"He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm,
and carry them close to his heart, and shall gently lead those that are with young." Isaiah 40:11

Friday, August 5, 2011

Rachel is with Jesus now.  She died around 3:45 pm this afternoon.  She went relatively peacefully.  It doesn't seem real.  Thank-you for praying for us. 

64 comments:

Lorissa said...

Dave and Kendra, my heart breaks for you... Praying that you would find comfort in the shelter of His wings...

Marge said...

Rachel is now safe in the arms of Jesus. I am so sorry for your loss, but rejoicing with your for her gain. May you find your comfort in your faith.

Blessings to your family.

Christine said...

Thinking of your family and the empty arms you will have now. Sorry for this loss and your sadness, praying for you all.
Christine Peters and family

Anonymous said...

David, Kendra, Ethan, and Abigail,
Simply praying lots for you all now.
Ward & Janine

Betsy said...

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind can conceive what God has prepared for those who love Him." (I Cor. 2:9)

Have prayed with you for Rachel since she was born. Sorrowing with you now in the loss of your precious baby.

Qualicum Beach said...

Kendra, my heart goes out to your family and the unbearable pain you feel. I know you knew this was coming but nothing prepares you for it. I'm glad you have God to comfort you because only He can. I'm happy for Rachel because she's running around in Heaven and I can see Jesus with outstretched arms and a big smile waiting for her. So sad for you because you're here with empty arms. Bless you and your family as you hurt - think of all the good memories of her. I never met her but that smile pulled me thru some days. Sue B

Wanita said...

Dave & Kendra,
You and your family have regularly been in my thoughts and prayers and continue to be now in this most difficult time.

Wodzisz Family said...

My heart is breaking with you. I am so sorry. Rest in peace Rachel.

a l i c i a said...

Kendra, David, Ethan & Abigail-
My heart is breaking alongside yours, I am so sorry for your loss of such a special little one in Rachel.
I will continue to pray for God to be your comfort.
Many hugs and much love,
Alica & the boys

Anonymous said...

My heart also aches for you.....as you wonder what now as you consider life without Rachel....love to you all. Roselle

Kathy said...

We love you and are praying for you all. there are no words...Randy and Kathy D.

Anonymous said...

Kendra, I am so sorry for your loss. I will continue to pray for you and your family.
Kacy

Travis and Rosey said...

Will be praying for you guys

Anonymous said...

Her life will not be forgotten. It is amazing the many people that Rachel has touched in her life through this blog Kendra. She definetly touched us and we will continue to pray for Dave, the children and yourself. Our love and prayers are with you.

Anonymous said...

Dave, Kendra, Ethan and Abigail, we are so sorry that you have to go through this pain of losing your sweet little Rachel. You have been in our prayers so much in the past year and more. We have rejoiced when she was doing well and been sad when she suffered. We will continue to pray for you.
Sharon and Ron Friesen

On God's path said...

Oh how my heart stopped as I read those words everything stopped. It was silent while I read that. I stopped immediately to pray for you, Dave, Ethan and Abigail. I cannot imagine how or what you and the family are going through. Rachel's impact here on earth will live forever and so will your memories of her. May you find comfort and peace in our Father's arms.

Anonymous said...

Holding you up in prayer tonight. My heart aches for you. There are just no words. We will contiune to pray for you.

Jennifer and Kevin Halford

QueenB said...

Oh my, praying for your family. May He keep you securely in the palm of His hand.

Tonya Lynn said...

I'm so sorry. I know there are no words to easy your pain during this time. PRaying for you and for family in the hours, days, weeks, months, and years to come.

Anonymous said...

there are no words to say and no comfort i can bring but we love you all very much and our hearts want to walk in this pain with you.
We are praying for you all this next while... guaranteed...
love laura and chuck

Kara said...

Dearest Kendra and family, we are so sad you said good-bye to your precious daughter. She is with Jesus. I've nothing more to say except we love you over the miles and will be praying for God to overwhelm you with peace in comfort in your great loss of Rachel.

Carlana said...

So, so sad. She will be missed incredibly. We will be praying continuously for you. I am so glad we got to spend time with you and her near the beginning of her life and then have that last visit with you and her this summer and got to know her as a 1 year old. I'm so glad my kids got to meet her that time, too. She was so, so precious. Praying God's peace and comfort for you and your family.

Elmer, Carlana, Jehoshua and Jayla

Jaclyn Braun said...

