Sunday, October 19, 2008

Slideshow (and a blog makeover!)

First off, many thanks to Danille from Blogs by Danielle for the BEAUTIFUL job making over my blog. Thank you so much for sharing your talent and gift with me.

We are also blessed by the talented work of Bill Millios, a photographer with the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation who not only took gorgeous pictures for us, but also put together this slideshow for us to show at Isaac's memorial service yesterday. And we are blessed by the talented work of Selah, and by the Smith's generosity in getting us the "boy" version of "I Will Carry You" for Bill to use. You will want to pause the music at the bottom as you watch and listen. We hope you enjoy these additional glimpses of our sweet Isaac...




"I Will Carry You"

There were photographs I wanted to take
Things I wanted to show you
Sing sweet lullabies, wipe your teary eyes
Who could love you like this?

People say that I am brave but I'm not
Truth is I'm barely hanging on
But there's a greater story
Written long before me
Because He loves you like this

So I will carry you
While your heart beats here
Long beyond the empty cradle
Through the coming years
I will carry you
All my life
And I will praise the One Who's chosen me
To carry you

Such a short time
Such a long road
All this madness
But I know
That the silence
Has brought me to His voice
And He says...

I've shown him photographs of time beginning
Walked him through the parted seas
Angel lullabies, no more teary eyes
Who could love him like this?

I will carry you
While your heart beats here
Long beyond the empty cradle
Through the coming years
I will carry you
All your life
And I will praise the One
Who's chosen Me
To carry you

73 comments:

Anonymous said...

Perfect - both the slideshow and the makeover. Still praying for you and yours. x

Anonymous said...

STacy,

Thank you so much for sharing Isaac with us. He has made me look at my life and family and appreciate the time we have been blessed with so far. You and your family have brought me closer to Christ. Thank you.Jessica

Jennifer said...

Stacy,
The blog make over is beautiful. Danielle is very talented! Thanks again for sharing your story and journey with all of us. Isaac is beautiful and the video was wonderful. Thinking of you and praying for you all the time!

Anonymous said...

Dear Stacy and Spencer- it was a beautiful and touching service- one that i will never forget and i will never forget about your sweet little Isaac. I pray now for peace and serenity for you and Spencer and know that you will be with Isaac again and it will be joyous!
Love Aunt Robin

The Reichley Family said...

The photographs are beautiful and priceless. Thank you, for once again bravely sharing this very personal walk with us that others may see and know Christ. Truly, God is in those pictures and in your hearts. Praying for you all.

Cara said...

This is amazing. Your blog is such a tribute. Danielle sure has a gift!

Thanks for sharing your son with us. I have let go so many of my "wishes" and "what-ifs" from Emma's delivery and the time with her after, but I really do wish someone had told us about NILMDTS.

Eight years ago...who knows if they were even available in my area. Anyway, the one picture I do have of her is posted on my Show and Tell today. Thanks again for being so open with your grief.

Stephanie said...

Stacy

The slideshow is beautiful and I love you makeover. Thank you for sharing Isaac with us so that we may learn to appreciate life alittle more each day! Still praying for all of you!

Anonymous said...

beautiful, just beautiful. still praying.

lizarddish said...

Hi Stacy,
The slideshow was just beautiful, just like your little boy. I am absolutely amazed by you and Spencer during this difficult and personal journey. Your strength, faith and devotion is a true testament to the love of our Savior. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
God Bless, Liz

MrsABC said...

so beautiful. Thank you for sharing your sweet Isaac with the world.

Courtney said...

Beautiful...both the new page and the slideshow. I admire your strength in God and i can only hope to be as strong sa you an dspencer when i face trials.

Anonymous said...

The page and slideshow are priceless, just like the moments of time you had with Issac.

Your family continues to be in my prayers. I've learned through reading your blog more about faith than I thought possible.

God Bless!

Christine
Pittsburgh, PA

Sara said...

What a beautiful memorial for Isaac. Thank you for sharing with all of us.

AngelsAmid said...

Stacy-
That was the most beautiful slideshow. I'm praying for you all the time.

Amanda said...

The slideshow is so precious and absolutely beautiful. Isaac has made such a difference in so many lives and yours and Spencer's faith is so inspiring. May God bless you. You will continue to be in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely beautiful; I have no words except you are all in my prayers.
Katie

Delayna said...

Such a beautiful slideshow, for 3 of the most beautiful people I've never met. God bless your sweet, precious little Isaac, and peace to you as you continue to navigate these new waters.
So much love, so much faith, so much power.

Valerie said...

Thank you for sharing part of Isaac's memorial service with those of us who couldn't be there in person. Sending continued prayers your way.

Val

Anonymous said...

Still praying for you every day. Your pictures are so beautiful. My heart goes out to you and your entire family. I know the Lord is holding little Isaac now. He is in good hands.
Love in Christ, Jessica

Unknown said...

