Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Happy Birthday, Precious Boy!

































Okay.. today is the day we've been waiting for. I'm SO THANKFUL that the LORD led us to do a giveaway this year as a way to "celebrate" Brent's birthday. This will be our second without him.




I honestly didn't know what emotions I'd face. THANKFULLY, doing something he would've loved gave me something to look forward to. I can truly say that some of Brent's happiest times were when he was giving gifts and/or doing something for others.



With that said, the winners of our giveaway are....

from his CaringBridge site... Dena Olsen,


and from my blog... Melanie (Melanie at Fruits of the Spirit- Oh, I HOPE that's your blog name.. I usually just click through links) I DO hope this link works, for some reason blogger isn't running well for me this morning)


CONGRATULATIONS to both of you!!! I'll HOPEFULLY get your packages shipped out today. PLEASE, get with me ASAP with your mailing addresses. You can email me at nason5@aol.com - PLEASE put in the header that YOU ARE A WINNER! (I'll be sorting through, "real mail," junk mail, as well as spam.. I don't want to miss you)


Yes, our Sweet Brent would've been 13 if he were still here with us. Our hearts ache to see his sweet face, to hear his voice, and to be able to HOLD him again. There are no words to express the wide range of emotions we feel each and every day. One thing I CAN say is that we are COMPLETELY AT PEACE KNOWING that Brent is no longer sick or hurting. He's HEALED beyond anything we could even imagine. He's experiencing PEACE, LOVE, AND JOY like we've never dreamed. For him, it'll only be a moment and we'll be together again.


We were FOREVER BLESSED the day the LORD "loaned" Brent to us.. we are truly better people for having known (and loved) him.




Now, Brent would want more than anything for me to tell you about about the GREATEST GIFT OF ALL... JESUS!


The Bible says that we've all sinned (Do you agree?)

The Bible tells us how to have Salvation,

Romans 10:9
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.


The Bible also says....

Acts 4:12
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."



It's that simple. HE wants us as we are, to come to HIM and let HIM save us. Isn't it great that we don't have to go and "do" anything??

If you're not a Christian, and want to be.. As you can see, all you have to do is "believe and confess." You don't have to go see a preacher or pray a fancy prayer.. GOD will take you right now.. just as you are!



Now, I want to THANK each of you for CELEBRATING Brent's life with us today. See, Brent's life on earth may have ended - but his ETERNAL LIFE has only JUST BEGUN! Our minds can't even fathom what God has in store for us!

1 Corinthians 2:9
However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him" —






I have no idea what our sweet little man is doing up there... I just know I can't wait to get my arms around him again!

I'd like to leave YOU with a challenge today.. Brent LOVED doing things for others... so my challenge is THIS... In his memory today, how about doing something *extra* for someone else? It might be holding the door open for the next person in town, calling someone who's sick or shut in, or it might be going as far as cooking a meal and taking it to someone. You know, sometimes something as little as a SMILE and a nod will make someone's day. Let's just show the LOVE of JESUS to EVERYONE we meet! =-)



Again, I'd like to say, "THANKS," for taking a moment to remember him. Your support means the world to us!




With LOVE,

46 comments:

Melanie said...

Oh, Tonya... my first blog giveaway to win... I'm so excited! And, I'm so excited that it was this one especially for Brent! Thank you so much. I'll send an email shortly with my mailing info.

And, you can bet I'll be looking to do something special for someone today in honor of Brent on his special day today.

Love you!

April said...

Tonya,

I just wanted to say God Bless You on this special day of remembrance. I know many wonderful memories will come flooding back to you, so hold on tight and let God take care of the rest. What comfort it is to know that your precious son is in Heaven and is suffering no more! There is no peace like it in the whole world over.

My thoughts and prayers are with you!

kahlanne said...

Happy Birthday Brent! You and your family will be in my prayers today. I love that you are giving on his birthday. Maybe I shouldn't say this but I thought tomorrow was his birthday. I got up this morning and decided the kids would "skip" school and go to the dr with me and have a family day. You know how it is with kids, something you planned as so special can get hectic and rushed quickly. Well, I am glad I found your blog before leaving. I am going to slow down and enjoy this time with my kids and use Brent as the calm/giving inspiration that I am sure I will need from time to time. Thanks.

luvmy4sons said...