Heart going out to you...
No words...

Amanda Dahmes said...

My heart is breaking for you and your family. Ive been following your blog for months and months and been praying. She is now safe and is in no more pain in the arms of our savior Jesus. I know at this time its hard to think of anything but wanting her back (hug) your not alone we are ALL praying and thinking about you!!!!!<3

Anonymous said...

Your family will remain in my prayers. I am so sorry for your loss. For someone so small, that I never met, Rachel and her story changed my heart. I found my faith again through your blog. I pray that you'll find peace in the arms of God.

Anonymous said...

Dave & Kendra, Ethan & Abigail,

We are hurting with you and praying for you. Rachel blessed so many people. We love you.

Andrew & Amie

Carlita said...

Praying for you.

Anonymous said...

I've popped onto your blog from time to time, wondering at this miracle you've been experiencing with Rachel. May the depth of your grief be respected and may the joy of having her for this brief moment in time never fade. You are in my thoughts and prayers tonight. There is no heart that has heard this news that is not also breaking with yours tonight. *hugs* from Bambi Bertholet

Anonymous said...

i'm so sorry...and so grateful that you have God in your life, especially now. may He be so near that you might "feel the breath of the Father on your face."

Karla said...

I've followed your blog for months and as a result, I've fallen in love with your dear Rachel. She was such a beauty. Peace, peace and more peace to you and your whole family. "God, please help them know Rachel is with you. Comfort your people."

Karla

Berneda said...

Our hearts go out to you. We will continue to uphold your family in pray. Len & Berneda

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. Think of you and praying for you to be upheld during this difficult journey.
Janet (Carol Schellenberg's sister)

paige said...

i was at the fountain with fawne this afternoon - talking about tiny sweet, rachel - right at the very time she was leaving...
Kendra - your family, including your littlest girl - has had a tremendous impact on my life this past year... Watching her days be numbered by a loving Creator has been faith building.
Your love opened up so many hearts...
Weeping with you tonight.

Cindy said...

She was so tiny, yet so mighty. Rachel will never be forgotten. Your family is in my prayers. I am so very sorry for your loss.

Meredith said...

The hearts of our family a breaking for yours. Rest in peace, Rachel.

Sandi said...

Oh, dear Kendra, this is so hard to believe. It seems so unfathomable that Rachel's earthly life will not go on. I picture Rachel in heaven, with Jesus and a host of angels - welcoming her, cradling her, laughing with her, loving her. She was so easy to love. We mourn with you, and are praying for you.
Sandi & Paul

Virginia said...

You don't know me, but I have been following your blog for months. Your journey has touched me and little Rachel's life blessed me beyond words! May there be some comfort knowing that she is running and playing in heaven with no pain and no spells. My heart breaks for you.....please keep writing when you are able. Please know that you and your husband and children are in my prayers. May the God of all comfort hold you and sustain you in the days ahead!

~Virginia Olive

Faith and Mark said...

Kendra and Dave.
I'm so sad to hear that Rachel is gone. She was such a beautiful girl and your love for her was beautiful as well. We will be praying for you and your whole family.
Mark & Faith

Danielle said...

My heart is just breaking for you all. I know that no words can change or ease your pain, but praying that God will meet you right where you are in your deep sorrow and cover you in comfort, love and peace that only He can provide. Love to your family and sweet, beautiful Rachel <3

Yayumi said...

Thinking of you all now, there are no words. Our hearts are saddened to hear of Rachel's passing. Thank you for sharing her life with us.

- James & Yayumi Davis

The Nieboer News said...

Thinking of you and praying for your family. Rachels little life touched my heart and your faith challenged me to stretch mine as well. Praying that the Lord blankets you in the coming nights and is your strength each day when you get out of bed.

Anonymous said...

Thank you to all of you for sharing the wonders and miracles, sadness and heartbreak of life with sweet Rachel. Please know that we cry and pray for you, and wish you memories, laughter, tears, courage and peace.

Kim and Byron Thiessen

KarenKTeachCamb said...

May God surround you with His love and peace as you face your loss, expected as it may have been, and may the knowledge that Rachel is with Jesus bring you the peace that passes understanding. She will never be forgotten. So glad for those precious happy days you've had in these last months. Thank you for sharing her life with us.

Skye said...

