August. It’s the time of year to enjoy sitting pool-side, lake-side, ocean-side, or some other water-side. It’s the time of year when families squeeze the last ounce of fun into their soon-ending summer vacation. It’s the time of year when some begin preparing for the upcoming school year.
We could be doing those things. But we’re not.
Instead, we are sitting Carmen-side watching her life slowly fade away. We are preparing…preparing for a funeral and life without our little girl.
***
We still believe that God can heal Carmen, even at this seemingly late hour in her life. We have asked him many times to heal her broken body. But as the hours grow darker and the answer continues to be, “No,” we have accepted that God may have other plans.
No matter what happens to Carmen, we still believe that God is in control and that he can be trusted.
He has promised that we will have trouble in this world and we all know that’s true. I don’t know why it’s true but it is. But he has also promised to provide mercy and grace in our time of need. Lana and I have also found this to be true. In the darkest hours of our lives, from the moment we were told that Carmen had a fatal disease to these trying times of watching and waiting for her to die, God has held us tightly and comforted us beyond what we could have ever imagined.
I really can’t imagine going through this without him.
Your faith is encouraging. Thank you for sharing. We’re praying for your family.
We continue to think of all of you during this time… my grandfather hung on for a long time, much longer than the doctors or anyone expected. Then when my Mom and her sisters sat and told him it was OK to go, he left this earth very soon after. It was as if he was waiting for them to tell him they will be OK and he could go to God and my grandmother who was waiting for him. Wishing you peace,
Carrie T and Bella in NC
I was not blessed to be with my goddaughter in her last minutes, and yet I have poignant memories of watching her in her first, and last, hours. We too prayed for healing up until the very end and then knew that she danced her way into heaven and that her bones, broken beyond repair on earth, were whole. Maybe most comforting was knowing that when God hugged her, she wouldn’t break as she did when her earthly body was hugged or moved.
I continue to pray for all of you. This road is long and only God knows when it reaches the end. Your strength and faith continue to be amazing. I am so glad that you have found a Friend in your journey. May God continue to uphold you.
It appears God’s blessed you with His peace and His strength in both of you is evident. Little doubt His love surrounds your family completely so I pray for His comfort as you say your painful good byes. The blessings of Carmen will no doubt live on.
I recently heard Jeff Manion speaking about making through tough times. Here was the quote (or close to it) that struck me:
“Complaint and trust are incompatible roommates, they cannot coexist.”
If we trust God, we have no room for complaining. As soon as we begin to distrust His divine plans, we start allowing room for complaint and that leads us down a path that isfurther away from Him.
When we go through the desert, we think that it is an infertile land we are in. But the desert is fertile for complaints and distrust. These are the times we need to muster our faith and resolve to not allow complaint to bunk in our hearts.
Praying for trust to flourish in the life of the Coddington’s.
wes©
Praying as always for you and checking back often…..
I remember the last few days of my mom’s life and knowing it was the end and what a surreal feeling that was. I knew it was time when I felt like it was more merciful for God to please, just take her, than to let her suffer one more day. I remember feeling guilty about that and also at her funeral when someone asked me if I could go out for dinner and for the first time in a year I could say yes. It was a mix of guilt and freedom. It’s like living in an alternate reality that no one else can “get” except those that are living it with you.
I don’t know if that makes any sense.
Yesterday I was sitting at my computer crying after reading your post and the doorbell rang and it was some workers to fix something in our house. I was a little embarrassed that they “caught” me, but I just wanted you to know that, although I have never met you or Carmen, my heart is breaking for you and hopeful for her that she will soon be free of her earthly limitations….
We felt the same way when Nonna died. After taking care of her full time and not being able to leave the house without someone here in our place…the day after she died we took the children out and went to a Butterfly place, lunch and it was so weird, guilty, all kinds of feelings, when we didn’t HAVE to be back to relieve a paid caretaker…Sarah, it does make sense.
