Sprinkled with love

Our precious friends ”sprinkled” us with love as we celebrated Samuels life for his birthday. Sharing my friend's blog about it. <3  Our family is truly blessed with amazing friends! Thankful that He put friends in our lives and they stuck with us, even when they knew what being our friends would mean... Constant encouragement, service, meals, support, gifts, hugs, calls, texts, support, loving us, helping clean, organize, etc.!  Our friends chose to stay our friends through the good and bad and love us through it all.  I pray I can bless others as they have blessed our family. The Lord blessed our family with sweet, precious friends and we are so thankful!

http://woventogether5.blogspot.com/2012/11/sprinkling-sky-for-samuel-our-dear.html?spref=fb&m=1

Prayer in the desert

My sweet friend from church reminded me of this song and asked me to sing it with her when I was ready. Today I went back to praise team. It was so good to sing out and worship, but it was hard, too. I want this to be my family's theme song right now. I pray that we will honor Him who created us in all things, especially when it is hard. ”All of my life, in every season, YOU are still God, I have a reason to sing, I have a reason to worship!”  I also, love the part that says, ” refine me Lord through the flames”. Suffering is hard, pain is so very hard, loss is unbearable. I want, with all of my being, to run my hands through those beautiful curls, look into those bright blue eyes and kiss those sweet lips. I think all of our family had a hard day today, missing him. Today, the 10th marks one month since we held him last. The Lord is using Samuel in so many ways still, and for that I am so very grateful! I have heard of salvation through God using Samuels life on this blog and healing in several hearts. Our beautiful boy's life will continue to bless others, I pray.
This pain is more than we can bear, at times. God NEVER promises that He will not give us more than we can bear. (most people get confused with 1 Cor. 10:13 ...says He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what your are able).  Losing a child is beyond what anyone can bear. Some days we just want to stay in bed, some days I want to sit and stare and everyday I am edgy, sensitive, tired, dizzy and weepy. I want to be the wife and mother that God wants me to be, but it is hard. Tim is so precious to me, but if he looks at me funny, I might fall apart.  We are all struggling, but I have faith that He will carry us.  He does give us His strength and carries us. Job was taken through great loss and trials, but he remained faithful and the Lord was honored. May we all cling to our Father and thank Him for our trials. May He ”refine us all through the flame”.

"Desert Song"

”This is my prayer in the desert. And all that's within me feels dry. This is my prayer in the hunger in me, My God is a God who provides.

And this is my prayer in the fire. In weakness or trial or pain. There is a faith proved Of more worth than gold, So refine me Lord through the flames.

[Chorus:] And I will bring praise, I will bring praise, No weapon forged against me shall remain.

I will rejoice, I will declare, God is my victory and He is here.

And this is my prayer in the battle, And triumph is still on it's way. I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ, So firm on His promise I'll stand.

[Bridge:] All of my life In every season, You are still God, I have a reason to sing, I have a reason to worship!

This is my prayer in the harvest, When favor and providence flow. I know I'm filled to be empited again, The seed I've recieved I will sow.”

Watch "DESERT SONG ( HILLSONG)" on YouTube

Picture is last year at this time <3

”With Hope”

Every Sunday night & Monday morning we think of our last moments with our precious boy. Holding him, kissing him & telling him goodbye. As he took his last breaths we played the song that was sung at his funeral, ” Come to Jesus” & another favorite, ”With Hope”. Today I miss him, but as I listen to this song again I am comforted.

Watch "With Hope by Steven Curtis Chapman" on YouTube

The celebration of Samuels life

As you know, we laid Samuels earthly body to rest on Wednesday, 3 weeks ago. So many decisions had to be made, but God was gracious and gave us clarity and wise council through it all. We had decided not to have his casket open at the service, but after talking with our wise pastor, we decided to open it, but turn it around so everyone would have a choice to see him one last time or not. I know this worked beautifully and all who needed that closure could have it and those who were uncomfortable or didn't want to remember him that way, had that choice. He was so perfect and precious laying peacefully in his  ”bed”. It was so very difficult and heartbreaking to see our precious little boy's beautiful body, the one who we had fought so hard for, lying in that ”bed” but he was not there. I understand now the importance of seeing your loved one this way...because for us, we knew he was not there anymore! It was clear, this was his ” shell”, he is in heaven, healed and whole!
Beside his body we had a beautiful treasure, a picture of a glimpse of him in his heavenly body. I know this sounds strange if you haven't seen it so I will add a copy to the end of the blog. Our friend had worked on it for months. We knew Samuels disease was progressing and the ”spots” (from mitochondrial condition: Leigh's disease) in his brain were getting worse and causing him so many problems. My friend works with computer graphics. She had prayed and prayed about it for awhile. No one told us about it until the day before his funeral. My sweet friend brought the gift, wrapped in brown paper and told us to open it when we were alone. Her husband also brought his Pepridge farm truck and the kids all were loaded up with snacks. So after our visitors went home and the children were in bed, Tim and I went to see what it was.

