Mike and Jessica's Place

Google
 
Web mtharp.blogspot.com

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Our Little Angel


Joey went home to God yesterday evening. Mike and I got to hold him until the end and we got to hug him and kiss him and cuddle with him and love him and we told him it was OK to go and that we would see him again in heaven. We know Joey is in a better place now and that he will be a happy healthy little boy in heaven where there is no more crying and no more pain. The Lord gave us Joey for a little while and we loved him as hard as we could while he was here and all of you helped us do that and we are grateful. Our hearts hurt right now, but we know God has a plan for us and that He is good and will take care of all of us through this difficult time. He led us to a wonderful hospital with caring people who cried with us last night. He led us to create this blog where all of you have laughed, smiled, cried, hoped, and prayed with us. He has brought Mike and I closer together through Joey's life and given us family and friends to help us through it all. We are so blessed by everything that Joey's life has given us, the joy and pain of parenthood, the support of wonderful family and friends, and the ability to trust God and lean on Him. We're still very sad, but we have no regrets. We did as much as we could for Joey and we loved him the best we knew how while he was here with us. If we all trust in God and believe that Jesus Christ His son died for us and ask Him into our hearts and to be Lord of our lives, we will all see Joey again when we get to heaven. That is our prayer, that Joey has made a difference in people's lives. We love you all and hope to see you this Saturday evening at 7:00pm for Joey's memorial service. It's at Elwood First United Methodist Church on SR 13 one block north of SR28. Thanks again for all the support and please keep praying for all of Joey's family and friends who will be missing him so much until we see him again with God.

Joseph Luke Tharp (10/28/06 - 1/10/07)

posted by Jessica at 8:35 AM

23 Comments:

  • Mike & Jessica
    My prayers are with you and your family at this time. We serve an Awesome God and Joey is with him right now. Your Faith has been amazing during this time and I know Joey's life will bring someone else to truly know God. He was truly an Angel. May God keep you at this difficult time. You will see your son again in heaven, and there is no better babysitter for him right now than our Heavenly Father. God Bless You
    Belinda Black

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:02 AM  

  • Mike and I are so sorry. It is so heartbreaking to read all of these archives and see what you've been through. It is so amazing to see the strength you have received through your faith. Keep holding tight to Him. He will guide you through this. Love and Prayers,
    Mike and Heather

    By Blogger Ry, at 12:41 PM  

  • Many hearts ache, and many tears fall for you all right now. This doesn't seem fair, but God does have a plan. Please never lose the faith you have. Reading this blog everyday has shown me the strength that you both have and makes me want to be a better person.
    Joey is smiling, in peace, in heaven right now.
    Rachel Upchurch

    By Blogger Unknown, at 12:42 PM  

  • I'm hopeful in the fact that we know that we'll see Joey again - What a sweet gift to be given even though it was only a short time. I imagine him so unbelievably happy right now (it almost makes me jealous). I have no doubts about how much stronger you, your family, and the people who have come into contact with Joey are. He was a blessing! I Love You! I'm praying for you! Dana

    By Blogger Dana, at 2:55 PM  

  • I am so sorry for your loss. I can not even imagine the emptiness and pain that you feel. You can find comfort in the prayers of all your family and friends. Joey's in the arms of Jesus now. I can only imagine how sweetly he sings a lullaby. It is the sweetest sound I bet you'll ever hear. There's comfort in that. Gina

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:14 PM  

  • One more thought for hope in this painful time - Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

    By Blogger Dana, at 3:20 PM  

  • May the peace of God be with you at this really difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We can't wait to meet Joey in heaven. Love and prayers, John and Lynn Upton

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:01 PM  

  • Anonymous said...
    Mike & Jessica
    I havent known what the right words would be, but I read this blog everyday, And I have prayed for you and Joey every night. I cant even begin to understand how you are feeling right now, but I wanted you to know I have thought about you guys each and every day. I know you guys are strong and will get thru this in time. Little (big) Joey is so beautiful. He is in a better place now. Wish I could have had a chance to met him, but I feel like i already have by reading this everyday. Thanks for letting him be part of all of our lives
    Love
    Heather (mikes cousin)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:30 PM  

  • Jessica,
    As I look back over the circumstances that brought our lives together, I can see the Hand of God. What a beautiful, strong young woman you have become.
    Brian and I, as well as the congregation of Harvest Bible Fellowship, have been praying for you and with you since we heard about little Joey.
    I know that over the next few days/weeks you will be riding on an emotional roller coaster. There is very little that one can say to you that will touch your heart more than the knowledge of your little one resting in the arms of a Loving Savior. I pray that you will take comfort in that, but most of all I pray that you will allow yourselves the priviledge of grieving over the loss of your baby boy.
    "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Ps 116:15
    We love you and are continuing to pray for you,
    Cindy and Brian Selzer

