Josiah started having stomach pains on Monday and we assumed that he had a flu that had been running through our house. However, it seemed to be affecting Josiah worse than anyone else. On Tuesday afternoon he was still having a lot of pain in his belly and throwing up. We took him to the doctor that afternoon. The doctor naturally thought that he had a 3 day flu that has been going around in our area. Tuesday evening Josiah was still in pain and throwing up despite the anti-nausea medicine that the doctor had given. On Wednesday morning we were getting ready to take him to the doctor again when he very suddenly just stopped breathing. By the time the ambulance came he was already gone.
It was determined after the fact that Josiah had a congenital defect known as Meckel's diverticulum. Josiah had a complication as a result of this condition that involved a blockage of the small intenstine. The complication was probably the result of a viral infection.
Our family is deeply shocked by this loss, but we know that God has some good purpose in mind. We are comforted knowing that Josiah is with Jesus who is our only hope. We miss Josiah intensley, but it is mixed with the absolute hope that though he cannot come to us now, we will one day go to him.
We will be communicating plans for the memorial service in the near future. Thank you for all of the support we have recieved.
79 comments:
Sims Family,
I'm so sorry for your loss. I'll be praying for you all during this time.
Yvonne
(a long time reader, first time commenter)
I cannot imagine the shock and grief you and your family are experiencing now. I am a co-worker of Ian's and was saddened deeply by the news of your loss. Please know that you are all in my prayers.
I am so very sorry for your loss. I cried when I read it. May the great Comforter comfort you and your family during this difficult time.
Laura and family, I am so sorry to hear that one of your precious little ones is no longer with you. I know that God does have a plan for our lives and even though this may be hard to understand and experience it is part of the great plan. He needed to be with your family for a time and now he is back with them in heaven. And like you said so faithfully, you will be back with him one day together again. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers...and even tears. :) God bless you at this Christmas time.
I have followed your blog for many years and have never left a comment before. Totally in shock to read about your child passing...My oldest son also had Meckels and had three episodes of "being sick" before the doctors decided to open him up and see what was going on. This was about 8 years ago and praise God he has not had any problems since. My doctor had told me this probably occured when I was 6 weeks pregnant with him, when the unbilical cord did not exactly line up and a pocket is formed hence the name Meckels.
Just so so so sorry to hear about this tragic loss for your beautiful family.
Mandy K in Pennsylvania
My heart is breaking for you. May God wrap His loving arms around your family and grant you peace during this difficult time. Lifting you up in prayer!
Saw this yesterday on facebook and have been heart-sick for your family. Praying for you all!
Laura, so sorry to hear about your sweet Josiah and the loss of his life so suddenly. I was shocked to get the information and still can't believe it so I can only imagine the loss you and the entire family are feeling. I will miss seeing his happy smile in the Cubbie room. Prayers for strength from the Lord to see you through this difficult time.
What a fabulous smile and those beautiful blue Sims eyes! Such a joy-filled little boy!! My heart is aching for you all and you remain in my constant thoughts and prayers. I love you, friend! I long for the day when we can spend eternity with Joe and Jesus.
We are praying for you and your family Laura that you will feel God holding you in His loving embrace during this difficult time. So thankful that you can hold on to the hope that you will see Josiah again one day. HUGS. Rosalie
Sims Family - you are in my thoughts and prayers. I worked with Ian and always loved hearing stories about your family. I am so sorry for your loss.
It's a powerful hope that we have in Jesus! It's through this hope that I can picture Josiah snuggled in the arms ofJesus. He's safe and so very loved. We are lifting you up daily in prayer so that you know Him even more as the Prince of Peace. Love you guys, all of us Dossetts,
Laura, I have read your blog for years...ever since we were on Homeschoolblogger together. I am so terrible about commenting. I wanted to let you know that I am SO sorry for your loss and will be praying for you in the days/weeks/months to come. What a beautiful name Josiah had, and what an amazing family God graced him to be a part of. He will sustain you all through this. Praying, praying, praying for all of you!
I am a friend of Angel Grunden. Your family is in my prayers.
Oh, Laura.. ~tears~
My heart is breaking for you and your family. You are in my prayers.
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts are with you and know that every parent who reads this grieves with you.
I'm a friend of "EEEEMommy's" and followed the link she posted on FB. I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. What a beautiful little boy and amazing name. I'm praying for your family.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers are with you.
Blessings,
Dawn
I learned about Josiah through three mutual friends that we have in common. I am a mom of four young children and I was deeply saddened to hear of his loss. Please know that many prayers are going out to your family during this difficult time. May God wrap his arms around each of you and provide you with his peace. *Hugs* - Melanie Schaafsma
I am so sorry for your unimaginable loss. I am praying for God's comfort, peace and strength for you and your family. What great hope we have in Him.
In Him,
Christine Oliver (Marsha Drew's sister)
Laura & family...my heart breaks for you and your family during this extremely difficult time. May you continue to be blessed with Gods peace and comfort and know that you now have a special angel watching over you all. I know you are a woman of great faith!