We were overwhelmed! It was perfect. We had prayed for the Lord to please give us something special for our comfort and peace. I have read books about someone finding a note or picture that their loved one had done before they passed away and it gave great peace and comfort. Samuel couldn't draw pictures without help, he couldn't write notes without help, but he loved to do these things...and we have so many special pieces of artwork, etc. he made. But, this picture of him standing and well and whole is so beautiful. It helped so many who saw his ” shell”, to remember he is well, just not with us. As we sat right in front of his casket during his funeral, that picture helped us so much to remember the hope that we have! This picture was a gift from God to give us peace and comfort during this time. Thank you Cheryl for this priceless gift!
As we prepared for his service we were filled with grief, but we were also being carried by our Father. So many were praying for us and we could feel the power of prayer surrounding us.
So many came to give us hugs and love that day. We are blessed to be parents to Samuel. He was an incredible blessing to so many, it was evident!

Our pastor, David Rountree, who married us, baptized our children and has been through so much with us, officiated the service. It was perfect. I actually, didn't want it to end, because Samuels memory was so beautifully treasured and evident. I knew it would go on, but I wanted to treasure it all in my heart and not let that moment end.

Here are parts of the message from Samuels funeral. There is so much richness and depth, this is only a part of it. If you want more please send me your email! I pray it will bless you as it blessed us!

* WE CAN TRUST JESUS CHRIST TO RESURRECT THE DEAD,

Mark 5:35-42

Today, many of us feel the sharp knife of a short life, but in Jesus there is more. People don't understand when we say, he's not dead, he is just asleep. The life of Samuel goes on. It wasn't a short life if he has been given an eternal life. Don't believe he is not living. In Christ and by Christ's power, he lives!

I can imagine, as you can, Samuel running down streets of gold I can see his agile body and I know that he is now made whole. There is great joy and gladness on his face. Every heartache and pain is clearly erased. The light and temporary earthly trials have worked out for his good. What we struggle with still today he has already understood.

We worship and trust a God who is resurrection and life!

*WE CAN TRUST JESUS TO SAVE FROM SIN EVEN ONE LIKE Samuel

Matthew 18:1-14

This text tells us God does not desire that little children perish. He does not desire that any of us should perish but that we be converted and become like a child, humble enough to trust Jesus for salvation. We don't have to live a long life of good works to get to heaven. Salvation is by grace apart from works.
Children remind us of this.  I don't really need to labor this point as far as Samuel was concerned. I have never met anyone that has doubted Samuel's salvation in the last several years. 
At many funerals, we are unsure about the final destiny of the deceased. We know what the preacher says but still we are unsure. With Samuel it is different. Samuel would light up when we talked about Jesus or heaven. He would tell you he loved Jesus. Better still, he showed us he loved Jesus with the fruit of the Spirit. Saint Francis of Assisi is noted for saying, ”Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary use words.”
In Samuel's case, he was so good at trusting Jesus and showing others he trusted Jesus, he didn't need words. We all need to learn to love and trust like that.

*WE CAN TRUST THAT GOD MADE SAMUEL GOOD AND WELL THE FIRST TIME, and even more so the second time.

Psalm 139:13-18

Some people wonder what they did or what someone else did wrong when they are given a special needs child. Notice that we do not get to chose hair color or anything else, not gender, not ability, not need or special needs. God designed Samuel with special needs. It was skillful, wonderful, with great thought. It was not your choice and certainly not your fault that he has died. Let us not blame ourselves or others. Let God be God. He is the creator. Continue to be grateful for each day God gave and for each one that cared. We are all part of the picture but none of us were the cause of it. Our comfort is not in better help and our hope is not made more certain by longer life. Jesus is our comfort and he is our hope. Our hope and comfort is that Jesus is the designer who has planned our days and that he is not finished. He knows what he is doing and he has always had lots of loving thoughts of his little saints.

Samuel was wonderfully made in God's image. He was gifted with spiritual gifts upon his conversion and created for good works which he performed for God's glory.