I do not know what to say apart from Thank you. Thank you for sharing these photos amidst your tears and pain. Thank you for letting us see how beautiful Issacc was. He is beautiful in heaven! X.

Lena said...

What a sweet tribute to your son. Issac's life will continue to touch others...his life has and will continue to have a profound impact on many. God is good!

Blessings to you and Spencer.

Rhoda Wickey said...

Thank you for sharing your little Issac with all of us. May God be with you through this time. My heart is crying out for you.

Anonymous said...

The slide show was great. I cried the whole time. Love the look of your blog. I wish I could have been at the service for your sweet baby. I hope you all are doing well! Stay strong.

jablott said...

I think of your family often and as often as God brings you to mind I pray for Him to give you peace and comfort. May You find peace and rest today as you wait on God to fulfill the desires of your hearts.....He is a faithful God and He will be faithful to you...Christ's love....

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful slideshow. Thank you for sharing Isaac with us.

Praying for you and your family.

Raeanne in Indiana

Alison said...

Stunning, beatuiful, perfect. It sounds like it was a beautiful service and that people that could attend were extremely touched. Thank you for sharing yet another part of your journey and more pictures of your precious Isaac.

Praying,

Alison

Danielle Moss said...

Stacy,

I am so thankful that I was able to do this for you. You are so very welcome.

This video is beautiful. What a perfect, beautiful boy.

Blessings,

Danielle

Anonymous said...

I couldn't stop crying. Beautiful video! God bless you, your family and your strength.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely beautiful slideshow! It captured his life so perfectly - what an amazing little boy.
Thank you, again, for sharing him with us. Our lives have been touched by his life and your strength.
May He hold you in His hand and give you comfort and peace.
God Bless!

We've Got Scents said...

I am so grateful precious Isaac's service went well for your family. Thanks for sharing the video and the beautiful song with your readers.
Isaac's life did make a difference to so many, always know that.
Your family is in my continued thoughts and prayers for healing, for peace of mind and for strength.
Continue clinging to HIM.
With His Love,
Kaye
Psalm 46:10

Anonymous said...

Stacy, still incredibly moved by Isaac's memorial, and still incredibly moved by this slideshow. Thank you for allowing Isaac to touch so many of us. Praying healing thoughts for you and your family, With love, Jill and Andy

The Fabulous Ms. Beth said...

What a beautiful tribute to your son...
It brings tears to my eyes.
The blog makeover is fabulous also. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Anonymous said...

What an amazing slideshow, again you, and Isaac, have touched my heart.

StarfishMom said...

What a hard testimony to share. I can't imagine the loss you go through each day. Keep in mind that while Isaac is on Jesus' lap, YOU are in the palm of HIS hand. I feel blessed to know about sweet Isaac and please know that you're both in my prayers. I'm sorry for your loss.

Erin said...

Amazing is the word that comes to mind when my daughter Alex (18 months) and I watched the video you guys had put together! I cried and she just kept saying baby!

We are still thinking about you and praying for your family!

The Schuler Family

Mary said...

Stacey and Spencer-
The love that is obviously abundent for your son shines through these pictures. May you continue to find peace with each other as God watches over your sweet little Issac.
God Bless,
Mary in PA

Anonymous said...

Oh, it's beautiful, Stacy.

My heart aches to hug you, sit down with you, hold your hands, look you in your eye, smile and say "Tell me *everything* about him."

I am still praying for you, and will continue to down this road.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful video....you made wonderful memories in just 16 short minutes...may they be what gets you through the dark days.

Tina said...

Touching. Beautiful. Continuing to pray for you.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful blog and a beautiful baby.

Thank you for sharing about your sweet Isaac. I've suffered heartache too - I understand the bittersweet feeling of delivering a baby who will die.

I prayed for your baby before he was born.

A sister in suffering,
Lynnette
www.lynnettekraft.blogspot.com

Heidi said...

Stacy and Spencer,
Thank-you for sharing you life and Issac's life with us.
Knowing how strong you can be, gives me more strength and faith in Christ that he has done the right thing.
Issac was a beautiful baby boy, and his 16 minutes have touched my life more than words can say. I'm just mearly a stranger, but I feel as though i've known you for a while.
My heart is filed with prayers for you, and because of you, I now believe in the work of Christ more and more.

Susan said...

My thoughts are the same as everyone elses...it is beautiful...he is beautiful...your faith is beautiful. I thought of you many times yesterday and prayed for peace and understanding. God Bless You each day as you continue to worship the One who chose you to carry and love Isaac.

Our Life in Pixels said...

God is truly working through this loss. How many people will renew their relationships with God because of your son?? I know it has made me more thankful to God for my family every day! May God continue to hold you under His wings and comfort your hearts and souls. Prayers in Christ, Sarah

Kristi said...