Crying tears for you Laura! May God keep you during this difficult time.
Ian and family, my heart is breaking for you. I am so very sorry for your loss and will be praying for your entire family.
Saddened by your loss. Prayers for strength for you and your beautiful family.
So sorry for your loss - praying for you. Thankful you know the truth and can take comfort in Jesus and that your sweet little one is with him.
I know that you and I dont know each other, but at one time I knew Ian and Kathline very well. I am very sorry for your loss and I hope that the text, emails, phone calls and the messages that you have recieved are inspiration to you and help you mend your broken heart. Just always remember that Kathline and Gods arms will always be there for your little boy. My deepest condolenses from me and my mother Maria.
so very, very sorry for this unimaginable loss... may God comfort you and your family, and wrap you in the warmth of wonderful memories spent with josiah.
Dear Laura,
Thanks for updating the medical news about Josiah. I am so sorry. I can't imagine the whole left in your family. I am praying. God does bring comfort. Matt talked Jonathan he said they'd be on their way today and can stay indefinitely. That is a blessing. I hope you don't try to keep it together. As mom's we're aware of when each of our Children are struggling. At this point just hug them. Take time to grieve...a long time. God bless you as carry this other little one and seek to be a willing vessel. I love you and miss. You're family has been adding to Calvary's pray chain. It's a blessing to see the outpouring of love and prayers for your family. You have truly reached out and been a blessing to many. I'd like to call and visit at some point after the new baby comes. Susi Lundquist
I don't know you, but my mom gave me a link to this, as I am a Mechel's Diverticulum survivor. My symptoms were similar to your son's, and I had emergency surgery for it 20 years ago at age 5...why God chose to take your son and not me, I don't know. Praying for you
Oh, dear God-I am so sorry. I can't imagine the pain from losing your precious boy. I will be praying for your family during this difficult time.
Sincerly,
Holly
Our hearts and prayers are with you right now. We love your sweet family and know that you can be with him again someday. But wish you didn't have to wait and wait and wait. I hope that the peace of our Savior can be with you this Christmas.
I'm a friend of Michelle Tymm, and I'm so sorry for your loss. We are lifting you up in prayer, praying that your family is completely enfolded in God's love and His perfect peace that transcends all understanding.
I am so sorry, hun! Your family will be in our prayers. May God give you all His strength, His peace, His grace, and keep you in His presence.
Dear Duckygirl,
I am so sorry for your loss. So sudden and unexpected. I'll pray for your family.
I know a lady from Korea who had ten children. She lost contact with several of them during the Korean War. (We assume they're somewhere in N. Korea.) People would often tell her that it didn't matter, because she still had other children. She said, "You may have ten finger, but when you lose one, you still morn and feel the loss."
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. I am praying for you and your family.
Your family has touched many hearts- those of your RL friends, and those who have met you online, like myself. It has always been a joy to hear how much you love your children and how much fun you have together as a family. At this time, my heart is so very sad for you in the passing of sweet Josiah, and I am praying that you will experience a peace that seems unattainable and is only from your Heavenly Father. Much love to you and prayers.
Praying that the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
Love and prayers surrounding your dear family at this most difficult time...
Laura,
We met briefly a few weeks ago at Awana. I just wanted to say that we are praying for you in this time of sorrow.
Kirsten Hany
Sims Family,
I know not what you are going through, nor can I pretend that I do.
Yet, I will be praying for you and that you can feel His comfort more than you ever have before.
Sending up hugs and love and everything that you may need.
So saddened by this news... Praying that God strengthens your family, and that as you experience His healing and comfort, you would be an even greater testimony (than you already are) of His love and power.
--Stephanie (I used to work with Ian)
Dear Laura and Ian,
Ken and I were shocked of the news! We couldn't believe it! We are deeply saddened and our hearts are aching with you. We both had a hard time holing it together today at work. You and Ian and your kids are in our thoughts and definitely in our prayers. Let us know if you need anything at all. We are here for you. Love, Ken and Julie
Laura, I still really am in a state of shock even though we have never meet I feel like you are a sister in Christ and one day we will meet in Heaven. I have been praying for your dear family alot and to know that one day you will meet your sweet blue eyed, blond hair Josiah again is such a comfort. The comforting thought to know that his Heavenly Father is with him right now must seem so surreal. To know that Jesus loves that baby even more than we can ever imagine, may it give a peace to your family. Even just getting up this morning I prayed and thought I bet they think this is just a bad dream and not real. I really wish there was something I could do even though I live in PA, I wish I could help you guys in some way other then praying.
May you feel the Lord carrying the whole Sims family through this experience.
Hugs,
Richelle
We are praying for you!
We're brokenhearted by this dreadful news and find it hard to imagine life without Josiah. We love you dearly, and look forward to seeing you when we get home. Our hearts are mourning with you, and praying for all the kiddos.
Oh Laura, devastated for you... crying with you... praying for you...
