Wednesday, January 23, 2008

9 Minutes and then Eternal Bliss!

Dear Friends and Family,

Our sweet little girl was born last night at 8:46pm. She was 3 lbs. 15 oz. and 18 inches long. God graciously granted her 9 minutes of life. I have never witnessed anything more beautiful and I have never in my life felt closer to Christ than during this time. As I sit in the hospital, I am having a hard time putting into words how very special my time with her was. God answered every single prayer that we prayed during the last 18 weeks. Every single one. I prayed for Sophie to make it through delivery.. I wanted her in my arms when she went home to Christ, and she was. It was the most holy experience. It was so peaceful. When she was born, she wiggled her little arm and her mouth. Dr. Daniel gave her straight to me after the birth and her daddy sang a hymn in her ear. He also recited Psalm 23. We gave her a bath and loved on her for 6 hours. Through our suffering, we have experienced a joy like no other. There was even laughter in our room. Hannah Grace and Noah came in and held her and kissed her. Noah said she was soft and squishy and kissed her all over. Hannah Grace rubbed her hair and kissed her cheeks. They were so proud of their sister. Jerrod Brown (our photographer) took some of the most incredible photos of our time with her. Dr. Daniel never left my side. He prayed over me, held my hand, and stayed with me from 6:00pm until midnight. He even helped give her a bath. We are so very thankful for such a godly doctor. His presensce was very comforting. I knew I was safe under his care.
Please continue to remember us in prayer. The next few days will be hard. We want to invite all of those who have been part of our journey to attend Sophie’s memorial service this Saturday. We will share a slide show and Carlton will be preaching her service. The gospel of Christ will be shared.
Arrangements are as follows.

Anniston Memorial Funeral Home 11:00 a.m.- Saturday

Directions: From Birmingham- East on 1-20 to Oxford Exit, Exit 185. Turn left off of exit ramp and go north on Hwy 21/Quintard Ave. Go about 8 miles and turn left on HWY 431 north. Go north on hwy. 431 towards Gadsden and the funeral home is on the left.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am so thankful that your time with her was sweet...now she is with her maker. The presence of Christ is so evident in this story and life of Sophie Ann. I love yall.

slow poke kate said...

how wonderful and uplifting. You all have been on our thoughts the past few days. prayers going out to you.

Amanda Hickman-Gurney

Anonymous said...

God is good.
I love you all.

Jami

Anonymous said...

We have been praying and checking the blog ever since the Terrells got in touch with us yesterday afternoon. We are so thankful for the 9 minutes that you had with sweet Sophie...she went straight from your arms into His. We are praying that God's grace will be sufficient for you every moment of this hard week.

Kimberly and Jonathan said...

Praying for you and Carlton.
Hopefully Jonathan and I will be able to attend the funeral.
Love,
Kimberly

Anonymous said...

Praying for you and your family. Praise the Lord for answered prayer. May He continue to give you the peace and comfort you need. May He continue to bless your family with the knowledge that your testimony of faith and reliance upon Him has reached the hearts of many and have brought them to an intimate relationship with our Lord and Savior.

In His Grip,
Victoria

Addie Talley, Photographer said...

Amanda G just gave me your blog, and Im so glad she did.... sounds like you really enjoyed the time you had with Sophie and Im sure she enjoyed the love as well... I pray that God will be with your family....
-Addie

Russ Donaho said...

Guys,
just found out about everything this morning...we love you all and are amazed at how Father continues to prove faithful.
Russ & Amanda Donaho

Anonymous said...

God Bless you and your family! I'm glad that all went well and you were able to spend time with your precious baby girl before she went to heaven. I have had you and your family in my thoughts and prayers and will continue to pray for you especially over the next several days.

Sincerely,

Amy Fisher
Owensboro, KY

Barb said...

God is so amazing. I am so glad you were able to spend 9 minutes of Sophie's precious life with her and that He answered all of your prayers. How precious to hold her in her arms as she went to our Heavenly home.

