a few things
I've had several people ask me about the Cora's Playground necklaces that we were wearing on Cora's birthday. Here they are. Thank you to Mark and Stef at HomeStudio for designing such a beautiful pendant in honor of Cora's life and the Cora's Playground Project. They are just beautiful!
So, head on over to Etsy. Last I checked there were still some left.
Thank you to all the Etsy sellers who are continuing to donate to Cora's Playground. I am amazed how kind and generous you all are. You have blessed us so much! Cora's Playground is in the works, but nothing has actually been started yet. I will keep you updated as things get started.
A few more things...
My mom and I are still sewing. More Cora dresses and other things will be added to Cora's soon. I will let you know when that happens. We have about 30 dresses cut out. We just have to find time to sew now.
We are not taking any special orders for Cora dresses at this point. Thanks for being patient. We will continue to put more in our shop as often as we can.
So many people have offered to do kind things for us, wanted us to contact them, or just had questions they wanted us to answer. I do read all of your comments (both here and through our Etsy shop). You are so encouraging to us. I haven't gotten back to hardly anyone because it is just too overwhelming right now. Hopefully someday I will have time to get to know some of you through your blogs and answer questions. For right now I am doing good just to get something posted on our blog!
I think that is all for tonight...
posted by the mcclenahans @ 5:46 PM
54 Comments:
Jessica, you don't know me but I have been praying for you guys for quite a while now, along with countless others. What you said the other day, about nothing sustaining you except the Word of God, was so amazing to read. It struck right to my heart. Everything else, and everyone else will fail, but He never will. Even when things are falling apart (either really, or in one's perception) He is the faithful and constant One. Thank you for that reminder. I think you are amazing to continue to do what you do, posting, sewing, and just plain carrying on. I know it's not you, but God in you, His spirit strengthening you, His word filling you and giving you what you need to keep moving forward. I'm sure it's the same for Joel. I thought I would let you know that you are blessing many people, and as one of the individuals in that collective group I wanted to say thank you. Thank you for allowing yourself to be used by God, even amidst great sorrow. I don't really know what else to say. I'll be praying for you still.
Those are really beautiful pendants...I'm heading there now to check them out! I was proud to be part of such a wonderful cause. I know Cora's playground will be something truly special.
Deb
The Muddy Moose Bath Boutique
www.themuddymoose.etsy.com
www.themuddymoose.blogspot.com
Keeping busy is good Jessica! Keep up with your blog posts - it lets everyone out there who care about you know that you're okay.
I still have Cora's Playground on my blog:
www.skylarsclips.blogspot.com
WOW!!! That is amazing!!! Cora has touched so many people you can't even imagine. I live in a small town in Tennessee and I have told many people about her. Just think about how many people live in small towns throughout the world and are telling a few people about her...that is AWESOME!
Keep doing what you are doing it it AMAZING!
Ashley-Tennessee
What a beautiful necklace! Get busy sewing!!! ;)
You are doing amazingly well. I'm sure it feels different on the inside, but on the outside you've been such a blessing to so many people.
You just continue to take things one day at a time, one hour at a time. God is holding you close and I just know that one of these days you're going to be able to breathe for the first time in a long time.
God bless you guys!
I bought a couple of those gorgeous necklaces before the playground donation and I can honestly say that they are adorable and I love mine. I get a lot of questions about it and am happy to tell anyone/everyone all about your Cora and your dream for her playground. Keep blogging when you have time/energy and that goes for sewing, too. We're still thinking of and praying for you all!
~ Heather
I can't wait until you list some more on Etsy...maybe this time I'll catch them before everything sells out :)
The necklaces are beautiful! I'm sure they'll sell out soon if they haven't already. It's good that you are able to keep busy. We look forward to hearing how Cora's Playground progress goes.
One day at a time, one step at a time. You are both amazing!
You continue to be an inspiration to me...
Thoughts and prayers! Thank you for taking the time to post, it puts us at ease to read a little something from you...
