I am a mom of a cutie pie (very biased). And I wanted to share my experiences with others (including my cuties grandparents, great-grandparents, numerous uncles and other relatives). I love being a mom and can't imagine doing anything else.Information
The viewing for Alivia will be held Sunday, July 8th from 6-8 and Monday, July 9th from 2-4 at the Charles Snyder Funeral Home (3110 Lititz Pike Lancaster, PA)
The funeral will be held Tuesday, July 10th at 10:30 AM at Westminster Presbyterian Church ( 2151 Oregon Pike, Lancaster, PA)
There will be a private burial service.
There will be a reception following the service at Westminster Presbyterian Church for all who attend the funeral.
posted by Alivia's Momma @ 6:04 PM
85 Comments:
Emily, Thanks letting us know. Please know that I am grieving for you. I cannot imagine how difficult this is. Continuing to pray. - Sue F.
You are in my thoughts James and Emily. My heart breaks for you.
Dear Emily and family,
our hearts are so sad for you.
Though we never met alivia or her family we came to know you all through this blog. I will miss hearing about her smiles and especially silly things she would do.
We look forward to your reunion with her in heaven.
Is there an organization we could donate to in her name?
Ashley and family
Dearest Emily and James, I am so sorry for your loss, my heart aches for you and your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Becky Hoover and family
Dear Emily and James - we are so sorry for the loss of dear Alivia. Please know that our hearts break for you and that you continue to be in our prayers. Surely God has enveloped Alivia in his arms and she is pain free. Fondly - Kevin and Julie Stoehr (Hershey)
Emily, my heart aches at the moment for how far removed from this situation I am and yet how close I feel to it all. I never anticipated how sad I would be in a situation like this and I dearly wish I lived closer and could be with all those who mourn Alivia in the next few days. Please know my heart is with you all and let me know if there is anything you all need that I could somehow help you with.
Love,
Caroline
James and Emily,
We were stunned and saddened to learn of your horrific loss. Our hearts are heavy for you. Peter and John Young came by our house for a quick visit yesterday and we had a special time of prayer for you. Josh and I will continue to cover you both in prayer.
Much love from your cousin Josh and wife Natalie
Continuing to pray for the sustaining grace of the Lord to carry you during this time of tremendous loss and sadness...I am so sorry.
Carrying you on my heart,
Blessings,Kathi
Our church will continue to pray for you and your family as you go through the grief of losing your beloved Livi. What a heartbreaking story, yet your love for God was evident throughout this difficult time. Our hearts go out to you. We will be praying for God's Peace.
Could you please post your home address for those of us who would like to send sympathy cards or other epressions of love?
Please be at peace knowing everything was donefor Sweet Baby Livi. You had to go though all that you did to be able to let her go. You couldn't have done it a year ago, a month ago, or even a week ago. Was there a miracle? There were many. I could never allow myself to think of this, I to had hope,we all did. We all wanted it to end differently. Our heart is broken.We pray for you now, Sweet Emily and James and you dear families....M.Walsh
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Emily,
We are all meeting out there together Monday night. I don't know what we can do, I just hope us being there helps somehow.
Love you,
Steph C.
My heart is breaking for you and James and your entire family. I feel so incredibly grateful that I have had a chance to know precious, sweet, funny, beautiful, adorable, huggable, kissable, blessed (just a few of millions of words that describe her) Livi in this life, and look forward to meeting her in the next. She, and your family, have made an impact on me that will last the rest of my life. She is missed terribly and loved always. I will never, ever forget her and you and your family. Know that I loved her with my whole heart and miss her with my entire being. I am here for you if you need absolutely anything.
Love
Carol
Dear Emily and family,
My heart is so saddened by your loss and the pain that your family is enduring at this time. There are no words to express how sorry I am. The girls are meeting in PA Monday night. We will see you on Tuesday.