Luke 14:21-23

Jesus is fond of wanting and seeking after children just like Samuel and compelling them to enter his kingdom. We worship a God who wants us and seeks us and fits us for heaven. God has made Samuel as precious, even more so than we have found him to be. He was not just made with special needs, he was made special.

*WE NEED TO TRUST JESUS FOR A REUNION WITH SAMUEL AND OTHERS IN CHRIST,

2 Samuel 12-21-23

If some of the pain and sorrow we experience in this life is used by God to make us homesick for heaven; if it is used to detach us from the value we place on the physical things of earth; and if it is used to draw our attention away from ourselves and onto God, then it is a good thing. Praise his name.

*REMEMBER THAT GOD KNOWS WHAT IT MEANS TO LOSE A SON,

God so loved the world that he put his son to death on a cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Both the life and death of Christ mattered, as does the life and death of Samuel. We die because we are sinners. The wages of sin is death. We live again in heaven only if we are united to Christ and have his Spirit living within us. Let Samuel's life and death point us to Jesus.
Most of us are guilty of saying regarding Samuel, It is not suppose to happen this way. Sure, it is not normal for the young to die before the old. But it is normal for us to die. It is normal for us to need Jesus to save us. Without Him there is no hope. If you are only hoping for a good life on earth you are to be pitied.
Samuel is a reminder that life is not about us, its all for God's glory. Samuel lived with contentment in God's plan even though that plan involved difficult trials. Live life God's way. Trust Jesus. When someone dies we want to be able to say, I am so glad that person lived.
Such is true with Samuel. The life God gave us in him was worth it and so we celebrate it this day. Through Samuel, many medical staff and family and friends heard about the love of Jesus, and that glorifies God. Through Samuel, many medical staff were helped to learn better and more caring procedures, and God was glorified. Through Samuel, we have seen a family humbly accept help just to love and be faithful to Jesus, and God is glorified. Through Samuel, many have had to get up at night, lose sleep, and money, but they have prayed, surrendered themselves to Jesus and trusted Christ more fervently and completely, and God is glorified.

I suppose there is not time enough to speak of all the big things that have glorified God through such a small life. We have been blessed by the life God has given us in Samuel Cutliff.”

-sermon notes of
Dr. David Rountree

”The Lord has given, the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21

I am thankful today for the beautiful message, the precious music ” In Better hands” was played to a slideshow, (we sang ”My Jesus, I love Thee” and ”10,000 Reasons” corporately) the beautiful solo of ”Come to Jesus”, the amazing support we had on that day and the many days to follow. The love and graciousness of so many is overwhelming! Thank you so much for ministering to our family that day and each day following.

***If you were able to be at the funeral, please comment on the blog something from the service, etc. that meant the most to you. It would be special for our family to have these reminders.

2 weeks ago...last moments

Two weeks ago I was holding my sweet Samuel still. He had taken his last breath at 6:17a.m. that morning.

The Lord allowed Tim and I to consider that he may be too sick and weak to keep fighting on Sunday afternoon. He had a fever for awhile, but Sunday it became very high and nothing was helping to lower it. Tim and I were by his side all afternoon with cold cloths, a little fan, tylenol & ibuprophen. His little face was so pleasant, but he was miserable. Then his o2 became so low, we had to put a cannula on his nose, which normally he would not stand, but he felt so bad he didn't care. The other children wanted to go to spend the night with their Grammy and aunts, so we let them. Tim and I sat with him in the new room enjoying the cool air conditioner and watching the sun set. Tim asked Samuel if he could see his angel and he turned his head to the right and looked at the corner! I prayed he would have great comfort! He cooled off a little and went to sleep. His breathing started sounding a little better so we thought, like every time before when we thought he was too tired to fight, he may be getting better. We continued his breathing treatments and that helped a little, it seemed. So, Tim made a comfy spot on the couch for Samuel beside me and Tim was on the other side of him and we slept for a little while. Early Sunday around 1am & 4 am he woke up struggling to breathe and his eyes were open, but he was not looking at us like normal. A few other things happened that were confusing and hard and we realized his body was not working right anymore.  Tim & I tried so hard to stay strong and comfort him all night. We sang many sweet songs about heaven and the Lord's comfort and care. We read many Bible verses and prayed many times. We held his hands and snuggled. We loved him so richly for almost 8 years and the last night was full of our love for him and the rich blessing he was and is to us. As his breathing became slower we said again his favorite verse, the 23 Psalm. Tim wanted to play the song ”Come to Jesus” for him and us. As that song played, we reassured him he was about to be healed eternally and be safe in the arms of Jesus,  at that same moment he left his body. We were broken and mourned so deeply our precious son.

