Wednesday, October 28, 2009

celebrating Brent and giveaway winners...



WOW.. I can't believe I didn't even get ONE post in since I mentioned the giveaway.. I'm SUCH a slacker! Image hosting by TinyPic Oh well.. on with the update.

So it was 14 years ago TODAY that God gave us one of our most precious and treasured gifts, He gave us our firstborn son.






Brent was as beautiful and healthy as any new mom could wish for. All ten fingers and toes were there.. he had hair the color of his daddy's, and his skin was as pink and soft as could be. He was PERFECT. We never knew what a short time we'd have to spend with this AMAZING gift, but OH the things he taught us in his short life!

Those of you that have been with us for any length of time have probably already heard me tell of how Brent started telling those he loved how they needed JESUS. (This started happening when he was only 4. He was told Zach - who was TWO at the time that he should ask Jesus to save him NOW.. ha!)

Brent "officially" accepted Christ as his SAVIOR on Easter Sunday at the age of 8. Yes, he was something special from the beginning. Our boy is such a treasure! (I hate to speak of him in past tense because he IS still ALIVE, AMEN?? He's actually MORE ALIVE in Heaven than we are here)

Oh, how I'd love to share all the details and all the ways he blessed us, but that might very well take FOREVER. Image hosted by TinyPic.com To say he was a blessing to all of us would be a tremendous understatement.

I'd like to say a SPECIAL "THANK YOU" to all of you that are, and have been celebrating his LIFE with us this month!! It's a WONDERFUL feeling to know that he's remembered.

My challenge to you today is to ask you to do a random act of kindness for someone today in memory of Brent. He absolutely LOVED to make other people happy. It doesn't take much to bless someone.. it might be as small a gesture as offering a smile to the next person you meet. (You never know what might be going on in the heart of the stranger you meet on the street.. they too may be dealing with the loss, or pending loss of a loved one)

Yes, our boy was also DELIGHTED by giving gifts to others! That's why I chose to celebrate his LIFE by having a giveaway on his birthday. With that said.. the winners are..............


for the bloggy makeover... Erin

the Bible on CD - Laura - (I don't have any contact info.. please email me with your mailing info so I can get this out to you!)

a set of candles - Lisa Shaw

a Paula Dean Cookbook (did I spell her last name right?) - Nen

bath & shower gel - April

bath & shower gel - Jill

and finally, a Lunch for Life cookbook. This is a special cookbook put together by families that have/had children with neuroblastoma. There is a picture of Brent and one of his FAVORITE breads inside - Teresa




Congratulations to all of our winners! Would you please email me with your mailing addresses so I can get this out to you? ☺ nason5@aol.com

I SO WISH I could send something to EVERYONE! THANKS again for visiting and for joining us as we remember our sweet little man.


(Happy Birthday, Sweet Boy, we love you all the way to HEAVEN and back! We count ourselves BLESSED to have been your parents)


61 comments:

He & Me + 3 said...

Glad to hear from you. Beautiful post. Congrats to all the winners.

Susan said...

What a sweet boy. Thank you for sharing your story.
Have a wonderful Wednesday.
Susan

Susan said...

An amazing boy, a child of Faith, A wonderful brother, son, and friend, A motivator, A catalyst for Christ, Perfect angel.....Brent Nason.

LisaShaw said...

Precious Sister, I had left a comment on your FB message about your dear Brent earlier. I hope you received it. My arms of prayer and love are wrapped around you and your family while you celebrate the beautiful LIFE of your dear son Brent. I'm sure he's smiling BIG in heaven with the LORD.

I really am deeply touched by your generosity to give to others in Brent's name. I'm so blessed by that.

Thank you so much for the candles but even MORE I'm thankful that the LORD allowed you and your hubby the blessing and treasure of birthing the life of such an amazing child. His time here was short but look at the life long lasting legacy of touching others lives that he has left. He did in those years what some don't do in a lifetime.

I love you.

Laura said...

Thinking of your prescious Brent and your family on this day.

He sounded like such a give just as my little girl is.

I read her your blog this morning and she wanted to tell you she mailed a pair of "tinkerbell jammies to a icky sicky friend"

Praying for you and your family on this day and always.

Laura and family

Laura said...

Thank you so much for such a precious and generous gift! (I left that part out when reading to her).

I have tears streaming down my face.

I will get your email off of Brents CB site.