Love Shannon
Emily, we are praying for you and your family. my heart grieves for you and we miss Alivia immensely...you have helped make our transplant just a little easier. God bless you we know Alivia is shinning down on us!
Tami
Layn's mom
www.caringbridge.org/visit/layn
Our hearts ache with you knowing that only the Lord can bear your burdens. But we will pray for you as we grieve with you.
Love - Nora & Travis Shank
God, I pray for your grace on Emily these next three days. Please give her and James strength from You when they think there is none left. Help them be able to eat and sleep and have amazing peace that only You can give. I pray that You would help them lean on You and on each other to get through this sad sad time. Help us to know what we can do for them to make this time a bit easier. We ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Amen.
Lisa Rader
Bethlehem, PA
I have been thinking about all of you today and it hit me that it would be nice to do something with stickers at the funeral since Livi loved stickers so much. You could have a huge poster made with a picture of Livi on it and everyone could bring a sheet of stickers that they think Livi would've loved and place them around the picture on the border of the poster. If there are too many people attending the funeral service and you are concerned that the sticker situation would get out of control (even if it were one sticker per person), you could just have close friends and family do something like that during the service. I know that is something Little Livi would love. I would love to send some stickers to you myself for such a thing, but even if I sent them overnight shipping, I doubt they would make them there on time for the funeral on Tuesday. I will write you at your e-mail address about all of this as well.
Love,
Caroline
I have not been able to get Livi out of my thoughts....I pray for you and James during this hard time....my thoughts are with you.
Sesame Street will always remind me of your sweet little girl.
You are an amazing mom Emily. You and your family are such a powerful testimony for the Lord.
God is good, even now when we can't understand "why?"
The impact Livi has made on 1000's is incredible. Praying for peace to flood your hearts now as you say goodbye - only for a short time. Our lives are but a vapor.
Do not allow this to change your walk with the Lord.
I am so,so sorry for you loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Erin Sargent
I am praying for you guys. I know the next couple of days will be hard for you to get through, just keep trusting God, he will help you get through them. My heart aches for you, and my eyes keep filling with tears as I think of all the pain you feel. Your faith in God is amazing, and has been such an example to me. I am excited to get to know you guys better down the road from this difficult point in your life. Keep leaning on God..he WILL HELP YOU.
love ya james and emily,
moriah
I am so very sorry for your loss. I am praying for you.
my prayers are with you & your family. i do not pretend to understand the journey you have been on or even understand the depth of your pain, but i can relate to the loss of a child and the heartache, sadness and grief that can bring.
i know you do not know me, i've heard about you through a great friend/family member, angie stoltzfus. if you ever need someone to talk to, please feel free to contact me. (ang can get you my information).
know my prayers are with you. i hope you feel god's grace and love today.
kara stoltzfus
I love you guys so much, and I am really sorry about Livi. She was such a trooper.-Pamela Bueche
Praying for you as you endure the next few days!!!!!!!!
I'm so sorry that you are suffering in this way. I pray that the God of all comfort would send the Holy Spirit like a blanket of peace to your weary soul. May Jesus Christ your only hope be ever near to you as you walk through this excrutiatingly difficult trial. Thankful that Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Angie Harper
she is so beautiful.
she brought tears to my eyes- i believe i saw beauty in the truest form this evening.
i am praying for you tonight (sunday night).
emily
james
matt and fam
john
chris
will
mr haughery
mrs haughery
allen family
for peace, rest,energy,
grace and more grace.
I have been praying for you guys for a while now and will continue to do so with new prayers. Your family's persistence is truly amazing. May God hold you throughout this.
Dear James and Emily,
We were away when Hannah's last email came to pray. But I want you both to know that I was praying for children in tough places while we were away, asking God to bring them to safety, to peace.
I hum a special song in my heart that goes like this:
Eternal Father, I offer you, the body and the blood, soul and divinity, of your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus, Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world... for the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
...
Jesus loves and sees and cries and dreams dreams of the time when your hearts are mended from His love.
...
