Enjoying a birthday chocolate strawberry

Having fun at Disneyland.

Birthday flowers

Just had to share the beautiful flowers that my hubby gave me as a
"just because" / early birthday gift. So pretty!

Uncle Ron's birthday

We are spending the afternoon celebrating my great uncle Ron's birthday. Here he is with 3 of his sons (my dad's cousins).

A special time of remembrance

This weekend we celebrated Timmy's life and his graduation into Jesus' presence. Marshall and I agreed that the day went just like it should have: it honored Timmy and the Savior who created him. Be sure to check out the photo gallery to view, post, or download pictures.

We started the day at the funeral home, where we got some time first as a family and then with a small group of friends. It was a special time to be together and to cry together. Outside of the room was a beautiful portrait of Timmy. It was a black & white picture that our friend Dayna had taken and then hand painted in color. Along with that picture, there were also some blue and white balloons at the entrance. On either side of Timmy's casket there were picture boards of Timmy's life. We enjoyed looking at them and remembering the times when Timmy was stronger and we enjoyed his bright smile and cheerful laughter. There were also some brightly colored butterfly balloons on each side of Timmy's casket. These were there because Timmy loved shiny balloons, and to remind us that Timmy has broken out of his (human body) cocoon and has been made new in Jesus' presence.

After the funeral home, we went to the church and enjoyed a beautiful service together. Pastor Mark Brown led the service. It started off with a slideshow using Plumb's song "God Will Take Care of You." That album was something Timmy needed in order to sleep for a long time, and we just couldn't have a service of remembrance without playing something from it. After Mark prayed, he and two other dear friends did an excellent job sharing about Timmy's life and some of the stories from the times that they had spent with him. Our friend Kathie spoke to represent our times in Idaho, when Timmy still was mostly healthy. My favorite Kathie story was when we had requested prayer for Timmy and they were looking for a volunteer to pray - and she was SO quick to volunteer for that job. It was fabulous. Then our friend Lauri spoke to represent our times in California. She played a special role in Timmy's life as his unofficial nurse and helper. Then we enjoyed a beautiful slide show of pictures of Timmy using a song called "Who's My Pretty Baby" by Elizabeth Mitchell.

Then Mark gave a beautiful message based on Philippians 3:20-21.

To conclude, Marshall's dad read Romans 8:18-27.

We finished up the service with one more slideshow, using the music from Brooke Fraser's "C.S. Lewis Song":

If I find in myself desires

nothing in this world can satisfy
I can only conclude

that I was not made for here
If the flesh that I fight is at best
only light and momentary
then of course I'll feel nude
when to where I'm destined
 I'm compared

CHORUS:
Speak to me in the light of the dawn
Mercy comes with the morning
I will sigh 
and with all creation groan

as I wait for hope to come for me

Am I lost or just less found?

On the straight or on the roundabout
of the wrong way?
Is this a soul that stirs in me

is it breaking free

wanting to come alive?
'Cause my comfort would prefer

for me to be numb
And avoid the impending birth

of who I was born to become

CHORUS

For we are not long here
Our time is but a breath

So we better breathe it

And I was made to live

I was made to love

I was made to know you

Hope is coming for me
Hope...He's coming

CHORUS

Following the service, the ladies at the church provided finger foods for a very nice reception. It was great to get to spend a little time with everyone and celebrate Timmy's life together. At the very end, we decided to release the balloons together. It was just beautiful to watch them fly away and think that Timmy is now free from the body that was getting so heavy for him to carry.

So now as our families have all gone home and we look toward an uncertain future, may Timmy's life remind us of the One who made us and cares for us and who loves Timmy even more than we do.

Timmy's Story

Timothy Joseph Elfstrand was born on August 11, 2007 in Caldwell, Idaho.  His first few weeks were challenging because he had such a hard time learning to eat, but for several months after that he appeared to be growing normally.  After we moved to California in February 2008, we noticed several months where there were very few changes in his development, and there were things that he did once but couldn’t repeat.  On June 12, 2008, Timmy became so weak that he could no longer stand.  On June 13 he was diagnosed with Leigh Syndrome, a type of mitochondrial disorder.  Something in his mitochondria (the energy powerhouse of the cells) was broken, which meant that his body could not produce enough energy for brain and muscle function.  Next he lost the strength to eat and was hospitalized for six weeks.  After he got home, our family had five months together to enjoy our sweet boy. We love him dearly and miss him so very much, but we rejoice that he is in the presence of the Lord and has all the energy he needs.