Came over her by way of Susan. Your faith is a glorious thing to behold. I have four sons and can only imagine the difficulty of your loss. I am greatly blessed to see your faith shining through your loss and pain. My youngest son turned thirteen last week. I pray that you continue to feel the Everlasting arms around you and know His peace and comfort. May He keep you. Leslie

Beth E. said...

Congratulations to Melanie and Dena!

Tonya, I loved the pictures and your awesome post. I sent you an email earlier...just wanted to share what's on my heart.

What a celebration Brent must be having in heaven! :o)

Love and prayers...

Us said...

Tonya - I love that you are doing this for Brent. My heart aches for you as I read your post. I cried tears of sadness for you but also tears of happiness for Brent. We are sooo very blessed to have Jesus in our lives! He's having a blast up there! God is good!

Jennifer said...

Happy Birthday to Brent!! I know he is feeling the love from everyone!! I didn't win the giveaway, but I feel that I've won so much just getting to "meet" and get to know you and your family better! Thanks for sharing your wonderful self and family with me!!
God bless you!!!
Love you!!

Jennifer

Stacy@hiswaynotmine said...

Tonya,
You are such a shining example to all of us of God's love, His strength, His peace and the joy that comes when we walk by faith in Him alone. Yes, Brent is whole, he is healed, he is sitting (or maybe dancing) in the presence of Jesus right now, praising Him and knowing Him more intimately than any of us still on earth....what a picture to behold.

My heart, aches, for the day I will be with my son again, too. But I share the joy with you in today and the knowledge that we will be together again...and that God has transformed us more and more into His image as a result of our sons, that He has used our sons to touch so many lives for Jesus.

Praying that those who don't know Jesus, and visit you today, will hear God's Truth and will confess and believe today!

May God's peace that passes understanding be upon you all today. What a gift Brent is to us all. He is a beautiful boy. Thank you for sharing him with us all. You have blessed me greatly today. May God pour out His blessings to your family.

In His love,
Stacy

Anonymous said...

Tonya,
Thinking of you and always...Remembering Brent this way is amazing!!! Love, Marci p.s it is so strange how we have lil ones the same age,, our oldest just turned 13 in Sept..and remember we have all GIRLS!!

He & Me + 3 said...

Tonya,

My heart does break for your loss. What a precious gift you were given, if only for a short time. His life has impacted more people than you will ever know. Your post was absolutely beautiful. I know whoever reads this post will be blessed.
Praying for you today.
Mimi

Liz {Learning To Juggle} said...

Happy Birthday Brent!!

I was not blessed enough in this life to have met you but I have had the honor of making friends with your amazing Mom. I am glad to celebrate this special day. I am praying for your family today - and I will find some way, in your memory, to do something special for someone else.

I look forward to the day that we all are celebrating your birthday together!!

Much Love,
Liz

Laurie Ann said...

Please know your family is in my prayers today. May God grant you a day of fond remembrances of the life of Brent while he was here on earth...the lives he touched and was touched by. What precious pictures you've posted! Happy Birthday, Brent!

~Amy~ said...

Bless you Nason family. I pray that it is a day full of wonderful memories of your precious son and Big brother.

Sheryl said...

What a beautiful family! Such a great way to celebrate Brent's birthday. He would for sure be honored to know that you have shared Christ - the great gift of all. Thanks for the challenge to do for others.

Love to you!!!
Sheryl

Belinda said...

Thinking of you today. I just finished reading Ninety Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper and I can't wait to go there myself! Isn't it such a comfort to know that Brent is there with Jesus in such a perfect place? Have a wonderful day and let your memories give you peace until you see him again!
Love,
Belinda

Linda said...