I am truly sorry for the pain. I am in prayer now for you both and I ask Jesus to send many signs of His love and many signals to your hearts from Emily that she is especially seated in His Loving arms.
In Christian love,
Susie from virginia.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I will be praying for you all.
Nicole M. from Massachusetts
Although I have never met you, we are connected through my cousin (Steph C) and I have read your blog from time to time for updates on your sweet baby. I rejoice that she is now in the loving arms of Jesus - but I sit here with tears streaming down my cheeks, grieving with you, knowing this would be the hardest thing for a parent to have to do. We will be praying for you often, that God would make his peace known to you in these days. Cling to Jesus.
-Angie (Mt. Joy, PA)
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus wept. - John 11:33-35
Just as He had compassion for Mary & Martha, our loving Savior has compassion for you in this time of sorrow. As someone else has already encouraged - cling to Him! He is your hope! He is our only hope! And He is a sure and sufficient hope!
Continuing to pray and to weep,
John Q
Behtel Park, PA
Thinking of you all day today and praying for God to give you strength and peace. As the sun shines down upon us on this beautiful day, I'm imagining Livi in eternity...never to suffer again and in the comforting hands of our Lord. L Blaze
Though the idea does not ease the pain, know how many lives you folks and Alivia have affected through the blog. (230+ posts yesterday?!) God is certainly being glorified through you as you all have shown your faith in Him. Livi is with Jesus now, which reminds us of the hope WE have in Heaven, too. If we have the blessing of being parents someday, our hope is to have half the character of you, James and Emily. We send our love to you, Pa, and Gigi, too.
Our deepest sympathy,
Chris and Stephanie Freeman
Words fail, but please know that the Holy Spirit will keep on prompting us to pray for you and lift you up at this time, and it is a privilege to do so. Alivia's patience in suffering has touched me deeply. When you feel you can't hold on, the Lord will keep on holding on to you. He will be a refuge for you forever. Thank you for sharing your lives with us. One day we will "know as we have been known" (I Cor. 13) and there will be no more grief or questions. Keep looking to Jesus.
Emily and James,
It is Monday 2:15pm. I have had you first in my thoughts and prayers for several days, and especially now. I wish I could be there to give you a hug, I am sending you one now~
Love,
Margot
I met you and your beautiful daughter at Cimbrian - and have thought of you and prayed for you almost every day since. Please know that my entire family's thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you all.
Sincerely,
Sarah
I don't know if u remember me, Emily, but, my mom has been keeping me posted over the year about what was going on with your little girl. I am so sad for you, but know that Alivia is with Jesus now. How lucky is she? My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Amanda (Adams) Yurky
I am not a parent, however i plan on being one in the near future... I pray that i will have the courage and wisdom that you and your family have displayed for all to read. my heart breaks for your loss, i pray so often for things that seem so petty... I pray now for you, your family, and your little sweet angel, who has touched so many lives through your blog. I pray for your courage as i begin to start my own family.--Mat K.
I was talking to Gabriel last night and we prayed. He said that Little Livi endured more pain that we may ever endure, yet through her pain she touched so many lives. I see it here with all the posts and I see it as I look at how many hits the blog has. The Lord used your little girl. :) We are praying!!!!!! May God be with you!!!!
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ill be thinking about you guys tomorrow (tues).
i wish i could be there.
My heart mourns with you, Lauren and I are praying and will continue to pray for you both... I will be there tomorrow and anytime that you would like or need some company. Anything you need, anything please let me know.
David Farr
"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal." Is. 26:3,4
You all are so heavy on my heart today and I will continue to pray that the Lord will fill you with his peace.
Rochelle King
So sorry for what you have to go through...know you are on my mind and in my prayers every minute right now.
Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, while I never knew you or your family I have come to know you through your blog. My family will have you and your family in our prayers... We pray that God will bless you and comfort you during this time of mourning.
