For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
Psalm 139:13-16
Our precious little gift from God met Jesus tonight. The Lord gave us 67 very sweet days with our baby boy, and we are thanking Him tonight for each one of them.
When it became obvious his little heart wasn't going to make it through the night, we chose to spend the time we had left together with him in our arms. We held him. We rocked him. We sang to him. We sang to the Lord. We cried. We prayed. We praised. And, we thanked God for him.
Our hearts are filled with sadness, gratitude and joy. Jude could have passed away in the cath lab yesterday, but he didn't. We had another day together to enjoy and love him. And tonight, we were able to have the sweet hour to say goodbye and tell him again and again how much we love him...how proud we are of him...and how much we thank God for him. We told him again how many people love him and have prayed for him. We told him of what we knew awaited him as soon as he left our arms. And, we told him that we would see him again.
Our baby lives. He lives more fully than any of us can ever comprehend or even imagine. He is free...untethered by the lines and cords and tubes that bound him. And he is His.
Thank You, Jesus. Thank You that death is not the end. It is only the beginning for those who follow and trust in you. Please, may our baby's life point others to You. May our baby's sweet story drive those who hear of it to the cross. May the little one whom you so wonderfully created draw us all to the One we were created for: You. Thank you so very, very much for the precious gift of Jude. Amen.
Lord bless you, Lord comfort you, prayers continue
ReplyDeleteI am crying with you tonight, dear friend. Much love to you.
ReplyDeleteMy family and I are praying for you all. So sorry to hear about your loss but it gives us all hope that we will see Jude again. You all have so very much touched many lives! If there is anything I can do please do not hesitate to ask. I love you all so very much. I pray that the Lord wraps his arms around you.
ReplyDeleteLove you so much, dear friend. The Lord is using Jude's life so much to glorfiy Himself. Crying and grieving with you. So thankful for the time you had with him here and that you have countless more days to spend with him. Love you, Laura
ReplyDeleteWe are praying and crying with you. So sorry for your loss, yet thankful that Jude is in His loving Savior's arms today and looking forward to a time when I can meet your baby boy who has taught me so much about joy and suffering the past few months through your blog. May you continue to be comforted and filled with joy from our Heavenly Father who gave you such a precious gift of a son!
ReplyDeleteOh, sweet friends. I am so so sad w/ you. We are weeping with you. We are praying for you all.
ReplyDeletesandy and steve
Praying for you to feel the kind of comfort that only the Lord can give. Thank you for letting us come to love you and Jude through your blog. Every one I read left me feeling encouraged and strengthened in my faith. I look forward to meeting Jude one day.
ReplyDeletecelebrating Jude's life, and grieving with you.
ReplyDeleteContinuing to pray for you and your entire family! Praying that God would wrap His hands around you and provide you with comfort, peace, and love during this trying time. Thank you for sharing your story with us and allowing us to see your highs and lows. Sweet Jude's story has touched so many lives and you have shown His light through all of this. You will continually be in my daily prayers. I know Jude is being held this morning in God's arms. Love to all of you!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear this news, Mandy...I'm crying for you and I'm not sure what to say. I love you and will be praying for you for many days to come. I know nothing I say can help much, but I just want you to know that I'm praying that God will comfort you all in this time of mourning, beyond anything else.
ReplyDeleteMy heart is completely broken for you. I was just reminded of these verses in light of Jude's name. "To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." What a comfort to know that Jude is in the glorious presence of our mighty God! And his life and your faith have brought Jesus great glory!! Thank you for sharing your journey with us. My prayers are with you this morning.
ReplyDeleteJude was so blessed to have such devoted, loving and faithful parents through this journey.
ReplyDeleteWe love you and are praying you. We are sorry for your loss. We are thankful for Jude and his life, and we thank God for loving him and taking care of him.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your journey and Jude's life so genuinely. Continuing to pray...
ReplyDeleteMy heart is so heavy for you today. Praying His comfort on your family.
