Sunday, October 25, 2009

Jo's Obit and More Pics

It's some odd ball hour of the morning, and I woke up to try to get more comfortable and take my next dose of pain meds and anti-inflamatory meds.  I knew Jo's obit would be up today, and wanted to share that with you guys.  Being that it will take a few minutes for this round of drugs to kick in I thought I would take a minute to share Jo's obit and it's link, and then another self indulgent picture(or 4) of our precious Johanna.



JoJo's Obit(link)

Johanna Raye Carswell, infant daughter of Chad and Nikki Carswell, passed from creation to creator on Friday, Oct. 23, 2009. In addition to her parents, Johanna is survived by a brother Clayton Carswell of the home, maternal grandparents Dr. Alan and Joan Carr of Lenoir; paternal grandparents Pastor Dennis and Diane Carswell of Morganton; aunts and uncles, Pastor Jesse and Amy Carr of Lenoir, Andrew and Trish Carswell of Morganton, and Jamie Carswell of Morganton. Johanna is also survived by multiple great grandparents and extended family. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Blue Ridge Memorial Park in Lenoir with the Dr. Alan Carr, Pastor Dennis Carswell and Pastor Scott Moneyham officiating. In lieu of flowers Johanna's family request that memorial contributions be made to the Caldwell Pregnancy Care Center, attn: Fran Propst, PO Box 1561, Lenoir, NC 28645. Chad and Nikki would like to extend personal thanks to Dr. Howard Hall and the entire staff at Medical Heights OB/Gyn. Your thoughtfulness, caring attitude and compassion have helped us to see the rainbow in the midst of our storm. Online condolences may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com. Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.



 
 
At some point in the next few days, I plan to share her birth story.  Her birth in and of itself is truly a miracle.  God answered every single prayer that we had regarding her short life.  He provided us with everything that Chad and I needed and wanted to make her passing beautiful.  Johanna passed very quickly and incredible peacefully.  I was holding her when she drew her final breaths and crossed into Heaven with her Lord.  I amd confident that she is now rejoicing and praising her Creator.  And while my heart is breaking into a million pieces, I too can rejoice and magnify her Creator.  My life has been forever changed because God chose to bless me with this precious little girl.  My heart and arms miss her more than any words can describe, but because of the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ I know I will see her again in Heaven.

10 comments:

Pam said...

I'm speechless. I only know to tell you that I'm praying!!!!!
Pam

ANewKindOfPerfect said...

Thank you again for sharing little Jo with us. Those precious little toes are too cute. I am thinking about your family!

Adrienne said...

So Beautiful Nikki. I know this is so hard but you are being so strong by sharing all of this. God Bless you and your family.

A said...

Thank you for sharing this time with us, Nikki! Seriously, every single picture you post takes my breath away because she is just so perfect. I am so thankful that her birth was all you wanted it to be and I look forward to hearing more about your time with Jo. Praying for you in the coming days as you grieve and celebrate your beautiful daughter :)

christina said...

i again have to be selfish and say how much i love reading the similarities in our stories. To say i am grateful to be walking with you in this is too easy. I pray your heart knows my heart and that words aren't necessary. In a very worldly and simplistic thought, i hope our girls get to be friends in heaven and they can sit around talking about how neat it is that they are so much alike, just like their mommies. :)

and something i always needed to hear and be reminded of..so be prepared to hear it often from me...i know that your heavenly father is so so proud of you, his faithful daughter and servant. I know you can't wait to hear Him say 'welcome home, good and faithful servant." so proud of you. loveu.

Frugal Jen said...

Praying for your family.

Lexie said...

I'm here from Monica B's blog. Just letting you know a total stranger is praying for you guys and of course, for little Jo.

christina said...

thinking of nothing but you guys today, and esp. at 1pm (my time) as you celebrate, glorify, mourn and grieve. Being with you in this has brought to mind so much of my journey, esp. the first days following her death and i just thank you for that! Sounds crazy and morbid but it's a connection to her...and as time goes on, we tend to forget the little things. I'm grateful to remember every tiny detail, as it's the best i've got in this life. You continue to bless me in your sorrow. I hope to do the same for you. peace on your hearts. loveu.

Jenny said...

I'm not really good at this computer stuff so I hope you get this message. Johanna is absolutely beautiful. I just wanted you to know that you and your family have been in my thoughts and prayers all weekend. I just recently found out about your blog and I have been reading it often. You have been such an inspiration to me and I'm sure to many other people. The faithfulness of you and your family has been amazing. I will continue to pray that God will bring you peace and comfort in the days to come.

Jenny Younce

inadvertent farmer said...

I have been where you are and my heart is broken for you...sending prayers. Thanks for sharing your story, Kim