Laura

Tonya said...

I'm sorry, Laura, I'm such a DORK! LOL!!

My email address is nason5@aol.com

Tonya said...

Laura,

I tried to email you back, but I got a "vacation" response. Do you have another email address I can reach you at?

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, B-R-E-N-T!
I was thinking of all that you are doing right this very moment...

Boldly approaching the throne
and seeing the face of our Creator
Radiating in your new perfect body
Everyday rejoicing with the
Saints and the Angels
Never feeling pain nor sorrow nor
the curse of sin again
Totally healed!

Tonya, I tried to get a little creative with that acronym. Sorry...I guess it is the teacher in me.

One thing that struck me in this post was that you said he is actually more alive than us. Jason and I were reading the Bible the other day and discussing that very same thing. Everything we see in this world is dying; Brent is experiencing the living! We get so caught up in this life, that we get that mixed up sometimes, and I am so happy you brought that up. =)

I love you and am thinking of you today, and everyday! You guys are in our prayers.

Love, Kristin

Christy said...

Anytime you'd like to share any special things about Brent, I'd LOVE to hear all about him! Happy Birthday to your precious Brent and Happy Becoming a Mom day to you!

Today is my friend Sonia's 3rd child/2nd son's birthday, he went to heaven when he was 6 months old after his battle against a blood disease that took his oldest brother and that his sister has beat and his baby brother is currently fighting against.

So two special little boys entered this earth today and I celebrate them both!!! Remembering and honoring Brent today.

Anonymous said...

Eeeeks - what a creature of habit -sent my love and b'day thoughts on Brent's site - but would never want you to think I forgot Brent or his wonderful family on this extra special day! A boy who is/was so special he had his very own parade never gets forgotten! As always thank you for sharing - and I do hope that Zach and Gabe get a Brent b'day cake and a ice cream party with lots of Sweet Brent memories...XXOO-Love, randy

April said...

Hi Tonya!
You have such a sweet heart and it's easy to see that Brett did, too. I just know that he's smiling down on you from Heaven. I know that today is one of remembrance and sorrow, but, also, of celebration for all the lives he touched. Please know that I'm thinking of and praying for you today! God Bless!

Beth E. said...

Thinking of Brent and praying for your family, especially today!

I've shared before just how much Brent has impacted my life. What a precious young man of God!

Congratulations to the winners!

Unknown said...

Tonya - you are such a blessing! Yes, your son was and is something special. His memory lives on through you and all the gifts God gave him too!

Hugs and much LOVE - thank you for the gift!!!!

Jill

Susan said...

Dear Tonya,

This is Mary Susan's older sister.

I too would like to wish Brent a Happy 14th Birthday!

Even though I have never had the honor of personally meeting your Brent, I feel I got to know a lot about his life here with us from all I heard about from Jordan, Susan and you when I met you.

What stands out the most was his love for Jesus and his kindness.

Brent was stronger then most adults, and was wise beyound his years.

That I believe was a testimony to his love for Jesus and what great parents you were as you raised Him in the Lord.

God bless you all in Mississippi,

Mary Grace in Louisiana!!

Anonymous said...

Praying so for your family as you face this day without Brent!
Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Jennifer said...

Oh how I love visiting and reading about that sweet boy Brent.

I remember when I first came across your blog and was reading about Brent...oh the chills I get still to this day when I read about him! He was such an amazing boy with such amazing faith! The songs he would sing of his Lord & Savior. Oh Brent how you are missed.

Blessings to you and your family,

Jessica Kramasz said...

This is the first time I've visited your blog, and WOW, what a story. What a very special boy (and child of the King) he was. Celebrating with you that he is now alive and whole in the presence of his Savior.

Dawn said...

Tonya,
It was so nice reading about Brent and the day that God choose you to bring him into this world. And you know...I can't wait to sit with you and him FOREVER and visit...I would quess he and Brandon have already met, and oh the things they get to see and experience...someday that will be all of us as well! (smile)

Love,
Dawn

Anonymous said...

Checking in to see how you're doing. Praying!
I Peter 2:9-10 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Anonymous said...

Praying right now!
Psalm 116:1-4 I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Jennifer said...

It has been awhile since I checked in - been on the computer actually - and what a special post to find today. I pray Brent's birthday was special...and a joy to your heart! How I loved reading his testimony, getting just a glimpse of such a special boy and all the pictures you shared! What a grand reunion Heaven is sure to be!!

