Almost immediately after Ethan passed away last year, many friends, co-workers, acquaintances, etc. were touched by the Lord. Hearing of a young child of 7 having such a testimony and love for the Lord no doubt convicted a lot of hearts.
Many of you said you were either returning to church or going for the first time. There were also many of you who said you were committing your life to Christ and you vowed to raise your children to love the Lord. This is awesome, and I can only hope and pray for each and every one of you that your heart remains as convicted today as it did on the day that you found out Ethan had died.
Where is your heart?
It's never to late to return to Him. Never.
He is mighty to save.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
No matter where you are today, He is waiting on you. No sin can separate you from His love. I pray that your heart is for Him.
In loving memory of Ethan Joshua Wallace, a child of God who trusted Him and took the straight path to Heaven.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Not By Good Works
As I was laying in bed last night trying to sleep, I couldn't stop thinking about how we, God's children, are NOT saved by good works. That is a lie. It states in scripture that we are saved by Jesus' grace.
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel 2 Timothy 1:8-10
I mean, how good is good enough? A lot of folks have given up on even pursuing God because they cannot stop sinning, and they feel that they don't "do enough good things, so why should I even try?" Do not buy into this lie. IF YOU HAVE ACCEPTED CHRIST IN YOUR HEART, AND YOU HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM, YOU ARE SAVE BY GRACE! AND IF YOU HAVEN'T ACCEPTED HIM, WHY NOT TRY? IT'S NEVER TOO LATE, AS LONG AS YOU HAVE BREATH WITHIN YOU.
What if we were saved by good works? I mean, how many does it take? What if it took 12,687 good works to get to heaven? But let's say you get to 10,456 good works and you suddenly die from a heart attack? That wouldn't be fair, now would it? And what about the precious children who perish? They wouldn't be saved either. God is fair and just, and he wishes that none shall perish. NOT A ONE OF YOU!
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
Concerning children, I firmly believe that ALL children who perish do automatically go to heaven. Afterall, Jesus loved the little children so much, that he gave us guidance to be as innocent children. To have faith as a child has faith.
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 19:14
Now with that said, what I have written was inspired by the Lord...as these are NOT my words. They are words written in His Word, the Bible, and thoughts He has laid on my heart. You may wonder, okay, so I just accept Him into my heart and so I'm all good...no good acts have to be done? Wrong. Once one has wholeheartedly accepted Christ, has an intimate relationship with the Father, then one leans towards loving others more than themselves. You see, a person becomes humbled, and wants to have the heart of Jesus, because he or she loves Him so much! And when this person has this much love within them, it's sort of like an automatic thing--the whole good works issue. Good works feel better than going shopping for meaningless stuff that will end up boring us down the road. Good works are more rewarding that puffing up ourselves and being conceited. Good works feel better than going out and getting intoxicated.
This doesn't mean that we won't go through seasons in life where we are sort of just there, laying in the hands of Jesus, not giving a lot back to others. This has been my experience this past year in walking my grief journey. There will be many seasons of life that we pass through. Marriage, raising children, trials, happy times, loss, etc. It's that we learn and grow and find the trials as opportunities rather than life altering to the point of never giving back to others in order to glorify Him. I believe that ALL trials can be used to further the Kingdom. We just have to be still and lean on Him.
You are ALL worthy of His love. It is my hope that none of us shall perish, but that we all shall have a glorious life lived in eternity, such as how my precious son Ethan is now living. God bless you all!
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel 2 Timothy 1:8-10
I mean, how good is good enough? A lot of folks have given up on even pursuing God because they cannot stop sinning, and they feel that they don't "do enough good things, so why should I even try?" Do not buy into this lie. IF YOU HAVE ACCEPTED CHRIST IN YOUR HEART, AND YOU HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM, YOU ARE SAVE BY GRACE! AND IF YOU HAVEN'T ACCEPTED HIM, WHY NOT TRY? IT'S NEVER TOO LATE, AS LONG AS YOU HAVE BREATH WITHIN YOU.
