I wish I could say that Carmen is doing better but she isn’t. This morning her heart rate and oxygen levels plummeted again. Her Hospice nurse came over and the only thing we can do for Carmen is to keep her sedated.
Carmen is not sick. No infection, no fever. Her body is just tiring out. For the past few months her breathing has gotten more and more labored. She is on continuous oxygen and nebulizer treatments throughout the day but nothing helps.
So, we do the only thing we can and that is to keep her as comfortable as possible.
Mark 10:14, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
Peacefully sleeping
She looks so peaceful. I’ve just started following your blog and think you guys have such an amazing family. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Suzanne
Both your post and the picture are beautiful, and so peaceful.
Keeping Carmen and your family in our prayers. Sending our love, Oralea (William’s mommy)
She looks so sweet Lana. Thinking of you. Kisses to sweet Carmen.
She does look so peaceful. Sweet, sweet Carmen. We love you.
Lana, Dave, & Lauren, we are praying for you all also.
Looking at that picture, I was looking at the face of an angel. Madelyn and I continue to pray for Carmen and your family daily.
Lana, Dave, Lauren and Carmensita
I am always thinking of you, and my prayers are with you. I hope we get to see each other soon. Kisses for the girls
Praying for your family Lana.
Carmen and your family are in our prayers. Jesus is watching over her and your family.
Lana,
Thanks for keeping all of us informed through this blog. Having 4 plus 2 children (including you of course), I cannot imagine what strength, courage and faith you and Dave have had and are having in these difficult days. It makes me proud of you and it makes me sad at the same time since I am so far away I cannot help or just be around. We all pray for you and I trust that knowing that has been of comfort and encouragement. I believe Carmen will join her Heavenly Father at just the right moment; a time when all of us who have benefited from this site, and knowing her, will see His timing and blessing. While Carmen’s time with you will be finished on that day, we all will rejoice in the new beginning for her in Heaven. I believe all the angels too will be welcoming her home and pronouncing to you: Job Well Done!
I love you all,
Dad\Granddad
PS:
The great photo is on my desktop and will remain there.
I’ve followed your blog for quite a while but, never posted. I feel somehow connected to your family on an emotional level. I feel your struggles and your pains….your joys and sorrows….as you go through them, I go through them with you as I’m sure many, many people who follow your blog do. Daily I am amazed by the strength of your family and the love you share. I’m amazed by your faith. To say Carmensita has been lucky to have found you doesn’t seem the appropriate thing to say in the adoption community because, of course, your family is lucky to have found her but, in many ways she is lucky you found her because you’ve shown her so much love and support during her short, sweet life. You are able to take such good care of her and keep her comfortable. When my life’s little struggles get me down, I read your blog and think about all you go through daily and then I ponder about how you must put one foot in front of the other each day and just keep going on and so must I! So must we all! I pray for your family’s strength and that your faith remains strong and will not wane from what is to come. Feel peace in knowing you have taught Carmensita how to love and how to be loved and that is what life is all about!
Praying for you daily friends!
Jeanne
You have been blessed with an angel on earth.
She is absolutely beautiful.
You and your family are in my prayers and the prayers of my family and friends.
Carmen is so precious, so beautiful, so lovely. Created in the image of God. You have been truly blessed by this little one. My heart breaks for you. May the love of Jesus continue to comfort all of you. May you be continually strengthened through His power.
Thank you Father for loving us so much that you would send your only Son to die in our place for our sin so that we could have the opportunity to be with you eternally. If we ask for forgiveness, turn from our sin, and believe by faith in Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection and trust Him as our Lord and personal Savior you promise us the gift of eternal life and that we will no longer be separated from you because of our sin. Thank you for your mercy that we might obtain access to your throne of Grace. In His Holy Name, Amen.
What an amazing family. Thank you for the update our families prayers are with you.
Bibi Santana
I just wrote this same thing on Big Elise’s site. I wish that I could say something to make this better but I know that there’s not. Your current situation with beautiful Carmen is so fresh in my mind since Charles recent passing. All that I can do is cry.
Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Bryce, Amy, Anna, Ben and ^Charles^
Hi Beautiful Carmen,
You look like a true sleeping Angel…
I’m so sorry that you are feeling so tired, Honey. If there is anything I can do, just let me know – somehow. I will keep you, Mommy, Daddy, and Lauren in my prayers.