I stumbled across your blog months ago though I didn't visit regularly. Today it came to me to find it again. My heart hurts that such a bright light is no longer here with us. I feel honored to have witnessed even a small part of her story and yours. May your family find peace and comfort in the arms of Creator through this time of grief.

Debbi said...

Tears running down my face.
I just can't believe it..
She was doing so good.
She is with Jesus now.
That is the only comfort we have.
My heart and prayers are with you

kristen spyker said...

Kendra, I hope that you and your family find peace quickly. She was a beautiful soul. And her smile is forever ingrained into my heart. She will be loved Forever.
Kristen

Roland and Jen said...

Our hearts are aching for you...
Thank you for sharing beautiful Rachel with us through this blog.

Mary KG said...

I have been following your blog closely and rarely commenting but always praying. God's peace on you in this stage.

Devlan Reeves said...

I am so sorry for your loss. May God comfort your hearts knowing that Rachel is with Jesus and all the angels. Please know that many are praying for you and your family. May God be with you.

Bev said...

Praying for your family during this time of grief and loss. I've been following your blog for a long time. I've been inspired, touched, and blessed by your strength throughout Rachel's journey. May you feel God's love, peace and strength during this difficult time. Thanks for sharing from your hearts!

patti said...

Dear Dave, Kendra, Ethan and Abigail, my heart aches for you! I'm praying for you for strength and peace as you go through this journey. Jesus is holding each of you in his arms, just as you held Rachel. Her smile will always been in my heart. Hugs to you all!

Anonymous said...

Dave and Kendra,
Praying for strength for you guys during this time. Trust in the Lord, He'll help you pull through.
All the best.

Anonymous said...

Dave & Kendra,
My heart aches with you. The pictures you posted of Rachel are so very sweet and precious. I'm glad you could make a year of memories. God is faithful; He is carrying you and your children right now.
Audrey Hiebert

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear about the loss of your precious daughter Rachel. Praying for you. Andrea

Anonymous said...

From Illinois, I have been reading and praying for you and your family for many months, although we have never met. I rejoice for Rachel that she has such gain as seeing the face of Christ, and I deeply sorrow with you. In my life, Rachel - and your family with her - has been an instrument for the glory of the Lord, reminding me over and over again of the hope that we have when we have Christ.
Kristine

Larissa said...

Praying for peace and comfort for your family. Thank you for sharing her precious journey with us. <3

Anonymous said...

Praying for your family and thinking of this prayer...
God of life, there are days when the burdens we carry chafe our shoulders and weigh us down; when the road seems dreary and endless, the skies gray and threatening; when our lives have no music in them and our hearts are lonely, and our souls have lost their courage. Flood the path with light, we beseech you; turn our eyes to where the skies are full of promise; tune our hearts to brave music; give us the sense of comradeship with heroes and saints of every age; and so quicken our spirits that we may be able to encourage the souls of all who journey with us on the road of life, to your honor and glory.

Rest in peace sweet Rachel.

Janet said...

Dave,Kendra,Abigail & Ethan,
I am so very sorry for your loss.
My heart is aching so...We will all miss her...She is in the arms of Jesus now forever.
We love you all & will be praying for comfort for you all.
Love & prayers
Janet M

Anonymous said...

I have read your blog regularly, my heart is aching for you and your family at this time. May you feel God's arms surrounding you.
-Amy

Martha said...

So very sorry to hear that your sweet, beautiful Rachel is gone. For her it is "all gain" but for you who are left behind, the "Journey of Grief" is so very long and hard. Will continue to pray for all of you.

Jennifer said...

Kendra - I am so sad for you and your family. But - I am convinced that God gave you the last few "good" weeks, so that you would have those amazing memories to hold in your heart and to help you through the next few weeks. I have learned and gained so much from following your blog. Sending all the prayers and hugs that a blog comment can hold.

miracle receiver said...

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Anonymous said...

Been gone a week and came back to see that your little was is now an angel waiting for you in heaven. I am so sorry. She was a big fighter from the start. I loved reading your blog in how happy she was and how normal you ran your family even with the unknow hanging over your head. God Bless you. I am sad down here in Minnesota.

Ann Voskamp @Holy Experience said...

Dearest Karen and Dave...

When grief is deepest, words are fewest...

I sit with you tonight in the quiet.... squeeze your hand... nod... pray earnestly to the God who interprets our moanings when there are no words.

No words.

Just with you, leaning hard into Jesus.

More love than these thin letters can hold...
Ann Voskamp