Jon and Jenni Smith
Our paths have crossed numerous times with this couple over the last 6 years. We were both married on the same day of the same exact year... August 17, 2002. We share the same anniversary.
After that I worked right beside Jenni in our church office until I had Mckenna. We quickly became great friends and share some wonderful memories from that time.
Back in the beginning of 2006, Dave and Jon went on an E-team together with a group from our church to India. They went to serve a church there, furthering the gospel in many ways. Dave and Jon share many memories from that trip.
Almost exactly a year ago, Jon and Jenni bought our previous home. I loved my townhouse and did not really want to move. I loved it and was completely content. However, the Lord started to direct us to pray about a move right about the time the Smith's approached us about their desire to buy our house, in the event we ever wanted to move. We went to settlement at the end of January, just 4 days after I found out I was pregnant with Alivia. We moved out of our townhouse in March and the Smith's moved in. We then lived with my mom until we found our current home and moved in on May 31. And I am still blown away by the wonderful home the Lord has blessed us with.
It was sometime toward the end of April (I think) that Jenni found out she was pregnant...so we shared part of last year being pregnant together.
Backing up a bit, on November 6, 2006, Jon and Jenni had their second baby, a boy. However, on that same day their son, Chase, went to be with Jesus. It is a day I personally will never forget. And we still greive with them, the loss of their precious boy.
So, this past November 2, a Sunday, they were getting ready to embark on a difficult week, as that Thursday marked 2 years since they lost their son. That evening someone must have called them with the news of our tragic loss. They selflessly dropped everything and showed up at the hospital to be with us. And during the following 2 weeks we saw them almost daily, as they showed up at the Lees to be with us, counsel us, comfort us, cry with us, and share in our grief with us. They put aside many of their plans, often found a sitter for their son, Carson, and would spend hours with us at a time. We found such comfort in this couple, as they have walked the same hard road of losing a baby. We shared many conversations with them and they helped us process our thoughts, make decisions, prepare us for what was ahead, and shared truth we desperately needed to hear. Jon has helped Dave countless times in leading me and our family through this time. Jenni has been by my side and has served me in so many ways. On the day of Alivia's memorial service, they drove with us in the Lee's van and were with us through all the events of that day. Jon even spoke at the grave site for us, as he faced the spot where his dear Chase is buried, just a stone's throw away from where Alivia was placed. Our glory babies are buried very close to each other, but more importantly, are sharing the Savior's arms, as he holds them until the day we can.
Now, Jon and Jenni are looking forward to January 24th, when their 3rd baby, a precious little girl, is due. I can't wait to meet her!
Jon and Jenni, we count it a privilege to have walked through so many events in this life with you. And we count it a privilege to call you friends. Thank you for caring for us, for crying with us and for grieving with us over the past few months. Thanks for being so available, amidst a busy schedule, to serve us. We only can imagine what our glory babies are up to right now...perhaps Chase is still telling Alivia all the wonderful things he has learned about our Savior. How we share with you in longing for heaven!
