Comments on: A brilliant idea

By: …praying for the Spohr family

…praying for the Spohr family — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:27:17 +0000

[...] now I’m simply sharing a link to Tori’s post… here Posted in [...]

By: drmani

drmani — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 17:18:33 +0000

A child’s life is precious. VERY precious. It’s loss
crushing. Mind-numbing. http://www.chdinfo.com/mission/

I was saddened that what is, to me, a professional reality
invaded your life too – but look at what a ripple it has created.

Thanks for sharing that brilliant idea. It’ll touch many lives.

By: biynah

biynah — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:13:40 +0000

I have really just came to your blog today. I was moved by your last post and I have to say, wow. I mean, in a situation like this, what do you say to someone who has lost such a precious little girl. So, what they did was so awesome. It really make me think about my kids and how time is so short. That I need to watch every word that comes out of my mouth and every action that I do towards my kids. I also agree with you when you talked about other bloggers being friends. Since I started blogging two years ago, I have been so blessed by many people that I may never meet. But for some reason, their heart hits mine and we connect. It is so great to have the oppertunity to meet people and hear what their heart says. I think I may know more about that friend than maybe their own family knows. It is an honor to be a part of people’s lives. Thank you so much for your kind words on my blog and I am honored to meet you. God bless you. From Tanya

By: rachelbaker

rachelbaker — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:24:36 +0000

What a fantastic idea. I have read your blogs about little Maddie, and my heart has ached, I have hugged my children a little tighter and made the extra effort to play their games when I could have been doing something ‘more important’. I am praying for that family.

Its the long term parking passes that has struck me as such a great idea. What a thoughtful gift for a family that would be. My little nephew Joseph was born in October, 10 weeks early, and my brother and his wife were backwards and forwards to the hospital every day for weeks. A car park ticket would have been such a great gift … wish I had thought of it then … but maybe I can do it for someone else. Little Joseph is doing great now, thank God, but little Maddie is a reminder to live and love the best we can every single day.

By: DELIVEREDJEPARKER63

DELIVEREDJEPARKER63 — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:43:11 +0000

Tori – I do not believe it! I finally got through the maze and got logged onto this website. I have been trying for all this year! I truly thank my Lord for you, as well as your husband. I could sit here and write a novel on how I have listened to him for 30 years, and my falls and rise to finally be living for my Deliever Jesus the Christ. You will be hearing from me regularly, now that I have overcome technology barriers w/in myself. Strong in Holy Spirit, weak in computer skills! A little history so you won’t think I am totally bonkers! I am a delivered crack addict, alcoholic, 26 years of cigarettes, not to mention the deliverance of spirits of profanity, adultery, fornication, depression, loneliness, suicide. Am now secretary for my church, volunteer at my local elementary school (trying to plant early seeds!), but sub whenever they need for me to, and still live in my demon-infested neighborhood until He sees purpose for me to move. Otherwise, there is much work to be done there for Him, and His actions/work done in me speak louder than any words I could possibly ever say there! I log on to your blog every day, sometimes twice, and laugh and cry along w/ you, I enjoyed your cruise, and hope to see Russ perform personally one day, though at least one of his songs helps me thru every day! I luuuuuuuv the Jesus in you, and luv hearing your comments. You literally have me laughing out loud on days when I came to you w/ tears. Other days, you have me crying out of appreciation and gratefulness when I might have come in w/ giddy giggles. This will be the beginning of a great communication. I am very proud of myself for fianlly following directions enough, and overcoming the enemy’s blockade, to get this all down to you. Am looking forward to reading more from you, and hearing from you. email – jeparker63@gmail.com
Thanks for letting God use you as He has done. Your ministry here has helped me many times, and I have passed on alot of your views to others, and well as tears and smiles. That sleep-walking dog had me laughing out loud, as well! I still bust right out laughing every time I see it! God does funny things, and has a GREAT sense of humor! In His love and
PEACE

By: Rutland95

Rutland95 — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:11:32 +0000

Just one more thing…when I saw the pictures with your mom and dad at the Gaither concert, I thought, “Now those are the kind of people the world needs more of! So your comments you made about your mom AND dad gave pictures to me in my mind. I truly believe the world is a better place with people such as your parents living in it! Thanks again for your time, Tori.

Blessings – Melanie
http://www.melanierutland.blogspot.com

By: Rutland95

Rutland95 — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:04:23 +0000

Tori –

What a pleasant surprise in finding your comments on my blog. I’m glad to finally “meet you” as well. I’m loving that you enjoyed pictures of my family. Keep coming back to visit. Hope to talk to you again soon.

P.S. How did you find out about my music? I didn’t know that site was linked to mine. Singing is my PASSION!!