Kim
Thankyou so much for the post on the necklace-I just ordered one and cannot wait to get it. I wanted something to wear to keep Coras memory alive and also when people ask me about it I can't wait to testify about what happened and how the Lord is working. I think it will be a good thing for me to have to witness to people and tell them about the Lord. Thanks for being strong even when you probably don't want to be. I am anxiously but also patiently awaiting the posting of the clothes-I want a dress badly for my grandaughter-you all are a blessing to us. I thank the Lord for great testimonies of people like you.
Jess,
Good luck with all that sewing!! Your a strong women and I love reading all you have to say! The pendants are very cute! It amazes me how talented some folks are. Sending you hugs and prayers,
Liz
Having walked and still walking in the "death valley" with our little Joel, to that beast of NB,the Word is my life preserver. I look so forward each mornign to reading and hearing form the heights of heaven and to think Joel is there and your Cora. To think as we bend our knee and pray and cry and offer thanks they are in the crowd. I can only say what has really gotten me through this is the scriptures. I have loved reading the Gospels, especially Luke and John, seeing Christ's humanity of walking and being on the earth yet seeing his divine works and power in lives, I guess because those two aspects are so much more real now, I am here, yet I am there in my heart with Joel. May His infinite compassion reach to the depth of your despair and may you feel and know there is a ROCK at the bottom that you can throw yourself on.....
Cindy
I love it! Beautiful, simple and chic and SPECIAL.
Jess....
Still praying and thinking of you every single day. Praying that your strength increases daily.
Hugs and love...
Cristy
That is so pretty.
I am glad you are able to blog and make things for your shop.
I still have you in my prayers.
I just ordered one of the Cora's playground pendants and I can't wait to wear it! As I said before, I have had many compliments on my flower and love telling others the story of your amazing family and beautiful Cora! I am still praying for you and Joel everyday and will continue to do so...you courage and faith are an inspiration!
Looking forward to seeing the Cora dresses and other things in your Etsy shop when you are all stocked up again!
Love,
Sara
Your strength and courage continues to inspire me every day!
May God continue to bless you!
*Tricia
don't feel ANY guilt for not responding to people.
that is not your job.
we are supposed to support you...not overwhlem you.
wish i could've hugged you yesterday.
You keep on doing things in your own time, and don't let anyone make you feel guilty! You guys are amazing!
Many blessings...many prayers and thoughts...may our Lord touch many hearts through your testimony...
with sympathies,
Sarah
You are doing such a great job being Cora's mom displaying His grace!
I was reading something on another blog honoring my friends the Bergmen's in their loss of their little boy, www.cjbermenmusic.com/wordpress which calmed my still aching heart from the loss of my own son. It is so simple, but you know how the Lord uses some words at different times and circumstances in our lives. Perhaps it will help you too. "When there aren't answers, there is always Jesus." So true! I am praying for you still.
An easy thing, O power Divine,
To thank Thee for these gifts of Thine!
For summer's sunshine, winter's snow,
For hearts that kindle, thoughts that glow;
But when shall I attain to this:
To thank Thee for the things I miss?
For all young fancy's early gleams,
The dreamed-of joys that still are dreams,
Hopes unfulfilled, and pleasures known
Through others' fortunes, not my own,
And blessings seen that are not given,
And never will be--this side of Heaven.
Had I, too , shared the joys I see,
Would there have been a Heaven for me?
Could I have felt Thy presence near
Had I possessed what I held dear?
My deepest fortune, highest bliss,
Have grown, perchance, from things I miss.
Sometimes there comes an hour of calm;
Grief turns to blessing, pain to balm;
A Power that works above my will
Still leads me onward, upward still;
And then my heart attains to this:
To thank Thee for the things I miss.
(Thomas Wentworth Higginson)
Cindy (Joel's mommy)
found this through another grieving mommy.....
I think those pendants are gone now too...Word sure gets out fast! I will continue to stalk your shop...
Not to be presumptuous and speak for all posters, but please don't feel obliged to respond to us; we are here to offer you a few words of support and encouragement if we can. Or at least tell you that you continue to inspire us and that Cora will not be forgotten.
Hugs from Canada...
I hope this isn't too much of a downer, but this is what is on my heart regarding you. You have experienced some very real trauma, watching your sweet precious daughter go through such a struggle. Your healing should go at the pace that only you know is right. Please just remember this blog isn't about the readers, but about you and we would never want to add pressure or stress to this time. You are having fellowship with the One who can minister the best, and anything else should take second place. God bless you, Jess, may He give you peace and rest.
