These photos were taken a year ago today!  It was my favorite day last summer because Jadyn was feeling well and had sooo much fun!

We had no idea that she would leave this earth a few short months later.  I knew the pictures were extra special at the time but didn’t know why.

GOD KNEW!   Now I know…

They were a gift from Him for us to hold onto and cherish for the rest of our earthly days!  Thank you Lord for the gift of 7/18/17 and the beauty of this special girl of yours…

“NOW we see things imperfectly, like reflections in a mirror, but THEN we will see everything with perfect clarity.  All that I know NOW is partial and incomplete, but THEN I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” I Corinthians 13:12 (NLT)

 

I had the opportunity to share my testimony at Renewal Church on Mother’s Day. Here it is…

Blessings, Kristin

https://youtu.be/L9px2_Mc9NU

 

6 months closer…

It has been just about 6 months since Jadyn went to Heaven.   Another mom whose little boy (also named Jayden) went to Heaven just days after my JJ mentioned something that has stuck with me.  She said that we are “6 months closer”…..instead of “6 months later” to seeing our babies.  I LOVED that!  6 months closer to seeing JJ again in Heaven!   I cannot wait.

I am not gonna lie though, this grieving stuff is brutally difficult.   Maybe harder than it was months ago because the shock has worn off and the reality of missing her is just plain sad and painful!!!

But I read something recently by a pastor/writer Levi Lusko whose little girl passed from this life a couple years ago.  He says, “Jadyn is with Jesus and—through the Spirit—Jesus is in me, so there is a direct connection between Jadyn and me.  She is with Him, and He is in me!  So in a very real sense, we are holding hands with the One who is holding Jadyn.”  He writes that this was a lightbulb moment for him.   Funny because Troy and I had that same light bulb moment some months ago!   What hope…What comfort!

It was a great reminder for us!!!  Until we see Jadyn in Heaven we are connected with her through the Holy Spirit in us…I cling to that truth and continue to draw closer to the Lord knowing He is my anchor in this storm.  I pray that He is the anchor of your life as well…

Blessings,  Kristin

 

There have been days recently that I have had a hard time holding onto hope.   Days where the darkness tries to creep in and steal my peace.  But then I am reminded through God’s creation or His Word or even song lyrics where my true hope is found.

Yesterday I heard this song and and it reminded me AGAIN that my hope is found in Christ alone….

“In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This Cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm”

“No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life’s first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny”

“No power of hell, no scheme of man

could ever pluck me from His hand

til He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I stand”

I encourage you to listen to this song as Easter approaches and celebrate with me where true hope comes from!

Happy Easter (He is Risen),  Kristin

Several of you have asked me about these links. This should make it easier.

Jadyn’s Graduation Service at Wheaton Academy 11/4/17

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEqaU_nS_2U

 

Wheaton Academy Announcement

http://www.wheatonacademy.org/about/news/1621139/wheaton-academy-mourns-tremendous-loss

Thank you for your prayers for us, Kristin

 

 

 

 

   A day of scabies baths at the orphanage.

My new little friend who desperately needed some new clothes and a little love.

I brought a pair of Jadyn’s socks and passed them on to this little angel.

“Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you.  I have called you by name;  you are mine.   When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.  When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.  When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up: the flames will not consume you.  For I am the Lord, your God……” Isaiah 43:1-3

The above verse was given to me to tie around my suitcase in Haiti.   We each got a different verse for the week.  God knew which verse I needed!  I have been trying to come up with one word to describe the trip.  That is not an easy task.   Words that come to mind are, amazing, difficult, exhausting, fun, exciting, scabies, filthy, hard work, incredible, daunting, dangerous, fascinating, overwhelming, challenging and yet a dream come true…..

One thing I knew the entire time was that I was supposed to be there, otherwise I don’t think I could have done it.   If it was possible I would probably have brought about a dozen kids back in my suitcase!!!  Sooo much need and yet so much love. Thank you all for your prayers, Kristin.