ReplyDeleteYou don't know me, I found Jude's story on the "Little Vintage Me" Facebook page. I've read through your journey and am touched by your strength. I know it's hard to be strong when your baby is hurting. I sit here in tears thinking of all you've been through. My family and I are praying for your family. I pray for peace and comfort beyond all understanding. I LOVE that in every post, you give glory to God...your faith in this hardship is inspiring. Jude is no longer in pain, he is snuggled up in our Savior's arms in perfect comfort!
ReplyDeleteCrying and praying. Thankful that Jude saw Jesus in the eyes of his parents and now sees them face to face with Him. We love you...Brian & Rachel
ReplyDeleteContinuing to pray for God's peace that passed understanding over your family. What a blessing and encouragement baby Jude's life has in so many lives that have read your blog. Your faith and joy in Christ is exactly what a life following Christ should look like. We praise our father that his grace is sufficient and that baby Jude is in the comfort and presence of Him now. Much Love.
ReplyDeleteWe are ao sorry. Eliz and I are grieving with you and praying for you during this difficult time.
ReplyDeleteWe love you guys.
Chris and Eliz
Brandon and Mandy,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry and so sad for you both. Your blog is so precious and to think of Jude with God right now is a comfort, but still so sad for you both.
Dave and I are praying for you all.
I know my words can't provide comfort, but I know the love and peace of the One who holds sweet Jude can provide all you need. You remain in my prayers. I'm grateful for you my friend ... Adrienne
ReplyDeleteour family is so deeply saddened by your loss of sweet baby Jude! we are praying for you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessed little boy to be SO VERY LOVED. I will keep praying for your family...grieving for you, sending lots of love. xoxoxoxo
ReplyDeleteWe are so deeply grieved for your loss of sweet Jude. Praying for your family and for the lives that will be changed for eternity because of the testimony of God's faithfulness in your sweet boys life.
ReplyDeleteOh, dear Pelton family....we cried as we read your post just now to get the update on baby Jude. Tears of sadness and tears of joy. His journey and life have been such a gift to so many of us! God used you and your sweet baby boy to reveal more of Himself to us! We are grateful for the privilege of being allowed to share his journey with you! We pray for our Great God of comfort to love and sustain you as you continue to walk forward on the path He has for you. We pray for His hope and promises to continue to allow you to find joy! And we praise God for Jude....and for his beautiful life here on earth and the amazing eternity He now shares with our sweet Savior! Hugs, love, and prayers from all the Kanes!
ReplyDelete67 days, but thousands of lives touched and changed. Thank you friends for allowing your son to lead us to the cross. Thank you Jesus for swallowing up death in victory... for we know what Jude has experienced is only a shadow.
ReplyDeleteKeep looking to eternity. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
Mandy, I have read just about every post. I have seen what it means to truely love, through you and Brandon. Jude is an amazing gift. I praise the Lord for blessing your lives with him. I will continue to pray for healing for you, Brandon and little Caleb.
ReplyDeleteI pray that the love of God envelops you and that you may be able to find rest and peace.
ReplyDeleteI am a friend of Nicole Schmoll and have been following your posts as I too have a son with Down Syndrome named Jude. When he was diagnosed after his birth we knew the Lord had picked his name because God would be praised through his life no matter what. I know that is the same for your Jude too. I pray the peace that surpasses understanding over your family and rejoice, yet tearfully, with you that after his hard fight Jude rests and is whole and that you will reunite with him joyfully one day again. Shalom
ReplyDeleteSweet friend, we are praying for your hearts and minds in this time. Thank you for the gift of allowing us to be a part of his life as well as yours. We are all truly blessed by his 67 days and your journey during those days. Please let us know if you need anything. Love you so, mer and tyler
ReplyDeleteSweet Mandy and Brandon,
ReplyDeleteWe are so sorry to hear the news this morning. We are grieving with you, friends, and praying the Lord would sustain you. We love you and are blessed by your faith.
Love,
Tawny
What a beautiful testimony you have had and what a sweet, precious little boy you were given to love. We will pray for your family during this time.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss I saw a link to your blog about 2 months ago and have been flowing and praying for Jude daily and am so sad to hear of your loss. My prayers are with you and your family at this time and always.
