Remembering Gus

I met the Doriot family on March 12, 2006, in the NICU/PICU waiting room at ETCH. Mom and I were sitting there talking and waiting to see if they would show sweet Baby Emma again on the WBIR telethon. While mom and I were sitting there we struck up a conversation with the sweetest lady who was working on a scrapbook for her little Gus while waiting to see Gus make his second appearance on the telethon. Gus had been in the NICU the year before when the telethon was broadcast and this year he was in the PICU. This year Gus's dad was the designated spokesperson for the family. When the TV finally broadcast Gus it was the sweetest moment. He was such a cute little baby and having met his mom you just feel in love with him over the T.V. God called Gus home to be with him 1 year ago today. After his passing, his parents started a ministry called GUS's Gang. They used the word Gus to stand for God Understands Suffering. This ministry is for families of chronically ill children. Jenny (Gus's mom) keeps track of their progress and posts it on the Gus's Gang blog. It was always so encouraging to read her sweet reports of Emma during her last few months with us as well. Pete, Jenny, and Belle made the trek to see us when we lost Emma. I feel so blessed to have met these people and that out of such sadness so much was gained. Please pray for this family today as they grieve on the anniversary of losing their child, but praise knowing that he is where we all want to be.

Mercy Me - Homesick

You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

In Christ, there are no goodbye
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
To see you again

And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now