What if we were saved by good works? I mean, how many does it take? What if it took 12,687 good works to get to heaven? But let's say you get to 10,456 good works and you suddenly die from a heart attack? That wouldn't be fair, now would it? And what about the precious children who perish? They wouldn't be saved either. God is fair and just, and he wishes that none shall perish. NOT A ONE OF YOU!
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
Concerning children, I firmly believe that ALL children who perish do automatically go to heaven. Afterall, Jesus loved the little children so much, that he gave us guidance to be as innocent children. To have faith as a child has faith.
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 19:14
Now with that said, what I have written was inspired by the Lord...as these are NOT my words. They are words written in His Word, the Bible, and thoughts He has laid on my heart. You may wonder, okay, so I just accept Him into my heart and so I'm all good...no good acts have to be done? Wrong. Once one has wholeheartedly accepted Christ, has an intimate relationship with the Father, then one leans towards loving others more than themselves. You see, a person becomes humbled, and wants to have the heart of Jesus, because he or she loves Him so much! And when this person has this much love within them, it's sort of like an automatic thing--the whole good works issue. Good works feel better than going shopping for meaningless stuff that will end up boring us down the road. Good works are more rewarding that puffing up ourselves and being conceited. Good works feel better than going out and getting intoxicated.
This doesn't mean that we won't go through seasons in life where we are sort of just there, laying in the hands of Jesus, not giving a lot back to others. This has been my experience this past year in walking my grief journey. There will be many seasons of life that we pass through. Marriage, raising children, trials, happy times, loss, etc. It's that we learn and grow and find the trials as opportunities rather than life altering to the point of never giving back to others in order to glorify Him. I believe that ALL trials can be used to further the Kingdom. We just have to be still and lean on Him.
You are ALL worthy of His love. It is my hope that none of us shall perish, but that we all shall have a glorious life lived in eternity, such as how my precious son Ethan is now living. God bless you all!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Please Be Safe!!!
Temperatures are soaring outside, and that means that most folks will spend more time outside. Along with the fun in the some comes a lot of water activities. I want to urge you all to be very careful. I hope a life or two or more can be saved from our tragedy.
It's unfortunate that there will be drowning tragedies. We were one of those statistics last summer, but you don't have to be a statistic. Ethan was well supervised, I just want to emphasize that to, in a way, scare you into being extra, extra careful. There were many adults around the pool, and Ethan was being supervised. Let me say that again...he was supervised, and yet he still drowned.
After losing Ethan, I searched the internet for other moms who had lost children to drowning. While the vast majority of children lost in this manner are toddlers who got out of their parent's/guardian's line of vision (and we as parents know how hard and impossible it is to have our eyes on them every single moment of every day) and fell into a pool, I have found a few instances where children who were trained to swim AND were swimming with adult supervision, still drowned.
The very best advice I can give is that we must not have one single distraction when children are in the pool. At least one adult must be the lifeguard, meaning that this designated person is constantly watching and NOT engaging in a conversation or any other distraction. Nothing. Only watching. Period. Here's why: drowning isn't what it looks like in movies and TV shows. It's a silent killer.
Also, do not be mislead into thinking that since your child has had a few swimming lessons, that they are okay to swim alone or with less supervision. One summer's worth of lessons is not sufficient. Learning to swim is an ongoing process.
Another very scary thing that I have heard of is children who have nearly drowned at swimming lessons, with the instructor close by. DO NOT leave the area. Stay and supervise at ALL times! Do not engage in conversation. Be watchful at all times. One instructor with 4 children isn't sufficient supervision, even if the swim school assures you it is...be safe and stay!
And lastly, and most importantly, if you own a pool, please consider putting up one or more barriers to prevent a child falling in. Also, if you intend on having guests over to swim, you MUST set up rules for your pool, and you must be diligent!
I would never want anyone to go through what we have been through. It changes you down to the very core of your soul. Though I know that the Lord has been glorified throughout the past year, and many have turned to Christ because of Ethan's testimony...I do not want this to happen to YOU!
PLEASE EXERCISE CAUTION AND DO NOT HAVE THE ATTITUDE "THIS COULD NEVER HAPPEN TO ME!"