Tea with Tiffany said...

You and your family are precious in God's sight.

Thank you for being you and sharing your joy and pain with us.

Anonymous said...

Praying right now!
Psalm 121:5-8 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Anonymous said...

Always here praying!
Numbers 6:24-26: The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Terra said...

Hi, this is my first visit here and your words and give away are a beautiful tribute in honor of your son, who knew Jesus at such a young age.
Bless your heart and your family.

Anonymous said...

The Lord knows everything that's going on and is always there, working. I'm here praying!
Hebrews 4:13-16 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Anonymous said...

Know that I'm here praying!
Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Anonymous said...

Lifting up prayers!
Psalms 27:7-9 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. Hide not thy face far from me...thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Anonymous said...

Praying!
II Corinthians 1:3-4: Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Anonymous said...

Praying right now!
Psalm 31:5-8: Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth...but I trust in the LORD. I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Anonymous said...

Know that I'm here praying!
John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Anonymous said...

Still here, still praying!
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Anonymous said...

Praying right now!
Psalm 9:9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Anonymous said...

Still here praying!
Psalm 34:17-20 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Anonymous said...

Praying for you right now!
Psalm 20:5-7 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions. Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

It has been such a blessing to REmeet you in blogland...You have enriched my life. You have inspired me .
Blessings to you and yours....Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with many blessings.
Teresa
Grammy Girlfriend http://teresa-grammygirlfriend.blogspot.com/
and
http://grammyababychangeseverything.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Knock, knock! Anybody home?
Praying right now!
Isaiah 63:7-9: I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses. For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour. In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Anonymous said...

Here praying!
Psalm 71:1-3 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion. Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me. Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Anonymous said...

Continuing to pray!
Psalm 71:5-8 For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth. By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee. I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge. Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Susan Foster said...

Praying that God is holding you close today.

Anonymous said...

These verses give such great comfort! Praying!
Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Anonymous said...

The Lord understands everything you go through! Praying!
Isaiah 53:1-3: Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Anonymous said...

Continuing to lift up prayers!
Matthew 11:28-30: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Anonymous said...

Christ suffered in our place that we might have the hope of Heaven! Always praying!
Isaiah 53:11-12 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Anonymous said...

Praying!
Psalm 9:9-10: The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Anonymous said...

Lifting up prayers right now!
Psalms 37:23-24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Anonymous said...

Praying in Seattle!
Psalms 37:39-40 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.
Prayer Bears
My email address

LisaShaw said...

Hi Sweetie, I came by to love on you this evening. Hugs and prayers...

Anonymous said...

Know that I'm here praying right now.
Psalm 23:1-3: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Anonymous said...

Praying right now!
Psalm 23:4-6 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Anonymous said...

Know that I'm praying!
Psalm 121:1-4: I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Anonymous said...

Know that I'm continuing to pray!
John 14:1-3: Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Peggy said...

Blessings Tonya...You've been away from blogging for quite a while!!!
I remember reading this last fall.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful words from a beautiful heart! Precious son and friend of Jesus that Brent is!!! What a irreplaceable mark he has made!


But the real reason I came was to THANK YOU SO MUCH for hijacking Susan's blog to let us know it's her birthday!!! Super sweet of you!

Jennifer said...

Just stopping by...we miss you! I thought your blog went private or something....haven't seen ya around in forever. Hope you and your family are doing great.

Anonymous said...

You ever coming back here?
Continuing to pray!
Romans 8:15-18 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Prayer Bears
My email address

LisaShaw said...

You're on my heart this morning...

Anonymous said...

KNOCK, KNOCK! You ever gonna come back here?
Continuing to pray!
Romans 8:35, 36-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?...Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Dawn said...

Hey you....
I check on you frequently online...but I am figuring I may just need to make a trip south! SMILE....anyway...wanted to say HELLO, let you know I am thinking about you and praying for you...and pass on a piece of scripture that is really ministering to me right now...it is "The Message's" version.

God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction
Psalm 23:1-3 ~ The Message


Love
Dawn

Anonymous said...

Come back out and play!
Praying!
Isaiah 25:8-9: He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Anonymous said...

You ever coming back over here?
The Lord is with you right now, lifting you up, giving you strength! Always praying!
Isaiah 40:28-31 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Prayer Bears
My email address