Blessings – Melanie Rutland

By: Barbara M. Lloyd

Barbara M. Lloyd — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 01:13:33 +0000

As one of your “older” readers, Tori, I must tell you how impressed I have been with your younger readers. They are sensative, bright, and stepping-up-to-the-front-of-the-line people. All I can say is “Yes, Virginia, there is hope for America.”

By: Rutland95

Rutland95 — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:03:13 +0000

Tori –

I have been a faithful reader of your blog for over a year now, but have never posted a comment until now. I wanted to introduce myself and let you know how much I enjoy reading your blog. I stumbled across your blog while searching for a website for your husband. He just so happened to mention that you had written a “masterpiece” on your blog and encouraged us to visit. From then until now I have been an avid fan. I have a blog of my own and have linked your blog as one of my recommended blogs to visit.

I am encouraged that there are “christians” out there that have a more “open-minded” view of life and I feel “safe” when I read your thoughts. I feel like someone else out there “gets it”. It is true of this crazy blog world that there is some type of strange connection with people whom you’ve never met (but hope to one day).

I’ve enjoyed so much reading about your life and thoughts and especially this new phase of life with Maddie. Exciting times for the Taff family for certain. If you have a moment, feel free to check out my blog and comment as well. I look forward to being a “blog buddy” with you and hope to meet you somewhere down the road.

Many Blessings – Melanie
http://www.melanierutland.blogspot.com

By: tori

tori — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:57:28 +0000

jonny, you add so much to this blog– don’t ever go away!

I know exactly what you mean. When I read this post about bringing things to the parents who have babies in the NICU, one of my first thoughts was “Why didn’t I ever once think about doing something like that?” I have often THOUGHT about how hard it would be to have a baby in the hospital, and I have even maybe said a quick prayer for those families, but the simple act of putting feet to those prayers– or in this case, putting toothpaste, lotion, hospital parking pass (how great is that?!) and submarine sandwiches to those prayers– never occurred to me!

But it sure has now.

By: jonny

jonny — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:03:06 +0000

I hope this isn’t too harsh, it’s definately written in copious amounts of love, humility. I can not help but notice how in my limited perspective of things, God seems to use those some would often least suspect to do things that in truth often could, possibly even should, shame, maybe even rebuke, humble and then hopefully encourage us. Not trying to preach, just something I’ve had my eye on for awhile. I can’t remember how much of this I’ve written before, but basically every Monday night, going on two years now, I’ve been organizing and hosting a singer/song-writer type club in one Helsinki live music venue. The hosting thing happened by default, not something I’ve done before, or planned to do. This Monday night thing is also an extension of my House of Love happenings I’ve been organizing over 10 years now at other Helsinki venues. The House of Love name was not the original title either, but that’s another story. Well, at the end of one of the 1st evenings I hosted I basicaly pleaded with the audience at the end of the evening, for various reasons, that if we would, could we please try to find new and effective ways to help, encourage, support, respect, basicaly love each other. OK, I’m using the word “basicaly” a lot. I’m not gifted with Tori’s vocabulary = ) Anyway, last Monday I shared some about the truly devasting news of Maddie’s passing, then let those there know of this new way, that even got the amazing media attention, that people were showing their love through these donations to the March of Dimes in Maddie’s name. Also other things people were doing to show their caring love and support in very real, tangible ways in this tragic situation. I’ll definetly have to share about this follow up as well next week! Many aspects of this latest blog have brought a few more tears to my eyes and yet more aching little grips upon my heart as well. Again, another sharing thing and truly not meant to be a preaching thing, I began discovering a few years ago that one could possibly exist without love, but one can not live without it. To put something the apostle Paul wrote in possibly a truer context, “pursue love as if your life depended on it, because it does”. To anyone who’s done so, thanks for reading all this. Peace!

By: LindaB

LindaB — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:16:50 +0000

Ya know, I have to wonder, after reading these two ladies’ accounts of their “purple” day at the hospital NICU, for two people who say they “aren’t particularly religious”, do they know they are demonstrating the heart of God? And they were His Hands and Feet that day? I hope God blesses them real good!

By: Barbara M. Lloyd

Barbara M. Lloyd — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:55:47 +0000

Oh dear, I just went back and read a couple of your writings, Tori, that I had missed…and the Los Angeles Times wrote a beautiful story on this family tragedy and the sweet souls who ministered to the family. So, I am happy to admit that, in this case, I was wrong about the news media. (I understand that confession is good for the soul)

By: Barbara M. Lloyd

Barbara M. Lloyd — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:43:05 +0000

Knowing these sweet angels didn’t want any publicity…still, I have to ask: How come the news media are quick to bring us stories about the mean spirited and criminal…but slow to talk about people like those precious ladies who made our hearts smile?

By: LindaB

LindaB — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:12:37 +0000

Absolutely brilliant! And achingly sweet. I can’t quit crying now.

By: Busymom

Busymom — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:38:10 +0000

That. Is. Brilliant.