Merry Christmas to my blogger friends, please feel free to print this card.

To some of you...your cards are in the mail so maybe

hold off for a bit over a week (holiday snail mail)

Safe in the arms of Jesus, Safe on His gentle breast

A dear niece sent me the name of the book mentioned in the post below

"Holding on to Hope"

as I researched it I found this daily devotional as well.

For more info on Nancy Guthrie check out this website.

http://www.nancyguthrie.com/

About joy and sorrow . . .



To experience sorrow does not eliminate joy. In fact, I've come to think that sorrow actually deepens our capacity for joy—that as our lows are lower, so are our highs higher. Deep sorrow expands our ability to feel deeply. We feel sadder than we ever knew we could, sadder than we think we can survive. But our sorrow prepares us to experience a more satisfying and solid joy than we've ever known before. When joy surfaces, it allows us to see that deep beneath the chaos and catastrophe is the strong current of confidence that we can be content in the sovereign hands of God.


About the purpose of pain . . .



God uses the physical pain that does not subside, the relational pain that puts us on edge, the emotional pain that brings us to tears, to get our attention and to turn our attention toward him. When pain invades the busyness of our routine existence, it insists that we reexamine our assumptions and reevaluate our appetites and affections, doesn't it? Pain often affords us—or imposes on us—time for reflection. If we will accept it, pain can give us the gift of reconnection with God, a fresh intimacy with him, a passionate nearness to him. Pain brings us to our knees. We begin with prayers for our pain to be removed. And as he works in us, our prayers change so that we begin to ask that the pain will be redeemed.

Holding on to Hope By Nancy Guthrie

Q. What is the most important message you want this book to give to people who are hurting?

A. Instead of urging them to pray away their suffering, I want to encourage them to look for God in the midst of it. If God has allowed suffering into your life, it is for a significant purpose. So rather than just focusing on getting rid of it, seek to discover God’s purpose in your pain, to submit to his plan and his purpose, to please him in how you respond to adversity. You have an incredible opportunity to glorify God just by your simple trust in him during these dark days. He will bring you from the darkness into the light, so look for him in the darkness.

One Week in Heaven

It is hard to believe that a whole week has gone by since our grand baby Noah went to live with Jesus...oh how glad I am that we have faith that we WILL see him again!

Life continues on and the focus has been to be of help to Jolene & Hank when they need it.
Hank has his own business and has been back to work a few hours a day.
Jo told me that she had done 4 loads of laundry and the dishes yesterday!
I told her that is what I am at home for, but she wants to do something. Most Moms are so busy with a newborn that they cannot think of doing anything else but she has to much quiet time on her hands.

Please continue to pray for both Hank and Jolene.
What an amazing prayer group we have surrounding them! So many people/Bible Study groups have told them or us that they are praying!

Please pray for me as well, I have a husband and another child at home that have been an amazing help to me and they need me just as much.
I need to learn how to share my focus on Vikk and Dave as well.

Thank you so very much.
When you need us to pray for you all...let us know!

Pictures

To see pictures of my beautiful grandson Noah,
check our Noah's Mommy's blog on my sidebar!

Specific Prayer Requests

Jo had a bad experience with her epidural and that has left great anxiety, she is afraid to fall asleep. Please pray that the Peace of God would surround her and Hank that they can get some much needed sleep.

The funeral is today, please pray for physical strength for Jolene, she hurt her leg during delivery and has a difficult time with walking.

Pray for Hank, I cannot even imagine what his emotions must be like having to watch Jolene labour and give birth and then not be able to take Noah home.

Pray for sensitivity of family and friends...we do mess up and say the wrong things sometimes. Help us to know when silence is the best option.

Pray for family driving out in the bad weather.

For Pastor Rob.

Noah Gabriel Wall

It is with great joy and sorrow that we announce

the birth of our first Grandson, Noah Gabriel

He was born Friday, December 12th at 3:35 am

He took his first breath in Heaven

Our little guy was a whopping 7 lbs 14.5 oz 19 in long!

Mommy & Daddy are resting.

Considering that they had to give him back to Jesus a few minutes before he was delivered,
we think they are doing okay.


Thank you to all of you for your prayers. Please do not stop.

Memorial service TBA

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Noah's Christmas booties.

Life...

So... this is a long mostly picture post.

We went to Lethbridge, Alberta in October for Vic & Marianne's wedding.

Here are the girls geting ready!

Vic & Marianne Friesen

Dave and his brother John, Vic's Dad

Enjoying family, friends and Rumoli!

Sisters...

