We have had so many generous family members and friends who have wanted to do something for our family in honor of Riley, so we have set up a tuition assistance scholarship fund in Riley's name at St. Thomas Aquinas. This scholarship will be awarded to a family that cannot afford the tuition at STA, but would love to have there child enrolled. Because St. Thomas is so special to our family and we are so blessed to have our children there, we would like to help someone else have the same for the child. The community of St. Thomas is amazing and we are so thankful to be a part of it.
Eric and I want to contribute each year to this fund and would be grateful for anyone who would like to do the same! Checks may be made out to St. Thomas and the money will go directly to a student's tuition. The staff at STA will select the family that will receive this assistance.
Thank you to everyone for all that you have done for us! We are receiving cards, packages, flowers, and gifts daily in celebration of Riley! We are so very loved!!!
In HIS grip!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Assignment: Riley
This story was written for Riley by someone who wants to remain anonymous, but we love very much!
One day God said to Jesus, "I'm concerned about the hearts of the people. I don't see enough love. Their hearts are cold. We need to send them someone to touch their hearts and rekindle their love for one another." Jesus said "I know just the right person. Let's send Riley!" the Holy Spirit said. "I know the perfect parents; Eric and Jenny Rule."
Then God said, "I will make her with an imperfect heart. With man's modern technology they will see that Riley has a heart problem before she is born and plans will be made to have her born at the very best hospital and get the best of care."
The Holy Spirit said, "I will influence Jenny to write a blog and they will be faithful witnesses to us for all the world so see."
Then God called for Riley's heart to be healed of the original diagnosis and many were amazed at the miracle. But God did not call for total healingfor Riley's little body. Jesus said, "Won't this confuse them?" God answered, "The Holy Spirit will remind them of what was said in Isaiah 55:8-9":
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways not my ways," declares the Lord. "As the
heavens are higher than the Earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your
thoughts."
On the 28th day of Riley's stay in the hospital God asked Jesus: "How many prayers have been sent up for Riley?" Jesus replied, "Tens of thousands! The angels are working overtime to copy them down." God said, "I have felt the hearts changing. The people are more loving. I have seen damaged relationships healed and faith has been increased. I caused the first miracle by healing Riley's physical heart and now Riley has caused the second miracle by healing THEIR spiritual hearts."
Then God told Jesus Riley's assignment had been completed and to bring her home to us quickly. So on that day Riley passed to Heaven and was met by Jesus and told "Well Done!" Jesus told Riley that she accomplished more for eternity in 28 days than many do in a lifetime.
Jesus then asked the Holy Spirit to remind us all of those who loved and missed Riley of Romans 8:28:
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that Love God, to them who are called
according to his purpose."
God has given us all an eternal assignment. Riley has completed hers. What is yours?
-Anonymous
One day God said to Jesus, "I'm concerned about the hearts of the people. I don't see enough love. Their hearts are cold. We need to send them someone to touch their hearts and rekindle their love for one another." Jesus said "I know just the right person. Let's send Riley!" the Holy Spirit said. "I know the perfect parents; Eric and Jenny Rule."
Then God said, "I will make her with an imperfect heart. With man's modern technology they will see that Riley has a heart problem before she is born and plans will be made to have her born at the very best hospital and get the best of care."
The Holy Spirit said, "I will influence Jenny to write a blog and they will be faithful witnesses to us for all the world so see."
Then God called for Riley's heart to be healed of the original diagnosis and many were amazed at the miracle. But God did not call for total healingfor Riley's little body. Jesus said, "Won't this confuse them?" God answered, "The Holy Spirit will remind them of what was said in Isaiah 55:8-9":
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways not my ways," declares the Lord. "As the
heavens are higher than the Earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your
thoughts."
On the 28th day of Riley's stay in the hospital God asked Jesus: "How many prayers have been sent up for Riley?" Jesus replied, "Tens of thousands! The angels are working overtime to copy them down." God said, "I have felt the hearts changing. The people are more loving. I have seen damaged relationships healed and faith has been increased. I caused the first miracle by healing Riley's physical heart and now Riley has caused the second miracle by healing THEIR spiritual hearts."