You are right. We can go to them. God has a divine plan and purpose, even if we don't know this side of Heaven. Our tears our not wasted and our mighty Creator can be trusted. He will walk with y'all through this dark valley... and you have many friends lifting you and your family up in prayer. When we don't even have the words to pray, God hears our heart's cry. He hears you, He weeps with you, He loves you!
Much love,
Marsha
Laura,
I'm am so so sorry at the loss you and your family have experienced. I don't know you personally, but we have a mutual friend who told me about Josiah. We live near Towanda and heard sirons Wednesday morning. As we always do, we began praying for whatever family those sirons were for. We will continue to pray.
So very sorry for your loss and pain. Will keep y'all in my prayers and I hope you will be comforted in this hard time!
Lifting prayers for your family. May God's peace surround you. Praise Him that one day you will be reunited with your Josiah.
Michelle
WOW...I am stunned by your loss--I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.
I am so very very sorry for your lost. Will be lifting you and your family up in prayer.
Christy
(Fellow Christian Homeschooling mom)
Found out about this tragedy through Facebook. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time.
May God surround you with the peace and comfort that can only come from Him.
The Smallwood's in West Virginia
I'm so sorry.... Praying the Lord will comfort you all in a very special way during this time of deep grief and loss.
You don't know me, but are my sister in the Lord. Just want you to know that one more set of eyes is crying with you...If I don't meet you on this side, maybe one day I can meet both you and Josiah in the Kingdom of Heaven and give you both hugs and congratulations for being together again.
I am so sorry for your loss. I absolutely adored having Josiah on my Cubbie line last year.
I loved how excited he was to see you when you picked him up at the end. I would see you in line and say "Josiah I see someone you know.." He would smile so big and get ready to run out the door. And how he always wanted to sit next to Abram during story time. His face would light up when he saw his family.
I will never forget his shy sweet smile. You are an amazing family. And Laura you are such a wonderful mother. Someone I watch and learn from.
My dear friend Marsha posted this on Facebook. I am so sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in the One who knows best. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
I am so very sorry for the loss of your precious little boy. I will be praying for your family.
I'm so sorry, Laura. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. May you feel the peace that comes from taking refuge in our everlasting God and Father who knows and loves each of you.
Dear Laura and family,
Thinking about you here on Vashon with tears and prayers.
Love, Jill B.
Lifting your family in prayer.
Thank you for sharing your faith during this time. Love and prayers are sent from West Virginia for your family.
Kate
Oh Laura;
I am so very sorry. Praying for you and your dear Knight. May His love flood over you as you press into His love for all of you.
I will be praying for you sweet friend.
((hug))
Kimmie
"...weep with them that weep." Romans 12:15
I'm so sorry that your family is enduring this loss.
I just do not have the words as the tears fall, but I am weeping with you and will be in prayer.
praying...
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Praying for your family.
Laura, Ian, and family,
I have searched for words... though they have not been found, I continually lift you up to the Throne where there is peace, healing, and comfort. May our precious Lord carry you all through this difficult time. Wishing I could be near to give you all a hug but ask God to hold you tight for me. Love you, Aunt Pam.
Sending prayers and hugs across the 'pond' from England. May you know the peace that passes all understanding at this terrible time.
I am so sorry for your loss. My family will be praying for you. I have truely enjoyed your blog for over a year. It has helped me so much.
Laura and family,
I am so so sorry to hear the news of Josiah. My heart aches for you...can't even begin to imagine that pain you must be feeling. May you feel comfort in these days to come knowing your precious son is in the arms of Jesus.
I am not sure if you remember who I am or not....but I have met you in MOMS group before. I was a line leader last year at Awanas and Josiah was in a line over from mine. I remember his sweetness....he was such a sweet smiley little boy. :) My hubby also knows him from Awanas. Please know we are praying for you and your family.
God bless-
Heidi & Lance McGowan
Laura and Ian and family,
I just saw what happened, and can't imagine what you are going through. We will be praying for God's peace and comfort for your family!!!!
God Bless your family,
Tonya & Bryan Schulz
I am praying for your family.
To the Sims Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I cried when I read this post. i'm a new reader to your blog i cannot imagine the shock and grief you and your family are experiencing now please know that you are all in my prayers.
God bless you all!
Laura,
Oh, I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your sweet boy. May God bring you such comfort in your sorrow. I am so thankful that he is in heaven-- what a wonderful hope and joy, and Josiah's true home, but oh, how *your* home must feel so empty without him. Praying for all of you during this time...
~Stacy
Prayers and love sent your way. I have not lost a child but 2 1/2 years ago I my 16 yr old kid brother was killed suddenly in an auto accident and I know just a little of the shock and loss that I know you must be feeling now.
Your absence has gone through me
Like thread through a needle.
Everything I do is stitched with its color.
—W. S. Merwin, b. 1927
I am praying for peace for each of you during these long blurry days.
Praying for you and your family right now.
I am so, so sorry for the loss of your beautiful son. Last March, we nearly lost our son to the same thing, though his was caused by complications due to imperforate anus.
I am so sorry.
I'm so sorry, Laura. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. May you feel the peace that comes from taking refuge in our everlasting God and Father who knows and loves each of you.
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