Happy Birthday in Heaven, Sweet Sister of the Heart

Happy Birthday in Heaven,

Sweet Sister of the Heart

In Memory of

Ethel Kowal

and 

her daughter,

Carissa

My dearest Ethel, 

I have been away from Facebook  for quite awhile so when I came to your site today to wish you a happy birthday, I was stunned and so deeply saddened to see that you, my dear sister of the heart, are no longer with us on this earth. What a huge loss to all of us who knew you! You were such a faithful friend to "hold my hand" over these years as we shared the deep pain over the loss of our precious 19-year-old daughters. You always seemed to have just the right words to say to ease my broken heart. Thank you for your kindness and love.  And just as we "virtually" shared a friendship across the continent when you were here, thanks to our Lord, I trust our friendship continues on even now ~ across the heavens...

Tommy and I are praying for your precious Dennis and Tara left on this earth; I know they love and miss you so very much. We will all miss your tender love Ethel, but we rejoice to know we will someday join that "great cloud of witnesses" and be reunited with one another in the eternal peace of His love. 

Happy Birthday dear sister of the heart. Know that we love and miss you so. Today, in your memory, and in thankfulness for yours and Carissa's eternal salvation, I play for you what you shared with me as being one of Carissa's favorite songs, "Mighty to Save" by Hillsong (this also was a favorite of my Merry Katherine's!). ~Sweet blessings to you~

Enjoy holding your precious baby girl (((Carissa))) close to your heart today on your birthday in Heaven dear (((Ethel))) as you both bask in the love and sweet peace of our Heavenly Father... 

I remember your once writing to me, as you were longing for your Carissa,

"Oh to hear that sweet voice again and see that charismatic smile!"

~ What a blessing to know dear Ethel, thanks to the love and grace of our Lord, that now you surely can! 

Mighty to Save

~Hillsong

Everyone needs compassion
A love that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me...

Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Savior,
The hope of nations...

[Chorus:]
Savior ~ He can move the mountains;
My God is mighty to save!
He is mighty to save!
Forever Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave!
Jesus conquered the grave!

(music interlude)

So take me as you find me
All my fears and failures...
Fill my life again

I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in,
Now I surrender
(I surrender)

    Savior ~ He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave;
Jesus conquered the grave!

Savior ~ He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave;
Jesus conquered the grave!



Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen King ~ Jesus!

Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen King ~ Jesus!

Savior ~ He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave;
Jesus conquered the grave!

Savior ~ He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave;
Jesus conquered the grave!



Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen King ~ Jesus!

Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen King ~ Jesus!

Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen King ~ Jesus!

Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen King ~ Jesus!

Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen King ~ Jesus!

Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen King!

Happy Birthday in Heaven picture, thanks to google.com

Picture of Ethel and Carissa, thanks to another precious sister of the heart, Melody Robinson-Hill

Happy Birthday, Angel!

Happy Birthday, Merry Katherine!

Merry Katherine Prince

March 29, 1987 - August 2, 2006

I face each day, doing pretty well now,

Facing this life, this life without you,

Surviving daily, I don't know how,

When my heart, I admit, is broken in two.

Why then, when I write, are the tears falling down

When I picture your face, or your laughter rings out,

When I feel, in my tears, I really might drown,

And I'm returned to square one of this terrible drought,

This drought that was brought by that terrible day,

That day, despite prayer, you were taken away,

This drought that claws at my heart every day

Yet somehow I go on, somehow find a way…

It seems I face each day, doing pretty well now;

I'm doing more work, a seeming progression,

But only you and God really see how

I'm doing inside, my tears, my true confession.

And now, once again, your birthday arrives,

Yet you are not here, for us to celebrate…

(How is it, amidst drought, the rest of the world thrives

When we are left behind, to watch our hearts break?)

Yet, you see, I am learning to cope,

To live amidst death in this terrible drought:

Your smile, as you lean into God, brings me Hope

And your continued Love forges a way through death's drought,

As our life on this earth lives on in the prayer

Fully realized in Christ once we are There!

And then we will joy in God's grand celebration

Where pain pales in the face of our Father's elation.

Happy 26th Birthday, Merry Katherine!

We love you and long to see you again,

Mommy, Daddy, Rollin, Stephanie, Merry Elizabeth, and Nathan