ReplyDeleteBrandon/Mandy:
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry. I am grieving with you. But you are sooooo right. Jude lives!!!! I do look forward to meeting him in Heaven.
Dear God, I pray that you please surround Mandy and Brandon with your all encompassing comfort and peace. Please carry them through this time of sadness. Assist them in each and every way that they need. We praise you for your goodness and for your gift of life through Jude, short as it was. I praise you that even in this moment he is enjoying a vibrant and healthy body. I can see him in my mind. Joyful, at peace, no discomfort, no pain. Thank you again for sharing Jude with us. In Your Mighty name I pray. Amen.
Brandon & Mandy - I am crying and grieving along with you. Your sweet Jude was such a precious blessing, and I know he touched SO many lives. Thank you for sharing your journey, and thank you for showing what love truly is. May the peace of Jesus be with you. Much love...
ReplyDeletePlease know that your family has been and will continue to be in the prayers of the Titus 2:3-5 Ladies Bible Study at 1st Baptist Church Rio Rancho. Although I weep for your loss of Jude on this earth I rejoice in knowing our God holds you in the palm of His hand, and I will get to meet Jude in heaven someday.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear that you have to be separated from Jude for a time. However, I rejoice with you in Jude's freedom from pain. I also want you to know that your daily blogs have touched me profoundly. Thank you for helping me to see real faith in action and what a close fellowship with God looks like. God is at work in it all...
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing those precious 67 days with Jude with us all. Through Jude's life, we've seen God's grace and goodness, His tender mercies and love. What a blessing his life has been. Crying...praying...praising our Lord and Savior with you.
ReplyDeleteOh Mandy and Brandon, I too am so sorry to read this news and so sad that you have to walk this difficult journey. However, I do rejoice with you in your sweet baby's precious life and that our Lord has truly been glorified through your family as you have shared your story with so many through this blog. Praying for God's immeasurable peace and comfort as you celebrate and grieve Jude's meeting Jesus.
ReplyDeleteI can't even begin to understand what you guys are going through right now. But I know that God is being glorified and will be there for you. I'll keep praying.
ReplyDeleteIsaiah 57
1 The righteous perish,
and no one takes it to heart;
the devout are taken away,
and no one understands
that the righteous are taken away
to be spared from evil.
2 Those who walk uprightly
enter into peace;
they find rest as they lie in death.
We are heartbroken over your loss. Jude was a precious baby and we are so thankful that he is no longer suffering. Thank you for sharing his life with us. We were touched as were many others. You are have been in our hearts and in our prayers today and we will continue praying for you and Caleb.
ReplyDeleteMy heart aches for your saddness, and is overjoyed by your hope. Love you so much, sweet friends! <3 Joe & Michele
ReplyDeletewe are mourning with you, and taking your lead and praising God as well. We continue to lift you up in prayer. You're faith and perspective are an immense testimony.
ReplyDeleteCody and I have been praying for your family for the past 67+ days. We have prayed for grace, strength, wisdom, trust, hope, love and peace. As I have prayed for you this week, Psalm 145 constantly comes to mind. My heart praises the Lord for what He has done and grieving for your loss. I pray that He would use your story to strengthen faith around the world. I know personally I have been so touched and blessed to follow the journey of your sweet baby's life. I'm praising the Lord for your faith and hope in HIM.
ReplyDeleteEstamos con ustedes familia Pelton, su pequenio angelito se adelanto, pero guardamos la esperanza de un dia reunirnos con los que nos esperan en ese lugar de luz al lado de nuestro padre amoroso!! Gracias por la vida de Jude que nos ensenio tanto, gracias por la amistad que nos brindan Brandon, Mandy Y Caleb somos afortunados de saberlos nuestros amigos! son gran ejemplo... Nuestra familia entera los recuerda en sus oraciones, que DIOS los bendiga siempre queridos amigos los queremos con todo el corazon....