What is sustaining grace: Not grace to bar what is not bliss, nor flight from all distress, but this: The grace that orders our trouble and pain, and then, in the darkness, is there to sustain.
John Piper
praying for comfort to flood your hearts this difficult day,
so sorry for your loss. Livi's body has been 100% healed now.
I often cried over a previous blog entry you wrote about what Livi would to you when she heard the beeps, "no hurt."
Mama, your baby now says the same thing to you from heaven - with a different meaning. "no hurt."
Praise the Lord, Livi no longer has to hurt. I pray you can find comfort trusting that she is now healed.
It's hard to know just what to say,
When one so young is taken away.
Far too soon she had to part,
Her memory forever engraved in our heart.
We only knew her for a short while,
But the life she led made us smile.
She was so beautiful and oh so rare,
Life as they say just isn't fair.
All our love to James and Emily,
For little livi we now must live.
Those gone before her will watch her with care,
Till the day comes when we'll all join her there.
Know Alivi is watching from heaven above,
And with each ray of sunshine, she's sending her love.
Emily,
I want to introduce myself. My name is Mary Arcement and I am cousins with Laurie Reyes. I read Laurie's blog regularly and felt compelled to write you when I read about your daughter.
First off, I want to say how terribly sorry I am that you and your husband are facing such sorrow. I know as a Christian you have such peace knowing she is an angel in Heaven, free from all pain! Amen!
I have a dear friend whose 10 month old daughter passed away August 5, 2005 from leukimia. I never met Macie b/c they live in NC and I in Louisiana, but was fortunate to be apart of her ordeal through Macie's website. I wanted to give you the site name for you to view, when you are ready. It is: caringbridge.com/nc/macieann.
Again, I am sorry for the pain you are feeling and pray that God will wrap His loving and merciful arms around each of you.
God bless you and your family,
Sincerely, Mary Arcement
Emily, It was a priviledge to meet you today. While there are no words I can say that will comfort you, I want you to know that Alivia, you, and James have become inspiration to me. All I know about you is what I read in this blog since January, but I know that if I could be a little bit more like you, I would be a better Christian mommy and wife. Livi touched my heart in a way that no other person ever has, and I will remember her forever. My heart aches for you as you go on from today, and you will be in my prayers on a daily basis. If you would, please send me your email address to LRader@rcn.com
It was a priveledge to be there today.
Love,
Lisa Rader
Revelation 21:1-5
The New Heaven and the New Earth
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.
He will dwell with them,
and they will be his people,
and God himself will be with them as their God.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
And he who was seated on the throne said,
“Behold, I am making all things new.”
Also he said, “Write this down, for
these words are trustworthy and true.”
In prayer for your family much today,
Holly W
What an incredibly beautiful and touching service today. It was such a priviledge to be there. Your strength is a testimony and your love for Alivia such a beautiful thing. I don't think there was a mother there today that didn't need to consider whether we love our children as we ought to love them. Am I Jude's "Happy Thought"? Oh, Lord, I hope I am!
What a blessing you are!
Love & Hugs,
Julie
I've been thinking about you all day and praying that God's love has lifted you up and given you strength to face today and the last couple days. You, your family and Alivia are never far from my thoughts!
Vicki Moore
Dear James and Emily,
We just got out of the hospital late today with Alyssa and am soo very sorry we could not be with you today. She had to have a spinal this morning so we could not leave early. Please know you all have been in our prayers and in our hearts continually. There are no words to express our sorry for all your pain and can only cry out to the one who will wipe away every tear. You are loved and being carried to the throne room of grace.
The Gallos
Emily & James, I'm continuing to pray that God would give you His peace & strength - He's laid each of you on my heart so often over the past few days. I love yinz.
Maureen
We've been praying for you all, and we will continue!
-Calvettis
"After you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 1 Peter 5:10
What a beautiful service and testimony of God's love.
My thoughts and prayers for you never leave and I will never forget Livi. What an absolute special little girl who has changed my life.