God bless you all.
It's unfortunate that there will be drowning tragedies. We were one of those statistics last summer, but you don't have to be a statistic. Ethan was well supervised, I just want to emphasize that to, in a way, scare you into being extra, extra careful. There were many adults around the pool, and Ethan was being supervised. Let me say that again...he was supervised, and yet he still drowned.
After losing Ethan, I searched the internet for other moms who had lost children to drowning. While the vast majority of children lost in this manner are toddlers who got out of their parent's/guardian's line of vision (and we as parents know how hard and impossible it is to have our eyes on them every single moment of every day) and fell into a pool, I have found a few instances where children who were trained to swim AND were swimming with adult supervision, still drowned.
The very best advice I can give is that we must not have one single distraction when children are in the pool. At least one adult must be the lifeguard, meaning that this designated person is constantly watching and NOT engaging in a conversation or any other distraction. Nothing. Only watching. Period. Here's why: drowning isn't what it looks like in movies and TV shows. It's a silent killer.
Also, do not be mislead into thinking that since your child has had a few swimming lessons, that they are okay to swim alone or with less supervision. One summer's worth of lessons is not sufficient. Learning to swim is an ongoing process.
Another very scary thing that I have heard of is children who have nearly drowned at swimming lessons, with the instructor close by. DO NOT leave the area. Stay and supervise at ALL times! Do not engage in conversation. Be watchful at all times. One instructor with 4 children isn't sufficient supervision, even if the swim school assures you it is...be safe and stay!
And lastly, and most importantly, if you own a pool, please consider putting up one or more barriers to prevent a child falling in. Also, if you intend on having guests over to swim, you MUST set up rules for your pool, and you must be diligent!
I would never want anyone to go through what we have been through. It changes you down to the very core of your soul. Though I know that the Lord has been glorified throughout the past year, and many have turned to Christ because of Ethan's testimony...I do not want this to happen to YOU!
PLEASE EXERCISE CAUTION AND DO NOT HAVE THE ATTITUDE "THIS COULD NEVER HAPPEN TO ME!"
God bless you all.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Writing About My Ethan--Late post
I thought that perhaps remembering some memories about Ethan would brighten the remainder of the evening, on this Mother's Day. For those who never met Ethan, I am truly sad because he was quite the unique and kind little man. He was so compassionate, loving, observant, moral, silly, eccentric, etc.
Though right now my mind is a bit muddled and I can't think of a particular memory to write about, I will write about some of the things he did a lot.
One thing Ethan would do every single morning is wake up, go to the homeschool room, and read for about an hour ever morning! This started at about 6AM! He loved to read and couldn't read enough. Both Josh and I have similar personalities in that we require a bit of "alone time" each day--you know, where you grab a book and read for a bit. Ethan caught that habit by hereditary for sure.
Ethan loved to swing! Just about everyday, he would either get on our swingset, or go to the park just behind our house, and swing, swing, swing!! I often wondered what he was thinking as he swung back and forth, carefree and so peaceful. Maybe that was his alone time with the Lord?
And oh the love of trees! Ethan just loved his trees! With the help of his Sibley Tree Guide, he was determined to learn which trees were which, and everything about them. Of course, that was challenging with most of his life being lived in the desert. Any opportunity to get into nature and hike and see God's Creation, was like going to Disney for him. That WAS his Disney.
Speaking of hiking, we often went to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area just outside of Las Vegas, and hiked as a family. That child was fearless of heights! For such a cautious and guarded child, all of his fears melted away once we arrived out there and began our hike. We would hike challenging areas, and he just seemed so calm and sure of his footing, and he sure was! He never slipped and fell once.
Ethan, I love you and miss you everyday. It's hard to believe you've been with Jesus for almost an entire year. THANK YOU JESUS, for holding us and giving us strength to continue!
Though right now my mind is a bit muddled and I can't think of a particular memory to write about, I will write about some of the things he did a lot.
