Tuesday, December 11, 2007

The Memorial

We will have a memorial service to honor Evangeline this Friday morning, 10am at North Park Covenant Church (5250 N Christiana Ave Chicago IL 60625). All are welcome. Arrangements are being made with Benson Funeral home.

In honor of Evie's memory, we invite Evie's friends to make a charitable gift to Children's HeartLink. We learned about the work of HeartLink through one of Evie's nurses. They send skilled Cardiac specialists to underserved countries to do surgery and treatment for children with heart disease. We've always understood that it was uniquely fortunate that Evie was given a shot at life with the best technology and healthcare workers in the world, but that it is too unfair that so many kids never even get a chance. HeartLink works to give many of these children the opportunities they deserve. You may donate on their website through an online form or through sending a check, and in either case you may note that it is in memory of Evangeline Kennedy.

We've been encouraged and touched by everyone's care and prayers. Thanks. We ask that you also say a prayer tonight for Addison, Seamus, Mark, Margot, and all the other boys and girls in Intensive care tonight.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Matt and Nicole, our hearts break with yours... we pray still for peace that passes understanding, for time to mourn fully for your loss, and for the hope promised to us by God. We're sending you our love.

~Heather and Karl

Anonymous said...

DEAR MATT AND NICOLE, I VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSE. MY PRAYERS AND HEART GOES OUT TO YOU AND THE REST OF THE FAMILY. MY THE LORD BE WITH HER. I KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO LOVE SOMEONE AND THEN TO LOOSE THEM. I KNOW THE HOLIDAYS WILL BE HARD ON YOU ALL BUT JUST REMEMBER THE JOY YOU ALL HAD WITH HER AND SPENDING THE LAST DAYS WITH HER.

Anonymous said...

we love you.

Anonymous said...

I heard about you folks from a friend. I'm deeply sorry for your loss, but I look forward to the joyous reunion you will one day have with your little girl. Know that your story has touched many lives and that they're all praying for you. May God's prayers go with you. Don't lose heart. He has you in His hands just as assuredly as He has little Evie--safe and secure. All my love.

Brooke said...

I'm so sorry for your loss--how awful for the two of you. You are in my thoughts and prayers--I will send quiet words of peace your way in hopes they can arise over the chaos and pain you're feeling. Thank you for opening yourselves up and sharing both your joys and your sorrows of this journey with us--it is inspirational and moving, to say the least. God's peace be with you,

Brooke

Anonymous said...

Hi Matt and Nicole

Our prayers are always with you.We are so sorry for your loss.EVIE is such a sweet baby girl and she will live always in your hearts.Stay strong through out the next few months.God be with you.
The Kings
Nova Scotia
Canada

Anonymous said...

Nicole and Matt, We are so sorry for your greif. Thanks for letting us be part of our Evie's life here on earth. We will foever remember her as our angel in heaven. Love you and peace be with you, Joe and Julie

Anonymous said...

praying for you all! you are heavy on our hearts this day! God will lift you up above and give you his grace in this time of sorrowing and he will give you sweet memories of Evie to hold unto throughout the years to come until you meet again in Heaven with our Lord Jesus!
I am sorry I forgot to leave my email with you the last time. Please write anytime and I will pray along with you about things you must face each day.
judithgieseke@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Matt & Nicole

Our continued thoughts and prayers go out to you. May God bless and keep you through this tragic loss of little Evie.

Your faith shines through your words.

God Bless
The Aiken Family.
Mathew, Randi (Novak) & Anders

Anonymous said...

'dear heavenly father, thank you for matt and nicole. thank you for bringing evangeline marie to them to be her parents while she was here on earth. thank you for holding her for them now as they grieve.'

Anonymous said...

Matt and Nicole,

I am a PCA for Marge Jenkins and I heard about your daughter.
I am so sorry for the loss of your daughter Evie. I wish the best for the both of you and hope that you both find comfort. You show such an unselfish love for your daughter and such strength. I cannot imagine losing a child, let alone having to make the decision that the both of you did.
You are in my thoughts and in my prayers. I know that you do not know me but my heart goes out to you.
I wish you both the best of luck and I pray that you will continue on with your lives and be gifted with another child with great health in the future.

