Just getting back from Alaska and finally feeling like I'm on Alabama time!! Will post photos soon.
Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones!
Johnna
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Friends
Please keep my friends, Preston and Janelle Hite, in your prayers. They moved to China this summer for Preston to teach music and found out that they were expecting triplets. Janelle and their young son, Logan, came back to the states a few weeks ago so she could go on bed rest. Unexpectedly, Janelle went into labor on Friday night at 24 weeks and 4 days. Preston came home immediately but did not make it in time for the births of their babies.
Nathan - 1 lb. 9 oz; Owen - 1 lb. 6 oz; Amelia Marie - 1 lb. 6 oz.
Nathan and Owen are hanging in there but sadly Amelia Marie was just not strong enough to stay with her family. She is a sweet angel now and I know that Janelle and Preston's hearts must be broken.
Because of our experience this past year, my heart aches in a way I've never known each time I hear of someone who is going through the aftermath of loosing a child. Truthfully, I haven't seen Preston or Janelle in many years but I've followed their journeys via their blog recently and I know that they will need many many many prayers in the coming months.
Thank you all.
Love you,
Johnna
Nathan - 1 lb. 9 oz; Owen - 1 lb. 6 oz; Amelia Marie - 1 lb. 6 oz.
Nathan and Owen are hanging in there but sadly Amelia Marie was just not strong enough to stay with her family. She is a sweet angel now and I know that Janelle and Preston's hearts must be broken.
Because of our experience this past year, my heart aches in a way I've never known each time I hear of someone who is going through the aftermath of loosing a child. Truthfully, I haven't seen Preston or Janelle in many years but I've followed their journeys via their blog recently and I know that they will need many many many prayers in the coming months.
Thank you all.
Love you,
Johnna
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Exciting News
Just a few weeks ago, Jeremy and I were asked to be the Shoals Area Ambassador Family for the 2010 March of Dimes March for Babies. This is a charity close to our hearts and we were so honored to be asked to help with their big fundraiser!!
Jeremy is doing his part to garner support from area businesses and institutions. He is so good at talking to people and telling our story so I'm thankful that God has placed this opportunity in our life!
It's a far-fetched wish but I hope that the MOD can continue to develop research and cures for birth defects like Lizzy Ann's. No parent should ever hear the news we heard on December 30, 2008 and the MOD is continuing to make developments in the treatment of birth defects while babies are in-utero so that can be changed for all families.
We are in the very beginning stages of this great event but we would like to ask for your prayers and support as we do what we feel is God's will for us as Lizzy Ann's parents. Every phone call we make or personal email we send in an effort to raise money for the MOD will be in honor of our precious girl. Her life on earth was brief but her legacy will be one that leads to starting healthy lives for thousands of other babies born in our area.
Other news....
Work. Work. Work. and a little more Work. This time of year is always busy for a band director and Jeremy stays busy with his classes, committee work, consultant status and research. We are very thankful to have great jobs in this economy so we will NOT complain about working!! I was asked to teach a few lessons again at UNA (bassoon) so I'm excited about that starting up next week. After Christmas 2008, I really didn't play my bassoon at all until a few weeks ago. That's the absolute longest I've ever put it down but I needed that time to just not think about music. Happy to get back to playing and performing.
We are taking a break in November to go to Alaska. Our friends, the Lynch's, moved there in July and we wanted to go visit them and see the beautiful Alaskan scenery. I am slightly concerned about the weather while we will be there because I'm pretty cold-natured and I may turn into a popsicle while I'm there!! I've researched heated underwear but it would be my luck to get a short it my shorts while out skiing or something. I did purchase a few hats, gloves and earmuffs at TJMaxx yesterday so maybe I'll be warm-enough!
One more soapbox.... :)
For a long time now, I've been conscious about removing a word from my vocabulary that is now common vernacular for silly, stupid, dumb, funny, etc... and it's the r-word (i.e. "retard" or "retarded"). I've listened to students say if for too long and over the past few years I've outlawed it in my presence. Today, I had a student bust out with the r-word in the middle of a class and I was SHOCKED at the number of kids that just didn't care that it was an inappropriate term. So now, I'm on the warpath to ELIMINATE this word from the vocabulary of the students at my school. I pledged my support to "Spreading the Word to End the Word" at www.r-word.org and I would ask you to do the same.
I want to encourage EVERYONE to stop using the r-word and replace it with intellectual disability if you are referring to a person and if you are using the r-word as a demeaning, deragatory or mis-guided joke then STOP using it.
Stepping down off soap box......
Thank you for continuing to read. Love you all.
-Johnna
Jeremy is doing his part to garner support from area businesses and institutions. He is so good at talking to people and telling our story so I'm thankful that God has placed this opportunity in our life!
