Sweet Words From Timothy's Daddy

Warren wrote the sweetest poem the night we said goodbye to Timothy. The poem is written as if Timothy is talking to us. Warren also spoke at Timothy's memorial service on Saturday. He did such an amazing job! I will never forget hearing him speak truth about our loving and faithful God and our precious son, Timothy. I praise the Lord everyday for my incredible husband and I wanted to share with each one of you these precious words from him.

"Thank you all for coming. Julie and I deeply appreciate all your love and support. We read every note, email, facebook message and text. We felt so encouraged and loved. Because of your prayers, we felt a strength and a peace that only comes from God.I have a few words that I want to say. God has been teaching me so much these past few months and I want to share some thoughts with you. 

First, Timothy David Reichel was greatly loved. We loved him every bit of 9 months and 20 minutes that we got to spend with him. Timothy was not a mistake. He was not a fluke. He was not bad luck. Timothy was our son. He was a baby boy. And we loved him and will miss him very much. Timothy came into this world kicking and punching just as he did inside Julie for nine months. We kissed him and held him as our son. And not just us, but our whole family and friends loved him too. Timothy was greatly loved.

Second, I want you to know that it is okay to cry. You are not stronger if you can hold back tears. And you are not weaker if allow yourself to cry. We miss Timothy and are sad that we don’t get to see him here on earth. And it’s okay to cry about that. In fact, your tears show us how much you loved him too. Even Jesus wept when his friend Lazurus died. Jesus also said “blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.” This is so true. I would rather spend a few days of sadness intimately close to my heavenly Father than ten thousand good days never needing God. 

Third, we firmly believe that we will see Timothy in heaven. God’s word tells us so. And we are assured by the spirit of God that speaks to our hearts that we will spend eternity with Timothy. Without God, our faith is weak, but with God  he provides the faith we need to believe these truths. We thank God for what Jesus did on the cross yesterday on Good Friday. He forgave our sins, gave us life, restored us back into God’s family, and promised us everlasting life. We will see Timothy again.

Fourth, I want you to know that it is also okay to smile. It’s okay to laugh. It’s okay to sing songs that praise the lord. And it’s even okay to be angry. You are allowed to have all these emotions. God can handle our emotions. But if you’re a Christian, it’s our joy that is most profound. That even in the midst of the darkest times, we can have joy and peace because we know the end of the story. That God will come back. That we will live forever. That there will be no tears in heaven. And that is profound and amazing. That as Christians, we can have joy in sorrow because we know God will redeem everything in the future. Our smile proves we believe this. 

Finally, although Timothy did not speak a single word, his life spoke so loudly that the earth quakes and the mountains tremble. Everyone can hear what Timothy has to say. My siblings will come and read a poem I wrote. These words I wrote are the words Timothy wanted to say to you and me."

I am in a Better Place

Mommy, Daddy

It’s okay to cry.

For by your tears

Your love shines bright.

Blessed are

The teary eyed.

God wraps his arms

Around those who cry.

I am in a better place.

I know you ask

Why, oh why.

Why must your son

Have to die?

Remember Jesus.

He was like me.

Innocent he died

To set us free.

I am in a better place.

Jesus rose

Up from the grave.

Your son you love

Will do the same.

No fear in death.

No guilt remains.

Our destiny

Forever changed.

I am in a better place.

The sunrise speaks

Of better days.

God deserves

All the praise.

Jesus loves me

This I know.

For here in heaven

He tells me so.

I am in a better place.

Mommy, Daddy

It’s okay to smile.

It proves you believe

You’ll see me in a while.

Mommy, Daddy

I miss you too.

I’m in God’s arms.

I’ll see you soon.

I am in a better place.

Pictures of Our Precious Baby Boy

This picture was taken seconds after Timothy was born. This was his daddy's first touch with his son. Warren grabbed his hand and said hi for the first time, and Timothy opened his eyes and looked straight at him. This was the only time that Timothy opened his eyes. What a precious memory that will forever be for Warren! We thank you Jesus for Timothy's life!

Timothy getting put into his little outfit by his Gigi, Grandpa (Mac), and Aunt Michelle. Look at those long, perfect legs and arms! He was absolutely adorable!

Me, still unable to sit up yet, holding Timothy in my arms shortly after they finished sewing me up. Warren was right next to me with his hand on Timothy's little hand.

Timothy with his proud mom and dad! We love you Timothy! We will never forget holding you in our arms!

Timothy David Reichel

Begin forwarded message:

With joy and sorrow, we want to share the news that Timothy David Reichel was welcomed into the world this Wednesday, April 4^th, 2012 at 7:55am. He was 4lbs and 13oz. He was almost 20 inches long and came out perfect, beautiful, and kicking. He went home to his heavenly Father at around 8:20 am, passing peacefully in his mother’s arms.  

Julie and Warren are so thankful they were able to spend time together with Timothy.  They are so sad that he couldn’t stay longer, but rejoice that he is now perfect and whole in heaven. He was surrounded with love today by grandparents, aunts, uncles, pastors, friends, and cousins who were able to be here for his birthday.

Timothy’s memorial service will be held at 1pm this Saturday, April 7^th, at RockPointe Church in Flower Mound.

The church address is: 4503 Cross Timbers Road, Flower Mound, Texas 75028

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Lewisville/Flower Mound Young Life in memory of Timothy to be used to send students to summer Young Life camp. It is our hope and prayer that through Timothy's memorial many of these student's lives will be forever changed as they have the opportunity to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Make Checks payable to Young Life. Checks may be mailed to Warren and Julie or directly to Young Life:

Young Life 

PO Box 292561

Lewisville, TX  75029

Please write “Timothy Reichel Memorial” in the memo line

Warren and Julie thank you so much for all of your prayers! They truly felt God's grace and peace.

