Just in case you feel like crying:) This is the long 9+ minute slideshow. I know it is long, but this is mainly for people who couldn't make it to the birth or to the memorial today who wish they could have. And this is also for those who are going through something similar. I remember how other people's slideshows really helped me these past six months of waiting. There is a shorter one, but I love this long one. Hope you enjoy it. The birth story to come soon!! P.S. Before playing the slideshow, scroll down to pause the music player for the blog. If you don't you will have two songs playing:)
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Baby Paul's Birthday
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29 comments:
Thank you for sharing this! It looks like your time with him was very special.
We've just found out this afternoon that we lost our littlest one (early pregnancy loss). I can only imagine how much more attached you were to your Paul.
God's continued blessing on your lives!
Just beautiful Debra, your face was shinning! and Paul is just adorable. Love you girl!
Katie Fenner
He looks like you Debra. It is clear from the pictures that God has granted you His peace that passes understanding. What a beautiful family you have. Thank you for sharing your entire heart wrenching life.
Praise God for never leaving us nor forsaking us.
Beautiful pictures! Thank you for sharing. We lost a baby (four weeks old) a couple of years ago, and I can tell you that God is good to take care of you through it all. He will make the grief bearable. I thank God all the time for the gift He gave in that little life (our daughter's). When you feel pain and grief, remember that the scriptures reveal to us a God who is compassionate and who does everything for a purpose (and for our good).
Aloha from Hawaii!
I happened to be visiting Preschoolers and Peace blog, one I frequent often to gain encouragement. We too homeschool and we have 6 blessings of our own- my oldest being 13 and 3 under 5.
I wanted to share with you about how touched I am by your story. I couldn't help but feel a sense of peace while watching your slideshow of precious baby Paul. You truly are a woman of strength.
I am once again reminded of how AWESOME our God is. He is always faithful to turn our mourning into joy. HE is so, so good!
By the way, my husband is a firefighter too, here in Hawaii County.
I will be praying for you.
<>< Heather Kanahele
I heard about your son on Monday from Sarah Daly. My heart completely broke for you and continues to ache for you and your family! I have a very good idea of the pain that you are going through as I too have a son who is dancing with Jesus today! It is such a mix of emotions - I describe our time as the best worst days of our lives! It is so amazing to be in a place where you can truly see the hand of God and feel Him in a way you never thought possible. He is uplifting you and I promise He is using you and your family in a mighty, mighty way!
A verse I have clung to is I Peter 5:10-11 "And after you have suffered a little while the God of all grace, who has called yo to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen."
I have been and will continue to pray for you and your family!
Michelle Castro
A beautiful story you have shared. May the Lord continue to be with you.
Beautiful photos and perfect music. Debra, the joy on your face is incredible. What a beautiful tribute to your son and the grace of God in your lives. Thank you for sharing!
Well worth every second of the 9 minutes. Paul and your whole famly are beautiful.
Your smile is amazing.. such peace. God extends such grace doesn't he? I remember those early moment pictures full of smiles for us too. God's kindness.
Blessings
Debra,
I came over from the animator's wife and just wanted to thank you for sharing your story. My heart goes out to you and to your family. We have been keeping you in our prayers since we found out. I wanted you to know how encouraging it has been to read your story and to now see the smiles, the joy, and the peace you have in such a time of sadness. I know it's only by God's grace and I thank Him for it. I pray that He will continue to pour His grace upon you and that you will continue to find comfort and strength in His presence during this very difficult time. I pray, too, that many will come to "know" Him because of baby Paul.
Debra and Nate,
That was the most beautiful celebration of a little life I have ever watched. I am so sorry that I missed the service yesterday.
You two are AMAZING people and watching the Lord work in you is only making me want to work harder to be a better example of Christ as you are.
May the Lord continue to bless your family. I know that little Paul is up in heaven with great grandpa John, who is showing him his pager that blinks on command for him, and saying that it is a magical signal from God.
Love always,
Wende Buxkemper Killian
Debra, I have followed your story from day one and when I first heard about your situation, I couldn't fathom the fact you chose to hold onto you little boy knowing that you would only get him for a few mintues...I am pregnant now and I thought if this happens to me to didnt know what I would do...but now I know-I would do EXACTLY what you did ENJOY EVERY MINUTE that God gave you with him...those pictures are PRICELESS just as Paul and your family are..You truely are an inspiration to me in more ways than you will ever know!!! Those pictures and your smile changed my outlook forever!!!!! Lots of Love, thoughts and prayers.... Alison Melvin
Gorgeous Slide Show Debra!!! How we are continued to be amazed at God's grace and love to your family in this time. Your family is an amazing example to all of us. Greg and I are praying for you and know we are with you in spirit at this time - thinking on you minute by minute. Amazing love firmly displayed in your family! love to all of you!
Greg and Kristen Wells
I was on your blog the other day when I first heard about your baby. Back today to check on you. Praying for you and wanted to encourage you that by the grace of God you are glorifying him in your life. I see this is a desire of your and I wanted you to know that it is evident to all. Of course you are going to struggle a little, don't let this make you think you aren't 'doing it good enough'! Your life is an amazing testimony of His grace and your love for Him!! May the Lord keep you and bless you!