It's a far-fetched wish but I hope that the MOD can continue to develop research and cures for birth defects like Lizzy Ann's. No parent should ever hear the news we heard on December 30, 2008 and the MOD is continuing to make developments in the treatment of birth defects while babies are in-utero so that can be changed for all families.
We are in the very beginning stages of this great event but we would like to ask for your prayers and support as we do what we feel is God's will for us as Lizzy Ann's parents. Every phone call we make or personal email we send in an effort to raise money for the MOD will be in honor of our precious girl. Her life on earth was brief but her legacy will be one that leads to starting healthy lives for thousands of other babies born in our area.
Other news....
Work. Work. Work. and a little more Work. This time of year is always busy for a band director and Jeremy stays busy with his classes, committee work, consultant status and research. We are very thankful to have great jobs in this economy so we will NOT complain about working!! I was asked to teach a few lessons again at UNA (bassoon) so I'm excited about that starting up next week. After Christmas 2008, I really didn't play my bassoon at all until a few weeks ago. That's the absolute longest I've ever put it down but I needed that time to just not think about music. Happy to get back to playing and performing.
We are taking a break in November to go to Alaska. Our friends, the Lynch's, moved there in July and we wanted to go visit them and see the beautiful Alaskan scenery. I am slightly concerned about the weather while we will be there because I'm pretty cold-natured and I may turn into a popsicle while I'm there!! I've researched heated underwear but it would be my luck to get a short it my shorts while out skiing or something. I did purchase a few hats, gloves and earmuffs at TJMaxx yesterday so maybe I'll be warm-enough!
One more soapbox.... :)
For a long time now, I've been conscious about removing a word from my vocabulary that is now common vernacular for silly, stupid, dumb, funny, etc... and it's the r-word (i.e. "retard" or "retarded"). I've listened to students say if for too long and over the past few years I've outlawed it in my presence. Today, I had a student bust out with the r-word in the middle of a class and I was SHOCKED at the number of kids that just didn't care that it was an inappropriate term. So now, I'm on the warpath to ELIMINATE this word from the vocabulary of the students at my school. I pledged my support to "Spreading the Word to End the Word" at www.r-word.org and I would ask you to do the same.
I want to encourage EVERYONE to stop using the r-word and replace it with intellectual disability if you are referring to a person and if you are using the r-word as a demeaning, deragatory or mis-guided joke then STOP using it.
Stepping down off soap box......
Thank you for continuing to read. Love you all.
-Johnna
Sunday, October 4, 2009
In Heaven's Arms
In late June, my dear friend, Krista, sent me an email with a mp3 of a beautiful song called "In Heaven's Arms" by composer Eric Genuis. Krista is an amazing soprano that I became friends with while at UA. We were sisters in SAI and have remained in contact through the years.
I have selfishly kept this song to myself for the past few months and listen to it in the car almost everyday on my way to work. It's been my little private time with God and Lizzy Ann but I wanted to share not only Krista's beautiful voice (and sweet spirit) but the talent of Eric Genuis.
Mr. Genuis and his wife have lost 7 babies to various complications and his faith is apparent in these beautiful songs. Please visit his site and listen to his other works.
Thank you, Krista. Much love. -Johnna
I have selfishly kept this song to myself for the past few months and listen to it in the car almost everyday on my way to work. It's been my little private time with God and Lizzy Ann but I wanted to share not only Krista's beautiful voice (and sweet spirit) but the talent of Eric Genuis.
Mr. Genuis and his wife have lost 7 babies to various complications and his faith is apparent in these beautiful songs. Please visit his site and listen to his other works.
Thank you, Krista. Much love. -Johnna
Thursday, October 1, 2009
SCC
Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife lost one of their daughters in a freak accident this past year and he has written this beautiful song for his new album (due out November 3rd). She was 5 years old.
I cannot imagine loving a precious child and raising them only to have them taken home too early. This song is just beautiful. Have some tissues.
We love you all.
-Johnna
I cannot imagine loving a precious child and raising them only to have them taken home too early. This song is just beautiful. Have some tissues.
We love you all.
-Johnna
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Roses
A friend of mine just emailed me and the tag at the bottom of her email was...
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
I don't know how many times I've read that scripture over the past 8 months but in just the past few moments it hit me square in the face.
"For I know" - God knows his plan for us. We are not sure of it yet but in His time it will be revealed. And if we knew what this plan was, we naturally would want to change it!! He knows better than to trust us with such knowledge!
"the plans" - God is thinking BIG. He doesn't have just one little plan but has multiple plans for our lives and will allow them to unfold.
