Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Unexpected Visitors

We had visitors the other night. 

They are not the kind of visitors you really want to have. 


They didn't bring a gift. 
They brought bad news and pain.


Our beloved first born son had taken his final drive. 

Elijah went home to be with the LORD at about 12:30 am July 28

He is not yet 18. He just graduated. 



You all know that my faith is my life. 
And my family and I will continue to walk in that light.
 God is good because of who He is. Not because of what he does. 
I do not understand this plan or like it. . .Our lives are forever changed.


But I will walk hand in hand with God through this. 
This was the sunrise on July 28, 2013.
This is the masterpiece that only God can create.

We will bring glory to his name. 

He is no stranger to pain and the loss of a son. 

Please remember us in your prayers.


Please know that we grieve with you all.
 I will stand on this song as long as I live.
 I will miss my babe playing the drums on this song. . . 




Elijah Todd Davis , 17,  unexpectedly went home to be with his Lord and Savior early Sunday morning July, 28, 2013.  Born on September 2, 1995, Elijah was a strong and loving young man.  He was passionate about life and all he did. He had just graduated from Mount Mansfield Union High School in June.

            God gifted Elijah with a great musical ability.  He was an amazing drummer and loved to play in church.  He adored and tormented his high school band director Mary Bauer and still received the Mount Mansfield Union High School’s Music Department Award at his honors night. Elijah was an active leader in his church Youth Group at Jericho Congregational Church spending many hours singing, worshiping and playing his beloved drums.  He was a gifted speaker and this was evident during his senior testimony at church.

            Elijah began playing lacrosse in the 5th grade and continued throughout high school.  He loved the sport and considered his team part of his family.  Elijah also loved the challenging demands in wrestling and was a part of the team for 2 years.  This experience helped him get and stay in physical shape. Being in top shape was important to Elijah.  He was proud to have enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was scheduled to head to boot camp, at Parris Island on September 2, his 18th birthday.

            Elijah is survived by his loving parents Gary and Tammy Davis. His siblings; Chelsea (Davis) and Adam Brittain of Biddeford, Maine, Clarissa, Cedric, Christiana, and Eleanor.  He was predeceased by his pateral grandparents, Clayton and Shirley Davis of Jericho and maternal grandmother Lynne C. Searle of MA. He leaves many aunts, uncles, and cousins.   Elijah also leaves his beloved girlfriend Crystal Lanpher and friend Thomas Meyer: as well as his many other dear friends.
            Visiting hours will be at the family home at in Jericho, Vermont on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 from 3:00 – 6:00 pm.  Funeral services will be on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at 10:00 am at Jericho Congregational Church on the green in Jericho Center, Vermont. Burial will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery immediately following the service.   In lieu of flowers the family requests  donations be made to the Elijah Davis Memorial Fund c/o Merchants Bank, P.O. Box 369, Jericho, Vermont.  



Ah, Lord, you tell us in your word :
Psalm 90, there it is: v. 12 "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." 

The time is now. If you do not know the loving grace of our lord. Don't waste another moment. Cry out to him. He will meet you where ever you are. No matter how messy your life is. He IS there. 
Elijah Todd, I don't know why God called you home so early. I can only stand on what I do know.

Jeremiah 29:11 
For I know the plans I have for you declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future. 

15 comments:

  1. How kind of you to share these photos, words and scriptures! I am praying for you all! Love, Martha

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  2. Tammy and Family: I was taken away by the news of the loss of your son. I cannot imagine what you and your family are going through, but I would like you to know that you are in my thoughts. This is something no parent should ever have to endure. I have 15 year old twin girls and every day, every moment is truly a gift. Please accept my sympathy. Your faith will get you through this. You certainly have been tested these past months.

    Take care of you. Miss you.

    Jodie Hastings Federowicz

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  3. May the God of all goodness and grace pour out His peace upon you all and comfort you with a strong sense of His presence as you make your difficult journey through this devastating grief.

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  4. Tammy and family,

    Thank you for being beautiful witnesses to faith even in the midst of the most powerful sorrow. We love you all and are praying for God's mercy and grace to envelope you.

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  5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAo2zdRbXic

    "This is what it means to be held
    How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
    And you survive

    This is what it is to be loved and to know
    That The Promise was that when everything fell
    We'd be held"

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    Replies
    1. I love this song. We played your hands at his funeral. . .

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  6. Tammy, Gary and Family....

    I don't know what words to put down that might help to ease your pain even a little in this time of sorrow and grief. We wish we could be there to give you hugs and comfort in person, but unfortunately are not going to be able to.

    We send our Love and Prayers to all of you,
    Barb, Jim & Christina Karl

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  7. Dear Davis Family,

    We are keeping you in our prayers. Your faith is inspirational and may your faith in God continue to comfort you and give you strength.

    Love,
    Michael Csele and Maria Rinaldi

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  8. The photo of the sunrise-- I can see a perfectly shaped heart in that new beginning. I suppose God is clearly showing His sovereignty in that sunrise... His beauty and grace are always there, even in the toughest of times. Praying for blessings and comfort for you all.

    All of my love,
    Sarah McChicken

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  9. Dear Tammy and Gary and family, Our hearts are praying for yours. Our Youth Group and church at West Rockport Maine are also praying. What blessing that you can find refuge in God - He is our rock and fortress - especially in the midst of such pain.

    Clarissa, I know the pain of losing a big brother. Thurs Aug 1 is the 19th year since mine died in a like accident - only he was cutting down a tree, 12:30 pm. My parent's had visitors here in Maine. I had visitors in VT -Ed and Ilene arrived just as I learned the news. I pray for your sister heart. May you know God's gentle touch and also his firm grip that never lets you go, even when you can't hold on. He holds on tightly to his children, never letting them fall. Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God.

    Praying for each of you. The Maine Chases - Greg and Cheryl and Girls

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  10. Tammy and Gary,

    Susan, Jennifer, Abigail and I all grieve with you. Thank you for showing your faith and perseverance during this difficult time.
    Your faith is a gift to all of us.

    Kind regards,

    John and Susan Kent. Palo Alto CA
    Abby Kent. Bozeman, Mt
    Jennifer Kent Pocatello ID

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  11. Sending much love and light to you on the loss of your beautiful son, who clearly has been the light of your lives. He and my son share a September 2nd birthday. Your loss brings home to our hearts how blessed we are each day, for we know not what tomorrow will bring, though we know who will bring us through whatever comes.

    With prayers for your comfort in this difficult time.

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  12. Thank you for sharing. I didn't know your son but feel I do with all the love....My heart goes out to your family....Treasure your wonderful memories....

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  13. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. May God Bless and keep Elijah, and may He help you all through this difficult time.

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  14. He leaves many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Elijah also leaves his beloved girlfriend Crystal Lanpher and friend Thomas Meyer: as well as his many other dear friends.
    visitors

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