A couple of things have really struck me as precious blessings at this time and I wanted to note them. Two weeks ago we went on vacation and left Camille with her grandmothers. This gave our grandparents their first real time to get to know Camille. During this time Grandma Waite was able to write a song for Camille. (she writes one for every grandchild and hadn't gotten to Camille's yet) Also, last week we went to a Waite Family reunion where all the extended Waite family got to enjoy Camille. At this reunion we took family photos. I hadn't gotten a good one with Camille in it yet. I cannot express how grateful I am that we have a decent family photo with her. We also got some great individual shots of her and wonderful shots of her and me together. The one above is one of those and just looks angelic to me. How many people get to have a bonafide angel in their family?
Thanks again for the comment posts, and the prayers. I have really felt strengthened today. It has been so much better than yesterday and worlds better than the day before. Day by day I guess.
60 comments:
she is SO beautiful. She does look like the angel that she is. i can't wait to see the rest of the pictures.
you are amazingly strong. you inspire us all.
She is absolutely beautiful. She is an Angel!!! You are right, day by day. We are all here to help you though everyday. We love you and we are here for you.
Hi, you don't know me, but I am friends of Dana Oaks. I read your blog this evening, and was really moved. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family during this heart-wrenching trial.
The Lord will bless you and your family.
Camille is absolutely beautiful!
She really is such a beautiful little girl!
She is so lovely and this picture is so peaceful. Your strength amazes me! I have been mourning your loss all day and have been grateful to see your strength and recognize the peace of the Spirit and that it is there to comfort you, your family, and all of us who mourn with you. We will continue to pray on your behalf. We love you so much.
Jenny Norton
What a beautiful picture of Camille! What a loving, eternal family you are and such an inspriation to all! We want to do for your family whatever you need for as many days as you need. We love you,
The Winsborrows
Oh Stephanie! That is just so sweet of Camille. Yes, such blessings of getting to be with and enjoy that little angel of a girl. Love her!
Steph and Jon,
You are a rock of strength and faith. Knowing you, Steph, you're going to use this experience as a missionary tool. I just love you and will pray for you. May God's holy spirit surround you continually.
Rhyetta and Matt Musser and family
I'm so glad you got a good family picture! Stuff like that really means so much. The peace I felt in your home was wonderful. I love your little angel girl picture!
Stephanie, yes, she is an angel. So beautiful. Did you ever notice me staring at her? I first noticed her your first Sunday in our ward when you took her to Gospel Doctrine class. She was so beautiful, I know I stared a lot and I often stared at she and your other girls. I think you caught me a time or two! My mom had 5 girls in 6.5 years and I figured we looked similar when she dragged us to (Catholic) church. I never got to hold Camille, never got to know her, but she made such an impression on me, I had pointed her out to Lloyd on that first day and he thought she was beautiful, too (as are all your girls).
I'm so glad you posted. I know this is such a sacred time for your family, but you have been on our minds so very much. Just glad you came up for a little blog and to know we are all thinking about you guys. Thanks for sharing your sweet angel with us again.
Leslie Wiley
Jonathan and Stephanie,
Stephanie and just returned from Utah and we were sad to hear about the loss of your little angel, Camille. May the Lord bless you and your family.
--Phillip and Stephanie Zobrist
Jay and I were just talking about one Sunday last December when we were watching Camille in Gospel Essentials and observing how good of a baby she was. She would just sit on your lap and smile at everyone. Such a beautiful baby!
you don't know me, but my friend Cairen made a link to your blog asking to pray for your daughter Camille. I have been following the events and just wanted you to know that your faith has strengthened me. I am so sorry for your loss, your daughter is an angel to us all.
What a beautiful angel you have. A friend (Jori) directed me to your blog and I just wanted to let you know you and your family are in my prayers. My heart is aching for you all as you begin this journey. I lost my five year old to drowning last summer and while I can NEVER begin to say I know what you are going through, I can say that I sympathize. Many HUGS and many many prayers for you all.
Rachael
Steph,
I just got your email and heard this news. It is so overwhelming. I wish I was there to cry with you. It has been so long since we have even talked. We have just been through a similar tragedy in our ward here in Oklahoma... a little one-year-old boy just drowned a few weeks ago, and we have been reeling from the news and the funeral as a ward family. Our bishop is the little boy's grandfather, and his family has told us amazing stories about events and (unbelieveably) blessing that have come from their tragedy. One thing they told us that really seemed comforting is that they have felt a personal witness that their little's boy's time to leave had come. They feel confident that if he had not gone back home in this way, there would have been some different accident or happening... it was simply his time. Their strength has been so inspiring to me. I guess I just tell this story to say that you are not alone in passing through such heavy trial. You will be in my prayers.
