Joshua was promoted to Heaven this morning around 3am. He went peacefully. It was good to know he never struggled, never needed morphine, and was with us to the end. He slept between us last night and we are still saying out goodbyes.
67 beautiful days and a bonus 7 hours.
I have to be honest and say that I'm angry that Joshua was taken away from you. For just a second, when I read "Promoted," my heart jumped at the thought that Joshua's prognosis had improved. When I kept reading, it dropped. I don't understand why this little miracle had to be taken away so soon. But, I know that God had a plan, and he knew Joshua would need the most loving, caring, kind and patient parents, so He called upon you. I admire your strength and praise you for the wonderful life you gave Joshua. He couldn't have asked for better parents.
ReplyDeleteI'm so so sorry for your loss. I'm praying for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteSo very sorry for your loss. You will be in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteSuzie and Family....... I have been following your story since Joshua was born. I am praying for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for being so brave and blogging your story; it makes me realize how fragile life is and makes me cherish my family even more.
I will continue to check in on "my family down under".... :-)
First time here from Tamara's blog. I went back to your first posts about Joshua and followed his story until today. What a remarkable, faith-filled journey. I am lost for words to describe my sadness at your loss and heartache, but so encouraged to see faith being lived out with honesty and transparency. How BLESSED you both are to have been chosen by our Lord to be Joshua's parents. You have blessed me. Lord bless your lives and ministry to His glory! Leinani
ReplyDeletePraying for comfort and peace for you and your family...knowing that sweet baby Joshua is rejoicing with his heavenly Father. He will be missed terribly, even thousands of miles away.
ReplyDeleteSending lots of love and hugs your way.
Kelly
Jan 08 mommy - mommytojohn, twosweetpeas
Still praying in Canada.
ReplyDelete♥
I've only been following your blog for the past few days. I just wanted to let you know how sorry I am, and that we are praying for all of you.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless!
God Bless your dear family. Thanks for sharing the life of your dear Joshua with us all.
ReplyDeleteMatthew 5:4
Psalm 31:24
In Christ's amazing love,
Katie
Joshua is promoted but strength and courage will never leave your hearts since you have seen the strength and courage your son has left in your hearts, This will be your strength to go on.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and may your weakness right now be His strength.
Tami
Joshua's life and the lives of your family have touched me deeply over the course of the last few months. And I'm so very sorry to learn that your son, whom you loved so very much, is no longer with you. During the coming days, I'm certain you and your family will draw comfort in the knowledge that someday you will be reunited with him in heaven.
ReplyDeleteMay God continue to bless and shine his light upon you.
Peace and be well,
Pam
Richmond, VA
Im no good with words, Just wanted to say that am thinking of you guys..
ReplyDeleteFly free little one. May you be in peace with the Lord and watch over your mummy, daddy and big Sister..
I have no words. Only tears. Thank you for sharing your journey and your precious baby with us. I will continue praying for you and your family. I am so sorry for you loss. I am so glad Joshua passed while feeling the love of his family all around him. He was truely blessed to be your child and you are blessed to be his Mom.
ReplyDeleteMay the Lord be with you and your family as your grieve the loss of your beautiful little boy.
Jennifer Bray ~ Spokane, WA USA
I am so sorry for the loss of Joshua. He and you all showed tremendous Strength,Courage but mostly such totally unconditional love. Our thoughts & prayers are with you all.
ReplyDeleteTyquin Family,Australia
Continuing to pray for you all!
ReplyDeleteIn his short life he has brought many to a more trusting and loving relationship with our heavenly Father and our family and kids!
Thank you so much for sharing your Joshua with us all.
I so sorry for your loss. I have followed your story on babyfit. I will pray for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteKayla- mizzthang
Susy, thank you thank you thank you for letting me be a part of this incredible journey. All of it.. especially the PICTURES have blessed my life and heart beyond words. i cant begin to imagine what things are like there. but i am holding you up in my prayers continuously. and am so greatful that Daddy is there holding you. Joshuas miracle touchdown to earth will carry on in thousands of hearts for a lifetime. when i close my eyes hes there, he looks beautiful. so happy and carefree. im so glad Daddys got you both. and me. God only knows how much we need Him.
ReplyDeletewith love and prayers,
Jeannette (dts)
Your family is such a inspiration. Peace be with you.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and your family. What an inspiration you are to me. I don't know if I could have been as strong as you. May god provide you and your family peace. I will say a special prayer for your sweet baby boy tonight.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless - Angela Eubanks, Broken Arrow Oklahoma (babyfit)
I am praying for you all here in Memphis, TN. I just know that your precious baby is being held in the arms of Jesus.