Happy Birthday to your very precious son!! Your love, your faith and your strength are an amazing awesome thing!! My heart goes out to your family. What a wonderful thought that your precious loving son is with Jesus! He is no longer in any kind of pain or suffering and someday you'll reunite with Him. Be strong on this day. I'm sure it still is hard..so keep your eyes focused on the King and He WILL get you through. Be Blessed!!!

Kyle said...

Thinking about you guys today. Happy Birthday to Brent!!!

Ashley said...

i am so grateful that i have met you through this blogging community and can call you friend. i am also glad that now i get to be a part of Brent's story by passing on his kindness to someone else. you TRULY are an inspiration to me!

Addicted to Beadz said...

Tonya,

I'm so honored to have been able to follow Brent's journey. Heaven is much richer today, because Brent is there. And, unfortunately this world has lost a fine young man. I can ONLY IMAGINE how your hearts have been broken. But, yes there is GREAT PEACE in knowing that he does not suffer anymore, he is with our Father, and most of all his family will get to see him again one day. And, I will get to meet him. I would love to give you a hugs today, but since you are not near, know that I pray for you and your family.

What a way to honor Brent. I would much rather give than receive. It is so fun.

Thanks for sharing the pictures too today. You know Brent is smiling in heaven seeing a glimpse of what you guys did in his honor today.

Love,
Cheryl

Kim@Seasons of My Heart said...

Praying for you today sweet friend!!!!

Amie said...

Oh dear one.. this post had me in tears. LOVE the pictures. LOVE seeing Brent happy with his family! LOVE that youtook the time to witness to those who might not know Jesus. Love that so amny acts of kindness will be done to honor this amazing little man. He is probably cringing up there hearing me call him that! lol

Thank you for blessing me with this today!!! Happy birthday to your sweet boy and so much love, many hugs and lots and lots of prayers to you, dear friend!

:)
Amie

Stephanie said...

Tonya,
You have been on my heart for the last couple of days. Your pictures were wonderful, yet my heart aches for you b/c I know that you miss Brent. I could never begin to understand how much that impacts your heart, but as a mom, my own heart goes out to you!

I have a neighbor that I don't see that often even though we live in a neighborhood and is only a couple of houses down from me. She had knee replacement surgery today and you have nudged me to organize meals for her in honor of Brent!
Love you!
Stephanie

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

There is heaven in your son's eyes. There is eternity in his smile. Thank you for the privilege of remembering him.

My heart and my faith is better because of yours so tenderly expressed on this special day of remembrance.

Hi. I'm elaine, over from Susan's blog. You are in my thoughts this day.

peace~elaine

crispy said...

I know I have told you before...but your children are all beautiful. Just beautiful. Praying that God comforts you and that the Holy Spirit encourages you.

((hugs))

love you sweetie,

Cris

Tracy said...

What a precious way to honor your sweet Brent's memory. I can't begin to imagine how much you must miss everything about him. Praying you sense God's love & peace more than ever.

I'm off to find a way to bless someone in honor of your servant-hearted son.

Hugs & blessings,
Tracy

A Stone Gatherer said...

What a great way to celebrate Brent! Sharing the plan of salvation! Congrats to the winners, but I feel we are all winners because we get to see a glimpse of this sweet boy!

Special K said...

What a beautiful tribute to a precious life...thank you for the reminder of how precious life is...and how short it CAN be...we have to live each day to the fullest and it sounds as if Brent did...as well as his family!

God bless you today and each day following as you walk by faith...and not by sight!

My prayers are with you...

Greg P. said...

Tonya,

This post made my eyes glisten. (I guess that's a guy's way of saying, 'real men DO cry'.)

My prayers are with you all this day.

Happy Birthday Brent buddy.

Daphine said...

Happy Birthday Brent!

Tonya, I have thought of you and prayed for your family several times today. I feel like I've known you forever. I truly enjoyed reading this post today. As a mother, a wife, a friend and a daughter, you have encouraged my beyond words today my friend.

Thanks for sharing so much with us and I am so looking forward to reading Brenn't complete story on his website.

Blessings to you and your precious family today and forever.

Love,
Daphine

Rebecca Lily said...

