Jed's Birthday

Yesterday, May 9th, marked Jed's entry into this world 25 years ago. To celebrate, as we
have done in years past, we anchored a balloon (star-shaped, of course) in his memory
garden;

and went out for pizza, along with the new Mr. and Mrs. Ducker. B)

In all this, I was reminded that where Jed is now, in the presence of God, there is no such

thing as growing old and wearing out; and that is certainly something to give praise for, and

look forward to!

PS: You may have noticed, but I, Nathan, will be assuming the upkeep of both this and the

"Star Hill" blog from now on, since Sunny has flown the coop!

It is Not Death to Die

This is a wonderful song that tells of the hope we have in Christ when a loved one goes into eternity before us. Nathan and I performed this the Sunday before Jed's 10th death anniversary and Blane Jr. recorded and edited it for us today!

Read the words as you listen:

VERSE 1 It is not death to die

To leave this weary road

And join the saints who dwell on high 

Who’ve found their home with God

It is not death to close

The eyes long dimmed by tears

And wake in joy before Your throne 

Delivered from our fears

CHORUS 

O Jesus, conquering the grave

Your precious blood has power to save 

Those who trust in You

Will in Your mercy find

That it is not death to die

VERSE 2 

It is not death to fling 

Aside this earthly dust

And rise with strong and noble wing 

To live among the just

It is not death to hear

The key unlock the door

That sets us free from mortal years 

To praise You evermore

Praise to the Lord that death is not the end!

Ten Long Years...

Today, Tuesday, September 25th, 2012, is 10 years since my brother Jed left this life and began to truly live, on the other side of eternity.

Somehow it seems like a lifetime ago, but in another way, it could've been yesterday. I still don't understand why Jed only had 14 years and it's hard. But, I know God is good and I learn more and more each day to rest in His sovereign plan. I know I'll see Jed when I leave here and go where he is and then we'll have eternity to spend enjoying each other in perfect joy and happiness!

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment."

Revelation 21:1-6 ESV

And now, enjoy some pictures!

Sweet, sweet Jed.

Also, I rediscovered these pictures of when we first began work on Jed's Memory Garden. It is incredible!

That was then...this is more recent.

And here is a new project in progress. An outdoor eating/living space.

And for this anniversary, we got a rabbit statue...

and three fish!

Happy 24th Birthday Jed!

Well, here it is, another birthday for Jed. He loved his birthday parties. His favorite people gathered 'round, cake and goodies to eat, and presents to be opened. (he loved to tear paper!)

These are pictures from Jed's 13th birthday, the last one in Florida. The guests were Ema and Epa (my dad's parents, Lonnie and JoAnne (next door neighbors), Peggy and Karen (mom's sisters) and Jamie (Jed's crazy friend and co-adventurer).

 Lonnie always cracked Jed up!

 He was a funny man!

 Epa and Jed. I don't think Jed could stop grinning!

Jamie got Jed some sunglasses...I think he liked them : )

Loved pulling off the bows!

Lonnie and JoAnne brought the cake. Chocolate, Jed's favorite, and garnet and gold for the FSU Seminoles.

It was such a fun time...we will all be so happy when we can celebrate with him again one day!

9th Anniversary and a Story

Two days ago marked the 9th Anniversary of Jed's death. Can any of you believe that much time has gone by? In one sense it seems like a lifetime, but in another, like yesterday.

There is very much still an ache in our hearts from having to be separated from him, but God is good.

I was thinking about what to say in this post and remembered this story...

   One Sunday at church, the children had gathered for their time of singing before Sunday school classes started. Jed was in there along with all the others, as well as a very special woman named Rose, who was Jed's teacher.
   Rose looked over at Jed at one point and realized he was crying. So she took him out of the room to see what was the matter. She asked him if he was uncomfortable or in pain, he said no. She then asked if it was the song they had been singing. (I believe that question was prompted by the Holy Spirit) He said yes. The song they had been singing was "God Answers Prayer". She then asked him if he felt like God didn't answer his prayers. He said yes.
   Rose then went on to explain that God does answer prayer, but that a lot of times He doesn't say "Yes". Sometimes He has to say "No" or "Wait".
   We appreciated so much how Rose first saw that Jed needed to talk and then she took his concerns seriously and took time to help him understand. I think that conversation had quite an affect on Jed through the rest of his life.

Scroll down a little to read the story about his lawn care business...

Jed's Birthday 'gifts'

We always like to get something to go in Jed's garden to remember his birthday and the day he left this earth.

For this birthday, we got a vine for one of our arbors, called Akebia, and a decorative rock.

We have another Akebia vine on our other arbor and it is very healthy!

Happy Birthday Jed!

Jed's birth to homecoming

Happy Birthday Jed! You would be 23 today. Ah, I can't believe it.

We miss you so much, but I know we won't be apart forever : )

This post is in honor of your Day.

______________________________________________________________

  When I was 3 years old my parents found out I was going to have a baby brother or sister. 

I knew it was going to be my brother and his name would be Jed. I remember saying that, and I have a recording of myself saying so. I was very excited. My parents, of course, were too.

    His due date was 8-8-88. August 8th, 1988. I would be 3 1/2 by the time he got here. Old enough to be a part of it and old enough remember when he came. Little did we know that he would come over three months before his due date.

 *

    Mom went in to full blown labor on May 9th at 27 weeks and they had to do an emergency C-section. He was born healthy, but too, too soon. The technologies of the day just weren't able to help him in the way they can help preemies now. We know of 24- and 25-weekers who are doing amazingly well.

*

    His lungs were underdeveloped, not ready to breathe air yet. His skin was transparent, not ready to be exposed to light, air, or touch. He was 2 pounds 8 ounces. But, God had seen to it that he was fearfully and wonderfully made. Even though he got off to such a rough start, his amazing little body was able to live, and begin to function.

*

This is such a classic picture. My mom checking out the chart to see what his stats are like, how his day has gone, if he has gained weight, and me being Sunny.

To me this was normal. I didn't know that most babies were brought home from the hospital the next day. It was just another visit to see my brother, washing my hands with those sponges with the brush on one side, and putting on hospital gowns. Seeing the tubes, hearing the sounds, not realizing the battle my baby brother was fighting.

Precious sisters! Always there for each other.

Off the ventilator after several months.

What a goofy grin...anyways, this cake was made by my Mom's mom, Guh,  to celebrate Jed's homecoming.

Welcome home Jed!

* The earliest pictures of Jed were made on Polaroids which I knew would not turn out well. So unfortunately, these will have to suffice. He did not look so good as that when he was newborn.