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:40 AM  

  • I'm so incredibly sorry for you loss... I know how much he means to you and to your family. I also know how happy he'll be when he gets to see you again. My prayers go out to you and your whole family.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:15 PM  

  • I'm so, so sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

    By Blogger Jenny, the Bloggess, at 12:26 PM  

  • Jessica and Mike,I was saddened to hear about Joey passing.I was releived to see he was baptized and fell sure he is resting in God"s presence.I know losing a child is probably the most difficult experience a couple can be dealt.My prayer is that you be able to move forward with your lives always keeping little Joey in your heart.May God give you the strenght to recover. Dr.Wunder

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:11 PM  

  • I am truly sorry to hear of your loss, although thrilled to see that you will indeed be 'okay' through your faith in Christ. Just breathe. Love and prayers with you and yours. April (Ross) Russell

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:08 PM  

  • Mike and Jess,
    Our hearts hurt for you during this difficult time. We've both been following the blog and praying daily for Joey. We know God has a special place in heaven for Joey, and we know how special he will always remain to you and your family. He's in a better place without pain and suffering. Stay strong and God bless! Love, Courtney Kramer and Russell Nichols

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:12 PM  

  • Mike & Jess,

    I just found out today by reading your blog, I am not a man of many words but I do know one thing, that God does everthing for a reason, my prayer is now for you guys to comprehend that reason. Joey is very fortunate for he is in heaven already and while he was here among us, he got nothing but love from you two and also from your family that´s so incredibly awesome. God Bless,

    Carlos

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:30 AM  

  • This just breaks my heart. I haven't lost a child, but I did lose my 7 year old sister two months before the 2000 tour. I know it's hard right now, but with time and prayers, the pain will dull. It will never go away completely, but it does get better. I'm thankful for every second I have with my daughter, and I suppose the lesson I learned from losing my sister is to never take anyone you love for granted. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, and with little Joey.

    Your brother in corps,

    Shawn Flowers

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:21 AM  

  • Time is passing. However, God is still with you, His special children that He loves dearly.
    We ask Him to sustain you, to comfort you, and to hold you in the palm of His hand. We think of you all each day and know that God does,too. Danny & Bonnie Barmes
    1/23/07

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:35 PM  

  • The Rev. Donna Goings says,"1Grief doesn't have a time frame or come in nice, neat stages. 2Grief is different for each person in intensity & in expression.3A grieving person, especially in early grief, may not think clearly 4The presence of a person (simply being there) is often all that's necessary.5It's important to use the deceased's name6Be able to call on friends at any time-they want to be your lifeline.
    websites for grief-willowgreen.com,centerforloss.com,GHpublications.com,carenotes.com,bereavementresources.com,stephenministries.org-books-Comfort in the Mourning by connie owens & others.
    call if you need us. bonnie & danny

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:47 AM  

  • Mike and Jessica,

    My heart goes out to the both of you! Being a parent, I know how much love you have! You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

    Nikki Cramlet

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:51 PM  

  • "'Tis the season of love". You are loved and thought of often. We thank God for you and hope that your healing is continuing (not forgetting-healing). There are many of us lifting you to the Lord and knowing that you will always be connected to us in some way.
    Loving you with the love of the Lord. The Barmes Family
    2/ 13&1/2 /2007

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:32 PM  

  • Dear Jessica & Mike,
    Today is March 17. You are still traveling your journey. As this journey continues, we pray for you and all you love. We know that this spring-like day today will warm your heart. The Lord is still your shepard, sheparding you through the good days and the not so good days.
    This Irish Blessing we give to you:
    May your best days be the worse you ever experience. Love, The Barmes Families

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:01 AM  

  • Today is March 28.
    How are you doing with your journey? You are very blest for many still pray for you since they love you and love the Lord we all serve.
    May you enjoy the daffodils todays. In the bulb there is a flower and in spring time there is hope. Hymn of Promise p707 in Methodist hymnal says it all
    Love to you both. The Barmes Families

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:12 PM  

  • One year ago today, God loaned us a little boy to help us learn about caring for one another. From Joey's short life, many people learned to trust in God and learned that God is really a loving God who loves each and every one of us.
    Perhaps, Joey's parents will never read this, but this is a testimony to the fact that God loves unconditionally and that God's plan is the right plan in the long run. We thank God for allowing us to meet Joey and to know Jessica and Mike. The Barmes Bunch.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:19 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home