Stephanie, I am SO sorry to hear that you are walking down this road. I have a little angel in heaven too, she drowned exactly 4 months ago tomorrow.
I can see that God is surrounding you with his peace like he did for us, and I will keep praying for you.
I really have no words, but my heart goes out to you. May Jesus hold you very close,
Sumi
Stephanie... we are good friends with Darren and Nikki and want you to know how sorry we are for your loss. I am impressed by your words of strength and want you to know how beautiful Camille is. It's hard to put in words what we feel for you and your family at this time, but we want you to know that you are thought of constantly and in our prayers. I know we can't do much to help but if you ever needed anything, we would be there for you.
Stephanie and Jon,
I, like Leslie Wiley, spent several Sunday's at church just watching your sweet Camille as she would look in our direction. I loved the way she would sort of bite the inside of her cheek, which would make her lips purse into a skinny pucker and along with those huge blue eyes, she was adorable! She had a smile for everyone who looked her way. She is an Angel!
She is a beautiful little angel. I am so sorry for this tragedy. May the Lord give you strength. Rest in Peace little Camille.
Dearest Stephanie,
My heart is broken for you and your sweet family! You are so much in our prayers. I have often found comfort in 1 Peter 1:7 "...the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold..." May the healing that comes through the atonement of Christ be poured out upon you and your family this week and in the coming hours, weeks, months and years. Camille truly is a little angel!
I love you so much!
Bethany Scow Schumann
steph -
you are an angel mother to have an angel baby come to your home for such a short time. that picture of camille is angelic. what a blessing it was for me to get to spend time with her while she was on this earth. i'll always miss her. there will always be a small hole in my heart that's hers. your posts strengthen me daily. i'm so grateful for you.
catherine
Jonathan, Stephanie and Family,
We have only just receieved the news of Camille's passing and our tears are yet falling as we leave these words of love and support.
Please know that our most sincere and heartfelt prayers are being offered on your behalf and that our hearts truly are tender as we think of you at this time.
We pray that the words of Joseph F. Smith, after losing several of his children, will bring you some comfort. He said, "And there too are gathered to my Father’s mansion all my darling lovely ones; not in infantile helplessness, but in all the power and glory and majesty of sanctified spirits! Full of intelligence, of joy and grace, and truth."
All our love. A,A,A,A and A
What a beautiful girl. So many peolpe are thinking of you and your husband and your little girls. There are so many mourning for you and your family. You are constantly on my mind and our prayers are for you and your family. I am so glad you took those pictures and have them. We are all here for you.
Mike and Karen Stewart
Jonathan & Stephanie,
Jon might remember me, I have been friends with your cousin Dana since the 5th Grade. He shared with us what has been happening.
I am deeply touched by your faith, courage and strength at this time. I am a father of a 13- month old girl myself.
May you feel an added measure of the Savior's empathy and love for you. My wife, Shelby and I will keep praying for you. I am convinced of its endless power. You certainly have been blessed with a beautiful family.
Love your brother in Christ,
Jim Caldwell
She is truly an angel, Stephanie. We love you and your dear family and our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Summer Thacker directed us to your blog. We feel compelled to reach out to your family. We lost our little Lucy 3 1/2 weeks ago. What a difficult yet sacred time this is. Isn't it wonderful to know what we know about life and death? To know that Heavenly Father had planned from the beginning to take our angels home early. We will make it through this somehow. You are in our prayers and thoughts.
jacksonparkcity.blogspot.com
What a precious gift! The photo is priceless, how wonderful to be able to see the Lord's hand in the events of the past few weeks. We so often neglect to look back, but when we do it is hard not to recognize His presence in our lives.
The words to the hymn "How Firm a Foundation" came to mind today and immediately I thought of your family. "Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed, For I am thy God and will still give thee aid. I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by my righteous,...omnipotent hand."
Thank you for being willing to share your trial with us, so that we to, may be lifted up by the spirit that surrounds your sweet family.
All our love, The Fairchild's
Jon and Steph,
What a stunning photo of Camille. She has your beautiful eyes Steph. I am so grateful your family could have those special opportunities with Camille. It is a testament to how wonderful you both are to see how many people love and care for you. All our love and prayers, Daleen
I am so impressed with your eloquent and profound words. Your ability to see such beautiful and positive things at this time is an incredible example to me. This picture is priceless as are all of the memories you have with Camille. She clearly is an angel and one who will watch over you until you see her again. We continue to pray for you.
