Ryan's one year birthday!!!

Hi there, Today is Ryan's one year birthday!! We just wanted to send everyone an update and celebrate this day with all of you who shared on her journey. Today we went to her gravesite and we brought balloons, flowers and some funfetti cookies to celebrate. We placed a candle in one of the cookies and sang her happy birthday. We even took the dogs with us so the whole family was together. :) It was a hard day in some ways because we miss her so much, but it was also a day of celebration that she was born this special day. She was a miracle the day she got here and touched our lives and so many others lives. Ryan truly shifted our lives and our perspective. Through her life we drew closer to God and to one another as well as grew in our dependence and intimacy with God. He loved us so well through her precious life. She awakened our hearts in a new way and expanded our capacity to love and trust God. Since her passing I (Michelle) have quite my job to in a sense reboot my life and make sure I am where God wants me and take time to heal and spend time with Jared. I am also giving writing a go. I am working on writing about this journey with Ryan. Jared is working hard as a fire fighter still and loves it. We are also signed up to go on a mission trip with our church to Mexico in October to work at an orphanage for deaf and blind children. We also are working with a program called the buddy program where we buddy up with a special needs kiddos during church services so their parents can go to church. God has really redirected our lives and we feel so blessed to have gotten the experience we have. To have such a special little girl caused us to pause our lives and redirect them in a way that is both joyous and honors God. She awakened us to live life to the fullest and love deeply everyday. She is to be celebrated and rejoiced! She was and is a miracle and deeply loved forever! Happy Birthday Little!! Love Mom and Dad

The Final....Final Post

Ok I can't end this blog without saying this...if you were at all inspired by Ryan's story, then PLEASE don't miss the true inspiration. That true inspiration is only found in Jesus Christ. He is the only reason we praise God through whatever life may throw our way. We believe Jesus is the only way to God and His death and resurrection made it possible. Salvation is a free gift, all you have to do is repent and turn from your sin and follow Him. It's the only way to live. Once again, if you were inspired by Ryan, it doesn't have to end. Because when you saw the love our family had through the recent trials we faced, who you really saw was Jesus. Jared

Also, new video on YouTube of Ryan.

Final Post

This will be the last time I post any comments to this blog. Thanks again to all of you who were so invested in our family. The support whether through prayer or giving continues to amaze us everyday. I thank God for you all. If there is a need for additional updates of any kind I will use my twitter account: @CliffordJared. God Bless, Jared

Funeral Services

The funeral for Ryan will take place on Friday morning at 10am. Services will be held at Palm Valley Church. Doors will open at 9:30am. I anticipate the services to last about 30 to 45 minutes. After a 30 minute meet and greet we will promptly head to The Church Of Joy where Ryan will be layed to rest. Directions to Palm Valley: take I10 to Litchfied and head south. The church will be on the east side of road before you get to Van Buren. Directions to The Church Joy will be provided at the services. Hope to see you there. Jared

The Lord Gives and the Lord Takes Away

It is with overwhelming sadness that i write today. Ryan Lynn Clifford passed away early this morning. She was only 6 months old. Words can't begin to describe the excruciating pain that Michelle and I both feel. We spent hours at the hospital this morning trying to say goodbye. They basically had to make us go after almost 7 hours of holding her. It's so incredibly hard when you know that this is the last time you will ever hold your baby again. Please pray for us In this extremely difficult time. We will use the blog to provide everyone with updates on funeral arrangements. God Bless, Jared

And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21 ESV)

Flu/RSV Season

Hello everyone. Michelle and I just wanted to let you all know that due to the seriousness of Ryan's condition and the fact that we are still in the middle of cold and flu season, we have been instructed by our pediatrician to be extremely limited on visitors coming to the home. Nothing would make us happier right now than to have friends and family over to see little Ry. But right now it is simply not safe. Thanks so much for understanding. We are so grateful for the overwhelming amount of support! Jared

Update from Home

With the busyness of home life and the fact that Ryan takes pretty much all of our time, I have not been able to update the blog as often as I would like. But I will try my best to at least give weekly updates. Well let me start by saying that being home is much better than living at a hospital with the lack of privacy, frequent travel, and time away from Michelle that came along with it. That being said, being home has been tough. Ryan is doing well but it is a daunting task to take care of her on a daily basis. She requires meds around the clock and maintaining/managing her equipment is an ongoing process. Though we couldn't be more excited and thankful to finally have our baby girl home, it doesn't take away the struggles we face trying to give her the best care possible. Please pray that home nursing care will work out for us. We are looking to have help for just 2 nights a week so that Michelle and I can get out of the house together. We need someone that we can really trust wholeheartedly. We are very picky and do not want to leave Ryan with just anybody. Also pray that Michelle and I will make it a priority to spend time with God and each other. With the stress that comes along with bringing home a sick baby, it's been easy to forget the importance of these things. And of course pray for Ryan as she continues to fight as we travel down this difficult road. Thanks, Jared