Like all three year olds, Chase has been looking forward to today for a long time. I guess your third birthday is the first one that you anticipate. His family and friends are doing their best to make it a special day. But we are mindful that the Lord has a special place in His heart for the fatherless and we rejoice.
The day Chase was born was filled with excitement and fear and thankfulness. Courtney was admitted to the hospital the night before, and family and friends were awaiting a phone call. In the early morning hours we were awakened by a call from Chad. I remember the fear I heard in his voice as he said, “Mom, they took Courtney away and I don’t know where she is. Please come. They are doing an emergency c-section.” On the way to the hospital Chad called again to say that it was an emergency, but he would be able to go into the operating room. We arrived at the hospital along with Courtney’s parents. We waited with “new-grandparent” excitement. Chad finally came out in a pair of scrubs. He was a very happy and exhausted dad. Chad sobbed when he saw all of us. How we rejoiced in a safe, healthy baby and mom. Though Chase had his wonderful parents on earth for only twenty-one short months, I don’t think any child could have been more loved by his daddy and mommy. Today Chase carries the sweet stamp of his mother’s tender care, and he looks so much like his daddy that when Chase sees childhood pictures of Chad he thinks they are of himself. His family will celebrate today in many ways. Last week he had a birthday party with Courtney’s parents at Chucky Cheese. That afternoon he came back happy and exhausted. Today he will wake up and burst through his streamer-covered door. Uncle Caleb will take him to Dunkin Donuts for breakfast. He will FaceTime the Gaddys (Courtney’s parents). He will have an early lunch and quick nap. Then we will go to the zoo and Chick-Fil-A for supper. We will top off our menu with an ice cream cake that he has helped make and decorate. And, of course, he will open gifts from his grandparents, uncles, and aunts. The day ends with a bath, devotions and a tired three-year-old. Tomorrow he goes to his new, big-boy Sunday School class. Most of all we rejoice that God, a father of the fatherless, is in his holy habitation watching over Chase. Today we give Chase gifts that will fade, break, and turn to dust; but his heavenly father has provide a gift for Chase that lasts for eternity. Dear praying friend, won’t you pray for Chase today. Pray that Chase would come to know Christ at and early age and that he would “esteem the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of this world.” Today we are rejoicing and praising the father of the Fatherless. Written by Linda Phelps, Grandmother of Chase
9 Comments
What a fun-filled day to celebrate life! Happy Happy Happy Birthday, Chase, from all of us "up north!" (Thank you for this wonderful post, Grandma Linda! Chase is blessed to be so dearly loved by his entire combined and extended family. Continuing to pray for God's grace to be very real and to remain the focus in the days and years ahead for our sweet little friend!)
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Connie, Greg, & Maddie
10/25/2014 01:03:58 am
Wishing Chase a very happy birthday and a fun-filled day from the Klingermans!
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Jan
10/25/2014 01:36:30 am
Thank you for your note. Praying for Chase and his entire family. God is always good and faithful always.
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Linda Montgomery
10/25/2014 01:39:34 am
Thank you for sharing this with us Linda! Chase is such a special little gift and we are so thankful that you get to celebrate with him today! We think and pray for you all often!
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Linda Byrd
10/25/2014 07:47:27 am
You are getting BIG too fast!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY Chase!! (your 1 yr.old Sunday School teacher) Love ya <3
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Candy Lamphere
10/25/2014 08:48:54 am
We love you Linda. I know this was written from a Moms heart. Rejoicing with you in Gods goodness. We continue to pray for your family faithfully.
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Lee & Pat williams
10/25/2014 12:50:08 pm
What a wonderful testimony. We couldn't get all the way through it without choking up. Chase does have a Father the fatherless in heaven, but he also has a family here that loves him very much and will do all they possibly can to bring him up in the Lord. What a blessing!
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Christine Prost
10/26/2014 03:33:44 am
What a beautiful celebration for Chase's birthday.
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Kristen M
4/20/2015 11:43:40 am
This story hit so close to home for me when it happened. My son was born Sept 2011 and I had a baby girl August 2013. My heart and mind just couldn't fathom your sweet Chase losing his parents and baby sister. I still think of him and your family fairly frequently and always lift you all up to The Father when He brings you to mind. Lifting you and this beautiful 3 1/2 year old boy up this very minute.
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