Merry Christmas Daryn Renee'

Merry Christmas, Daryn!
I have thought about you so much the last few weeks. Caden has been thinking about you too.
He dragged a girl that was at our house over to a picture and pointed to Daryn and said, "that is you...". I was kind of wondering why he was hanging on this girl, then I realized why.
I am happy that Daryn is on Caden's mind and that he is thinking about her! The next day Caden found a Finding Nemo game for Kaila's Leapster, and he was asking where is the Leapster. I didn't have any clue where it was. Then the next day he asked again, I didn't know. Then cleaning out the toy room trying to clear it out I came across the Leapster, Caden was so excited, but the batteries were dead. So we searched and found some, added them to the Leapster, turned it on and "Daryn W" was right there saved in the game. I just looked at her name and felt Peace and Calm. I just feel like these are little signs, like once again, she is somehow saying, "Remember, I am doing Great, and will see you all face to face soon! It is worth the wait, hang in there".

Never forget, Jesus is the Reason for the celebration of this day. I learned when I was young from my dad, you can't write X-mas, because you are taking Christ out of this day. From that day forward I have never written "X-mas" (until this blog, and it feels wrong to even type it). So from this know that your children are listening to you and do learn things from you, and that Christ is the reason for this wonderful holiday. The greatest gift of all, was God's gift of the birth, life and death of his only son Jesus Christ. What an amazing gift, there has never been, nor will there ever be a gift that can measure even close.
Love your Aunt Mindy

Ornament for Daryn

One of Daryn's friends made this ornament out of clay.

Daryn's Tree

Here are a couple photos of Daryn's Tree in the Middle School. There are some really neat ornaments, many homemade. There is lots of love for Daryn here in the middle school, she is in the hearts of many. I would like to ask you all to remember Daryn's family and pray for them as they still hurt terribly, more than we can imagine, but they also still carry their Faith and Hope so that one day they will experience Joy greater than any of us can imagine.

Tree for Daryn

A tree will be set up and decorated today in the Media Center at the Junior High. Daryn is not physically in this building, but she is truly in the hearts of so many 6th graders. This is a time to be reminded that Daryn was a gift to all of us, and we should be so thankful for her presence in our lives, not long enough.................. without a doubt, but in her short life, she touched so many.

Thanksgiving Daryn Renee' Worpel

Daryn,

I am thankful for the 10 years 5 month 4 days that you were a part of my life. Although you are not physically here, you will still always be an important part of my life. I would do anything to have you be here with us, but will wait patiently for the moment I get to see your beautiful face again! On holidays especially, we face the fact that our family is not whole. Yes , we are broken, but we still have thanks to give and will do so as we patiently await our Savior.

God, please be with Joe and Kim, Colin and Jolee today and every day give them what they need to get through.

Daryn Worpel

Daryn, I am thinking about you a lot today! I wanted to share a bible verse that was your favorite with everyone.

Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct; imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:7

I may not have found that verse on my own, so thank you Daryn for showing me. I can look at my grandparents and parents as those that led me and spoke the word of God to me. I have some people in my life that I can look up to and imitate. I can also use this verse as reason to be a good role model to my children, and all children I come in contact with (which seems to be a whole lot of them, lately). I want to show my children how much God loves them and that the things that are truly important in life are NOT earthly possessions (a great lesson for this time of year, especially). Most of all I want to live a life that is worthy of imitating. This is probably the most difficult thing, because we all have "those days" but the beauty of it is that as the song says, "I'll Take You Back, Always". He will always take us back, no matter who we are or what we have done. Thank you God for your Forgiveness.

I would like to send a special prayer to Daryn and her family, that her family may be filled with the Hope needed to live this life fully until the moment they are face to face with Jesus, and with Daryn by their side.......... and for all of You struggling with Your Faith that you all may surrender to God and live your lives according to His word. AMEN

Daryn, Grandma and Grandpa Worpel, together again!

Daryn was joined with another member of the Worpel family today, my Grandma Worpel.

I know she is safe in the arms of Jesus. Although I am saddened to lose my Grandma I can't help but find comfort in my Grandma no longer suffering in pain and sadness........... and that Daryn gets to be joined by another link to her family.......... one link at a time!

"Fly to Jesus and LIVE"

Come to Jesus ** Daryn Worpel

My Grandma Worpel is soon to join Daryn in Heaven.......... and I don't mean to say it lightly. I know that is where she is going, it is sad, it is exciting and there is no other place she would want to be. "After death" is not an unknown for Grandma, she knows where she is going. After death was not an unknown for Daryn, although she was way too young in our eyes, even Daryn knew where she would go. Grandpa Worpel and Grandma Stephens too, they all knew. Sometimes we all question things too much.

Today is the day to make a decision in your mind and know that Jesus IS the Way , the Truth, the Life, he who believes in Him WILL have eternal life.

It seems so complicated, but that is only because it is so very simple.

My cousin Anna played the piano music to the song below for Daryn's funeral. Later I looked up the song and listened to it with the words and what an awesome song. I brought the song for my Grandma, last night to listen to, all with Daryn in my mind. The first line is so true, "Weak and wounded sinner" we all are this, but unbelievably God still loves us, forgives us, and wants us. Simply Amazing!

Chris Rice - Untitled Hymn (Come To Jesus) Lyrics

Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live!

Now your burden's lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain, so
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live!

And like a newborn baby
Don't be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall...so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live!

Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!

O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can't contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live!

And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!