"I have for you" - He has specially formed these plans to fit us perfectly. We may only see glimpses of the greatness He has in store for our lives but God knows the awesomeness of His master design.
"declares the LORD" - whispers the Lord... No. says the Lord... No. DECLARES the Lord. Emphatic and authoritative.
"plans to prosper you" - He will give us the desires of our heart if those are truly of Him. These are our joys, our dreams, our miracles.
"and not to harm you" - The quote "What doesn't kill you will make you stronger" comes to mind. We may go through times that may make death appealing but God's love for us is so powerful that he will deliver us from those dark days if we allow Him.
"plans to give you hope" - Our hope is in knowing that God's plan is real and defined.
"and a future." - God's plan for us is eternal and that future is brighter than any we could make for ourselves here on Earth. But His plan for us in our earthly existence allows us to think of the future that will be filled with His blessings.
God's plan for me is unclear. I'm really confused about many things in my life right now but I know that His plans have already been set in motion for my future. I will find hope in this.
My mom's oldest sister, Aunt Nina, pulled me aside at my cousin Walter's birthday party a few weeks ago to talk for a few minutes. She too lost infant children (4 to be exact) and understands many of my emotions now. She told me what my grandmother (Becky) told her when she was trying to understand why this was happening to her and her babies. My grandmother said "When you pick roses from your garden, you don't just pick all of the full bloom roses to put in your bouquet. You choose a few new little rosebuds as well to place in the bouquet. God is the same way. He chooses many older blooms for his bouquet but wants to have a few younger ones as well." My grandmother might not have had an extensive education but she was so wise. I like thinking of Lizzy Ann as a beautiful little pink rose in God's beautiful bouquet of lives. Small and sweet just like her precious life.
Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. We love you, we love you, we love you.
-Johnna
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
I don't know how many times I've read that scripture over the past 8 months but in just the past few moments it hit me square in the face.
"For I know" - God knows his plan for us. We are not sure of it yet but in His time it will be revealed. And if we knew what this plan was, we naturally would want to change it!! He knows better than to trust us with such knowledge!
"the plans" - God is thinking BIG. He doesn't have just one little plan but has multiple plans for our lives and will allow them to unfold.
"I have for you" - He has specially formed these plans to fit us perfectly. We may only see glimpses of the greatness He has in store for our lives but God knows the awesomeness of His master design.
"declares the LORD" - whispers the Lord... No. says the Lord... No. DECLARES the Lord. Emphatic and authoritative.
"plans to prosper you" - He will give us the desires of our heart if those are truly of Him. These are our joys, our dreams, our miracles.
"and not to harm you" - The quote "What doesn't kill you will make you stronger" comes to mind. We may go through times that may make death appealing but God's love for us is so powerful that he will deliver us from those dark days if we allow Him.
"plans to give you hope" - Our hope is in knowing that God's plan is real and defined.
"and a future." - God's plan for us is eternal and that future is brighter than any we could make for ourselves here on Earth. But His plan for us in our earthly existence allows us to think of the future that will be filled with His blessings.
God's plan for me is unclear. I'm really confused about many things in my life right now but I know that His plans have already been set in motion for my future. I will find hope in this.
My mom's oldest sister, Aunt Nina, pulled me aside at my cousin Walter's birthday party a few weeks ago to talk for a few minutes. She too lost infant children (4 to be exact) and understands many of my emotions now. She told me what my grandmother (Becky) told her when she was trying to understand why this was happening to her and her babies. My grandmother said "When you pick roses from your garden, you don't just pick all of the full bloom roses to put in your bouquet. You choose a few new little rosebuds as well to place in the bouquet. God is the same way. He chooses many older blooms for his bouquet but wants to have a few younger ones as well." My grandmother might not have had an extensive education but she was so wise. I like thinking of Lizzy Ann as a beautiful little pink rose in God's beautiful bouquet of lives. Small and sweet just like her precious life.
Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. We love you, we love you, we love you.
-Johnna
Monday, August 17, 2009
Wish List
I received the following "wish list" from a friend of our family who lost his adult daughter a few years ago. Thank you for sharing this with me and I hope by me passing this along others can find themselves more understood during a difficult loss.
I've altered the words so that it applies to Jeremy and I but you could insert your name and the name of your lost loved one if you choose to use this.
A Bereaved Parent's Wish List
1. I wish my Lizzy Ann had not died. I wish I had her back.
2. I wish you would not be afraid to speak about Lizzy Ann; or say her name. Lizzy Ann was very much alive in my womb and is very important to me. I need to hear that her short life was important to you as well.