The Garff family (Dave and Jen)
Camille looks so precious in this photo, what a little angel. The sun will come out again tomorrow, day by day, it looks like you have a great perspective Stephanie. We will continue to pray for all of you!
-Gillespies
Camille was such a sweet, little angel and I could feel the joy she brought to you in just the short time I was with your family. I feel so grateful now that we were able to get even a few photos of your precious family and Camille that day. My heart is breaking for your family. I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Stephanie--did you see Heather's blog? She did a post on little Miss Camille. Beautiful pictures. I'm so grateful she captured her sweet smile. A little part of her that I will always remember about her. Love you!
http://heathergibb.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/06/sweet-angel-camille.html
to the original "mamma";
scott told us.
words fail.
we wish we had met her.
we know you'll be with her again, someday.
our prayers are with you.
we love you guys-
chad and amber
My people were Mormon pioneers.
Is the blood still good?
They stood by in awe as truth
Flew by like a dove
And dropped a feather in the West.
Where truth flies you follow
If you are a pioneer.
I have searched the skies
And now and then
Another feather has fallen.
I have packed the handcart again
Packed it with the precious things
And thrown away the rest.
I will sing by the fires at night
Out there on uncharted ground
Where I am my own captain of tens
Where I blow the bugle
Bring myself to morning prayer
Map out the miles
And never know when or where
Or if at all
I will finally say,
“This is the place,”
I face the plains
On a good day for walking.
The sun rises
And the mist clears.
I will be alright:
My people were Mormon pioneers.
“Pioneers,”
by CAROL LYNN PEARSON
What a beautiful angel! She melts my heart...her eyes, her lashes, her sweet smile! And oh how you'll charish every picture of her, especially the family photo. Thank heaven for eternal families. You are always in our prayers.
Carolyn Crockett
Stephanie- I'm sure you don't remember me, but we met at Nikki and Darren's wedding. My little girl is just a couple months younger then your sweet Camille, and I just want you to know how much my heart aches for you, and how absolutely amazing and strong you are. I've never quite understood why Heavenly Father gives us the trials that he does, and have always been told he gives us nothing that we can't handle, but I want you to know that your strength and faith is nothing short of inspirational. Many hugs and prayers your way.
I am a friend of the Hoopes and although you don't know me, I just wanted to let you know how deeply sorry I am for your loss and that my prayers are with you. She is truly beautiful and I believe with all of my heart that she is and always will be your angel and will be right there by your side.
I was directed to your blog from my cousin and I just want to leave my prayers and deepest sympathy for you. From what I have read it sounds as though you are truly strong in your faith and that faith is getting you through and will continue to do so for many years to come. She is a beautiful girl!
Stephanie,
I admire the strength you have through faith. I am just heartbroken for your family. She was such a beautiful little princess; I'm so sorry for your loss!
I'm also sorry to say that I am unable to attend the service, as I have a final. I wish I could be there to give you a hug and say goodbye to Camille.
Please know I'll be thinking of you and your family. Please give Sabrina a big hug from Camryn.
Jonathan and Stephanie - I have not commented before now because I can only get blogs up at work, and I cry every time I think about your sweet Camille. I'm sure it is because I associate her with Aubrey and my other granddaughter Claire. We have been praying for you and your family. When Spencer called us on Saturday, one of my first thoughts was the Waite reunion and the pictures you had taken only a week earlier. I'm so happy you have those. At a funeral I attended a couple of weeks ago, I heard a quote I believe was attributed to Elder Nelson - "The only way to take sorrow out of death is to take love out of life." Your families are so full of love, so of course it hurts terribly. But your families are also a wonderful source of strength. May our Heavenly Father's spirit of love and peace and healing be with you.
I am a friend of Marleens. I just want you to know that since reading Marleens post on Friday, you and your family have been constantly in my prayers.
Camille caught my attention when I saw her announcement on Marleens fridge. Not only because of her name but because she was such a beautiful baby. She truly is a beautiful child...an angel. My thoughts and prayers are with you. -Camille Wilcock
I don't know what to say except that I am deeply moved by your strength and faith. You have truely inspired me and given me renewed hope and trust in the Lord by your example. I'm overwhelmed with sorrow for your family and you are in my heart and my prayers. We love you so much! Camille is the sweetest angel!