Jess...don't ever worry about commenting...I think people (or at least they should!) understand :) Now, I'm off to see if I can't snag one of those beautiful necklaces in honor of your beautiful little girl :) Praying EVERY DAY for you and your precious family!
I sound like a broken record but...my prayers haven't ceased. I think about your family many times a day and while my heart breaks for you, I know that God is faithful and will lovingly rebuild what has been torn apart.
I have always loved this hymn, but when I sang it the other day, I thought of you...do you know it?
How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said
Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?
When thro' the deep waters I call thee to go
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow
For I will be with thee thy troubles to bless
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
Hello Jessica,
I just wanted to say I did head over to Etsy and was able to purchase one of the beautiful Cora pendants. I am so glad to be able to help contribute towards her playground. God made such a special little girl, who touched so many people, near and far. I am one of them.
Keeping you in my prayers,
Kelly
My prayers go out to you! You are such a special couple. Thank you for sharing your story. Please know that God does take away, but only for a short time. You will see Cora again and you can be with her. You have a kind Heavenly Father who loves you so much. Thank you for letting that love shine. May you feel the peace that we are praying you will have and keep with you. Families can and will be together forever through the proper authority. May you find peace in your darkest moments. Thank you for sharing your sweet Cora with us.
Just know that people truly care about you. That we are praying daily for you. That Cora has touches thousands of people. I will never be the same all because of her sweet smile. The grace you have shown is amazing. Continue to be her voice and tell her story. God is doing something so BIG here! I am honored to be a small tiny part of it.
Praying daily,
Brandi james
I ordered my Cora necklace when the were first available. I absolutely love it. I've been wearing it a lot recently. One of my best girlfriends thinks it is so special that it has such an important meaning to me. It means more to me than almost any other piece of jewelry I own. Someone else asked me about it today. It's a beautiful way to open the door to talking about Cora, her life and impact. Blessings from Ohio.
Hi... I am a frequent follower of your blog now, and think of Cora daily. I think part of the reason I am so drawn to you and your story is that my daughter is very close in age to Cora. I look at her daily and think of Cora and how very blessed I am. I can't wait for the Etsy shop to restock so I can buy my Erin some dresses. My sister is pregnant and will find out soon what she is having. If it's a girl she will be getting a Cora dress as well! Your family continued to inspire me, and you are very much in my prayers.
It is amazing how God has used your story to teach me over the past few months. I feel forever changed by lessons I am learning and your words have spoken deeply to me. I check your blog and comment often so that you can always know that while only God can sustain you, there are many, many, people who are lifting your family up in prayer. You are strong and courageous and I hope that God uses the prayers of all of us to continue to love on you as you walk this road.
bless your heart...when my paige was little, she wanted more than anything for me to say those words when she needed encouragement. so, bless your baby heart.
i did want you to know that one of the jr high girls from church...from when i preached on your cora paige and your strength and faith...came to me this last week and told me she was able to share your story to inspire someone in a tough time.
you all are still making a difference...and your faith is inspiring kiddos, too!
Praying for you right now.
My husband used you as a sermon illustration the other night. He is keeping up with you, also, and he has been so blessed by your unwavering faith.
Both my husband and I are praying for you, as is our youth ministry. Cora has impacted so many people. YOU and your testament of faith have impacted so many people.
I just read in this post that you are concerned about not getting back to people who have left comments. You don't worry about that. You still need to take care of each other. We will pray, read, and support you whether or not we get a personal email from you. That isn't what is important. Cora's Playground is important. You: Joel and Jess are important. Your families are important.
We love you all.
I have one of those necklaces it is beautiful and always touched my heart.
I hope you are doing ok , my brother and his wife just lost a baby different situation but very painful , sometimes it over comes me too .
I am thinking of you .
still praying for you.
grace and peace to you,
robyn
I'm so glad you posted this I was so sad because I really wanted that pendant! I'm glad you guys are keeping busy, I'm just a stranger but I have been followig your story and cried so much! Cora has touched so many lives she is truly an angel that is watching over you guys! The way you are continuing with life and keeping busy is the work of an angel!:)
Hi,
You don't know me, I live in Costa Rica and somehow I ended up in your blog. I admire your faith and your strength.