One thing Ethan would do every single morning is wake up, go to the homeschool room, and read for about an hour ever morning! This started at about 6AM! He loved to read and couldn't read enough. Both Josh and I have similar personalities in that we require a bit of "alone time" each day--you know, where you grab a book and read for a bit. Ethan caught that habit by hereditary for sure.
Ethan loved to swing! Just about everyday, he would either get on our swingset, or go to the park just behind our house, and swing, swing, swing!! I often wondered what he was thinking as he swung back and forth, carefree and so peaceful. Maybe that was his alone time with the Lord?
And oh the love of trees! Ethan just loved his trees! With the help of his Sibley Tree Guide, he was determined to learn which trees were which, and everything about them. Of course, that was challenging with most of his life being lived in the desert. Any opportunity to get into nature and hike and see God's Creation, was like going to Disney for him. That WAS his Disney.
Speaking of hiking, we often went to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area just outside of Las Vegas, and hiked as a family. That child was fearless of heights! For such a cautious and guarded child, all of his fears melted away once we arrived out there and began our hike. We would hike challenging areas, and he just seemed so calm and sure of his footing, and he sure was! He never slipped and fell once.
Ethan, I love you and miss you everyday. It's hard to believe you've been with Jesus for almost an entire year. THANK YOU JESUS, for holding us and giving us strength to continue!
2002...Think again
This past Sunday, I went to a church near my sister's house. I'm sort of church hopping until we get settled into our new home out in the country. It's really too far to drive from her house out there where we will live. So the searching for a new church home will most likely wait until we are moved.
Anyway, Evan decided to go into children's church today. Since we were guests, I had to fill out paperwork. On that paperwork I had to obviosuly, include his date of birth. I jotted that and all of the other information down. The kind volunteer then looked the paperwork over and said,"So he's second grade, right?" I looked at her sort of confused and said,"No, I put Kindergarten down, didn't I?"
I had put the wrong date of birth. I should have put 2005. Instead I put the year as 2002--Ethan's year. SIGH.
I apologized to the volunteer and explained I put my other child's year of birth. She asked if I had another child (I'm sure so that they could add him to the paperwork). My reply was yes, but he died. Of course, the shocked looked ensued. She asked how long ago, I told her almost a year ago. Then I teared up...again. Lately, I cannot think about Ethan or talk about him without tearing up. At least, not when I am in these sort of situations.
Occurrances like that are upsetting. I'm not mad or upset with the volunteer. It's just another reminder that my son who I wish were here, isn't here any longer. And once I tear up, my day just seems so long and mentally draining. I get really tired, and my mood changes dramatically. I went from excited to visit a new place to...down in the dumps. The first half of church, I just wasn't feeling it. I didn't want to praise God. But my mood did get better about 30 mintues into the service.
Knowing that the one year anniversary is literally around the corner, I think that my emotions, as well as Josh's, are scattered. How could a year have already gone by? It seems like just yesterday, yet it doesn't...
Anyway, Evan decided to go into children's church today. Since we were guests, I had to fill out paperwork. On that paperwork I had to obviosuly, include his date of birth. I jotted that and all of the other information down. The kind volunteer then looked the paperwork over and said,"So he's second grade, right?" I looked at her sort of confused and said,"No, I put Kindergarten down, didn't I?"
I had put the wrong date of birth. I should have put 2005. Instead I put the year as 2002--Ethan's year. SIGH.
I apologized to the volunteer and explained I put my other child's year of birth. She asked if I had another child (I'm sure so that they could add him to the paperwork). My reply was yes, but he died. Of course, the shocked looked ensued. She asked how long ago, I told her almost a year ago. Then I teared up...again. Lately, I cannot think about Ethan or talk about him without tearing up. At least, not when I am in these sort of situations.
Occurrances like that are upsetting. I'm not mad or upset with the volunteer. It's just another reminder that my son who I wish were here, isn't here any longer. And once I tear up, my day just seems so long and mentally draining. I get really tired, and my mood changes dramatically. I went from excited to visit a new place to...down in the dumps. The first half of church, I just wasn't feeling it. I didn't want to praise God. But my mood did get better about 30 mintues into the service.