You are in my prayers!

Love ya,
Barb

Aaron and Erica said...

Aimee and Carlton,

My heart just aches for you. But Praise God for answered prayers! That is amazing - that he answered every single one of your prayers about little Sophie's time here on earth. I believe her little life will continue to impact others for years to come.

Continuing to pray for you and your family...

Erica

Hope for Lucy said...

Praising God for your precious 9 minutes with your beautiful Sophie. Our prayers are with you and your family. Your Sophie will always be in our prayers.
Love
Green Party of Four

Anonymous said...

My prayers are with your family. I deeply admire your strength. Let Hannah Grace know I'm thinking about her.

Shay Cook

Laura said...

What a treasure little Sophie is....so proud of you brave friend. Our hearts will be with you Saturday.
Love you-Laura

Hoosier Hoffmans said...

Aimee,

I am still praying for you. I will be thinking of you on Saturday as you have your memorial service. We will have the service for our little Rachel on Sunday. It has been a journey, hasn't it? One day soon, when you feel up to it, give me a call...

In Christ's love,
Mai Xia

The Ferrill's said...

I am praising God for He is an awesome God! To have your prayers answered in such a sweet way, how merciful and kind our Father is!
To God be the glory! Sophie is resting in her Father's arms. May her little life lead others to that same Father who is holding her now.
I will continue to lift your family up as you go through the next few days, weeks, months...thank you for your great faith.
Love and prayers,
Laine

Lisa said...

Praise God for your 9 minutes you had with your precious Sophie. Lifting you up in prayer as you go through these next few days. Your Sophie is now looking over you from above.

jennifer said...

I am continuing to lift you up to the Lord. I praise Him for answering your prayers and allowing you and your family that precious time with Sophie. She is in the presence of the Lord and praise God He is preparing a place for us. I know Saturday will be hard,but we are praying with you that God will be glorified through all that you do. God is good, He will be your strength.

Hoosier Hoffmans said...

Aimee,

I was thinking last night that my Rachel is probably showing your Sophie around heaven. I can just imagine the welcome Sophie received from Rachel: "My name is Rachel and I've been here a few days. My Mommy knows your Mommy." :o)

Still praying...Mai Xia

Unknown said...

I am your fellow sister in Christ and a prayer warrior in Montgomery. Ryan Limbaugh shared your blog with me and it has truly blessed me. I have been experiencing spiritual warfare and needed to hear how you've totally depended on God, trusted him fully, and are giving him the glory for all that you are going through. What a living testimony of His power you are. Know that your experience,your pain and tears, your witness and Sophie's life have already greatly influenced a life...mine. Thank you for opening your heart and sharing. I will pray for you and your family, as will my prayer circle, to keep up the good fight and receive peace beyond measure, in Christ's name. "Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you've got, be resolute, and love without stopping"
1 Corinthians 16:13 (The Message)
May God richly bless you and cause your cup to overflow-
In Christ, Carmen Berrey

Anonymous said...

Our church in Augusta has been praying for you guys ever since Roy mentioned it to my mom back at Immanuel.

We'll continue to remember you guys for the days ahead.

Grace and peace,
Mike Springstead

Anonymous said...

God Bless you and your family. My son and daughter in law lost a Trisomy 13 baby on December 2. she lived six days. We loved and cherished every moment. sometimes we don't understand God's ways but he has a reason for everything. My prayers are with all of you. elaine

Jenna said...

beautiful little girl. found your site through molly's. tears are streaming for your love and loss and God's grace through this grief. i know it's probably trite to mention, but i love sophie's hair in these pictures. blessings to you. nine minutes. a vapor. and then eternity.

Anonymous said...

I just stumbled upon this blog. This was my first time hearing Sophie's beautiful story. I just wanted to write and say how encouraged I am. I am facing some trials with my father's illness right now. Hearing this story, although so different from my own trial, is such a blessing. Your families faith is truly amazing. I pray so much that I could have so much faith in the Lord.