Dave, Lana, Mom & Dad – we should be leaving first thing in the morning…we’ll call and let you know our plans.
Thank you for not giving up on God and for holding onto Him with everything you can. You are my heroes. Praying for you SO much, Tina
I would like to echo something that has been said before. Your faith and strength – even during these darkest hours – is encouraging in ways you might not imagine. I do not know you, nor have I ever met your precious family. However, reading little Carmen’s story, your struggles, transparency and faith have touched my heart. She has made an impact on countless lives. Thank you again for being so open and sharing her precious life with us all. My thoughts and prayers will be with her, as well as with you guys. I will pray for a continuous wave of His love, strength and comfort both during her remaining time here on Earth, but also when she is released from all of this and joins the other angels in Heaven. I will continue to agree with you for a miracle – but in an event that this does not happen, I will be praying for you all much.
Wow, Dave. Even during this time, when we should all be uplifting you, you & Lana are still uplifting, inspiring, and encouraging others by your thoughtful posts, insight, and wisdom. I love you all and am praying for God’s peace to abound; for Him to hold you all close as He takes sweet Carmen home. I so wish we lived closer so we could help however we could. Sending many hugs and prayers from KY,
My heart is with you. I know what those dog days feel like. May the God of Comfort allow you all to know He is also by your sides.
With love.
First I just want to let you know you are constantly in my thoughts and prayers!
Second, I just want to say how much your family encourages me. You have such a faith in God and so much love for him, it really drives me to do better in my own relationship with him! I want the kind of faith that I see in your family and know that there is only one way to do that, so thank you! Carmen has touched so many lives including mine, that I believe is her purpose. Thank you (again) for sharing your lives with us, even in this most difficult time. With much love, Rikki.
from a friend of a friend … perhaps you’ve heard it, perhaps it will mean something to you and your family.. take care.
“God saw you getting tired, when a cure was not to be.
So He closed his arms around you and whispered, “Come to Me!”
You didn’t deserve what you went through, and so He gave you rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful, He only takes the best.
And when we saw you sleeping, so peaceful and free of pain,
We couldn’t wish you back with us to suffer that again.
It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn’t go alone …
For part of us went with you.” – author unknown
Praying, praying, praying.
Liz and I are continuing to pray for you… EACH of you! God Bless and protect you, sweet lovely Carmen! We are hoping for a miracle and for your health, but most especially for your COMFORT, peace of mind and heart, and we hope and pray that you know how VERY MUCH we LOVE YOU…
Thinking of you, our precious friend.
Thank you for being you and for being a very special person in our lives. WE LOVE YOU – forever and always, no matter what!!
Prayers & Blessings,
Becky and Liz Warren
xoxo xoxo
Thinking of you all and continuing to pray for peace & comfort for your family at this difficult time.
I have never posted but have followed your story. We have 2 children adopted from Guate. You are inspiring. Carmen is a beautiful child and was/is so loved.
Dear Coddington family,
I am sincerely sorry that you are temporarily seperated from ^Carmen^, but I hope and pray you find comfort knowing that she’s at peace in Our Father’s arms. Despite having met ^Carmen^ only once, she truly touched my heart and will continue to do so until I meet her at the gates of Heaven.
If you need ANYTHING, please do not hesitate to call me. My number is 617. 694. 9511
Lauren and Hope, your sister will forever be your Guardian Angel. To Lana, Dave, and the extended family, I will be thinking of you in the days, weeks, months, and years to come. (Your precious daughter was greeted at The Pearly Gates by many children, including ^DJ^, ^Elise^, ^Charles Lee^, and ^Isaiah^, just to name a few.)
Hope it’s okay that I wrote a brief journal entry about ^Carmen^ on my personal website tonight. “Fly High and Dream Big”. A Cure IS within reach, and ^Carmen^, you inspire all of us to never give up.
Love, and JUSTBELIEVE-ing,
Liz