I love you to the bottom of my heart.
Keep on fighting and JUSTBELIEVE,
Becky
how precious she is…
i pray your roots will go deeper and deeper into the soil of God’s amazing love, and that you may KNOW how deep and wide and high and long His love is for you (from eph 3)
Hi again Lana and Dave,
Where do I go to subscribe for journal update notifications, please?
Thanks.
Love, Prayers, and Strength to all of you,
Becky Warren
Lana and Dave – Your post is beautiful and through it others can see Jesus’ love filling your family right now.
Our family is praying for you. Thank you for being so open for others to gain blessings from you now!
God bless,
Jill
Praying for you all – what a beautiful little girl. It makes my heart hurt to think of what you are all going through. Sarah M.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and Carmen.
Bonnie
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. She is so beautiful.
Lauren/Lana/Dave,
We just realized that it was a year ago this week when Lauren sang to us: “He’s got the whole world in His hands, He’s got Mommy and Daddy in His hands, He’s got Carmen and Lauren in His hands, He’s got Micah, Kevin and Jay in His hands, He’s got the whole world in his hands.”
Lauren’s faith and trust are sincere examples of how Jesus wants us to trust in Him not in ourselves. Jesus still has Carmen and Lauren in His hands. We are asking Jesus to be your peace and comfort.
Granddad & Nancy
Oh Lana, my heart aches for you. Your strength and faith are such a testament to me, and to so many. Our God is an amazing one and I know you rely on Him. I pray for peace for your family right now. Carmen looks like a beautiful, sweet princess sleeping so peacefully in that picture. Thank you for sharing something so deeply personal with all of us, I hope you find comfort in the fact that so many of us are praying for you, hoping for you.
Many Hugs and Prayers…
Hi Carmen,
You look so beautiful and peaceful in your picture. We are praying for you and your family.
-Bruce, Rick & Krystie
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/krystie
She looks so sweet and peaceful sleeping. I love her chubby arms.
I am thinking of you and praying for you often. I know how difficult this time must be for all of you.
Hugs to you,
Denise
Lana,
I saw your e-mail and my heart was moved to tears for you. Know that the Thomases are bringing the Coddingtons bodly before the throne of grace where you will recieve mercy and help in your time of need (Heb 4:16). You all have been an inspiration to us. . . esp. of how you have continued to trust and lean into the Lord through all of this. You have honored His name and brought glory to Him.
Dearest Carmen,
I hope today is a better day. You are so beautiful and look so lovely and peaceful in that sweet photo. May you find the strength to surprise us all! If that is not possible, may your family find the strength to carry them through.
Hugs and prayers,
Kim
Praying for you and your family!
Jessica
@ Everyone. Thank you.
@Becky Warren. To receive automatic email notifications when a new blog entry is posted, click here: http://www.beautifulcanvas.org/blog/post_notification_header/
Hope this helps!
Lana,
I’m praying for Carmen and your family often. I pray that Carmen remains comfortable and you remain strong!! God bless
Melody
Thinking of you and Carmen today. She looks so beautiful sleeping. She is so precious. So many prayers for you and your family.
I am praying for your peace and comfort, sweet Carmen. You are such an angel. Your mommy and daddy have no idea how much of an inspiration they are to me everyday! God bless!
My thoughts and prayers are with your sweet Carmen and the rest of your family.
Wanted you two to know that I was thinking of you and praying for Carmen’s comfort and your strength. I can’t imagine how tough this must be for you now. I know this journey hasn’t been easy but you’ve two have been a real inspiration to me. Sending you our love from Michigan! Nicki (Riley’s Mommy)
P.S. I love the new site and the pictures, now if only I can find where I get automatic updates???
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/princessrileybear
Thoughts and prayers for your beautiful baby girl and lovely family from Lake Winnebago, MO.
In Christ,
Suzie Warren
She is so beautiful and looks so peaceful. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Carmen and your whole family.
Hi, You have such a beautiful little girl. I am so sorry for this disease and pray peace for you all. God bless. In Christ, Joe
I love this new blog. I am always keeping you in my prayers and will give in prayer request tonight at my church for all of you. You guys are so incredible and I know Carmen feels all the love that surrounds her.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. May God hold all of you close!