I love the slideshow, song, and beautiful blog makeover. You are still in my prayers, and will continue to be.
It is so amazing how such a precious little boy has touched so many lives in his short time on this earth. He is truly a testimony of Faith!

Misty Rice said...

Aww sweetness... I think the blog is perfectly fitting, sweet, tender and beautiful. The slide show is priceless, heartfelt, lovely, sad, tender, wonderful and POWERFUL.

Today's Quote

When the heart grieves over what it has lost, the spirit rejoices over what it has left.

I love seeing you rejoice in this time of heartache in yourself.

Your story has really touched my life, I have cried many times when I have thought of you and or have read your blog.

Like I said before.... God has something planned and I look forward to watching you and your husband untie the gifts ahead in your life.

God Bless....

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, I lost my little boy, Renner on August 31st @ 2months and 6days of life. I still can not believe that this has happened. I have faith that he is with Jesus but sometimes I selfishly just wish that he was with me.I have a hard time with the appropriate words to say but I just found your story through the bustedbabymaker and God has used you to bring me comfort. I would love to do the same for you. Our story is available at www.caringbridge.org/visit/babyrenner. God be with you. Ruth, Renner's mom

Theresa said...

That was a beautiful slide show. Isaac is such a beautiful baby, and I can only imagine how much more beautiful he is in the arms of our Father.

I pray for you to have peace and comfort during these difficult times. And thank you for reminding me to cherish every single moment with my daughter. I found your blog on Isaac's day, and instantly I realized how precious every second with her is.

Kristin (kekis) said...

I am very rarely found speechless, but I am in awe of your slideshow and letter to Isaac and don't know what else to say.

Thank you, Isaac. Thank you. I pray for your parents, family and friends - that they find peace and healing while holding you tightly in their hearts.

Kelly @ Sufficient Grace Ministries said...

Beautiful blog...beautiful family. Thank you for sharing your Isaac with us. What evidence of God's amazing, sufficient grace! It is so beautiful to see how He is carrying you.

Kelly @ The Beauty of Sufficient Grace

amydc said...

Precious slideshow, Stacy.
Continued prayers or you, Spencer and your families.

The Sandefurs said...

I have only commented a few times, but visit your site often and have offered up many, many prayers for you. As one who cannot begin to fathom the depth of what you are experiencing and the utter range of emotion that must be unexplainable, I wanted to share a blog site w/ you of someone who has been there and knows what you are feeling. Please read her first post, beauty for ashes. It spoke volumes to me and I hope you take the time to read it and that it may bless you.

http://crownofbeautyforashes.blogspot.com/

Your sister in the Lord in TN

Kristy said...

I just finished watching your video and am just sobbing. That was so beautiful - some of the sweetest pictures ever! What a beautiful family you have! Your strength and story and faith and honesty - and joy - has touched us all. Know that you are in my prayers.

Unknown said...

that was beautiful. Isaac is beautiful. thank you for sharing that with us.
God Bless

Anonymous said...

Wow - that slideshow was absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing this difficult time in your life with all of us. It has definitely helped me to rediscover my relationship with God, and for that I am greatful. You will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.

Brandi Bee said...

WOW. That was beautiful. Everything God takes us through makes us a little more equipped for the battle ahead. I believe that you and your family are so strong and blessed. I pray that God will continue to bless you and that He will ease your pain with His great love and mercy. Love yall!!

Anonymous said...

The blog makeover is amazing! I love it! The slideshow was beautiful and breathtaking.

I wish I could have attended Isaac's service and celebrated his life.

Isaac's life has reminded me to embrace and enjoy every single second that I have with those that I love. I used to measure time in days or months and because of Isaac I measure time in minutes, if not even seconds.

Your story has brought me so much closer to Christ and for that I cannot thank you enough.

I continue to pray for you and Spencer and I pray for comfort and peace. Please take care.

So Blessed said...

What a treasure the video is of your beautiful son. My heart overflows with compassion and empathy for you in this most difficult time.
Praying for you today...for comfort, for healing, for strength, for hope, for rest and for peace.

Susie

Brandi Bee said...

I posted a link to this blog on my blog. Hope you dont mind.
http://brandijoel.blogspot.com/

Elizabeth said...

Amazingly beautiful. Touching.
Our family continues to pray for you and yours. May God bless you!

Kate said...

Stacy,
I have been following your blog the past few months and I appreciate hearing about your story.It has deepened my faith in God and strengthened my love for my family. Issac may have only been on this Earth for a few precious minutes but he will live on through his story. I will continue to pray for you and your family.
Katie in Kansas

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your story. It is such a wonderful tribute to Isaac. You and your family are in my prayers.

Jane said...

Your story is a reminder to all of us that every kiss we give to our children, every hug, every little caress is a gift as much to us as to them.

You and your family are in my prayers,

Michaelanne Fentem said...