3. Should I cry or get emotional when Lizzy Ann is discussed, it is not because you have hurt me. Lizzy Ann's death is the reason for my tears and talking about her allows me to share my grief. Thank you for being open enough to allow me to grieve in your presence.
4. Being a "bereaved parent" is not contagious; please do not shy away from me. I need you now more than ever.
5. I know that you pray and think of me often. I also know that Lizzy Ann's death hurts and pains you, too. I wish that you would let me know through a phone call, note, card or a big hug.
6. I wish you would not expect my grief to be over by now. These first few months have been extremely traumatic for me. I am working very hard to gain ground in recovery but please understand that my heart will never fully heal. I will always miss Lizzy Ann and will pray for the sweet day that I kiss her once again.
7. Grieving & hurting is part of the healing process. Please allow me to do so as needed and understand that "happiness" is a foreign word at this time. I may smile, laugh or even show my old self at times but know that this is the facade I have to have up in order to function in the world.
8. The reactions to the grief I am experiencing are normal and include anger, forgetfulness, depression, hopelessness and overwhelming sadness. Please forgive me when I am quiet, withdraw, irritable or "out of sorts."
9. When you ask me "How are you doing?" please know that my standard answer is "I'm doing okay." That unfortunately is not the case every day. Not every day is good, not every day is even tolerable but I'm praying for God's strength everyday and know that days will be better.
10. This experience has changed me forever. When Lizzy Ann died, a part of me died with her that will not be returned to me until I meet her again in Heaven. I am not the same person and I am thankful to have been changed by her short, sweet, perfect life.
11. I am so thankful that my family and friends have lifted me up and carried me through many bad days. Even though you may not be able to relate to my grief (and I hope you never can relate), you have been loving and supportive throughout the journey.
Dear God,
I praise you for your love and peace that has covered and carried me through the storms. I thank you for your grace and perfect plan for my life.
Thank you for Elizabeth Ann and her perfect life. She may not be an angel in the biblical sense but her little life has changed mine in a way I did not think was possible. Thank you for keeping her in your presence until I can hold her again.
Thank you for sending your precious Son to die for me so that I can spend my eternity with you. I love you, I love you, I love you.
-Johnna
I've altered the words so that it applies to Jeremy and I but you could insert your name and the name of your lost loved one if you choose to use this.
A Bereaved Parent's Wish List
1. I wish my Lizzy Ann had not died. I wish I had her back.
2. I wish you would not be afraid to speak about Lizzy Ann; or say her name. Lizzy Ann was very much alive in my womb and is very important to me. I need to hear that her short life was important to you as well.
3. Should I cry or get emotional when Lizzy Ann is discussed, it is not because you have hurt me. Lizzy Ann's death is the reason for my tears and talking about her allows me to share my grief. Thank you for being open enough to allow me to grieve in your presence.
4. Being a "bereaved parent" is not contagious; please do not shy away from me. I need you now more than ever.
5. I know that you pray and think of me often. I also know that Lizzy Ann's death hurts and pains you, too. I wish that you would let me know through a phone call, note, card or a big hug.
6. I wish you would not expect my grief to be over by now. These first few months have been extremely traumatic for me. I am working very hard to gain ground in recovery but please understand that my heart will never fully heal. I will always miss Lizzy Ann and will pray for the sweet day that I kiss her once again.
7. Grieving & hurting is part of the healing process. Please allow me to do so as needed and understand that "happiness" is a foreign word at this time. I may smile, laugh or even show my old self at times but know that this is the facade I have to have up in order to function in the world.
8. The reactions to the grief I am experiencing are normal and include anger, forgetfulness, depression, hopelessness and overwhelming sadness. Please forgive me when I am quiet, withdraw, irritable or "out of sorts."
9. When you ask me "How are you doing?" please know that my standard answer is "I'm doing okay." That unfortunately is not the case every day. Not every day is good, not every day is even tolerable but I'm praying for God's strength everyday and know that days will be better.
10. This experience has changed me forever. When Lizzy Ann died, a part of me died with her that will not be returned to me until I meet her again in Heaven. I am not the same person and I am thankful to have been changed by her short, sweet, perfect life.
11. I am so thankful that my family and friends have lifted me up and carried me through many bad days. Even though you may not be able to relate to my grief (and I hope you never can relate), you have been loving and supportive throughout the journey.
Dear God,
I praise you for your love and peace that has covered and carried me through the storms. I thank you for your grace and perfect plan for my life.
Thank you for Elizabeth Ann and her perfect life. She may not be an angel in the biblical sense but her little life has changed mine in a way I did not think was possible. Thank you for keeping her in your presence until I can hold her again.
Thank you for sending your precious Son to die for me so that I can spend my eternity with you. I love you, I love you, I love you.
-Johnna
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