You and your husband are in my prayers ever since the day I got to "know" you, and I regularly come back to "check" on you.
God Bless you and continue to hold you,
Vane
I am yet another blogger who doesn't know you, but am touched and moved by your life and Cora's. My heart aches for you. As I read I want to do something to help the hurt. I lift you to the Father when He brings you to my mind. Your daughter is beautiful. I'm sure she is even more so now. I hope and pray that the Lord will begin to lift you burden soon. I know He is near to you. I thank Him for that. Praying you will continue to be filled with hope for you future, peace for your days, and comfort for your soul.
You probably don't even know me, but I grew up with Ginga Skillen. I just heard a song this morning of K-love by Mandesa. It's on her new CD coming out today call "Freedom". I immediatley thought of little Cora. It's the child's perspective of going to see Jesus and how beautiful it is. You guys are an inspiration to so many and I can only hope that they all see Jesus through your journey. Take care....
I continue to be in awe of your faith. I will continue to pray that it sustains you, through this most unimaginable pain. I watched the interview you both did for your local news, your little girl is so blessed to have such lovely parents, and I believe she watches over you, and knows what good work you both do to honor her. I hope you know that by sharing your loss, you have helped me find a better connection with Christ. Cora's life, although so short, has impacted so many, thanks.
in prayer for you and your family,
Leslie in CT
jessica, i too check back to your site often and remember cora with a prayer, as well as praying for you and your sweet husband. you are such a sweet testimony of what faith in Jesus looks like. what a light to our Father you are.
i would like a cora's playground button for my blog. i missed the boat on that one.
thanks again for updating your blog. i for one really care about how you are getting along.
have a blessed and outstanding week!
jessica, i too check back to your site often and remember cora with a prayer, as well as praying for you and your sweet husband. you are such a sweet testimony of what faith in Jesus looks like. what a light to our Father you are.
i would like a cora's playground button for my blog. i missed the boat on that one.
thanks again for updating your blog. i for one really care about how you are getting along.
have a blessed and outstanding week!
jessica, i too check back to your site often and remember cora with a prayer, as well as praying for you and your sweet husband. you are such a sweet testimony of what faith in Jesus looks like. what a light to our Father you are.
i would like a cora's playground button for my blog. i missed the boat on that one.
thanks again for updating your blog. i for one really care about how you are getting along.
have a blessed and outstanding week!
Thanks for another update-and praises for the way God is opening doors for you both in sharing Cora's story and the love of Jesus. Thank you for trusting in Him so others can see the truth in God's word. Bless you both.
Michele
Oh thanks for telling where the pendants came from. What is funny is I just purchased from there but unfortunately I didn't see any. I will have to go back and look.
I just wanted to tell you two that I feel so drawn to your story. I think because what happened to you 2 I feel can happen to any one of us. There are babies that are born with medical issues but that wasn't Cora's case. I've always felt blessed that I have Mackenzie in my life. My only child/daughter. But your story really makes me count my blessings that she is a healthy little girl. I almost feel like at times I'm holding my breath and waiting for something to happen and I know I shouldn't. So I live each day with her and I'm grateful that God has given me such a special gift. I was never sure I'd even have a baby and she was born when I had just turned 39.
You and Joel continue to inspire me and my thoughts are with Cora daily.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Still inspired by you..Joel and your Cora. Thoughts and prayers continue to come your way.
Kim
This is just so awesome...How many people will precious Cora touch?
BTW I just changed my blog to private (I think) and since I follow yours I am not sure if you need an invite to read or post on mine. If you do my email is agb443@msn.com thanks!!!
You have been in my prayers. I have been studying Isaiah and thought of sweet Cora when I read Isaiah 65:20. God is describing the new earth He is going to create. He describes how joyous it will be. Then He says what will not be there. One of the first things He lists is "never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days..." I know God is sovereign, but cleary, He hurts when babies die too soon. It is the result of a fallen world. And when He makes everything right, He will not let it happen again. I pray that He continues to comfort you in your grief.
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