Knowing that the one year anniversary is literally around the corner, I think that my emotions, as well as Josh's, are scattered. How could a year have already gone by? It seems like just yesterday, yet it doesn't...
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Mother's Day
As families celebrate Mother's Day here in the United States, my heart is heavy for those who have lost a child, or who have never been able to conceive a child of their own. God gave us a natural instinct to be mothers, and when we lose a child, or cannot have children of our own, it hurts--BADLY.
This is my first Mother's Day without Ethan. I am sad. I'm also sad for the beautiful ladies that I have known (before Ethan passing), and now know through losing Ethan, who have been through the sadness my family and I have endured.
For all of you out there that are bereaved, my heart is truly heavy, and I have prayed for you all. For those who have never been able to have children of their own, my heart also is heavy for you all, and I have prayed, and have also become ever so more appreciative that I've been blessed with Ethan and Evan. I have experienced what some never get to experience, and so badly want with every ounce of their being--bearing children.
For those who have never lost a child or have not had fertility issues, please keep a watchful eye out today, and always, because the holidays truly are difficult. If we could step outside of ourselves and have compassion for others, well let's just say it could make someones sad heart feel better.
The holidays...it's another reminder that the one we love isn't here on earth any longer. But I trust my God. He holds my son now, and because of my faith and the promise of eternity (through Jesus paying it all on the Cross), I have hope to see my son again! Thank you Jesus!
This is my first Mother's Day without Ethan. I am sad. I'm also sad for the beautiful ladies that I have known (before Ethan passing), and now know through losing Ethan, who have been through the sadness my family and I have endured.
For all of you out there that are bereaved, my heart is truly heavy, and I have prayed for you all. For those who have never been able to have children of their own, my heart also is heavy for you all, and I have prayed, and have also become ever so more appreciative that I've been blessed with Ethan and Evan. I have experienced what some never get to experience, and so badly want with every ounce of their being--bearing children.
For those who have never lost a child or have not had fertility issues, please keep a watchful eye out today, and always, because the holidays truly are difficult. If we could step outside of ourselves and have compassion for others, well let's just say it could make someones sad heart feel better.
The holidays...it's another reminder that the one we love isn't here on earth any longer. But I trust my God. He holds my son now, and because of my faith and the promise of eternity (through Jesus paying it all on the Cross), I have hope to see my son again! Thank you Jesus!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Compassion
Something I was thinking about this morning is the lack of compassion in our society. I even see it in little children, and I have to wonder what is this world coming to? It starts with us, as the parent, to model this and other good character qualities. We as parents will reap what we sow. We cannot sit there and do immoral things and participate in immoral things of this world and expect our children to not follow our lead. And even if our behavior isn't immoral (just lacking character), we still must model what we want. If we want a kind, compassionate child who loves other, we ourselves must first be the example and show that towards others. Simple...yet hard to follow through. We can only achieve this with the Father's help. It cannot be done alone. Trust me on this one!
Even as I have seen,Those who plow iniquity And sow trouble reap the same. Job 4:8
Just something that's been on my heart lately--compassion. An emotion and gesture that could help someone who is in the pit, literally, with sadness. What is the matter with people? We must wake up out of our selfishness and show love towards others!
We as Christians need to pray for those who hurt us and let us down. That's something I struggle with, and I need to work on.
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you... Matthew 5:42-44
Observe a child for a while. They are quick to forgive and and show love (most of the time). Why is it the older we get, the greedier we get? Observe a child and act as he or she...the Lord commands it!
Even as I have seen,Those who plow iniquity And sow trouble reap the same. Job 4:8
Just something that's been on my heart lately--compassion. An emotion and gesture that could help someone who is in the pit, literally, with sadness. What is the matter with people? We must wake up out of our selfishness and show love towards others!
We as Christians need to pray for those who hurt us and let us down. That's something I struggle with, and I need to work on.
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you... Matthew 5:42-44
Observe a child for a while. They are quick to forgive and and show love (most of the time). Why is it the older we get, the greedier we get? Observe a child and act as he or she...the Lord commands it!
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