Dearest Debra,
I don't know you, but I might one day:-)
I really wanted to take the time to watch your slide show - for you; for little Paul. You were right about jerking the tears!
What a beautiful precious son!
What a beautiful family and what memories...
I'm praying for you tonight.
Love,
Analene
I follow Sarah R.'s blog and found little Paul's slideshow. Thank you for sharing this very intimate time in your family's life. I'm a new mom of a 4-month-old, so my reaction goes without saying. God put Psalm 103:13-14 on my mind earlier today: "As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust."
Thank you for your faithfulness to God in being obedient to Him. I am convicted, blessed, grieved, grateful, and reminded that God works all things for the good of those who love Him. There are things in my life that I wonder (and doubt) how God will use for good, so thank you for giving me hope.
If it's ok, may I link to this on my Facebook account? So many people can be blessed by this.
love,
Sarah Vaughan
Sarah,
Please, link this wherever. I would love to see others blessed by this!
Thank you all for your love and encouraging words:)
Love
Debra
Debra,
I know your grandma from Valley Pres. and your dear neighbor Sarah from same and present church - and have met you years ago. I am deeply moved by the joy and undeniable peace mingled with the undeniable sadness in the pictures. Most undeniable in it all is that God prepared you for that day, God was there with you, God IS with you, He is in tomorrow and most of all - Paul is with his Savior RIGHT NOW!!! All he ever knew here was love - all he will ever know is LOVE!! Praise the Almighty Loving Father God! Thank you for sharing these precious moments with all of us.
Debra and Nate,
That was the most amazing 9 minutes. I am so sorry we were not able to make it to the service on Thursday. The video is a true DEDICATION to your beautiful Baby Paul.
Debra you have grown into the most beautiful and amazing woman, mother and wife. You are a true example of all that is good in this world and a testament to God and all he is.
You two are a true example of Christ and give everyone that knows you reason to strive to service God.
May the Lord continue to bless your wonderful family. As Wende said he is in heaven with Great Grandpa John reminding him to always close doors and never to block a fire exist.
God Bless and Love Always
Missie Buxkemper Blansfield
Hi Mrs. Perkins,
I know you probibly dont remember me. My name is Madelline Abourched and you were my teacher at Hillcrest. I heard about what happened and actually you came on my mind the other day. The same thing happened to my mom after i was born. I'm glad to see you and your beautiful family and i can't begin to imagine how much God is blessing you. Your in my prayers!
Much Love,
Madi
God Bless & thank you!
Thank you for being so transparent through the everyday. You are so responsive to the Spirit, and you are so teachable. As I read your blog (and yes, I went back to the beginning of this pregnancy) God's presence, his guidance, his Shepherding is clearly evident. More than that, thank you for the testimony of your discipline (which I think really is more accurately "training") in His presence. Surely a message to me. My Mom attends Grace Baptist and cares for the little ones. She was so touched by your story and your pictures. Mom and Dad lost their first born at the age of 2 and I am sure your story stirred many memories --but the strongest and most precious was probably the very palpable presence of God just when you need Him most. Thank you for sharing...and building us up in Christ.
Deb Franklin
gafranklin@earthlink.net
Thank You Debra~ You showed me Gods perfect love tonight in this slideshow... and no, I didn't want to cry, but now I can't stop... :)
You are a beautiful person, both inside and out... I'm glad to know you. Big Hugs from me for you and your family tonight... but most of all I hope you feel Gods big strong arms around you tonight!!
Julie Behrens
Debra: We always knew you were special - different from the rest - incredibly gifted, strong (like your Mom and Grandma), beautiful, and blessed; however, after watching the beautiful montage of pictures of Paul's birthday, it just put an exclamation point on it all. You are the epitome of grace in a situation in which most could not bear to imagine. You have influenced all of us by your actions and words. We love and miss you. Know you are all in our prayers. Robyn, Randy and Family
Debra, I stumbled across your blog and story somehow, and your radiant face and trust in God 'though He slay(s) you' is truly a blessing and encouragement to me. I am so very sorry for the loss of your precious baby Paul. I hope and pray that your mourning will be tempered by the hope that we have in Christ and the knowledge that we are in His hands.
What a story. What a precious little life! I had to stop the 9 minute video 9x to get more kleenex! Debra you are an incredible mother and wife. Watching your joy and pride was as beautiful as your son. Your testimony and the life of Paul will help so many! Miss you dearly.
Julia (Johnson) Pearson
Hi Debra,
I'm a friend of Kristal's and found your blog through hers.
this slideshow of Paul is just beautiful - what a special tribute to his short life and the number of people who loved him so much!
praying that God will uplift you with His strength and grace.
Kelly
Oh Debra, you are radiant. And I know that smile--it's the one given by the One who holds your precious son even now. The One who watched His own Son die so that little Paul could live with Him forever.
Thank you, sweet friend, for allowing all of us to glorify God with you because of your transparency. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away--blessed be the Name of the Lord!
Jessica (Jewett) Minassian
Debra,
I am moved to a flood of tears... Thank you for sharing this very hard trial with us. You truly do look "radiant". I am amazed and thankful to God for the peace and joy He gave you on Paul's birthday/homecoming.
Now, I will pray He will continue to sustain you through the days ahead with His mighty hand.
To God be the glory, Tena Cannon
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