Dearest Stephanie,
I love you, my friend. I am so sorry for your loss. Justin woke me with the news this morning. Your angel baby Camille called Home. Words are not adequate to express the piercing feelings of my heart for you. Tears flow freely. I only wish I could be with you. You are a mother beyond your years in wisdom, love, strength, and perspective. I pray that these attributes will sustain you at this time. My heart goes out to Jon, Sabrina, Ann Marie, Lauren, and the rest of your extended as well. May our Father in Heaven’s loving arms enfold you at this time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
With love,
Kami
Stephanie,
She is such a beautiful girl. How blessed you have been to have such a sweet spirit in your home. I am so amazed and humbled at your strength. You have taught me. Be comforted in the knowledge that your Heavenly Father loves you and is mindful of what you are going through. He will give you the peace and the strength needed to get through each day. Your ward family also loves you and is willing to help however you need us. Stay strong.
The Whittacres
She is beautiful, you are beautiful, and I love you... Brook Hammond
She is an angel. I am so incredibly sorry for your loss.
Love & prayers,
Stephanie
Your angel takes my breath away while my eyes fill with water.
To read about your loss and your strength at one sitting is mind-blowing.
My sincere prayers are with your entire family and I'm so thankful to hear how your amazing faith is lifting you and carrying you through this time.
Thank you for sharing your story of faith with the world.
Prayers and Hugs,
Susan
She is a beautiful little angel. Your loss breaks our hearts. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We send our love from Maryland.
Shelley Wood Koch
When I heard the news yesterday, I wept for you, Jon, your children and extended family. We are ever mindful of you in our prayers, and know that your sweet Camille is in the hands of our loving Father in Heaven. She truly is a precious angel, and your faith, strength and courage are an inspiration to me. I hope you continue to feel great peace and comfort.
Adorable, and what a valiant and perfect little spirit she must be. And what incredible parents you must be to have been chosen to be her parents. I am grateful to have the opportunity to know you and learn from your example and I hope that I can be the kind of parents you are. I pray for you and wish there was something more that I could do. I am so grateful you have the gospel to bring you peace at this time, amidst the grief. I love Alma 7:11-12 because it reminds me that even if no one else understands exactly how I am feeling about any particular thing, Christ does, because he already suffered it for me, and because he understands, he knows how best to comfort me, if I let him. I pray that you will be able to continually turn to him for comfort as your grief washes over you. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.
Much love and prayers,
Amanda Earl Colby
Thank you for the reminder to cherish and document our beautiful children! I was so grateful to hear the conference talks on these matters (particularly Ballard's and Bednar's). You are amazing in your examples of faith and strength. We love you and our prayers are with your family! I am so glad you are near family during this time. How dear the Lord's plan of eternal families and the comfort the gospel brings.
Our thoughts and prayers have been with you since the moment we heard the sad news about sweet Camille. We will continue to pray for you and all of your extended family that you can find the strength to carry on. We know that our Savior Jesus Christ will provide you with his healing peace that will sustain you through this difficult time in your life.
With love,
The Fellows Family
I am reading this while sitting at my desk at work, and I can't stop the tears from flowing down my face. What a beautiful sweet girl she was, and I can't even begin to comprehend what you are going through right now. You are going through every parent's worst nightmare. Having the gospel and knowing you will see her again will definitely help, but right now I don't know how you can even be functioning. Your sweet family will be in our prayers, and if there is anything we can do please let us know!
What a beautiful little picture. She surely is angelic. My prayers are constantly with you and I have been staggered by your strength. You seem to be taking this all in stride. Coping so well. It is humbling for me. I know that in a time like this sometimes the best thing is just space. The time to figure it all out for yourself, to properly morn your loss and find the beauty in her life. I am hoping you are being allowed that time, that privacy.
As always if there is anything I can do, please let me know my prayers are always with you...
What a beautiful angel she is. I felt such peace as my mom was telling me about all the family photos you had gotten at the reunion. Pictures are so priceless! Best wishes with the funeral. We pray for you and your family daily!
This picture captures her beauty so well. She truly is angelic. It is wonderful you were able to get the elusive good family picture with all four girls. I am sure this will be a treasured possession. May the Lord bless you with continued strength.
Stephanie Morris
We've never met, but I've been touched by you. I wanted to pass along a website that has been a source of comfort for many families. It helps to make your little Camille's legacy live on. The web address is http://www.memory-of.com/Public/.
God Bless,
The Fosters
www.rebeccalaw.typepad.com
I am so saddened to hear of your loss and touched by the strength you show by sharing your tragedy with us. God bless you, give you peace, courage and strength as you go through this extremely difficult time.
I came over from 5 Minutes for Mom to add to the love shown to you here. You seem like an amazing woman and I hope today is a little better than yesterday and that each day gets a little easier.
Take care...
I am so, so sorry that Camille is no longer with her family on earth. I cannot imagine what you all are feeling at this time. I pray for you and all your family at this time of sorrow and loss. She is definitely an angel...
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