Nana & Papa Friesen spending quality

time with Noah while we can!

November 16th

I think that is the earliest that our tree has gone up!

The guys version of tree decorating...

untill they start to see empty spots!






Dave & Verna





Hank & Jolene and Noah

Victoria & Christopher




Jolene at 40 weeks pregnant, wow, you look amazing!

Nana-in-waiting!

Dave, checking the Canadian Tire flyer!

How Great Thou Art

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q8ESzK5pCw

Congratulations to the cast of Little Women.

Thank you for bringing back a piece of my childhood!

A job well done!!!

Go Abe!!

For the Lord your God is living among you.

He is a mighty Savior.

He will take delight in you with gladness.

With His love, He will calm all your fears.

He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

Zephaniah 3:17

Blessing Shower

I want to thank all of you who made it to the shower

and to all of those that could not make it, for their prayers and support.

The turnout was more than I had dreamed!

Jolene was Blessed with songs, poems, memory making items,

a spa package for both Mom and Dad

and even a handmade toy box from her 7 year old cousin!

The guest of honor, Noah's Mommy

and her 2 cousins, Chantal & Kaitlyn

Some of our guests... my pics are all blurry:(

Tonight was the last Bible Study and Hilda, our leader asked all the women to pray for Jolene, Hank and Noah as well as another lady in the group and her family going through a very hard time in their life. What a special time, I loved hearing the word 'baby' all over the room!

Just over 2 weeks left...then we meet our Grandson!

To our blogger/ praying friends

Shower of Blessing

You are invited to
Bless Jolene
With poem, verse and song
Or a gift just for Mom.

Do not be afraid
If in your eye there will be a tear,
Noah Gabriel
To all is very dear

All Jolene’s dearest friends
Will be gathered on this night
To show her that even in life’s darkest hours
With God and friends there is light

This blessing will take place on
Saturday, November 15th
7:00pm@ 1490 Roblin Blvd West, Winkler

For those of you that are interested,
a gift box for Jolene

Will be available to collect for a
Spa Package from Charity Faye Spa

(We kindly ask that you do not bring gifts for Noah at this time)

Dear Noah...

Today you are 34 weeks old in your Mommy's tummy! It seemed like it would take forever for you to be born and now we are 6 short weeks away from meeting you face to face.

We were so excited when your Mommy and Daddy told us that you were going to join our family, then we had some very sad news when you were about 22 weeks old. The Doctors tell us that you will be born to go live with Jesus in Heaven. I know for you it is the most amazing thing, but you will be missed so very much. We have learned to still be so thrilled with each move you make, hiccups and all. You are so much alive, we all LOVE you and we celebrate your life!

Instead of a nursery at your Mommy and Daddy's house you will have one in a mansion in heaven, do you know how I know that? That is what Jesus says in the Bible, He is preparing it as we speak!

I guess He will be telling you all the Bible stories that I wanted to read to you. Imagine hearing them from Jesus Himself!

You are such a special boy, Heaven will be even closer once that will be your home.

We don't understand why you can't stay, but we trust the Lord with your life. I still believe and hope that Jesus will give us the miracle of healing your body, but will understand if he needs you with him.

I want to tell you my favorite Bible verse, it is in Jeremiah 29: 11-13. It talks about the plans God has for your life and ours and how He wants the best for us but we have to seek him with our whole heart.

We will meet you again in Heaven because we have all asked Jesus to be our Savior and are living our lives as best as we can for Him.

So, until your birthday we will enjoy your kicks and I so look forward to holding you in my arms and kissing your sweet face and telling you what a perfect grandson God has blessed me with!

Goodnight sweet Noah

Love Nana

Do we scare him???

Powerful Women

Live your life in such a way
that when your feet
hit the floor in the morning
Satan shudders and says,
'Oh, shit. She's awake.'

Thanksgiving Weekend

So... the weekend before we go to Alberta we are going to

Thief River Falls, Seven Clans Casino and Resort

with my family for Thanksgiving.

We started going away for this weekend after my Mom passed away two years ago

and we were left 'orphans' (our Dad passed away in 2000)

It is a way to stay connected as a family and relax.

MOVING SALE !!!!!

# 8 parkland Cres. Winkler MB

1 year old Stainless Steel fridge & Ceramic stove

chest frezeer, upright freezer

bakers/wine rack

black & stainless steel coffe and end tables

wall unit

bike

and much more...

Mini Family Vacation

Well it is official, I have just booked our whole family of 5 at the
Ramada Inn in Lethbridge for a long weekend.
We are going to a wedding and also to visit family.
I am hopeing and praying all goes well with Jo and Noah.