For more information about mitochondrial disease, see The United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation or The Mitochondrial Disease Action Committee.

Timmy's iTunes Music List

In Timmy's honor, I made a mix of songs. They are not in any particular order. They include some of the songs that Timmy liked, as well as songs that different people mentioned on the blog that were a special comfort to them in times of sorrow. I hope that you enjoy them. (To see the whole list, click on "Timothy Elfstrand's iMix", and it will open up the list in iTunes if you have it installed. If you don't have it installed, you can click here to install it.)

Timmy's Memorial Fund

Greetings,

 

I am Josi Kenline, a sister in Christ who has been working with the Elfstrands to establish a memorial fund.  The fund is with their bank, US Bank. 

 

Please make the Non-Tax-Deductable Donation Payable To:
The Timothy J. Elfstrand Memorial Fund

 

Mail to:  US Bank

             The Timothy J. Elfstrand Memorial Fund

             2385 Esplanade

             Chico, CA  95926

Timmy's Memorial Service

Timmy's memorial service will take place at Trinity Church in Redlands, California at 1 PM on Saturday, January 17, 2009.

  Trinity Evangelical Free Church
  1551 Reservoir Rd.
  Redlands, CA 92374
  909-335-7333

In lieu of flowers please contribute to Timmy's Memorial Fund.  Information regarding Timmy's Fund will be posted soon.

Thank you,
Martha I. Daggett

Elfstrands house cleaning

For those of you who are coming to help get the house ready on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 please come anytime after 11:30 am.  Thank you

Martha "Marrrta"

Meals for Lara and Marshall

If you are wanting to provide meals for the Elfstrands please contact Debbie Pierce.

Thank you,

Martha I. Daggett

For those who are asking...

We will post Timmy's memorial information to the blog as soon as we
know it, but if you need additional information or if you would like
to help in some way, please feel free to contact: Martha Daggett or Lauri Ficke. Thanks!!

A peaceful farewell

Timmy went home to be with Jesus today.

In the last few weeks and especially the last few days, Timmy grew more and more tired. Yesterday he slept through almost the whole day and night. This morning he was awake for about an hour before he fell asleep in tummy time. He slept for about another hour.

Then at about 10:30 AM, I looked over at him from the kitchen and realized that he had stopped breathing. I thought that we had lost him, but after I picked him up and held him he started to gasp for breath. After that, every breath became a struggle. It seemed that all of his energy was being used just for breathing.

He stayed with us for several hours. Marshall and I took turns holding him. Timmy's two favorite nurses came to help us decide the best way to keep him comfortable. He passed into the presence of our Lord at around 3 PM today. We praise the Lord that he died peacefully at home in our arms, surrounded by people who loved him. We will post information about funeral arrangements as we know them.

Thank you to everyone who has loved Timmy, prayed for us, and helped us in so many ways. We are so grateful that Timmy had such a wealth of love surrounding him. Although we will miss him terribly, we know that he will be happy and strong now, in a way he couldn't be on this Earth.

Timothy Joseph Elfstrand
August 11, 2007 - January 10, 2009

Small earthquake

Just in case anyone's seen the news, yes, we did feel a small earthquake just before 8 pm. It was apparently a 4.5, over in San Bernardino. We are all fine, and nothing fell or was damaged or anything.  It needs to be a bit stronger than that to be interesting.

:-)

Playing in the ball pit

Timmy got to play in the ball pit today for occupational therapy. Fun!

Scootin' & snoozin'

Sweet dreams

I was sitting at the computer tonight when I heard noise coming from Timmy's room. When I went to investigate, I found that he was laughing in his sleep! I had to join in! If only I knew what he was dreaming about!

Petting a goat

Timmy with the LA Zoo lion

Celebrating the new year at the zoo.