ReplyDeleteTo Mandy, Brandon, Caleb and the rest of your family, our thoughts and prayers are with you. So sorry for your loss. Please cherish those 37 days that you had with your little precious baby boy. He is no longer in pain, no longer suffering, and no longer struggling. He was the luckiest little one to have such a great mommy and daddy! Kailyn Mower (Aiden's mom)
ReplyDeleteMandy & Brandon,
ReplyDeleteWe are grieving with you. Thank you for sharing your family's journey with the world. I am sure many lives have been touched by your hope-filled words.
In the hands of our creator, nothing is wasted.
Blessings,
Holly & Justin Smith
I'm so sad for your loss but know that Jude
ReplyDeleteWas so lucky to have you as his parents. I happened
Upon your blog right before jude was born
and have prayed daily on your journey , thank you
For sharing your lives , you have been very strong
Throughout and I admire you both. I know that
Your faith will carry you through this most difficult
Time. You will be in our prayers and in our thoughts. Jude is no longer suffering and is finally with his creator.
Laura
Praying for you, your journey has encouraged me with faith and strength as I journey on my own loss of our daughter. Thank you for having honesty and scripture and God's grace all over your posts. I do hope that you continue to write and post on your blog, even through your days of grieving and tears. All the babies in Heaven, we miss them but are thankful they are with Jesus. Praise the Lord we have hope that this is not the end. That we will be with them again.
ReplyDeleteOur hearts are breaking for you and our family is praying for yours. You have been an inspiring witness to God's goodness and faithfulness through an incredibly difficult time. Thank you for your transparency and your wonderful, loving hearts. Praise the Lord for His hope. Love to you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing Jude with us. We look forward to when we all get to meet him in Heaven. Prayers for peace and comfort in this time. Thank you for teaching us to treasure each moment and to live life to the fullest because we are not guaranteed another breath.
ReplyDeleteoh mandy, we are crying and praying for you as well. I am thankful for how Jude helped me to better understand, know, and love the Father. He has left a mark on my life. and so have you.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vHFsXOdTt0
ReplyDeleteI hope you will love this song!
Esther
So sorry to hear that Jude has passed away. We heard of your story through Jen Hennessy, we were at KSU in CRU with Brandon, have been following your blog and praying. God is being glorified and Jude is home. We have two little ones and I will be giving them an extra kiss tonight when I check on them before bed. May you find peace and comfort in these most difficult times. -Kerri and Darian Rawson
ReplyDeletesitting here crying with you from a far. little jude, a life well lived. and a boy well-loved. and now a life and a love that we can know only by faith, but he knows by sight. with those beautiful little eyes that you cherished so much. i can't imagine how you ache for him now. praying for you as you grieve. i am so deeply sorry for your loss and so profoundly grateful for the hope you have.
ReplyDeleteYour story has touched many. I'm in tears reading your story and hurt so much for you. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Your strength as well as baby Jude's strength is a beacon of light for many.
ReplyDeleteI am so incredibly sorry for your loss. Your faith in the Lord has inspired and deeply invoked me to get closer to Him. My thoughts and prayers will continue to be with your family.
ReplyDeleteWhat a whole I feel in my heart and I didn't even have the privilege of meeting him. Hold your family in each others arms and know you will see him again, I can't wait! Aunt Jenny
ReplyDeleteHi Mandy,
ReplyDeleteI'm crying with you and praying for you and so encouraged by your strength. I can't imagine how painful this is for you but I thank you for being so strong and for sharing Jude's story with us. We're praying with you.
OK, I have read through all of your posts about your little guy, even knowing beforehand how it ended (or actually, Began) for Jude, and I am overwhelmed at the depth of your understanding of the width, the length, the height, and the depth of Christ's love for you, even in the midst of such breathtaking loss.
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful, though I may never know you this side of heaven, to share a Savior with such a person. It builds my faith, as little else can, to remember in stories such as yours (and mine!) that He is a Man of Sorrows, well-acquainted with grief.
He gives, He takes away. [Yet] Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Thank you so much for sharing your story.