The Pape Family

There are times in our lives where we get to experience something that will change our lives forever. Whether it be graduating high school, college, meeting your husband, or the birth of you child, those moments are etched in your mind forever...and you are the person you are today because of all those moments, right? Well, something...rather..someone.. that will forever be etched in my mind is Miss. Layla Grace. I started reading her journey last week when a friend of mine posted something about it on Facebook. I was in tears from that moment on. See Layla Grace is a 3 yr old little angel fighting her battle with Stage 4 neuroblastoma cancer...and the cancer is winning. I am sure I am like most people when I say that I try and not read things like this because it makes me too sad, but I truly feel God led me to read about her story. Last saturday night I cried to my husband after reading some of the twitter updates on how she was doing...asking him how on earth this could happen to such a sweet little angel...and how was I supposed to protect my little angel from this same monster? Waylen just said.."You can't....", which was totatlly not what I wanted to hear, but its true. And why this is happening to little kids all across the world is still a mystery to me, but as my husband reminded me...it is all for God's glory. At first I was like...are you kidding me? Isn't glory a happy thing? But the more I think about it and the more I pray about it I realize he is right. What this family is having to go through is pure hell...a nightmare that you never wake up from...but this little girl has inspired thousands ...close to 35,000 people to rethink the way they live their lives...Whether it be there relationship with God, their spouse, or their children, she has changed people for the better. I now hug my daughter tighter every chance I get and thank the Lord every night for the day I was able to be with her. I am reminded to not let the special moments we spend together as a family pass me by like they are guaranteed. I will love my husband more and when I stop and pause to look over and see him sitting with Harlow reading a book or playing...maybe now I will stop what I am doing to enjoy those precious moments together, all three of us as a family. Who cares if the toys don't get picked up...or the laundry doesn't get folded today..it can wait. I remember reading one of the moms blogs about how quiet the house was and how much housework she was able to do (since Layla sleeps so much now)...and how she would just give anything to have that little 2 yr old...grabbing at her ankle..asking for something...anything. Gosh...I lose it everytime I think about that, hearing her words of regret for all the times she wished she had the time without interuptions to get things done..and I just pray for thousands of days where I can't get anything done because Harlow is pulling at my leg wanting to play dress up....or to go outside. Thank you Layla Grace for being such a fighter, Thank you Shanna and Ryan for showing all of us what amazing parents look like...and how strong your faith is in such a trying time.
You can follow her journey at www.laylagrace.org

GOD SAID

“For a little while I’ll lend you a child of mine for you to cherish while she lives, and mourn for when she is gone. Look after her for me! It may be two or three years before I will call her home.

Will you care for her?

She’ll bring you love, joy and happiness and should her stay be brief, you’ll have a whole host of memories as solace from your grief.” I cannot promise she will stay, since all from the earth returns to dust, but there are lessons taught below that I want this child to learn.

Will you love her?

I’ve looked the whole world over in my search for teachers true, and from the masses that crowd life’s lane at last I HAVE CHOSEN YOU. Now will you give her all your love and not think your labor in vain and turn against me when I come to take her back home again.

I fancied that I heard you say to me: “Dear Lord your will be done, for all the joy your child shall bring the risk of grief we’ll run. We’ll shelter her with tenderness. We’ll love her while we may, and the happiness we’ve known forever grateful stay. But should the angels call her much sooner than planned, we’ll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.”

“I’ll lend you for a little while a child of mine, God said, for you to cherish while she lives, and mourn for when she’s gone.”