ReplyDeleteLifting all of you up tonight...
ReplyDeletePlease know my heart and prayers are with you at this time. I understand the bittersweetness of this time. I feel so incredibly honored to have been able to share in your journey by reading. It has been encouraging as I traveled my own journey. I can only assume our boys are praising our Awesome God in Heaven together! You are such a great family...I will continue to pray!
ReplyDelete(((HUGS))) We will all miss baby Joshua. I have been following your story since the beginning. I'm from the Jan 2008 board (fifthmiracle) on babyfit. God bless you and your family. You really have touched so many of us. My husband and I love your famuly and we will keep you in our prayers. ~Angie & Bill
ReplyDeleteLove & Blessings to your Family from Ours
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss. I have been reading up on Joshua from Tara Goodson's blog. I can't say that I know how you feel, but I can Imagine how you feel. I know that he has gone to be with God now and that's the best thing that we can all hope to do. I don't know you, but my thoughts are with you. You will be stronger because of this, and Joshua will always live in your hearts. God Bless you and your family. I pray for you in this difficult time.
ReplyDeletehi all
ReplyDeletecalled to see you today.
my heart is breaking for you, but rejoicing for Joshua as he meets with Jesus
know that our thoughts are with you
Love
Kath and bob
I have been following your blog for a few days now...I read it from the start. Oh, so many tears for your family right now. Tears of sympathy and pain as I hug my own children close. And tears of joy for Joshua's "promotion". How wonderful for the little boy who could only lift his head for the first time a few days ago to be able to live and leap and dance in his new, perfect, glorified body. Thank you for sharing the short, miraculous time you had with your son with us. I have been reduced to tears and blessed beyond words by your example of courageous mother-love for your darling boy. Susie, Matt, Oceana...you are being mentioned to the Lord by me as often as you come to mind. Much love to you in Christ.
ReplyDeleteTo Matt,Susie and Oceana.
ReplyDeleteYour amazing story of your son Joshua has touched me deeply. May God comfort you all at this time. May he give you the strength you will need in the days and weeks ahead.
May all the wonderful memories that you have of Joshua bring you joy and comfort.
Take care and God Bless you all.
Jodi (Australia)
I have sat here with my 16yo daughter for the past couple of hours reading over your posts from Joshua's birth. All I can say is I am sorry he couldn't stay. I am happy for the beautiful and huggable times you all shared, and I am praying for you all right now.
ReplyDeleteGod give you the strength now. Thank you for sharing this. You will be on our hearts and in our prayers.
You are an awesome momma. You all are the best family Joshua could have been sent to.
May God give you time to grieve and all the best memories... and peace in your hearts.
blessings to you~
Thinking of you and your family at this time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a special little boy.
I'll never forget little angel Joshua...
ReplyDeleteMy touhts are with your family... Words just are not enough.
Ana, Croatia, Europe
Susie and family,
ReplyDeleteI don't know you at all. But I have followed your story for a long time. I don't share your religious views, but your faith and bravery and commitment to them has touched me deeply and caused me to reevaluate my own values about the value of life, faith, and love. I am so sorry, and sending a prayer for you, even though I'm not really a believer, from Jerusalem.
I only discovered your blog yesterday, I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful boy. Fly free Joshua.
ReplyDeleteDanni (Australia)
I'm thinking of you at this difficult time. Gain comfort in that your son is in his Father's arms.
ReplyDeleteI have read your blog for the past few days, and started at the beginning. I can only say how deep my grief runs for your family. I do not share your faith, but hold to dear to my own - and share your conviction that as hard as it is, everything happens for a reason, and it is always for the best. I believe that, but would be lying if I said my face wasn't dripping wet right now.
ReplyDeleteMy deepest, most heartfelt condolences.
~heather
While I am so sorry for your loss I am also joyous at your blessings. He was a special little man not only for your family but for many of us around the world.
ReplyDeleteI pray for peace for your family.
i am so sorry....he is beautiful and now is with Jesus....and in the perfection of Heaven. Your family will truly be in my prayers. Hold on to your faith and you will see your precious son again!
ReplyDeleteLove in Him and prayers for all of you, Katy
Praying for your family as you adjust to the earthly loss and heavenly gain of your precious Joshua.
ReplyDeletePraying also for the many challenges you are facing physically today as a family.
