For the first few months that followed Nathaniel leaving us, I put up a comments / guestbook. I
eventually turned off the script, but this is what came in...
Comments
Jonathan Culley Sunday 30th of January 2005
I hope that this site shows how much our family loves each other and how much we miss Nathaniel.
Ruth Grau Sunday 30th of January 2005
So sorry to hear about little Nathaniel. I don't know the purpose but he is in the arms of his
heavenly father. Am praying for you and Jon and the family. Love, Aunty Ruth
Momma, Nana Karen Sunday 30th of January 2005
Nathaniel, you are a precious part of our lives. We may never know while we are here on this
earth, how much you know of us, but I know because of you our family will be stronger and more
understanding and caring. We have once again been reminded just how precious each member of our
family is and you are part of this. This love will flow out from our family and touch many lives.
The lives of our family and the lives of those each one we come in contact with. It will be with
more tenderness and gentle concern we will lift one another up, because of you we have learned
more of the Father's love and hopes for each of us and how His heart reaches out to hold us.
Nathaniel, You came to our family,for such a short while and you have affected us for the rest of
our lives. Only when we meet you in Heaven will we be able to understand how very far your little
life has reach and touch and change the world. I hold you in my heart with love, Nana Karen
Mom & Nana C Monday 31st of January 2005
Nathaniel, we were so excited to know that you existed and were coming to be with us... and then,
we were sad... because we were not going to really get to know you. Your time was sooooo short yet
you have impacted our lives in so many ways... raised awareness of emotions... touched our core of
love and expanded it... made us work through our issues to the things that really matter. What was
your character like, who did you really look like? Our family will miss you being with us but we
know you are with Jesus safe in His arms. You know things now that we have only imagined. We are
comforted to know that we will see you when it is our turn to come and be with Jesus.
To Jonathan, Patti, Gelica, Xandra & Jeremy we love you and pray that God will fill you with His
peace and comfort. There are times I wish... if only it happened to me rather than you. Because it
is hard to watch you all go through this great lose. But I know that we have a comforter in the
Holy Spirit who is able to bring you all through this valley to hope. I love you all, Mom & Nana C
Jason and Lise Monday 31st of January 2005
From the moment you realize you are carrying a child you have in your mind their future planned.
To have those plans changed by sudden unexplainable loss is hard to deal with, hard to fathom,
hard to wrap your brain and emotions around. To have the presence of God in our lives makes this
change liveable and eventually exceptable. We may not get all the answers while we are in this
world but we do have hope, we know that when our spirit is absent with our body it is with the
Lord and what better place to be. We know that we will be joined in glory with our loved ones.
The Lord showed me a vision of my babies in heaven and He encouraged me with this scripture
Hebrews 12:1 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us
throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with
perservance the race marked out for us." Patti and Jon, Nathanial is one of those witnesses and
he is watching you continue in your walk with God here on earth!
I know it seems hard to do but sometimes sharing our struggles, even when we are in the midst
of them, shows the world that we are "real" that we feel and hurt and question just like everyone
else. I am amazed at how many people who were not Christians thanked me for being so open about
what Jason and I were going thru with all the miscarriages. I had no idea that crying and just
being real about what we were going thru would help them. There is a time for every season under
heaven, and I know that one day you will both be able to share what you are going thru and impact
people's lives and bring God glory.
we love you and will continue to pray for you and be here for you.
Papa Culley Tuesday 01st of February 2005
Nathaniel; You're the littlest one of our clan, and yet you finished the race before anyone
else! I want you to know that I'll miss the times I planned to take you exploring in the
beautiful world God made, but when I get to where you are, you will be way ahead of me! I
want you to show me all the wonderful things you've been discovering in Heaven. You are so
precious to all of us, and we miss you terribly, but I know Jesus and all His friends are
taking good care of you. You are so loved.
Momma Saturday 05th of February 2005
I was just looking at this site and thinking again about you all and knowing that it takes
so long for the pain to become bearable. Isn't God wonderful that He created us so the pain
only comes in waves. I was thinking of that verse "Underneath are the Everlasting Arms" just
let Jesus hold you in His arms and like we would comfort a child, He is saying to you, It's
alright, go ahead and cry, I'm here, We'll get through this together. I love you. Nathaniel
is doing fine now. He's here with me. I will strenghth you, I will help you, I will hold you
up,I will keep you, and I will guide you. For you are so precious to me. I have not forgotten
you, though others may forget your pain... I will not. I will pour oil on him who is hurting.
Allow my sweet oil to soothe and heal the pain.. I love you so very much.
Aunty Judy Monday 07th of February 2005
Love you even though I see you so rarely. Iknow your pain,having lost a baby between
Aleta and Stephen..Grandma Goff was the one at that time that realized my loss and told
me that the angels were holding my baby..love you lots
Pam Dyck Tuesday 08th of February 2005
Dear Nathaniel
I've been thinking about your short time here on earth, and asking God to explain things to
me. (We adults do that sometime you know - question God...demand answers...) But it so amazing to
me, that while we're all here, waiting for answers you probably already have yours! You're in His
presence, perfectly content - where we should be....where we strive to be.....where we need also to be!
As I've been praying...the Lord given me a couple of scriptures, and put some interesting light on
them. I thought I'd share them in your book - so mom and dad can read and remember.
