Thursday, September 20, 2012

Dear Joy



 
To my Sweet Daughter Joy,
I want to take advantage of the opportunity to write my little girl a letter from her Dad while she is still here on this earth.  I want you to know how grateful I am that you chose to bless me and your mother with the opportunity and privilege of being your earthly parents.  Thank you so much for the love and Joy you have brought into the lives of our family.  You have four older brothers who love you more than anything in the world.  You have a Jaden who constantly thinks about you, takes every opportune moment to sit by you and your mother and wait patiently for your slightest move or hiccup and is burdened by the idea and feelings of grief that your stay with us will not be an extended one.   You have a Jaxon that from the moment he found out about you has cried and has taken every opportunity to tell people about his special little sister.  You have a Jace who from the beginning has prayed for a miracle that you might stay longer with us on this earth than your eternal plan will permit and has loved and thought about you everyday.  You have a Jenston that has enjoyed watching you and moms belly grow and loves putting his side of his face and ear up to you and embrace you with both hands with the knowledge that Joy is in there.  You come into a family of older brothers that from the moment they found out about you have fought, struggled, pleaded, begged, and prayed for a miracle for you.  But with much heart ache and faith our family has come to realize that you coming into our family is in itself a miracle, blessing and privilege that we are gratefully honored and  blessed to have just the way you are. 
Joy you have brought so much love into our lives.  You have increased our awareness of Gods love for each of us.  Because of you we have created friendships and strengthened existing friendships.  We have been shown an outpouring of love from so many people and so much on your behalf that it has brought us to tears and our knees more times than we can count.  Joy you have enriched our lives more than we could ever fully explain or thank you for. 
Joy as we have prepared and planned for you to come we could never of imagined the intensity of the feelings and emotions this last day and night with you has brought.  With you tucked in Mom’s belly, snuggled below her heart, for the past nine months it seems unreal that this is the last night we will lay with you, are arms and hands wrapped around Mom’s belly just waiting for you to start showing off like you do every night.  It is overwhelming to think we finally get to hold you, kiss you, snuggle your cheeks, paint your toenails, enjoy your beauty, and show you off.  It is just difficult to know that it is also the time to let you continue to progress in Gods plan for you.  Gods plan for you is not to spend much time with us hear on this earth and we will mourn your passing but like Joseph Smith said we will not mourn without faith.  We will have long moments of mourning that will seem to never end I’m sure wishing you were still here with us to be held or even tucked away in Moms belly, snuggled below her heart but we will not mourn without faith.  Our faith in Gods plan for the eternal family and your progression in his plan for you to reach exaltation will help soften the blow.  Your gift to us of helping us create friendships and strengthening existing ones and increasing our awareness of Gods love for us will also help.  Joy thank you for leaving us with these precious things to make it easier for us here that you leave behind while you wait for us on the other side.
Joy there is much that we wish we could experience with you here in this life that we look forward to experience with you in the next.  We love you so much and thank you for such a sweet Journey. 
We know that our Journey with you does not end here but it is still hard to end this part of it.  Thank you for obliging a father the privilege and Joy of writing his only daughter a love letter, thank you letter, and good bye letter.  You have given us so much more than we could ever ask for from a daughter.  We love you and we will see you in the morning only a couple hours. 
Love your grateful and loving father,
Justin  

13 comments:

  1. Justin and Breanne, thank you for sharing this journey with us. I love you two so much and look up to you more now than ever. Your examples of faith during this trial is something I will never forget. Best wishes for your family always, love you guys! Jenn (Eck) Craw

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  2. Justin, Breanne, and all your sweet boys. My prayers and thoughts are with you tomorrow and in the days ahead. You are elect parents.

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  3. Just wanted you to know how often my husband and I talk about your family and the blessing it has been in our lives to be able to see such a radiance of love and faith. Your little Joy, your boys and the two of you as parents have made such a life changing impact in our home and we are very thankful to you for allowing us to learn from your story. I know that Heavenly Father is aware of your family in every way and will help you through this time. Your sweet girl is so blessed to have such a wonderful family, and I'm sure that is why she chose to be a part of it. I know that Heavenly Father sends his most special little Spirits to families that he trusts and loves. We'll send lots of prayers your way and be thinking about you on this special day where you get to meet your amazing little child of God.

    Lots of love-

    Kristen (Mathews) Reams

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  4. I hope that you don't mind, but I also put a link to your blog on my private blog. Your family has been such an inspiration in my life- I really wanted to share with my family and friends as well.

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  5. Breanne, Jaden, Jaxon and family- Just wanted you to know I am thinking of you and praying for you today!

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  6. Beatuifully written Justin. What amazing examples you and Breanne have set for so many people. The faith that you continue to show is inspiring. How blessed Jaden, Jaxon, Jace, Jenston, and now Joy are to be part of your eternal family. When times get tough, remember those blessing and promises we recieve in the temple. Our knowledge of eternal families is such a blessing. We love you guys :)

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  7. I'm so deeply sorry that you have to go through this in your lives. You have shown me a great ordeal of having faith and being strong. I know the lord will help comfort you throughout this time and be by your side. I have had you in my prayers since I saw your blog. Know that not only people who are your family and friends would be there for you in an instant but people from your past or people that don't even know you. I pray for your family to feel peace and know you will be with her again.

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  8. beautifully written. You guys are amazing faithful parents and truly chosen from God to have such a special spirit in ur home! Today is going to be an amazing day. Lots of emotions will be felt, but the most will be the unconditional love ur family has for Joy! Even though I'm so excited to be at Dland today to help with my mourning my heart and thoughts and prayers are with you! Joy will change ur life for the better forever just like Alexis has done for me. I can see that's already happening with ur posts I read and it will continue because ur an inspiration to many.

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  9. Dear White Family-
    Our thoughts and prayers are with your family today.
    Mandy & Travis James

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  10. As I looked out the window this morning I couldnt help but notice the beauty what a wonderful day to bring your beautiful baby into this world. What a joyous day and perfect name. The mysteries of God are so incredible and it shows in your blog that you two understand them. You guys have blessed so many life's through your testimony. I'm so mournful for your mortal experience your family will go through today and so excited for the day you will embrace your darling Joy !!! May your spirits be life's in these new days ahead.
    With love and Prayers
    Tiffani Hansen
    (Tiffani Maurer)

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  11. I've thought of you guys often today. I hope it turns into a special day you'll always remember will fondness instead of sadness. You're amazing parents and have truly been blessed with a choice spirit and knowledge of eternal families. What an amazing gift that is!
    Katie (Kraus) Petterborg

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  12. Justin you are such an amazing daddy. I've always loved watching you with kids. I can feel the love you have for sweet baby Joy and for Breanne and your sweet boys. She knows you all and how much you love her. You are an example and inspiration to all of us. We love you guys so much! Candi

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  13. To my Dear cousin Justin, As I read your heart whelming letter, tears stream my face with such pain and hurt for you and your sweet wife and children. I love you so much even though it has been such a long time since we have spent together. I wish I could be there in person for you and your family! Please know we love, and support your family, and in heart are there with you! Your letter was perfect.....Perfect for Joy! You're an amazing Dad, and husband! Sending my love and (((((HUGS))))! I love you! And I admire your wisdom, strength, and testimony! xoxoox Love Always, Jewel

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