Praise You in This Storm

words by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms

I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down

and wiped our tears away,

stepped in and saved the day.

But once again, I say amen

and it's still raining

as the thunder rolls

I barely hear You

whisper through the rain,

"I'm with you"and as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise

the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus:

And I'll praise you in this storm

and I will lift my hands

for You are who You are

no matter where I am

and every tear I've cried

You hold in your hand

You never left my side

and though my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind

You heard my cry to You

and raised me up again

my strength is almost gone how can I carry on

if I can't find You

and as the thunder rolls

I barely hear You whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"

and as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise

the God who gives and takes away

Chorus

I lift my eyes onto the hills

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

I lift my eyes onto the hills

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

Chorus

"Lifesong"

Empty hands held high

Such small sacrifice

If not joined with my life

I sing in vain tonight

May the words I say

And the things I do

Make my lifesong sing

Bring a smile to You

Let my lifesong sing to You

Let my lifesong sing to You

I want to sign Your name

to the end of this day

Knowing that my heart was true

Let my lifesong sing to You

Lord I give my life

A living sacrifice

To reach a world in need

To be Your hands and feet

So may the words I say

And the things I do

Make my lifesong sing

Bring a smile to You

HallelujahHallelujah

Let my lifesong sing to You

Blogging Family!

So it seems I have finally gotten my girls into the blogger world.

We will see how they enjoy that.

Today is a very lazy day for me and I have needed one of those for a long time now already. I will be going 40 hours a week for a while now, things are getting so busy at work that I just can't do both my jobs well with the hours I had. If I know that I have so much work I can't relax at home anyway. So...we'll see how this goes.

Thanks to all of you who are praying for my kids and Noah. It means the world to us and I know that the prayers of all of you is what is holding them up.

A special prayer request would be that they find a Dr. in Winkler/Morden that will be comfortable with assisting with the delivering of Noah. I don't know that anyone here has ever has a patient with MG. Jo does not want to have him in Winnipeg if at all possible.

Baby Noah Blog!

Jolene has started her blog this is her address

http://joleneandhank.blogspot.com/

Stepping UP

Jolene, Victoria and I started a Beth Moore Bible study at our church yesterday.

I am really looking forward to learning and studying in a different way together with my girls!

6 months

Today Jo is 6 months pregnant with Noah. I want to update you all on what the ultrasound results were last Friday.

It turns out that Noah has Meckel-Gruber Syndrome, not Anencephaly.

This was not very good news for Hank and Jolene. Noah's life expectancy remains the same but Hank and Jo's chance to have another baby with MGS is 1 in 4.

Please continue to pray for them that the Lord will bring about comfort and peace.

Jo is now on maternity leave, she is an esthetitian and was doing mainly pedicures and it was becoming to much to be bent over all the time.

Still hoping to post some US pics. Our little guy has 6 toes on each foot!

twenty-six week ultrasound

Yesterday I had the pleasure of seeing my grandson, Noah on an ultrasound! Wow!


I will praise you; for Noah is fearfully and wonderfully made:
marvelous are your works; and that my soul knows right well.

Picture may follow :)

25 Weeks

Vikk having some hands on time with Noah and Mommy!

Vikk felt him kick for the first time this week!

Jolene is now 24 weeks pregnant with Noah. She only missed 3 days of work and 2 of those were appointments. Thank you for your prayers. They went to see a specialist in Winnipeg who told them that he delivers 5 anencephaly babies a year!
She found an online support group of women that have had anencephaly babies and carried to term or Moms currently carry and anen baby. I have also joined. Jo says it is so good to be able to communicate with others who have or are going through this.


This morning in church our pastor said that God uses, allows, even causes - change, turmoil, disappointment to mold us into the person that we otherwise would never be.

Spiritual growth occurs within the context of frustration, suffering or challenge.

When things are bad in our life, 3 things are true
-God is still alive and well
-God knows what He is doing
-God is still with us.

My prayer is that we will all grow in our faith through little Noah's life.

Miss Congeniality!

Definition of Congeniality


1.
The state or quality of being congenial; natural affinity; adaptation; suitableness.
If congeniality of tastes could have made a marriage happy, that union should have been thrice blessed.
- Motley.
2.
Compatibility between persons.
3.
The personality trait of being friendly to a conspicuous degree.
4.
The personality trait of being likable or pleasant.

Talent: A foxtrot with Dad to this Faith Hill song.