Emily,
You have taught me so much through your ways and words. No wonder Livi was so incredibly special. Her family has been rooted and grounded in love.
Praying for peace that only our Savior can give.
Diana B.
Emily and James,
Thanks for allowing me to spend the last 3 precious days with you guys. You are so strong and your love so deep. Prayer for healing for Livi is over but for your own hearts has just begun. I will ache along with you. Miss you, Livi.
ginormous love always,
GAL
Dear Emily and James,
I was honored to be with you yesterday to celebrate Livi's life. What a precious daughter the Lord entrusted you with. You are bringing to the Lord in the midst of your deep sorrow. Thank you for your amazing example in the midst of your heartbreaking loss. I am so blesses to know you. Continuing to grieve with you.
With love,
Amy Fedeli
still praying for comfort for you.
Livi's service was beautiful. I wanted to give you a hug, but you were very busy with friends and family. Please know that we wrap our arms around you in prayer during this time.
My name is Leah Anderson and I live in E-town. Just found out about Livi from a friend of mine. Just know that ALOT of moms in Etown are praying for y'all. I go to bible study at Westminster and know what a great church it is, so I am confident that the Body of Christ will wrap its arms around your family. May you find shelter under God's wings.
Emily...I ran across this very randomly. God Bless you and your family. There is a page called www.memory-of.com Its a memorial page for lost loved ones that have gone on to be our ANGELS.
I too have a daughter names ALIVIA we call Livi..very ironic that I found you. Something/someone has done this, brought me here and I will keep you in my prayers.
~Julia
Dear Emily & James -
We prayed with you for a miracle, and during the beautiful service for her I thought that God did answer our prayers - Livi was the miracle. How special you are - we will pray for you.
Emily and James,
It had become my habit to check your blog every nite before bed, adn to pray for livi and you both. I do not know if you plan to continue your blog, but i still can't help but check every nite, and I will continue to remember you in my nightly prayers. Your faithfulness and grace continues to be an example to me.
k
k
Hi Emily, I found you though Nora's blog. Just wanted you to know that you've been in my thoughts and prayers these past couple days. I am so sorry for your loss. Your sorrow is shared and carried by so many. Thank you for this blog though, your self-sacfificing love for your daughter and the way you've cherished every moment with her has inspired me very much in my mothering. You will continue to be in my prayers.
Erin Ball
It was a privilege to be at Alivia's service. The Lord taught me some new things in that time of grief, about love and about life. I thank you for sharing from your hearts and I am humbled at your example of faith during suffering. I know that Jesus is close by your side. -Lori Carabello
Emily,
I have been praying and thinking about you sooo much, and have cried for you much of these last 8 days. I want to know what I can do for you other than pray. Is there anything I could possibly do to make this easier? I have pictures of Livi on my fridge and I took one to work, I just feel like I need to see her beautiful face. Please please let me know if I can do anything.
Lisa Rader
I confess that I too continually check the blog. God has brought you to mind many times over the past few days for prayer! I will continue to pray. -Sue F.
I continue to think of your family and loved ones. My prayers are with all of you.
God be with you!!!
We miss you, Emily, and your blogging. It won't be the same if you don't talk to us anymore at least every once in a while :-)
We are praying for comfort and peace...
James and Emily,
I just wanted you to know that I am continuing to pray for God's grace, peace, and comfort for you and your family. Like so many others, I have absolutely no answers and no idea why God has answered our prayers for Livi in the way that He did. I have no words that would heal your grief. I just wanted you to know that I am praying. I have so admired your walk of faith and trust, and the way you have ministered to Livi and to all of us.
When I picture Livi in heaven, I picture her on a swing. She is barefoot, in a sundress, and swinging high, high, high with her head thrown back and she's laughing. The sky behind her is very, very blue.
Huge prayers and hugs,
Praying in Colorado.
