Sweet friends, (Billy always says don't say "sweet," instead say "kind," because kindness is a fruit of the spirit, but oh well :)
I'm in awe of God. I am amazed at God's people. Never have I been so held up, prayed for, thought for, cared for, loved.....I am utterly humbled that God has equipped my family by his GRACE for such a time as this. I don't even know where to begin as my thoughts/emotions are all over the place. Your words of encouragement and prayers on our behalf are precious to me!! Thank you for walking this road with us, for coming alongside to love and pray and serve. The funeral was perfect, it was everything I wanted it to be. Hopefully, with some help I can post the slide show from the visitation and the little booklet about Alaina that was given out. I also want to get the songs on here that were sung.
"Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty
who was and is and is to come.
With all creation I sing, Praise to the risen king,
You are my everything, and I WILL adore you."
"You give and take away, you give and take away,
my heart WILL CHOOSE to say, Lord blessed be your name"
ok, right now playing on my computer is a song that I love, so I'll end with the chorus-
"Your blood, has washed away my sin, Jesus, Thank you,
the Father's wrath completely satisfied,
Jesus, Thank you,
Once your enemy, now seated at your table,
Jesus, Thank You!
17 comments:
The service was beautiful. Billy's words of truth and the testimonies were amazing! The slide show was so great...to have all those BEAUTIFUL pictures is such a treasure!
We are praying for you and your family, sweet (and kind :)) friend!!
hope, steven and i love you guys so much and we are so sad that alaina is gone. i have not stopped thinking about you since we heard. i have thought about how every time i have been around you, you have been so happy and joyful and laughing. everything was funny to you and i loved to be around you. being around you and billy always made me happy. i also was remembering the time we stayed with you in fairhope when holden was about 4 months old. then we came back later and i remember alaina crawling around on your back porch. i remember thinking what a great mother you were. i feel like i had gotten to know alaina through your writing and pictures. my heart is so heavy for you and i cannot begin to imagine what you are going through. i am encouraged by your words and your faith. and i am encouraged knowing that alaina is with Jesus and heaven is a much better place to be than here. we love you guys and are continuing to pray for you. know we are here for you.
Hope and Billy,
You are right, the funeral was perfect. Alaina's life was celebrated and our great Savior was glorified. I am sure He is looking down on you both with His arms stretched out saying, "Well done, my good and faithful children."
Hope, I am continuing to lift your fragile heart before our great God. I am especially praying for your nights and when you are alone with your thoughts. I am also praying for you and Billy and patience as you both will grieve so differently.
I am here, just a phone call away. And pretty soon, just a few miles away. Call me anytime, really, I mean that. Anytime.
We love you both and we love your precious daughter, Alaina. She will never be forgotten.
"You, Lord, are close to the broken hearted and save those who are crushed in spirit." (Ps.34:18)
The service was beautiful yesterday, Hope. Never have I cried as much or felt as sad, only to leave feeling encouraged with an even greater commitment to Christ and to my family. My entire church family here in Jackson is praying for you. Friends of mine that you will never know are praying, too. This will continue for many, many days to come. So many of us love you.
Dear Hope and Billy,
I am glad that you posted on here again. I am always glad to hear your "voice". The song was so beautiful that you put on here. We are so sorry that we couldn't be there for you guys. We really wish we could have been. Everyone in the neighborhood keeps asking about when Alaina's memorial service will be at your church here. So when you find out, will you let us know? We love you guys and also continue to pray for your family. If you need anything, please call us.
Hope, if anything could be perfect in this life it was yesterdays service for Alaina! It was beatiful and I was so moved by God's grace and love as I watched you, Billy and your family worship God during this hard time. Holden smiled all during the service....it was so sweet to watch. We love you and want to be with you again soon!! I'm so glad I got to be around Alaina the last few weeks!!Her and Merri B. dressing up and wearing their bathing suits...precious memories!
Love you guys, Lucy and Jason
i came across your blog from janessa...peace be with you.
I have a 1 year old daughter, I gave her an extra big hug in memory of your daighter last night thanks for sharing your story!
~~Chelsey
Sweet Hope
Thinking and praying for you all day. I wish I could have stayed longer. My heart is breaking as I just want to hug my friend, for that and prayer is all I know to do. I have never worshiped as I did yesterday. The faith of Billy and you is a testimony to us all. I love you friend...Lori
you are so right Hope, yesterday was perfect and I feel so much as though we celebrated Alaina's life and glorified God in the process. My prayers continue for you as you take your first steps forward into this new place that the Lord is taking you. I will see you soon.
hope or billy - logistically speaking, john said that if you need his help he will get the slideshow on the blog for you. Just email me at amyjanecook at gmail dot com.
Hope I kept thinking that today was Monday because I felt like I had been to church service at Alaina's funeral. The praise and worship of the saints was amazing.Thanks for updating.It is refreshing to hear from you. Love you guys.
Hope and Billy-Ed and I thought and prayed for you guys all day yesterday. We are so very sorry we couldn't be at the funeral, but it sounds like you have been wrapped in God's love and the love of all your family and friends. I heard the service was beautiful, just like Alaina. We are still praying for you. We love your family!
The Shahady Family
Hope and Billy- I wish I could jump through this computer screen and give you all a big hug! I wish I could've have been there yesterday, but please know you were in my thoughts and prayers. You are such a picture of grace and strength-and in that, your lives are even more a testimony of how great and how perfect our God is. May He continue to comfort you and give you peace. I love ya'll dearly.
Carrie
Hope, we attend Carlton and Aimee's church. My husband and I have been praying for you since we learned about little Alaina and we will continue to lift you up to our Lord and Savior who is being glorified by your sweet daughter's life and death.
Michael and Jennifer Henry
Dearet Hope and Family,
I am in tears as I read your blog. I found out through Lisa West aobut this trying time in your life. I am deeply sadend to hear this. My thoughts and prayers are with you. You are a blessing and one of the greatest people I know. I know I did not get to talk with you at Parkview often but when we did it always was a delight. I am praying for you and your family.
Lisa Carter
Scott and Brianna Carter's Mom from Parkview
Dear Hope and Billy,
We heard about your little girl. We are so sad for yall. I told our church and choir,and s.s. class. We are all praying for you and the other family members. We are Stevens S. Mom and Dad. May the Peace of our Father in Heaven hold you all together, with His Love and Grace ,at this time and days and years to come.
When you think you are going under ask God to part the waters. HE will be there,as He is now. Our prayers are with yall!!!!!!!!!!
Mrs. Dianne salter
Billy,
I shared words with Terry Watkins today at her eye exam with me and we spoke fondly of God's grace and His provision in your life. Brother, I love you... words can't tell you how much. And I miss my time with you. You are closer than a brother to me and I hurt with you. Know that Melanie and I are lifting you up daily.
I know that your lives are in such a transition. Stories of your faith are traveling throughout many circles here in Troy and people who don't even know you are touched and lives are being changed from a distance. Stay at it man - I can't wait to get my arms around you.
Love,
Bone
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