A little girl, a little small for her age

A little too slow for the field day race

Momma's waiting at the finish line

And wipes the teardrops from her eyes

She says, "You did just fine honey, that's okay "

Sometimes life's just that way "

You're gonna lose the race from time to time "

But you're always gonna find "



You can't lose me "Bet your life "

I am here and I will always be

"Just a wish away "Wherever you go "

No matter how far

"My love is where you are

"You won't be lost if you believe

"You can't lose me"



Momma use to say "Girl it won't be long

'"Til it's time to go out on your own "

Chase your dreams find your place in life

"I know you'll do just fine"

When that day finally came

There were things she needed to but could not say

So I whispered softly as I wiped

The tears from Momma's eyes



"You can't lose me "Bet your life

"I am here and I will always be "

Just a wish away

"Wherever I go "No matter how far "

My love is where you are "

You won't be lost if you believe "

You can't lose me"

The parade

Queen, Princess???

This week is the Harvest Festival and Vikk is in the Queen Pageant.
It will be a busy fun filled weekend and we wish you all the best, Vikk.
In our hearts you have always been our Princess.
Who knows, maybe you will be the Queen of Winkler for 1 year!!!
Enjoy the weekend, don't stress to much and make many great memories.
We love you.

Blessed Be Your Name

Blessed be your name

In the land that is plentiful

Where the streams of abundance flow

Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name

When I'm found in the desert place

Though I walk through the wilderness

Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,

I turn back to praise

When the darkness closes in, Lord

Still I will say...

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be your name

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be your glorious name

Blessed be your name

When the sun's shining down on me

When the world's all as it should be

Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name

On the road marked with suffering

Though there's pain in the offering

Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,

I turn back to praise

When the darkness closes in, Lord

Still I will say...

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be your name

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be your glorious name

You give and take away

You give and take away

My heart will choose to say

Lord, Blessed be your name

This is the song Hank & Jolene have both had in their heads

since they found out about Noah.

IT'S A BOY!!!

Hank and Jo were in Winnipeg on Friday for a LOT of testing and they were blessed to be able to find out that they are having a BOY!

Joy in Sorrow!

His name is Noah Gabriel Wall.

Noah means peaceful, comfort - Hebrew
Gabriel means God is my might/strength - Hebrew

meanings vary a bit from site to site

the news did not change except that the Specialist does believe she will carry to term.

Prayer requests:

*for them to feel the peace that passes all understanding
*for the LORD to take away the fear of the unknown
*that their faith will grow stronger
*for them to find the joy even in the sorrow during this pregnancy
*strength to rejoin the world and go back to work
*sensitivity and comfort from the people they meet

Please Pray for Baby Wall and Hank & Jolene

Jolene had her routine ultrasound today and they were given very sad news.
Their baby will not live. I found an artical that will give you and idea of what they will be facing.

Anouk
18 July 2000 - 19 July 2000 On the 18th July 2000, our fourth child, Anouk, was born. Thirteen hours later she died. Today, I will try to write down what we lived through with her. Everything was normal until the 20th week of the pregnancy, but by the time of the main scan, the gynecologist noticed a fibroma on my uterus, which could be dangerous during the delivery. Because he was not sure, he sent me to a specialist at the CHUV hospital. Other than the fibroma, all was well. Everything but the head was able to be examined by the gynecologist, but I knew they could do that at the CHUV, so I was not worried. Two weeks later I met the ultrasonic specialist Dr. Vial. Although he did not mention a fibroma, the examination was longer than usual. "I am seriously worried about the head," he said. "Your child suffers from a very serious malformation called anencephaly. This means that the cranial bone and the skin are missing...


Please Pray for streangth.

Two years ago today, and just as happy =]

20 Weeks!

Halfway there to meeting our little Grandbaby!

Mama and Baby Wall are doing great and so is Daddy!

Birthdays

Happy birthday to:

Dennis - brother July 1

Alexander - nephew July 2 (sixteen)

Kaitlyn - niece July 3

Lorne - brother July 18

23rd Anniversary

June 29th

This is Jo's Grad and also the day she got her promise ring!

GRAD 2008

June 24th was Graduation Day for Victoria Danielle Friesen!

When my babies were born this was one of the dreams I had for them and now both daughters have graduated! (I will post some of Jolene later) I am not great with words so I will post pictures and write a bit about them!

Vikk and her boyfriend, Chris

Vikk and her sister Jolene (mother of my Grandchild!)

The church pics just never turn out for me!

The Grad in her Dress!

Old Hollywood

The proud Father

and Mom

Family & Friends