C-section on Wednesday

Many of you have heard by now that Timothy is still breech at this point and since I am due a week from today we have decided to go ahead and due a C-section this Wednesday to beat labor (that is if he doesn't decide to come on his own today or tomorrow). We had been hoping and praying that he would do a nice little flip and we could avoid a c-section but he seems to like the spot he is in right now. While we have been praying that he would flip, we have also been praying that if a c-section was the best option for Timothy that the Lord would make it abundantly clear. And we feel the Lord has done just that.

So, if Timothy has not flipped by tomorrow then I am scheduled to go in for a c-section on Wednesday morning at 7:30 am. I have so many thoughts and emotions running through my head right now that I don't think I could right them all down. I am so excited to meet our sweet Timothy and hold him in my arms and I am almost more excited for Warren to get to meet him and hold him in his arms! Timothy's life has felt so much more real to me for the last 9 months because I have felt him moving every day, but I feel like Warren is just now really and truly going to get to experience the life of our son. While I am so excited, I am so scared as well! I am scared that we may also have to say goodbye on Wednesday. But there is still no way to know for sure how much time we will get to spend with him. God may choose to bless us with a few minutes, a few hours, or a few days. But no matter how much time we get to spend with him, the time will be precious. We are so thankful that God has allowed me to carry Timothy to term and for the chance to get to meet him! I am trusting that the Lord knows what we can handle and that he will give us just the right amount of time that we need with our sweet Timothy. I had a dream about a month ago that Timothy came out perfectly whole and healed and I still know that no matter what God is ultimately going to heal Timothy and give him a new and glorious body.

We ask for your prayers for us at 7:30 am on Wednesday morning. We ask that God would give us complete peace and comfort as we walk into the hospital Wednesday and prepare for Timothy's B-day. Pray that God will give me an extra measure of peace as I am definitely a little scared about having surgery. I have never been a big fan of blood, needles, IV's, and all of that. So please pray for me in regards to that. Pray that I will be distracted and feel a complete sense of peace. Pray for Warren that he will be strong for the both of us and that God will prepare his heart to meet our precious son for the first time. Pray that the surgery will go smoothly and recovery will go smoothly as well. Pray for Timothy. Pray that God will protect him from pain and bless us with as much time with him as he knows that we can handle. Pray for our family members that will be with us at the hospital on Wednesday. Pray. Pray. Pray. 

God has carried us this far and given us the strength that we have needed to make it through each day, and we know that he is going to carry us through the days that are ahead. We are so thankful for the support and  prayers from each one of you! We know that we will be covered in prayers on Wednesday and in the days that are ahead. So, thank you in advance for your prayers for us! We will do our best to keep everyone updated as much as possible. We look forward to sharing the story of Timothy's birth and his life with you all! We love you guys!

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen..."

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.... because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

-2 Corinthians 4:7-18

36 Weeks!

I can't believe that I am 36 weeks! Timothy will be here so soon! Keep praying for God to prepare Warren and I for that day. I am still so excited to hold him and yet so scared to loose him. We continue to pray that if possible God will heal Timothy, yet not what we will but what He wills. We find comfort in the fact that ultimately no matter what happens God will heal Timothy. He will heal Timothy's earthly body or He will give him a new perfect and whole heavenly body. I love the following verses in 2 Corinthians that talk about favor being granted by the prayers of many. Keep praying! Your prayers mean the world to us right now!

"We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we dispaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God....On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many."
                                                                                        - 2 Corinthians 1: 9-11

Sibling Weekend 2012!

Last weekend I was blessed with such a special treat! My two sisters and nephew flew in from Colorado, my brother drove up from College Station, and my other sister drove up from DBU. Thus, we had all the McClellan siblings at our house for the weekend! The girls got pedicures on Thursday afternoon and watched a girlie movie on Thursday night, since the boys weren't home yet. Friday we enjoyed sleeping in late, a long walk on the trail by our house in the sunny 65 degree weather, snow cones from Bahama Bucks, and On The Border for dinner. Saturday we got to show the Coloradans the DBU campus and then spent the afternoon at White Rock Lake. We enjoyed a wonderful picnic lunch, frisbee throwing, sunbathing on a blanket in the grass, and walk/runs around the lake. It was a glorious day! Saturday evening we feasted on pot roast and mash potatoes and then played a competitive card game after dinner. It wouldn't be a McClellan Family reunion without at least one card game being played! Sunday we went to church and then enjoyed the beautiful sunny weather again by eating lunch out on our deck, and then we said our goodbyes later that afternoon.

My family means the world to me! We have walked through so much together in the past and I know that we will always be there for each other to walk through what lies ahead in the future. Friends often come and go as we move from place to place and walk through different stages of life, but family remains constant no matter where you live or what stage of life you are in. I laugh now at all the fights we had as kids and I thank the Lord that he has brought all of us so close together!

 Kristin, Lauren, Michelle, and John David....I am so truly thankful the Lord put each one of you in my life! I am thankful for all the memories we have made together and all the love and encouragement you have given me over the last 29 years of my life. And I am especially thankful for your love, your hugs, your tears, your phone calls, your prayers, and your texts as you have all walked through the last three tough months with me. I am so blessed to call you my siblings! Thanks for blessing me with such an encouraging, joyful, and special sibling weekend! I love you guys!