First off, if you’re new here… welcome! I’m guessing you found me through Sophie’s sweet little TV debut and I’m so glad. I’ve chronicled our journey with Sophie since finding out her diagnosis of Anencephaly (which was the brain disorder the piece is referring to). You can find her whole story at her page on my website: Sophia Kyla’s Story. I have a blog entry entitled 10 precious hours where you can find more photos taken by Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep and those sweet 10 hours God gave us with Sophie. You may wonder about the joy you see in our lives in the TV piece (and maybe you don’t) but either way we want you to know that Joy isn’t natural… It’s Jesus. He’s the only one that can give the kind of joy we have in the midst of such sadness. He’s everywhere in this blog, because He’s everywhere in Sophie’s life and our life. And if you’re not that into him and that turns you off to reading Sophie’s story, that’s okay I think there still might be something sweet for you here! I’d love for you to stick aound and get a taste of this crazy, broken and beautiful story that’s been written for our lives… whatever you believe I think you just may enjoy seeing how this story has unfolded!
So, now onto my thoughts about Sophie’s TV debut…
A month or so ago we were contacted by Scott Taylor, who helped to document Sophie’s birth and life as a volunteer for the amazing organization Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, to see if we’d be interested in allowing our story with Sophie to be told as part of a piece the local Wesh 2 News station was doing on Now I lay Me Down To Sleep. Kevin and I have loved every chance we’ve had to tell Sophie’s story and we’re thrilled to be a part of creating greater awareness for an organization that God has used to bless our lives and give us priceless memories of our time with Sophie. The piece was aired last night on our local news stations, and then found its way to the front page of Yahoo today…
Watch: Sophie’s story on Yahoo
It has been truly exciting to see God use our story, Sophie’s story… and ultimately HIS story, to bring hope to even more families and awareness of an amazing organization that helps families like ours have photos that forever keeps these memories alive for us. But, I was reminded today as I spent time with the Lord that if no one’s life would have been impacted from our story except for ours, it still would have been worth it to carry our daughter, meet and hold her for those 10 precious hours God gave us with her. It is simply an added gift that we get to watch the world get to know Sophie, and hopefully stumble upon the bigger story that is being written for their lives.
Since this piece is about the impact of Now I lay me down to sleep I would like to encourage any and all photographers to consider volunteering with this group. Simply head to their website: Volunteer Information for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep to find out more!
You can also give financially online to them as well. There is a GREAT need for more volunteers, and as Scott said in the piece above it is one of the most rewarding things you could be a part of!
And finally…to my daughter Sophie,
Though you are not here and I know you are experiencing far more exciting things then I could even dream, I still am in awe of how God has allowed a simple decision of carrying you to term, celebrating your life and trusting Him with the journey He was asking us to take, to show the world the value of a precious life. I never would have dreamed that He would write such a beautiful story for a little girl who would only live for 10 hours. Your mommy and daddy have lived for 35 years and not until we had you have we seen just how much God can do with such a small and short life. Yet, “God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong” I Corinthians 1:27. You were small and weak and could barely breathe on your own, and yet the strength of your life has been profound. We prayed before we even knew you existed that our children would have a greater impact on the world then we ever could on our own. We didn’t ask for it to be this way, but we are amazed that even though God knew you would not live long, He still chose to overwhelm our hearts with a resounding YES as an answer to that prayer. We would trade all of what we’ve seen to have you in our arms, yet we also know that there is a far bigger, grander, and God glorifying story that is being written here. The “Glorious Unfolding” of what God is doing is continuing to erupt our hearts with the joy of heaven and sharing with you all the wonders that God has done here. My friend, and your friend, Bryn sent me the sweetest text earlier today… She said “That little girl (you) will never cease to make me stand in awe. I can just imagine her giggling with the Lord as we marvel at all the lives she keeps touching. Almost like they keep nudging each other knowingly saying, “wait till they see what’s next!!” and winking.” I love that picture! You’re story is so beautiful Sophie, and I’m so glad that God chose us to be your parents in this beautiful story He wrote and is continuing to write for our lives and your legacy. Today was just another reminder of how death did not defeat us and LIFE just keeps on winning! Oh how we love and miss you deeply and can’t wait to throw our arms around you in Heaven!
-Mommy
- A Time to be Silent and a Time to Speak - October 29, 2020
- Teaching Them to Hope, Birthday After Birthday. - January 15, 2020
- A Taste of Hope Fulfilled – Briella Dawn’s Birth Story - August 3, 2018
