For Rachael, Greg and their families, the ending of the memorial service of Tripp is only the beginning. After all of the chaos of making arrangements and loving on out of town visitors is over, it is their home which will feel empty. Their hearts that will continue to be broken. And as much as my heart aches for them, the continuation of our lives is very different. It seems so hollow to tell them that I'm praying for them... when truly, i know this is the most powerful thing I can do. But i also know that God meets my needs in real, practical ways. And i would love nothing more than to be Christ-like in my response to the needs of the Copponex family. I know that in the coming days, months and years, the hurt will soften... that they will continue to remember and be grateful for the time they had to spend with their precious son, but that it will also hurt as they continue to heal and see so many others who cried with them and hurt with them seemingly move on. Yes, we will all move on... but even when we do not speak of it, I believe that the loss of Tripp has affected so many people. This day is one that Rachael and Greg will remember for their lifetimes and it is one that I do not want to ever forget. To see a mom and dad take the most horrifying situation and find a way to give God all the glory and honor in it simply amazes me. Their faith, Tripps life and the promise of an eternity with our Savior is something to celebrate. So I would like to do just that. I'd like to find a way to continue to remember, and to let the Copponex's know that we are continuing to celebrate Tripps life.
For anyone who is interested, someone (not me) has set up a calender for those who have been moved by the loss of baby Tripp and would like to minister to the Copponex family in some way. The idea is to have people sign up to minister to them on the calendar so that they will know that they are loved and continually prayed for long after they think that people have moved on. Some ideas on how to love on them would be to take food (or send it), send flowers, give them a phone call or a visit (if you know them well enough to do such as this) or even just send a card or a gift card for them to go to the movies or out to eat or for groceries! I would be happy to get their address if any of you who have kept up with Rachael and her family through my blog would like to join in on this. If it is something you'd like to do, please click this link and click on a DATE (the actual number) and it will link you to a page where you can put your name on the date and even set up an email reminder (at the bottom of the page). I'd like to encourage people who may not "know" Rachael and Greg in "real life" to still consider ministering to this family. They have been so encouraged by the kindness of strangers and have felt the love of Jesus pouring out through people who have taken the time to write them a word of encouragement. Please consider joining us as we love on this family over the coming months and please, continue to pray for healing.
Copponex Calendar
Thank you
Kelly
