Sunday, January 4

A Routine

It has been 6 days now since this whirlwind has begun. Monday we try to start our daily routines again; get the girls on the bus, plan the work schedule for the day, etc. The reality of this day coming, breaks our hearts again, because there are a couple of routines going to be missing; waking up to a dirty diaper, putting a car seat in the truck to get groceries, etc. We cling to the words the girls wrote to baby brother "I love You. You are special." Its is the simple ways of a child that keep us grounded. In the midst of the pain, we rejoice in the testimonies of how Baby Todd touched so many people. The relationships brought back together, the closure to pain of many years, the assurance of not being alone, the list goes on. We want to thank everyone for all the support and prayers. The next days/weeks/months are going to be hard yet rewarding just like the last month. Jerri and I continue to pray for strength and give God praise for He is Good.

8 comments:

annie and jared said...

We pray that God will help you all through this day of your 'normal' routine. Although, it will be anything but NORMAL. I pray that you all will go on through your day talking about God and His gift of Todd! And through that, the Lord will be greatly honored & praised! So many of us hang on to the words the Lord has given you to pass on to us! We have all been so blessed by your family and have seen God's blessing on your lives!! Thank you again, words can't describe the appreciation we have for you! May God continue to carry and hold you through!! Much love and prayers, jared and annie kuhns

Anonymous said...

May God fill your empty arms with His love and mercy.

Aunt Hannah

The Amstutz Family said...

We are thinking of you guys today and praying that God will give you strength as you find yourselves back into a different yet familiar daily routine. You guys are never far from our hearts and prayers.

Anonymous said...

Again from Aunt Hannah,

My supervisor's wife, a former neonatal nurse who was also the infant bereavement nurse for the hospital where she worked, told me about "empty arms syndrome" which I googled. There was a site entitled "The Heavy Burden of Empty Arms". This mother also had a baby boy with HLHS and another defect so he lived less than a day.
The family is Christian and she has 8 other children pictured on a tractor.
You may find her blog of interest someday if you haven't already come across it.
Perhaps the hospital has given you information to refer to also.

Anonymous said...

God is good, all the time. All the time God is good. You have taught me this saying that is now part of my daily routine when things don't go as I want them to. I have been more able to "Let go and let God" come into my life. Thanks be to God for you and Baby Brother's life and legacy.

Love always,
Jean Squires

Anonymous said...

You are in my thoughts & prayers today. I pray that Jesus will continue to fill the emptiness in your arms and give you strength to walk one day at a time. May you know His grace and love today. Hold tightly to His hand as you walk through memories and are reminded of the could-be dirty diapers & car seat rides.

With love,
Rosanne

Anonymous said...

Dustin and Jerri,

I pray for you today that you will feel God's love wrapped around you as you try and go back to the "norm". THere will always be an empty void in your heart but you also know that Todd has no pain and suffering and has a beautiful heart and he can't come back to us but we can go to him. My heart just breaks but yet is strengthen as I look at you both and see the faithfullness that you both have and the strength to go yet another day. I pray for comfort and to know that you have us to lean on as our babies are probably playing together.

Love you both,
april french

Salt said...

Press on in Christ's grace!! Just wanted to let you know that Annie just told me about you all. What an incredible encouragement to see you walk the road that Jesus has laid before you and that you willingly invite others to watch and hear your testimony as you go through each day. Wow! Just so you know, it is a joy as well as a challenge to watch you lean on God's sufficiency. I'll be praying for you and checking the blog. May God continue to bless you each day as you rely on Him for the necessary guidence, wisdom, and strength for each day!
Blessings, Kelly Zell