The first was Jer. 33:3 "And I want to show you great and marvelous things"....and I realized
YOU are already seeing those things Nathaniel! How amazing is that?! You are seeing things right
now, today, what we can only imagine! And I could hear the Father speaking that over your tiny frame,
while you were yet in your mother's womb " Nathaniel...I have great and marvelous things to show
you"...How could you have resisted?! Here with us, our Father longs to reveal His heart to us - you,
Nathaniel are already seeing that heart! Knowing that heart! He is there with you already showing you
great unsearchable things. How marvelous that must be!
The second was Act. 17: 28 " In me you live and move and your being." I realized today, little one,
that you are LIVING and MOVING in Him, right now, today! Do you know that many people go their whole
lives here on earth never knowing that kind of 'life' - true 'life'. They go thru their whole lives
never feeling complete because they don't claim their birthright as a child of God. You are in that
"birthright" completely, right now. A son...with His Father - living and moving in Him - so connected,
so one with Him - in such perfect relationship with Him! Wow! Moving and living in a way that is so
much more than what it means here.
The next one was Ps. 139:15-16 it says that " all your days are written in my book" Did you know
Nathaniel that most people here on earth have biographies written about their lives after they've
lived a long while and contributed in someway that we think is significant to society. BUT...God wrote
your biography BEFORE you were even born ( He does that with all of us) ! How amazing! He knew YOUR days
Nathaniel. We would have wanted them to be more....but He already knew the number of them. Isn't it
amazing, that you were already able to know a mother's love...and father's love...and yet He knew
you'd never have to know pain, or sorrow or disappointment! He knew you'd never know sin...or have to
have tears wiped away. Yet..your biography in heaven has the names of your sisters and brother, aunts
and uncles...gramma's and grandpa's - but no 'loss or sorrow' - only love! Your heavenly Father, the
God who existed before time, who knew you before you were even formed yet...had your days numbered, so
that you would have family...and yet also be lovingly and personally invited as His precious child, to
live eternally with Him in His heavenly home! What a story Nathaniel.
And Matt. 10: 29-31 "Even the very hairs on your head are numbered". What incredible attention to
detail Nathaniel. Before we even knew what you looked like, your Father had already numbered all the
hairs on your head..your eye brows...even the little creases on the palms of your feet and hands. Isn't
that amazing? That with taking that much detail over you already...that we would wrestle with wondering
if the detail of your birth escaped Him? We wonder if He missed something....yet, we realized that His
details surrounding your 'form', were just a small part of the other attention to details He gave you.
The details of your 'book', that tell of your family, their love for you...their grief had not having
the days with you that they wanted and had hoped for...the kiss of a mother, the arms of your father
- details....Details that speak of His great love and blessing for you. Details that tell of a little
ones deep impact, in a such a short space of time, on a family, on a church. Details that remind us
how precious 'life' is. Details that remind us, that the same care and attention to detail He gave
you....He gives us . That His focus on us, is just as intense as it was on you - and for us, it still is...
Nathaniel, you have been God's messenger to us - His gift. You reminded us that every life is
important, and has an impact on the world around it, even if that life is short. I hope when our 'books'
are read, that we will be able to see that we too, have impacted those around us as much as you have.
Isn't it amazing Nathaniel, that one so little can touch so many lives? You remind us that God is in
control. Did you know your journey would be so short? But that your message would be so "large"?
Blessings Nathaniel. Enjoy all that amazing worship around the throne - it was in your DNA to
worship you know! Enjoy your Father's arms and His singing over you! We are all hoping to relax
enough down here, that we can let Him do the same for us. Enjoy all those marvelous things He wants
to show you. And....if you see our precious ones there, say 'hi' from us! Tho it seems forever down
here, we know that it will seem like a blink of an eye, when we'll all be together.
love
pam
Kathryn Friday 11th of February 2005
I am sitting here just learning about Nathaniel, and how he is now sitting on our Lord's knee.
To comprehend is not possible, as a tear rolls, I pray, God what can one say, and reminded God's
greatest gift is love. Something so simple and yet so complete, although there are so many miles
between us, love is the bridge. Jonathan and Patti, Angelica, Xandra and Jeremy I love you so much.
I am sorry Nathaniel you had to leave us, but know we all loved you so much. God can you give him
a cuddle from all of us, we miss him. Thanks. Lots and lots of love Aunty Kathryn
Aunty Sherry Saturday 12th of February 2005
You know I love you all so much...a verse that has gone through my mind so many times in the last few
years especially, as there have been a number of losses we have all experienced, and it is this.."
better is one day in Your house than a thousand elsewhere". I am thankful Nathaniel is waiting in
that better place, for the rest of his family to join him one day soon...xo
auntie chelle Monday 14th of February 2005
Jesus love me this I know for the Bible tells me so.
Litte ones to Him belong they are week but He is Strong.
Yes Jesus Loves......
Such a simple song yet so full of promise.
I love you all so much.
To know that before Nathaniel was even in our hearts he was in the heart of God. As are we all,
His most precious little ones. And what a richenss to know "to HIM we all belong. Nathaniel you
will be in my heart always. Jon,Patti,Anjelica,Xandra and Jeremy,on this Valentines Day I send
extra hugs and kisses. And on every Day my love.
Chelle Tuesday 08th of March 2005
Something
Marvelous
In
Life
Everlasting
-SMILE-
Patti,just spending the day with you last Thursday planting the front yard was such a joy for
me. I am truely blessed to have you for a sister. Being around the garden and flowers just
really amazes me with the wonder of living and the awesome presence of God. And to think the
gardens and flowers that little Nathaniel is able to enjoy. The amazing flower beds he sleeps
in. And all in the awesome presence of God, for his life everlasting.
Oh how can we not -SMILE-
All my love- Chelle
