Sunday, June 10, 2012

Thatcher's Memorial Service

We will be holding a memorial service in honor of Thatcher Caleb Paul:

Wednesday, June 13th
11:00 am
Crossroads Baptist Church
5000 College Park Drive - The Woodlands, TX 77384

This service is open to all who wish to celebrate Thatcher's life with us.  Please do not feel the need to wear black.  Yes, we are beyond saddened and hurting that our baby boy is no longer in our arms, but we are choosing to celebrate the 2 months and 29 days we got to spend with Thatcher, for each and every one of those days was a miracle.  We are also celebrating that our prayers have been answered, of course not in the way we would have chosen, BUT our sweet baby is forever healed, no more pain will he feel... ever again.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Thatcher Caleb Memorial.   Thank you all again for your prayers, love, encouragement, and support.

The service will be followed by a small private graveside service.

(The Thatcher Caleb Memorial is in the process of being developed into a charity, but as we are in the early stages it is not a fully tax deductible organization, but simply an account set up in his name.  Once this process is completed, and the foundation is approved, the money will be used in Thatcher Caleb's name to continue to bring God glory by helping people in similar situations)

14 comments:

  1. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Eric and Whitney. Your baby Thatcher Caleb . . . a perfect and beautiful gift from God.

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  2. Your strength and grace is what is amazing. Of course you have always amazed me

    Thinking of you,

    Susan

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  3. Whitney & Eric,

    Thank you for sharing your amazing story and your journey as you continue to touch people lives for God's glory. God has used Thatcher & both of YOU to as a tool to speak truth into hundreds of lives. I know that Thatcher must be dancing & praising the Lord in heaven for giving him such wonderful parents! You have selflessly sought after the Lord through this entire adventure & you have not stopped praising HIM for Thatcher & the blessing that he is. Even in the midst of the worst heartache that I can imagine, you have continued to look to the Heavenly Father. We are praying that you will both continue to seek HIS face as you begin to take new steps in your journey as a family.. Philippians 1:6, "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in your will carry it onto completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

    Just like you have said all along, Thatcher's purpose in his life was to bring God glory & enhance the Kingdom. I can only imagine Jesus holding Thatcher in his arms and saying, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

    Love you guys deeply,
    Kyle & Bethany

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  4. Dear sweet Eric and Whitney, I do not know you...but I do know being a mom. My heart goes out to you...having a Christian walk some think make it easy. It does give us an understanding that this world is not our home...but we are still human and there is a void. I pray for you both right now so that our Father will fill that void, will give you the ability to live each day to its fullest. Know that though you do not know me, I will be praying for you. Bless you both.
    Kim

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  5. Praying, praying, praying. We love you guys.

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  6. Love you Eric and Whitney,

    I will be there this Wednesday. Matt is out of the state on business but he sends his prayers to you. Love you guys.

    Alex

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  7. Whitney and Eric,

    I as well as my family will pray for healing to come to your family. Whitney you were such a ray of light on campus and I never told you that. Your faith in the midst of this turmoil is inspiring to others. You are doing God's work in such a sad time. I'm a quote person so hopefully these two will bring you some relief:

    Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

    What we have once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us. -Helen Keller

    Sincerely,
    Alicia Fowler

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  8. Eric and Whitney, our hearts are broken for you and your families. We pray you will continue to feel our love and prayers in the days ahead as once again your lives will be changed and there will be a new normal to adjust too. May you find the strength and courage to get up and face each new day and rejoyce for the many lives which have been blessed and brought to Jesus by your precious baby boy, Thatcher and his precious parents.
    With heartfelt sympathy,
    Glenn, Kathy and Chris Lanier

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  9. Eric and Whitney:

    I cannot make the service tomorrow, but I wanted to let you know that my thoughts and prayers have been and continue to be with you. As believers, our minds understand that there is a reason for everything under the sun. Our minds know that His will is always done and it is all for His glory. But He also gave us hearts that don't understand these things. Our hearts break and we become angry. The wonderful thing is that He understands those hearts and He knows us better than we know ourselves. Don't be ashamed of your anger and frustration - they are part of the process. Ask Him the questions and He will patiently answer.

    When I lost our twin boys two years ago, all I could say was, "My mind understands, but my heart doesn't." Today I cannot say that my heart has come any closer to understanding. However, I take comfort in knowing that Ronon and Aiden have returned to where they truly belong. They'll never know the worries of this world and will remain forever in perfect peace. My hope for you is that you will take comfort in knowing that your beautiful baby boy is resting in God's loving arms. And in time your hearts will be healed.

    God bless you both.

    Regina Stephenson (EBS HR Services)

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  10. Eric and Whitney,

    My name is Gretchen Parent. I am a friend of Michelle Jeffers. Michelle and I have never actually met, but we became friends through an online support group after our baby boys went home to be with the Lord. My son Andrew lived from Feb 3 to May 2, 2004 (3 months). He had cancer, so we faced many trials while he was with us, but we were indeed greatly blessed to be his parents. I read a few of your blogs, and I sobbed through all of it, because I have been where you are now, and I understand what you are feeling. God has already given you so much strength and wisdom, probably more than you know. I am so very sorry for your loss! I pray for the Lord to cover you in His peace. And you can take comfort in knowing that all of our boys (Thatcher, Joey, and Andrew) are healed and happy in the arms of the Lord. My prayers will be with you.

    Gretchen
    gparent0405@cox.net

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  11. I just wanted to tell you that I am praying for you this morning....your story has deeply touched me, and I wish there was something I could do or say that would comfort. My heart mourns with you....
    In Christ, Anna (New Hampshire)

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  12. Lord Jesus,
    Thank you that you are God and we are not.
    We will never be able to fully understand you, but that doesn't in any way detract from your great power, your magnificence, your faithfulness, your sovereignty, and your love.
    Please cover Eric and Whitney in your presence in a way that changes them and draws them even closer to yourself. Be glorified in their lives, more every day.
    We love you and need you!
    Amen.

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  13. Whitney and Eric, I was given this poem over 24 years ago when my son Logan Joseph died after thirty four hour. I don't know who the author is but I still find great comfort in reading it. I will keep you in my prayers as well as the rest of your family. I look forward to be reunited with my son one day. Love to all of you and God Bless, Becky

    God's Flower Garden

    Sometimes we can't quite understand
    Our Great Creator's way,
    When He takes a life so young
    And leaves one withered old and gray.

    Whose life work seems finished
    Perhaps is waiting for the call,
    While that life so young and tender
    Held so much here for us all.

    Then sometimes I get to thinking
    Perhaps this world down here below
    Is just a flower garden
    Where God's flowers live and grow

    And perhaps when God is lonely
    Like us He loves to roam
    In His garden gathering flowers
    Just to beautify His home.

    Tho' He takes the full-bloom flowers
    Drooped and withered that need His care
    Still he needs a bud or blossom
    To scatter with them, here and there.

    So He takes a few choice blossoms,
    Just the rarest He can find,
    And because God needs them up in Heaven
    Must comfort loved ones left behind.

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  14. You are not forgotten. The Holy Spirit calls you to my mind frequently, though we have never met. May you feel His comfort in your sorrow.

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