Your family has been in my thoughts & prayers. Brent's story has touched my heart, and I was so happy to do a special act of kindness for someone today in honor of his birthday!!!

Blessings,
Rebecca

iheartbowheads.blogspot.com said...

You have such an amazing special family! Thank you so much for sharing your story.

Holly

Susan said...

Hey Sweet Tonya,

I pray this day was not too difficult for you.

I just read all your comments, gosh, so much love and so many prayers were covering you all today.

And it is just like your style to include an offer for someone to know Jesus.

Really, that is what Brent would do too. He lived and breathed Jesus, and was such a witness to everyone who crossed his path!

Thank you for letting your light shine so brightly. You'll just never know how many lives you touch or the lives your son changed as well.

But one day you will!!!

Sending lots of love and extra hugs tonight.

Your friend always,

Susan

Amy S. said...

Happy, Happy Birthday to a very special boy. I know you miss your precious Brent. Knowing that he is healed must bring joy to your soul even though it is so sad to live here I have thought about he and you all day. I hope you celebrated with many wonderful memories in your heart.

Love and Hugs my friend!

lori said...

tonya......praying today for peace that surpasses ALL understanding...praying for you all today...Happy in Heaven...My friend Connie just sent her son to heaven a month ago..and reading your heart gives me such hope for her...

peace tonya..what a lucky boy he was to have a momma like you on earth...
hugs,
lori

Liz {Learning To Juggle} said...

Please check out my blog - there is a gift (award) for you there.

Jennifer said...

Thinking about your Brent today. Happy Birthday, Brent!

Lynn said...

Always remembering Brent. Been praying so for your family today...
Psalms 28:8-9 The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed. Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.
Prayer Bears

Anonymous said...

Love him... and you too!

valerie said...

Congratulations to the winners!
What a sweet thing to do in honor of Brent's birthday. I just know he's smiling in heaven.

The pictures of Brent are absolutely adorable.

I know this was a very difficult day for you & your family and I'm so sorry for you.

Thank you for the uplifting post and for your sweet testimony.

Love you,
Valerie

Amydeanne said...

Congrat's to the winners!

and thank-you for sharing this with us. My heart is crying for you as only a mothers heart can today.
hugs my friend.

Tricia said...

I am late reading today, but wanted to say what a wonderful way to honor your son's life and memory. It is truly a testimony to the grace of our Lord that you are able to focus on others and not just on your loss.

As it is late, I promise that tomorrow I will look for something nice to do for someone in honor of Brent.

May God bless you and your family abundantly!

Lakeville Vertical said...

I wished I would have gotten on here sooner. I knew his birthday was this week and I've been thinking of you a lot. I can only imagine how you do want to wrap your arms around your sweet boy. I would too.
I'm looking forward to the day I get to finally meet this wonderful boy who lived a life of worthiness. Blessings dear one.

Davisix said...

I'm so sorry I'm late in commenting. My modem died. :( I was thinking about you though and am so glad you had a blessed day!

Your sister in Christ, Ang :)

Tea with Tiffany said...

Tonya,

Wow, what a beautiful birthday wish for your precious son. Your love for Brent took my words away. I feel speechless. Touched deeply.

I am sorry I missed his actual birthday! I love your challenge in honor of his life.

He is remembered by me today in Colorado Springs. What a fine young man he was. Heaven is a more beautiful place because of him.

HUGS,
Tiffany

3 Peanuts said...

I am sure this has been a hard week for you. I am amazed at how you celebrate God and celebrate Brent's life. i am sure there are times that you mourn for what will never be...but you really seem to focus on what time you had with Brent. That is very inspiring. I love the photo of you and he together.

Kim

Unknown said...

Tonya,

I am sorry I am late in stopping by to wish you a blessed birthday!

This post was beautiful and such an example of the hope we all have in Jesus Christ!

You are such a beacon of light and His love.

I pray a harvest that is beyond anything you know this side of heaven pours from the truths you shared in this post and on your blog!

I am touched and blessed every time I stop by for a visit with you.

Remembering Brent with you and praising God for the gift of eternal life!

Love and hugs,
Jill