort!
    Love,
    The Goslees

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  28. Maria and Rod, my prayers for peace and comfort go out to you. Vivi was welcomed into Heaven by my 7 month old granddaughter Sophie! They're dancing in their new healed bodies! I check you blog everyday. My heart is heavy for you and knowing the painful walk you are on today. Your faith will get you through. My love to you all the way from Minnesota. Xo

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  29. Maria and Rod, over the last couple of months we have followed your blog and prayed for your little angel.
    No words can describe how much we admire your deep faith and the huge, loving hearts you guys have...We hope you find comfort and strength knowing that baby Vivian is now resting in the loving arms of God.
    May God bless you always and give you peace.

    Hugs

    The Lindsay family

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  30. Maria, words cannot express how sorry I am to hear this. I want you to know that you have been in my thoughts and prayers constantly today. I know you were praying for a miracle, and I hope you see that Vivian's life, the time she was on earth, and the way God used her to touch so many hearts... that is your miracle. You have completed your first mission as a mother - to bring your children to Heaven. I am entrusting you especially to Our Lady of Sorrows, and please know that I am praying for you and Rod. May God bless you!

    Nicole Stone

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  31. my prayers and thoughts are with you this day...thank you for sharing Vivian with us during this short time she had on earth.
    may you find loving peace,
    katie

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  32. I am so sorry for your loss. Thanks you for sharing Vivs life with us. I am a more faithful person after reading your blog. Your faith is such an inspiration. May god bless you and Rod. I will continue his prayers to bless you .

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  33. We are so very sorry for your loss of Baby Vivian. You have shown us such amazing faith and strength and we will continue to pray that God helps you through with His love and comfort. Such a wonderful journey of faith that you've allowed us to be a part of. God bless you and your family and Heaven's sweet little angel, Vivian.
    The Zipperer Family

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  34. Maria,
    We are so very sorry for the loss of your precious Vivian from this life. Thank you for sharing this journey of grace and love with so many. With prayers for God's healing grace,
    Jenny & Tom Baumgartner

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