Emily (and James),
I just want to encourage you to, when you're ready, keep posting. Although prayer for Alivia has ceased, as she is fully healed from everything this world has-prayer for you both is still necessary. It would be wonderful to continue this journey with you through prayer.
Upholding you and your family in prayer,
A sister in Christ
Dear Emily (and James),
There are not many words, as others have said, that can be said at a time like this....However, you and James are followers of Jesus Christ and He has your lives in His hands. Why you two have gone through this, I just don't know. But, I do know that the one who created Alivia knows! There is a reason, even though our "human" understanding is so hard to grasp and so difficult to make sense. Emily, I hope you DO keep blogging as some other readers have said. You are an amazing woman and think this is an area where the Lord is using you. Whenever you are up to it, however. I want to encourage you because I think there are people reading who have not only been touched and impacted by Alivia, her life and her journey but by you and your witness, strength and testimony. God bless you both. You are being prayed for by many! And remember, you two can have peace because you KNOW where she is at!
It has become my habit to check this blog daily. Sometimes more than once. My ferverent prayers for healing Livi have turned into ferverent prayers for her loving parents. I had many miscarriages and the pain was horrendous. I can't even imagine knowing and holding a child and then losing her when the pain was so great after just carrying a child for a few months and losing him or her. I know God doesn't give us more than we can handle even when it seems like way to much to us. God is truly good and He will help you through this time of intense sorrow. Please continue to blog so we can know how to pray for you. Even if you have to start another site. Those of us who have never met you or your family truly do care.
I agree with the previous blog. I was so touched by how you shared your heart. I continue to check this blog many times throughout the day. Thinking and praying for your family as I do.
May God bless you and pour out His perfect peace as your hearts heal in the comfort of knowing Our Savior holds your precious child.
Today I bought two things for my daughter-- "Elmo in Grouchland", and a CD with the song "My Day" on it. I know I will think of Livi when she watches the movie and listens to her CD. One day when-- hopefully if I have another little girl-- I will tell her how she got her name, Alivia. Your daughter's life and death has made an enormous impact on my life and I know the lives of sooo many others. She truely was a little gem, and I know Our Saviour is just thrilled to have her on His lap! :)
continuing to pray for you em... you are in my thoughts a whole bunch. i always wonder if your by yourself, or with friends, if your family is still here.. and such and such..
i pray that you and james would be able to grow closer and stronger through this... that in the quiet moments you will be able to remind yourself of truth, and that the inevitable constant hurt wont hurt as much.
love linda
7/12
praying for God's comfort to flood your hearts.
Dear Emily and James,
I'm praying that somehow God will help you deal with this incredible loss. My heart breaks for you as well. I learned about this tragedy from my cousin Angie in Lancaster. I truly believe that you will see her again in heaven and she will look exactly like she did on earth when she was healthy. She's up there playing with my daughter Olivia who went to be with the lord before she got to be with us on earth. She was stillborn. God bless you both. Stay strong and remember there are many people who love you and care about you.
Sincerely,
Emily Sergi
Emily, I was manning the Volunteer's Desk July 4th and we spoke briefly. So when I read your blog last night I was not so much shocked but so, so saddened for you, your husband, dear Gretchen (GG), Cynthia and all your family. My heartfelt condolences on your loss of brave, valient, sweet Alivia. - Beverly B.
I think this is about the 10th time today I have checked this blog, and it's only 11:15!! It's nice to read everybody else's comments.
Thinking of you and praying for you for peace and comfort. I wish there was something more I could do. Please know that I am praying without ceasing and thinking about you every minute. I can't get you out of my mind, and I am taking all those thoughts and turning them into prayers.
Emily and James and family,
What a blessing and inspiration all of you are to every single one of us who follow this blog. Please know that our hearts are so saddened by your loss. Sweet Alivia is safe in Jesus' arms, and we can take comfort in knowing that you will one day be reunited. Our whole family is praying for God's grace and mercy to overflow into the depths of your beings.
With love and gratitude,
Heather Zibell, in Monkton, MD
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