Whenever I look at this picture (which is everyday of course!), it brings me deep sadness and great joy as well.   Jadyn’s smile either makes me smile back or cry, depending on my state of mind…..It lights up her whole face, reminding me of the joy she is experiencing right now in Heaven.  Today it causes me to smile as I enjoy the bright sunshine on the glistening snow.   It reminds me that “God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all.”   1 John 1:5

I am reading a great book on loss called “A Grace Disguised” by Jerry Sittser.  He says, “We will not be delivered from suffering, but with Gods help we can be transformed by it.   The apostle Paul wrote  ‘nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’  NOTHING!   Not dangers, problems, conflicts, failures, guilt, regrets.  Nothing.  Not even our losses.  That is the promise of true transformation;  that is the love of God.”   I am taking that to heart and letting the truth of it wash over me today.

I will be leaving on February 23rd for Haiti.   I am excited to share God’s love with the orphans during my trip.  Please keep me in your prayers!

“…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” Matt. 5:16

 

The other day this picture showed up in my inbox.   I had forgotten that months ago I told a friend we would support a child in a Haitian orphanage.   I also suddenly had the chance to go meet Milandie and work with kids in that orphanage next month.   With only a day or two to make a decision,  I was unsure if I was up for a trip like that both physically and emotionally. (I am still unsure!)   As I was flying with Troy from San Fran to LA last night,  gazing out over the Pacific,  I felt God gave me a clear answer.   I believe He was telling me to step out and go.  I also thought about what Jadyn would tell me!   “Just go for it Mom”!!!

So not only am I heading to Haiti in a month,  I am being sponsored by the brand new “Jadyn Philipps Memorial Foundation Fund”.  This has been set up to reflect Jadyn’s heart for the misfits, homeless, and orphans around the world.   This is our first opportunity to honor JJ’s memory with this Fund!!!   We are very excited…..JJ would be thrilled!!!

YOU GOT THIS MOM!

“For we are God’s masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10

Jadyn was scheduled to be in South Africa right now on a high school trip.   Her amazing trip leader sent us an email the other day that said……”Hi Troy & Kristin, I just wanted to let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers as we get ready to go on Winterim. I was thinking of the amazing things we will see and then my thoughts went to Jadyn and her seeing things that we cannot even imagine!!!!”  That email was a blessing to us and oh such a great reminder!   She was looking very forward to seeing all those exotic animals and scenery.    Instead of her seeing and hearing about the trip from her hospital bed, God in His great mercy took her home to Paradise that far exceeds anything she would be experiencing on this earth.

A friend of Jadyn’s went on the trip and just sent us a picture of herself, with JJ’s pic.  She said she was taking Jadyn with her in spirit to see all God’s beauty. Another blessing from God’s hand.   South Africa and all the best this earth has to offer pales in comparison to all  Jadyn is experiencing right now!

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love Him”  I Cor. 2:9

 

 

NEW YEAR 2018

I have always loved the beginning of a new year, excited to put the old behind me and start anew.   I was expecting 2018 to be very busy, filled with graduation,  prom,  dorm room prep,  the end of high school and the start of a new life in college for Jadyn.   So many changes were on the way.   Now in front of me is a blank canvas.  I know the Lord is already there, and He will color it with beauty.  It looks empty, and a little bit scary right now. But I know HE is already in the midst of it all,  laying out plans for us to follow.   I am content right now to just wait on Him.  I want to see what He has for me.

For the past couple weeks He has put me in a place with vibrant colored flowers, waterfalls, mountains, oceans, hummingbirds and sunshine.   Sounds like paradise doesn’t it?   God knows what we need before we do!

I usually pick a word for the year.   I have decided on “Spirit-filled.”   Troy tells me that is 2 words (Oh well).   Maybe I need an extra word for this upcoming year.   I want my life to be filled with God’s Holy Spirit more than ever before, including my thoughts,  actions and entire being.   I know that is where abundant life is really found.   I believe the word for the year at Wheaton Academy is “Life”.  Last year it was “Hope” and Jadyn found that!   She has now found life eternal.  But we struggle to find abundant life while we wait for the eternal.  I know life will be nowhere close to abundant without the Spirit alive and active in me. (in any of us!!!) It is the only way to live above all the pain and heartache and stress of this life on earth.

“The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy.   I came that they may have life and have it in abundance.”    Jesus’ words in John 10:10

“You will make known to me the path of Life, in Your presence is fullness of joy.   In your right hand there are pleasures forever.” Psalm 16:11