Open thread for messages to David, Judith and the Mcbabies
Hey everybody, this is the McNeely’s friend Stephen Davis. Some of you probably know me. I helped David and Judith with getting the site up and help out here and there. Forgive me the intrusion.
I know they are both too occupied to write anything at all right now, so I just wanted to put up a post where any of their friends could leave messages and comments for them to see. I know that many of you want to reach out to them right now and let them know how much you care. So if you want to let them know how you’re praying for them or offer them some encouragement or a verse for them to read later, leave it in the comments for them.
I’m going to see David and Mrs. Smyth this afternoon at the DC airport for a few hours on their way to Ethiopia to pick up Sawyer and Wyatt. In the off chance anyone leaves messages today before 6 p.m., I’ll be glad to deliver any messages to David before he leaves, and maybe bring back a quick update from David on his way to Ethiopia this afternoon.
Anything left during the week I’ll get to him on his way back.
Thanks for letting me drop in. Leave messages in the comments.
Comments
David-
We are praying for your trip and God’s guidance throughout every small detail. It is so exciting to see all that has happened in and through your family. Much love to Judith as well!
Jaillene (Erickson) Hunter
David and Judith- Just wanted to let you know we are praying for you as you grieve the loss of your little girl and as you rejoice in the addition of your two new sons. God bless-
David and Judith,
I was heartbroken when my sister told me the news of your loss. If there is anything any of us can do, please let us know. Until then, we will continue to pray for strength, encouragement, and hope in our God who is the same yesterday as He is today.
Love,
allie
McNeely’s, I have been broken for you these last days as I think about the emotions you are wading through in your current circumstances. I will be praying in the coming days and weeks as you process your grief and celebrate the arrival of two new little ones. I am hopeful that I will get to see you and give you a hug in person here in the next couple of weeks. Much love to you and the fam!
Dear Friends,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I am praying for peace, strength, and healing, as well as safe travels as you pick up your new babies. Your church family loves you and is here for you.
Love,
Beth
Psalm 34:18
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
My thoughts and prayers have not strayed far from you and your family since news of your recent loss found its way to us. May God richly lift you up and bless you even as you walk through this valley.
love you judith. I won’t call for a while, but I’m here if you need to talk. praying like crazy.
love shea
you guys have been constantly on my mind. i pray for all your babies. i pray for jude’s health. i pray for coping and for david’s safe travel. i’m confused by the turn of events while at the same time confident that God had a purpose for Bradford’s life and look forward to seeing His continued grace work in all our lives because of her. know that i have wanted to call but how could you fit another thing in right now? how could you say one more word about it all? i love you guys.
PSALM 18 –
1 “I love you, O LORD, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn [a] of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
and I am saved from my enemies.
4 The cords of death entangled me;
the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
5 The cords of the grave [b] coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me.
6 In my distress I called to the LORD;
I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came before him, into his ears.
7 The earth trembled and quaked,
and the foundations of the mountains shook;
they trembled because he was angry.
8 Smoke rose from his nostrils;
consuming fire came from his mouth,
burning coals blazed out of it.
9 He parted the heavens and came down;
dark clouds were under his feet.
10 He mounted the cherubim and flew;
he soared on the wings of the wind.
11 He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him—
the dark rain clouds of the sky.
12 Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced,
with hailstones and bolts of lightning.
13 The LORD thundered from heaven;
the voice of the Most High resounded. [c]
14 He shot his arrows and scattered the enemies ,
great bolts of lightning and routed them.
16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he drew me out of deep waters.
17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the LORD was my support.
19 He brought me out into a spacious place;
he rescued me because he delighted in me.
28 You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning;
my God turns my darkness into light.
29 With your help I can advance against a troop [d] ;
with my God I can scale a wall.
30 As for God, his way is perfect;
the word of the LORD is flawless.
He is a shield
for all who take refuge in him.
31 For who is God besides the LORD ?
And who is the Rock except our God?
32 It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect.
33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he enables me to stand on the heights.
34 He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35 YOU GIVE ME YOUR SHIELD OF VICTORY,
YOUR RIGHT HAND SUSTAINS ME;
you stoop down to make me great.
36 You broaden the path beneath me,
so that my ankles do not turn.
37 I pursued my enemies and overtook them;
I did not turn back till they were destroyed.
38 I crushed them so that they could not rise;
they fell beneath my feet.
39 You armed me with strength for battle;
you made my adversaries bow at my feet.
40 You made my enemies turn their backs in flight,
and I destroyed my foes.
46 The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock!
Exalted be God my Savior!
47 He is the God who avenges me,
who subdues nations under me,
48 who saves me from my enemies.
You exalted me above my foes;
from violent men you rescued me.
49 Therefore I will praise you among the nations, O LORD;
I will sing praises to your name.
50 He gives his king great victories;
he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed,
to David and his descendants forever.”
I wrote a comment on the welcome message a few days ago, but not sure they got it so I’ll repost it here….
Hey David and Judith! You may remember me from the old days at Perimeter. I just found this site via Amberly Deavours. I knew you guys had adopted and it was amazing to read the stories of how each of your children joined your family. Adoption is very near and dear to my heart as we adopted our oldest son from Ukraine 3 years ago. You truly have a beautiful family!
God has written such a beautiful story for your family and His glory is so evident in the joys and the sorrows. Amberly also told me about your recent loss and just know that I am grieving deeply with you (I have also had a pregnancy loss after infertility). God’s ways are so hard to understand sometimes, and yet I am trusting in our Father along with you that He is good even in the seemingly chaotic things that happen in our lives.
Praying for you-
Rachel
I have been thinking about your family constantly. The Lord is using your adoption story in such a wonderful way. Please know how much you are loved and lifted up. I can’t wait to see pictures of the new arrivals.
Judith,
Praising God for two beautiful boys coming into your life and praying for the angel He took home. I know that your heart is heavy but no burden is too great for Him. I admire you so much; you are my hero. Know that so many are praying for you and your precious, precious family. Love you. Ashleigh
Sawyer and Wyatt are so precious…thank you, God, for these two gifts from you in your perfect timing…we are all praying for God’s spirit to surround David, Mrs Smyth and these two wonderful boys and bring them safely back home to Judith…Jesus, You are faithful…
Judith & David,
My heart hurts with yours. I’m praying for you guys and crying with you too!
Can’t wait for Wyatt and Sawyer to come home as well.
Love you,
Brittney
I have kept up with your story, and I relate to a lot of it. My husband and I went through years of infertility to find out that I have a bicornuate uterus. It would cause me to have a high risk pregnancy that would probably result in a preterm delivery. I did not feel at peace with the decision to use fertility treatments to cause a high risk pregnancy, so we prayed for God’s direction. We saw very clearly that we were being led to adoption. We adopted our little girl in May…and she will be the first of many children, if God allows. Thank you for making your story available, as it is hard to relate to people unless they have actually been on the journey. My prayers are with you and your precious family!!!
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