I just came from the funeral home where we made arrangements for Kristiana’s services.  It goes without saying that no parent should ever have to experience the pain and grief that Mark and Cheryl are experiencing since Saturday’s tragic accident.  There are simply no words to describe how difficult this is, for her parents, her extended family, and for all of us who love them.

Our office has been flooded with calls and questions from CLCers as to what you can do to help (I love this church family!).  We’re working on a list of practical things, including meal preparation, housecleaning, laundry, childcare for Jeremy, and various ways you can express your love to Mark and Cheryl – but I think the two most important things are simply to pray for them (not just today, or this week, but for weeks to come) and to just be there. 

None of us has words that will really soothe the pain, and nothing we do will change the reality of their loss.  But so many times, when we don’t know what to do, we choose to do nothing – and I think that would be a mistake.  Let’s surround them with our love and our presence – especially in the weeks to come, when the initial outpouring of sympathy has ended and reality sets in.

The family is asking for memorial donations (in lieu of flowers) to P.A.S.S. (Pregnancy Aid South Suburbs) to give ‘life’ to other babies, and we are also establishing a Memorial Fund at CLC, with 100% of those gifts being used for a future missions project approved by Mark & Cheryl as a lasting memorial to Kristiana.

Meanwhile, please stop by Colonial Chapel for visitation this Wednesday between 3-9 p.m. or the memorial service there on Thursday at 10 a.m.  Full details are on our website here.  Thanks again for being the caring family of believers that you are!