Catherine
My deepest sympathies and prayers go out for your family during this difficult time of your loss of beautiful little Joshua. My heart hurts for you. May the only One who is able sustain you and comfort you.
ReplyDeleteWe are praying for you all!
ReplyDeletePraying for you in this extremely difficult time... I will be praying for physical healing for your family as this flu bug passes, for Oceana as she knows something is different, and of course for your hearts as the Lord carries you through this valley.
ReplyDeletePsalm 61:2- “From the end of the earth I will cry to you when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
Psalm 73:26- “My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Love and prayers,
Kenzie
Fair winds and following seas Little Captain.
ReplyDeleteYou are all in my prayers. I am so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteLynn in PA
Your family is in my prayers. Your strength and faith are an inspiration to so many. Joshua has truly touched lives around the world. Though his life was short, it had more meaning than anyone will ever know.
ReplyDeleteI have been privileged to know your precious son and your amazing family through your writings. Thank you so much for being so brave and strong to share it...he is truly a miracle baby.
ReplyDeleteMelissa from New Jersey(aka Melby7, August 07 Babyfit moms)
I found your blog and the touching story of your beautiful family and have spent the last hour going through some of your blogs and your photos of your precious family. May the peace of our Lord rest with each one of you as you hold on to the love and memories of your special little boy. Joshua has touched all of our lives and so many more people who will come upon this blog.
ReplyDeleteLots of love.
Praying in Wilmington NC for you all. Grace and Peace to your family.
ReplyDeleteThe Sellers' Family
Oh Susie and family - what a beautiful baby boy, what a glorious promotion to heaven. You are SO right, that is just what it is - a promotion to a place unhindered.
ReplyDeleteMy heart is breaking for you in grief and swelling in awe - your family was blessed with so much, and is a blessing to so many.
Joshua - happy heavenly birthday - you are celebrating in the company of the Lord and His host! Are you dancing? Are you singing? I am so happy for you, and so sad for the rest of us while we wait in hopeful anticipation to see you again!
I don't even know what to type but I wanted to say something. All I can say is that you are a courageous woman and I really hope that I have half the strength that I have seen in you. And I am so glad that Joshua was not in pain and you were able to have all of this time with him. May God bless your family in this time of need and give you the strength to get through this and always remember Joshua and be able to smile and know you gave him the best 67 days and 7 hours imaginable. Susie I can't imagine how hard this must be for you and your family and little Oceana but you have my prays and hopes.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your family but I'm happy the heaven has gained a new angel. Thank you for sharing Joshua with all of us.
ReplyDeleteI wish you peace and comfort.
67 wonderful days... This precious boy will be missed. Thinking of you and your amazing family.
ReplyDeletealisa
mother of two in CA
Lots of love & thoughts from Sunderland, UK - can't imagine what you've been through.
ReplyDeletexxx
My Heart truly aches for you. Noone should have to endure what you have and the stength you have shown is amazing. If eel blessed to have been able to get to know you and your family, especially your amazing little boy through your blog. My daughter was born just one month after Joshua and I couldn't imagine knowing she, or my two year old son could leave me at any time, but you managed to fill his days though they were few with as much love as possible rather then dwell on the fact that he would soon be gone.
ReplyDeleteI wish i could say something to ease your pain and sadness but i know nothing will, my thoughts and prayers go out to you in these upcoming days and weeks.
Its amazing how someone so tiny could touch so many lives the world over, Joshua didn't just become an angel he always was one.
Judith
Mother of 2 in Canada
Susie, couldn't leave a comment earlier but have been following up this weekend as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for your loss....but Joshua definitely touched more people in those precious 67 days than anyone else could have.
I pray for you and yours and especially Oceana as well.
God bless you!
Joshua was a lucky boy to have such kind and loving parents as yourselves. My heart and prayers are with you,
ReplyDeleteJohn
Father of 2, Australia.
I'm so sorry.
ReplyDeleteMy heart breaks for you. Your families strength touched my heart. My prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteLove from the States,
KL
I know I'm late. I just found this. Suggested by a friend to read. It's wonderful to know the Lord's plan though. He is with heavenly Father and he has been perfected. Families are meant to be together forever and he, forever, will be your son. I'm sorry about the loss, but happy for you at the same time. Bitter-sweet. Good luck. You will be in my prayers!
ReplyDeleteyou are a great great woman... so strong, you're so right you were blessed with that little angel :D...thanks for shared your history with all the world
ReplyDelete