Adrienne said...

Hello,

I found out today the address in which contributions can be made to the "Evie Marie Kennedy Memorial Fund" for those of us who don't have access to a Washington Mutual Bank:

Washington Mutual Financial Center
808 Sleater Kinney Rd SE
Lacey, WA 98503
Attn: Elizabeth

Account #4412897857

Anonymous said...

Dear Matt and Nicole, my heart goes out to the both of u. I lost a granddaughter at birth and I know how heartbreaking it can be. I admire your love and encouragement that you gave Evie. God holds her now for you. Keep up your faith God will walk you through this and make u much stroner. U did all you oth could for Evie and she will be waiting for you in Heaven. Love and Prayers, angellover69463

Anonymous said...

Matt and Nicole, sorry for the spelling of wo words in my note to you I meant stronger and both

Anonymous said...

We have followed your journey first with great hope and now sadness... a sadness for your loss and for the contribution Evie would have made in our world. As you grieve your daughter may it be some small comfort that we grieve with you and pray for your healing.

Anonymous said...

You two are awesome. For you to be thinking of the suffering of others right now is amazing! I am in awe of the strength God gives you in this season, you are an incredible witness of His grace and power. Praises to Him for the love that flows through you. May He continue to give you courage, peace, and a neverending love for your precious girl. Her life has impacted others for good. I hope you are proud for the way her life has blessed. You have parented a humble servant of the Lord, a life-changer. Glory to God, and to you for loving her so well. Peace be with you!

Anonymous said...

Matt and Nicole,
I only know of you through your mom Nicole, but I wanted you to know that my family and I are praying for you and your parents at this time. My heart breaks for you that you had baby Evie for such a short time. But also I know that it was a joy to know her for the time she was with you! She sure was a beautiful little one! :)
Please know that our prayers are with you!
Sincerely,
Trina
(ROSEAU)

FeNgzz said...

Dearest Matt and Nicole,

I cannot pretend to know how you are truly feeling over the rejoicing over the birth and grieving over the loss of your daughter. All these in less than a month! Yet I am fully convinced that the Lord knows everything and He watches over all.

I pray that you will continue to lean on the Lord for strength and may His love envelope you thoroughly that you may always remember to cast your cares and grief upon Him. And even though you are grieving, may your testimony of God's love and faithfulness be a huge encouragement and testimony unto others too.

In Christ,
Lorraine
(Singapore)
PS: I found your website through www.jesuscreed.org

Anonymous said...

Matt and Nicole,
I attend church with Grandma Norma and have prayed for Evie from the beginning. Once I looked up her website and found that she had survived a crisis just when our group had been praying so I felt a connection with her. I felt at a loss when I learned she lost her fight in the end. How hard it must be for you! I was touched that you suggested the Heartlink as a response. It does help to reach out in some way. I gave to a local organization that helps preemies and their families. For such a young person I think Evie touched many lives! God Bless you.

Roxanne

Anonymous said...

"Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders." Dt. 33:12
We weep with you in the loss of Evie - God's precious little one! Thank you for openly sharing your hearts with us in this journey. We pray for comfort, strength and rest in the days ahead. Bill and Jeanne Glazebrook

Unknown said...

I am sorry for the loss. You are in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

Please know that even though I couldn't make it to the funeral I was there in spirit thinking of you and your extended family! Please know I'm praying for you both still and will continue too!

God Bless!
Sarah

timothy.dunkin said...

Matt and Nicole,

Rachel and I are sorry for your loss. We will continue to pray for you two. God be with you.

Timothy and Rachel Dunkin

Dana Kiemeny Thompson said...

Dear Nicole and Matt,

Just wanted to let you know that although it's been forever, my thoughts often wander off to where you are and what you are doing. I'm only so sorry that you cannot say that you are well. I am so sorry for your loss. God's peace be with you as you heal and grow.

Anonymous said...

I am thinking of you this morning. I just wanted you to know that.

-Becky

Anonymous said...

Remember everytime she looked in your eyes. Remember everytime she cried. Remember what she smelled like. Remember how small her fingers and toes were. Remember how she looked a little bit like each of you. Remember how she was perfect.