Then God told Jesus Riley's assignment had been completed and to bring her home to us quickly. So on that day Riley passed to Heaven and was met by Jesus and told "Well Done!" Jesus told Riley that she accomplished more for eternity in 28 days than many do in a lifetime.
Jesus then asked the Holy Spirit to remind us all of those who loved and missed Riley of Romans 8:28:
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that Love God, to them who are called
according to his purpose."
God has given us all an eternal assignment. Riley has completed hers. What is yours?
-Anonymous
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Save a Place for Me-Our Song for Riley
Don’t be mad if I cry
It just hurts so bad sometimes
‘Cause everyday it’s sinking in
And I have to say goodbye all over again
You know I bet it feels good to have the weight of this world
Off your shoulders now
I’m dreaming of the day
When I’m finally there with you
Save a place for me
Save a place for me
I’ll be there soon
I’ll be there soon
Save a place for me
Save some grace for me
I’ll be there soon
I’ll be there soon
I have asked the question why
But I guess the answer’s for another time
So instead I’ll pray
With every tear
And be thankful for the time I had you here
And I wanna live my life
Just like you did
Make the most of my time
Just like you did
And I wanna make my home up in the sky
Just like you did
Oh, but until I get there
Until I get there
-Matthew West
We celebrated Riley's life on Monday with a beautiful farewell! Eric and I are OVERWHELMED by the outpouring of support and love we witnessed on that day. The number of family, friends, teachers, neighbors, co-workers, and classmates that came to St. Thomas to remember Riley with us was amazing. Our family is truly blessed by all of you and we are so thankful for all your love. Riley was a beautiful child and we will always mourn her death, but we rejoice in her new life too!
As I was talking with Madeleine tonight about Heaven, she asked me if Riley is a baby in Heaven or is she older? I told her that I didn't know the answer to that question. Although, I do picture her to be old enough to have pigtails in her strawberry hair playing and running all around! My children have great questions and we are praying for God to guide us on how to answer them.
On behalf of our family we would like to thank everyone for every little gift, which may have been a bouquet of flowers, a casserole of dinner, babysitting for our children, a phone call, a letter, or a prayer. We had to lean on everyone we love to get through this time and are so grateful for you all!!!!
In HIS grip!
It just hurts so bad sometimes
‘Cause everyday it’s sinking in
And I have to say goodbye all over again
You know I bet it feels good to have the weight of this world
Off your shoulders now
I’m dreaming of the day
When I’m finally there with you
Save a place for me
Save a place for me
I’ll be there soon
I’ll be there soon
Save a place for me
Save some grace for me
I’ll be there soon
I’ll be there soon
I have asked the question why
But I guess the answer’s for another time
So instead I’ll pray
With every tear
And be thankful for the time I had you here
And I wanna live my life
Just like you did
Make the most of my time
Just like you did
And I wanna make my home up in the sky
Just like you did
Oh, but until I get there
Until I get there
-Matthew West
We celebrated Riley's life on Monday with a beautiful farewell! Eric and I are OVERWHELMED by the outpouring of support and love we witnessed on that day. The number of family, friends, teachers, neighbors, co-workers, and classmates that came to St. Thomas to remember Riley with us was amazing. Our family is truly blessed by all of you and we are so thankful for all your love. Riley was a beautiful child and we will always mourn her death, but we rejoice in her new life too!
As I was talking with Madeleine tonight about Heaven, she asked me if Riley is a baby in Heaven or is she older? I told her that I didn't know the answer to that question. Although, I do picture her to be old enough to have pigtails in her strawberry hair playing and running all around! My children have great questions and we are praying for God to guide us on how to answer them.
On behalf of our family we would like to thank everyone for every little gift, which may have been a bouquet of flowers, a casserole of dinner, babysitting for our children, a phone call, a letter, or a prayer. We had to lean on everyone we love to get through this time and are so grateful for you all!!!!