I sure wish I had some words of wisdom and comfort. It’s nice to see a picture of Carmen looking comfortable. Thinking of your family and sweet Carmen. Wish I could come visit, but I have a nasty cold and thats the last thing you need right now!. HUGS AND LOVE!
I came here from William Marquardt’s CarePages site. Praying for you all at this time. Carmen is so beautiful and she looks so peaceful in that photo, which is a blessing at least. May God watch over her and you all. Best wishes from the U.K.
love, Nigel XXX
I love you Carmen.
I hope that today is better than yesterday, Darling!
Love to you and your caring family,
JUSTBELIEVE!
Becky
I came over from Charles site. My heart hurts for all of you that have to go through this. I can’t imagine going through what all of you and the other families have. There is no words I can say that will make it easier, but just know there is people out here that are thinking and praying as hard as they can for you and your beautiful daughter.
May God ease the pain you are all feeling.
Love to you all.
Thank you for sharing your life with us. We have learned so much from you …… you are truly an inspiration. I think we’re both experiencing a better view of Jesus – we couldn’t do it without His grace. Carmen is just beautiful and looks so peaceful.
Hugs and Prayers to you, Nancy
(mom of Ryan – 27 months with TSD)
Thinking of your family and Carmen and praying for you daily.
CJ
I’ve been following your story since I saw your blog on adoption.com’s Guatemalan forum. (I am the Mommy to two Guatemalan blessings) I am truly amazed at how the two of you have been such great examples of what it really means to love a child and also what it means to trust in our Almighty Father.
One day, all too soon, Miss Carmen will leave this earth and leave behind so many people who love her. Hold on to the fact that she will be made whole and HEALTHY the moment she arrives in Heaven. She will be able to run and jump and laugh and rest in the arms of our Savior… and one day you will all join her. What a glorious eternity it will be!
May you have Peace that passes all understanding during this difficult time.
Cindy
heyy…you are the cutest sweetest little girl thst i’ve ever seen…I found your site through ^CHARLES’^…and .Isaiah’s….just tell your mommy and daddy to keep being strong..and believing in the Lord God Almighty….he is not the Almighty Savior for nothing…but to help people like you all!! so just keep praying for he will help you through this…..
Praying Always,
Lauren Dietzschold
Lana and Dave – I was going through some old emails today and ran across an email we exchanged when we both got back from Guatemala in December 2006. It prompted me to visit your site to see how Carmen is doing. I cried when I read the updates because I am saddened that Carmen is going through this and the pain you are experiencing. At the same time I praise God for orchastrating a beautiful plan that brought Carmen into your lives. It was a joy to meet her and we will be praying for all of you through this difficult journey.
In our prayers,
Michelle & Chris, Emma, Michael and Anna
Just thinking of you all and wanted to check in. Carmen is always on my mind, and I pray for you all daily. Please give Carmen kisses for me.
God bless and keep you,
-Melanie
Just wanted you to know that I’m thinking about little Carmen and praying for your family.
Take care, Sarah
Dad/Granddad wrote:
I believe all the angels too will be welcoming her home and pronouncing to you: Job Well Done!
Right on!!!
Thank you , Keet, for agreeing with our belief that our Sovreign God, the LORD Jehovah has His angels prepared to welcome His SPECIAL child, Carmen Coddington, to His eternal home.
Thank you to EVERYONE who continues to support and pray for Lana/Dave/Lauren and Carmen. Jesus said I will never leave you or forsake you even unto the end of the earth. When we do not have the words to pray, His Spirit intercedes with groaning and conveys our needs to the LORD.
We have no idea how many lives are being changed through the too brief life of Carmen. We do know that the God of the universe does not waste any life, event or choice of His people.
Thank you for the opportunity to share our grief with others of the family of God. Grief is often used to bring people closer to each other and to the LORD.
In His Hands, Dad/Nancy
I am so sorry to hear about Carmen. I have been following your story for a few months now. My heart just breaks for your family. I put little Carmen on our prayer list at church last Sunday. I pray for you all daily. May the Lord keep you all in His loving arms in this time in your lives. I lost a granddaughter 12 yrs ago. Again my prayers are with your family.
Hi, I just wanted to let you know I am praying for you all and I hope you have a great day. God bless. In Christ, Joe