"Joyful Hearts" Quilt from Thimble Works

Today, Pete and I attended a Candlelight Memorial hosted by our local funeral home.  Of course, I started crying immediately...it was the pianist playing a beautiful arrangement of "It is Well, With My Soul" that opened up the tears.  This song is really special to me because I sang it often to Gus, especially when he was in the hospital this last time.  I can honestly say that "it is well with my soul" for the Lord has given me this gift of grief without bitterness.  I never thought I would ever be able to survive the loss of a child yet the Lord has taken me on that journey and here I am...hopeful and doing more than surviving!  Don't get me wrong...not everything is perfect!  I am still very tired and need to nap often...grief work is hard but God has been my Comforter and I know that He will continue to comfort me.  Knowing this and having the hope of Heaven bring me great joy.  I will always miss Sam and Gus and some days are going to be impossible to get through.  Nonetheless, I eagerly await our reunion in Heaven!!

"It is Well With My Soul"

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

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Posted by mustardseed

I was deeply moved by your blog. I pray that the God of peace will continue to pour peace like a river through your soul. Grief without bitterness is a hard thing, but your testimony is an inspiration for all of us. Thank you for sharing!

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Posted by mustardseed

I was deeply moved by your blog. I pray that the God of peace will continue to pour peace like a river through your soul. Grief without bitterness is a hard thing, but your testimony is an inspiration for all of us. Thank you for sharing!

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Posted by Judi

One of my favorite songs. I love to hear David Phelps sing it. I am giving you (((BIG HUGS))) my friend. I wish we lived closer! I miss you and I wish I could be there for you. Not just from afar. :)

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Posted by Carrie

Jenni, this song has touched me so often in the past year. From the loss of my uncle to the loss of sweet Emma. They played it instrumentally at the Children's Hospital memorial and I lost it that night listening to the melody. I have decided though that when I pass, I want this song played at my funeral because I will be home with Jesus and all will truly be "well with my soul." I continue to lift you and your family up in my prayers as I know how much harder it is on the parents of the lost child than anyone could imagine. You and Pete are wonderful people and I feel blessed to have met you.

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Posted by kampsplete

Oh honey ~ our funeral home did the same thing. It was a lovely gesture on their part, but so painful for us. It was 4 months later, and just opened the wound again for me. I know how those songs can get to you. 10 years later they still do! That is a lovely hymn, and now I will never think about it without picturing you singing it to your precious little Gus when he was so sick. What a wonderful memory it is, but is probably very painful to remember now. I keep forgetting how "new" this is for you, and that these are your first holidays without Gus. I will be praying so hard for you over the next weeks. My first Christmas after Madison died was excruciating, so I expect it will be difficult for you too. Please know my dear friend that you are in my thoughts and prayers, and I am here if you want to talk....love you!

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Posted by Anonymous

I missed Orgjunkie being gone and hosting menus so was surfing around to catch up and saw your entry. I am so sorry for your loss; I can't imagine how hard that would be. That song is special and I've heard the story behind it and it usually brings tears to my eyes when I hear it.
Thanks for sharing this.
www.hambones.org/blogs/gail

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Posted by Anonymous

Oh, what a lovely memorial to baby Gus. I loved the pictures that you posted of Gus signing... *sighs* (((hugs))) There simply are no words... I pray that you continue to find rest in our eternal hope, truly...then, it is well with our souls.
I too am eager to see what the Lord has in store for your family this May, as you remember those precious lives (which DO live on, for they were created for a purpose that is simply beyond our own scope of understanding right now).
blessings my sister~
Beth
http://brewcrew.homeschooljournal.net/

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