Thank you so much Stacy for sharing your journey with us. I found your story through a friend who had blogged about it. I can honestly tell you that knowing Isaac changed my life. Getting to know you and your faith has brought me to my knees. I want to have a faith like yours. If we all had but a tiny part of your faith, this world would be a different place altogether. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. When you are ready, you might find a website www.silentgrief.com to be beneficial to you and I am absolutely positive you could change lives on there as well.

Franz-tastic said...

Stacy,
I have been following your story ever since I became a member of the Pregnancy Loss board on the nest. Your story has truly touched me. I was so excited when going through your blog that you purchased Isaac's adorable blue outfit in Annapolis (my hometown). The fact that you are in MD and so nearby made me many times want to reach out and offer a complete stranger a hug and a shoulder to cry on (but I am sure you have many).

Thank you for sharing your story, precious pictures of sweet baby Isaac and keeping in touch with your readers during this time. I believe your story helps us all somehow.

Hugs,
Danielle

Devon said...

stacy...i just watched your video and was brought to tears. your son is so beautiful.

my heart hurts for you as i know all too well what its like to have to say goodbye.

please know you are never far from my thoughts and prayers. may god continue to carry us as we walk this long and painful journey...

thank you for blessing us with your story.

Anonymous said...

Stacy,
You, your husband, and sweet Isaac have changed the way I live my life. There have only been a handful of times in my life that have been so powerful, so inspiring, so touching and so heartbreaking that it touched my soul. Your story has done that. You amaze me in that, not only have you kept your faith and your strength throughout this experience, you are also able to (so beautifully) share it with the world. I'm not sure you'll ever know how many people you have touched...how many other lives you have changed.
Please know that I am thinking of you, sweet Issac, and your family every day. You are in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

Stacy and Spencer,
Thanks so much for sharing sweet Issac with everyone. I wanted to share with you something. At church on Sunday we sang " Be unto your name" . All i could think about was your sweet son.

We are a moment,
You are forever.
Lord of the ages
God before time

We are a vapor,
You are Eternal
Love everlasting
Reigning on high

Lord you are holy, holy
Lord God Almighty
So worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Let the highest praises, honor and glory
Be unto Your name
Be unto Your name

We are the broken
You are the Healer
Jesus, Redeemer,
Mighty to save

You are the love song
We'll sing forever
Bowing before You
Blessing Your name.

For you are holy, holy
Lord God Almighty
So worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Let the highest praises, honor and glory
Be unto Your name
Be unto Your name

Holy, holy Lord God Almighty
So worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Let the highest praises, honor and glory
Be unto Your name
Be unto Your name
Be unto Your name
Be unto Your name

I pray that these words find you some peace in knowing that one day again you will see your sweet baby, he is held in the arms of Jesus now! He has a heavenly body and is waiting for his mommy and daddy to come one day! We continue to pray for your family!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful tribute for a beautiful baby boy. Isaac's life was an amazing gift -- and you have been so gracious by sharing it with others. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he has touched. I pray that your faith is helping you through this very difficult time.

Anonymous said...

Stacy & Spencer,
I was captivated by your story and read your blogs from April to present last night till 2am and this morning. I just wanted to thank your family and sweet little Isaac for your powerful testimony and example of God's greatness and love. Sweet Isaac was truly blessed to have such an incredible mommy who was so reliant and trusting in our Great God. Your faith and love for our heavenly Father surely flowed to little Isaac in the womb and in his short time on this earth. What could be a more beautiful gift for a child than the love of a mommy who loves God so much! Sweet Isaac truly touched my life, but I can truly say, you Stacy, and your strength, faith, and true love of God has changed my life and touched me dearly. Thank you. Your family is in my prayers!

Genevieve said...

I am just in tears reading your blog. Thank you for sharing Isaac. The blog is gorgeous and I'm definitely contacting Danielle to revamp mine. My blog looks like a first grader got ahold of it. Btw- He will carry me is one of my favorite songs, I actually did a video for our church to this song, I'll have to post it on my blog sometime soon.

Praying for you and your family, courage to press on and face tomorrow.

Genevieve

The Hull Munchkins said...

Oh, what a gorgeous testimony of your love for precious little Isaac, but also of your trust in our Father. Your story has touched so many people, and Isaac will never be forgotten.

Even after all the meals, flowers, cards and visitors have ceased, don't forget that your heavenly Father is catching each and every one of your tears in a jar. They are a form of worship to Him, and He will comfort the broken hearted.

Hang in there. We are praying.
-Patty

t said...

What loving & strong people you two truly are. Your son is very beautiful & precious. He will FOREVER be in your hearts! With deepest sympathy.....

Ms D said...

What a beautiful slideshow. Thank you for sharing it with me. Your son Isaac was precious in every way possible. My heart aches for you and your husband. Many continued prayers to you both.