We held him for awhile and then called our dear hospice nurse. We called our children and family. They came and loved on him and the Lord brought us great comfort on this day that we had all been dreading. We were able to spend awhile with his body and then we knew it was time. Tim carried him, as we always did, to the hurst that came to get him. No stretcher in the house. The funeral director said he had never seen anyone do that before and it changed his life. We loved holding our boy and helping him; that was our life.  They took him away and we held each other.

Later that night we wanted to see his body prepared before the children and that was so very hard for me. The next day I could see the value in seeing him that way.  It was just his shell, he is in heaven. It was so hard to look at him in his funeral bed, those beautiful curls and long eye lashes. He was so perfect and peaceful. He didn't look like he was in pain that last night. I am so very thankful that Tim and I were with him the whole time.
  Every day since we have tried our best to figure out how to do life with this huge piece missing. The grief comes in waves. I still think at 9 pm I need to hook up his feeding pump. Tim comes home and always came to talk to Samuel and give him a kiss first, but then stops and catches himself.  The house is so quiet without his treatments and shaking vest going. The oxygen is gone. All of his equipment and things are every where and I'm not sure when and how to move them.  And much more. The kids are sad and miss him, but they are doing better than we expected; their grief is there and they are expressing it in there own ways. Tim and I and all who love him are missing him and mourning.  We feel a hole in our hearts so deeply it is painful at times.  If you ask us how we are we may not answer, because we are sad but don't always know if the person asking really wants to know. We do rejoice that Samuel is healed and is Glory, but it is painful to know we will never him here again. He was a precious saint and touched so many lives. We will always be thinking about him and missing him, everyday. Today I am thankful for His promises that are carrying us through this new life without Samuel and knowing that he is in heaven and happy and perfect in Jesus arms.

Psalm 23:4
”Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. ”

We also sang this song to him many times over the part few months. A friend sent it to him and he knew it well. We sang it his last night and at his funeral. It is Samuels song.

”And on that day
When my strength is failing,
The end draws near
and my time has come,
Still my soul will sing
Your praise unending,
10,000 years and then forever more!
Bless the Lord, o my soul,
Worship His Holy name.
Sing like never before,
Oh my soul, I worship Your holy name

Watch "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) - Matt Redman (Best Worship Song Ever) (with Lyrics)" on YouTube

Samuel

The Lord blessed us with a special gift... Samuel. He turned seven on November 8 & is the sweetest child most have ever known. He always had a smile on his face and captured all who met him with his beautiful blue eyes and curly blonde hair! He also had special needs. He passed away on September 10, 2012 from Leigh's Syndrome a mitochondrial disease. It affected the movement center of his brain, so everything from his fine motor skills to eating have been damaged. There is no cure. It also caused him to have major respiratory trouble. He was not able to talk, but spoke volumes with his eyes, he even had a Tobii eyegaze computer that he loved! He could not sit up, walk or even hold his head up without assistance. He had surgery in May 2008 to get a feeding tube because he was not able to eat enough due to poor muscle tone and control, but he did love food! He taught us and touched our lives more than any other person. He taught us to treasure each moment, to be content in all circumstances and to put our faith in God through it all. His smile was contagious, his laugh was like music to our ears and his heart was pure. He loved his family and friends. He loved music, dancing, snuggles and kisses. He always wanted to be holding our hand and will forever hold our hearts. Our hearts will never be whole again with him gone, but we rejoice that he is now healed and whole. He is praising our Lord and running on the streets of gold. He is perfect. We praise the Lord for giving Samuel to us for almost 8 years and we will treasure each and every memory.

Blessings, Tim, Mary Elisabeth, Gracie, Annaleigh & Micah Cutliff

Samuels homecoming

Our precious boy took his last breaths yesterday morning with his Daddy and Mommy by his side. I will blog more about our sweet time together later, but in case you didn't know already I wanted to let you know.
He was truly a gift from God and we were blessed to have him for almost 8 years. He was our ”Super Samuel”. He will be missed by all who knew him. Please remember our family and friends as we grieve our sweet boy. We rejoice that he is in the arms of Jesus and running, singing and rejoicing!

Samuel L. Cutliff Obituary: View Samuel Cutliff's Obituary by Anderson Independent-Mail