In HIS grip!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
A Celebration for the "Life of Riley"
As we come home today without Riley, we are sad, but have comfort in the fact that she is perfect now in heaven. This truly is the only reason that our family can feel peace and joy at this time. Please pray for our other children that they too will find a peace and understanding with Riley's passing. God's plan for Riley's life was bigger than we ever imagined.
As Eric and I sit here tonight we can't believe what an amazing experience this whole process has been. We have never felt such strength and support. At U of M Riley had the privilege of the best care possible. The people we met, including the doctors, nurses, technicians, social workers, and the families that also had patients in the cardio thoracic unit have changed our lives forever. Each and every person that met us, and got to know Riley, could not believe how blessed we are with our extended family and friends.
Thank you to everyone who has commented on our blog. We look forward to your thoughts and prayers that are posted each and every day! In celebration of the "Life of Riley" please join us on Monday, April 12th at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. Visitation will be from 10:00-12:00 and the Mass will begin at 12:00p.m. Lunch will be following at Eagle Eye Golf Course for anyone who wishes to attend! The people at St. Thomas Aquinas church are our family and friends and we are so thankful to be a part of the school and church community!
In HIS grip!
Going Home
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord,
"You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during
the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?"
The Lord replied,
"The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you."
The Lord is carrying us today with the heaviest hearts. We are sending Riley home today, into the arms of her Father! We know she does not belong to us, in fact none of our children do. They belong to the Lord and he is gracious enough to entrust them to us for their time on earth. Riley Faith is a beautiful baby girl who will see the face of God today! For this we rejoice!
We are all in HIS grip!!!!
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord,
"You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during
the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?"
The Lord replied,
"The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you."
The Lord is carrying us today with the heaviest hearts. We are sending Riley home today, into the arms of her Father! We know she does not belong to us, in fact none of our children do. They belong to the Lord and he is gracious enough to entrust them to us for their time on earth. Riley Faith is a beautiful baby girl who will see the face of God today! For this we rejoice!
We are all in HIS grip!!!!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
May the Lord Bless You and Keep You
Our family had the privilege of having a visit by Father Mark, the head priest at St. Thomas Aquinas, today at the hospital. He prayed with us and met Riley for the first time. He pointed out that Riley has taught us all so much with her little life. He commented that Riley has not accomplished anything yet in her life such as, going to school, a fantastic job, or any other notable deeds. What he noticed is that we love Riley simply because she is our child and not for any other reason that she may have earned or because of anything she has become. Father Mark explained to us that this is how the Lord loves us, just because we are His and that is all. His love is not earned, it is just a gift. He then prayed with us, and these are some of the words he said:
May the Lord bless you and keep you,
May the Lord lift His countenance upon you,
And give you peace,
May the Lord make His face to shine upon you,
And be gracious unto you,
May the Lord be gracious, gracious unto you.
Amen.
Numbers 6:22-27
In HIS grip!
May the Lord bless you and keep you,
May the Lord lift His countenance upon you,
And give you peace,
May the Lord make His face to shine upon you,
And be gracious unto you,
May the Lord be gracious, gracious unto you.
Amen.
Numbers 6:22-27
In HIS grip!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Happy Easter
Riley has had a very stable weekend. After her biopsy on Friday she did very well over the weekend. Not many changes were made, the goal was to just have a quiet uneventful weekend. We should find out the results of the biopsy by Tuesday, however, the course of action will be the same. As of today she has weened off of dopamene (sp?), and calcium. She has tolerated these changes quite well. Riley is feeding well!!
On Easter Riley was visited by Mom, Dad, Madeleine, and Lily. She was completely asleep when we walked in and Lily was so loud Riley opened her eyes and looked right at us! Riley better get use to the noise, because when she comes home she will need to adapt!!!
We are praying Riley can tolerate being weened from her medications, this process will take a very long time.
In HIS grip!
On Easter Riley was visited by Mom, Dad, Madeleine, and Lily. She was completely asleep when we walked in and Lily was so loud Riley opened her eyes and looked right at us! Riley better get use to the noise, because when she comes home she will need to adapt!!!
We are praying Riley can tolerate being weened from her medications, this process will take a very long time.
In HIS grip!
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