Can you Imagine? Daryn Worpel

I was looking straight up through the changing Fall trees............ Reds, Oranges, Yellows, and Greens........all set against a perfectly blue sky. It was soooo beautiful. I went to get my camera to capture the moment, the feeling. I took a couple of pictures and was really disappointed because the camera wasn't able to capture the full picture, the full beauty of that moment.

My thought then changed to my belief that God is able to see the full glorious and perfect picture, but we can only see a portion of it. We only "see" what our senses allow us to see, everything else is us relying completely on our Faith. We have to believe in something that we can't see and maybe even at times can't feel. We have to trust in our God that even though we can't see the full perfect picture, that it is still there.

Just like when you look at the above picture, you can't see the whole thing, but you still know/believe/have faith that there is more to it even if you can't see it. When we are presented with the rest of the picture then and only then will we truly and fully "get it". Until that day we rely completely on our Faith.

Sometimes it is hard to do, but I choose to believe in my God above. I, for one, know that Daryn is in the most glorious place any of us could even imagine. There is no pain, there is no suffering, only unconditional love. Can you imagine?

Today I choose to remember Daryn's voice, when she would join a conversation at the kitchen table that the adults were having. She had, at such a young age, an opinion of her own and was so much wiser beyond her year. Her voice, I do still hear it! I will always hear it!

Grieve with Hope , Daryn Renee Worpel

I am not sure how many people are actually reading this blog.......... but I felt a need to say on behalf of my family I want to send love and prayers out to the families in this community that have lost family members over the last month. To the Maxwell Family and to both of the Zimmer families, words can't express how sorry we are for your losses. Through your pain and agony, you will need to turn to God and through Jesus Christ you will find what you need.
Grieve with Hope.

It was her life-- Daryn Worpel

This song asks you if you are who you wanna be
and if your life is everything you dreamed that it
would be. I believe that Daryn lived her life the
way she dreamed and she was who she wanted to be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBH07iiSIVI&feature=email


love you forever Daryn

Taiy Taiy

As Beautiful as a Flower Daryn Worpel

This is one of many beautiful flowers growing and looking beautiful at Joe and Kim's house. Gardens are a great way to open your eyes to the wonders that God has created. I am truly amazed by many things in nature. Sometimes I just take a walk outside and through the beauty can sense that God is present. As we have been told, Daryn is with God and God is with us, so we are truly not that far apart. Keep the Faith!

Daryn Renee' , some of the daily thoughts we have

Kaila came in the other day and said "Mom I know something that we all can do"
(I was thinking she was going to say Let's go out for dinner, or go to the mall.... )
I replied, "what's that?"
"We can All go to Heaven. That is what we can All do! It's the only thing we can All do."

I guess it made me realize that even the little one's realize that without Daryn it is not "ALL" of us, and never will be until we all meet her in Heaven.

I look forward to the day we can "All" do something together again.

I think back to that Friday before the accident and I just had an innate feeling to be with family, so I invited my family over to make pizzas, and for some strange reason my electricity went out, just long enough for us to decide to leave and change the party to my parents house. I called Kim on her cell phone and told her what was going on and that we were heading over to mom and dad's house instead................. so we had that night together, making pizzas, hanging out, kids playing, I remember handing Daryn her pizza, the works (she knows what is good), her looking at me saying thank you, I remember her coming in with the adults for a while and sitting with her mom ( I think she was wanting to go outside to play and some of the other kids didn't want to), but eventually they did go out and screamed like crazy while they played bloody murder, and I remember her leaving right around the same time that we left, gave a little hug and off they went.

It is hard to realize that our family is broken, and that we can't be All together again for an impromtu pizza party. But we go on, broken in some ways, we go on for our children and to complete the work we have to complete.......... and we wait with a hope that can only be offered through Jesus Christ!

Not the same ** Daryn Worpel

It's not the same anymore.

It's not the same when I go to school

I know she's not there

It's not the same when I go to bed .

I pray that she was here.

It's the same when I wake up

because I know she won't be at school

It's not the same like it was before

because she's not here.

I Love and miss you all the time Daryn

Sydney

do you remember? ** Daryn Worpel

Do you remember that person you know everything about? Do you know how it feels to lose that person ohhh I do, I do, I do, I do over and over again I doooooooooooo.

Do you believe that person is around you every moment, every breath that you take and do you
feel them when your going through the hardest part of life ,Ohhh I do, I do, I do, I do and over again I doooooooooooo.

I remember the way she looked, she spoke and the way she rolled her eyes when she didn't really care. Ohhh I remember when she said,"when i die make sure I hold a rose just a red one, no funky tie dye one, and I said," that would be beautiful. "

I remember my heart was cold as ice for the longest time, I didn't want to let anyone in and then she spoke to me and told me in her sweet-sweet voice---Do you remember the way I looked, spoke, and rolled my eyes when I didn't really care? Ohohhoh and do you remember when I told you I wanted to hold a rose agaist my chest when I die and I didn't want no funky tie dye one, and I said," that would be beautiful. "

Love and Miss you everyday

Taiylor Paige Camp-our song

Daryn Renee' Worpel

We had a memorial for Daryn tonight at the cemetery. About 45 people were there tonight and it was emotional, but as Holly has said, through God's love we have weathered the storm, and in many ways continue to do so.

My favorite part of tonight was when we let the balloons go, the one we got for Daryn flew just ahead of the rest of the balloons. Like in real life she has gone ahead of us and we are all following close behind.

Thank you God for, Daryn , 10 years was not enough, we all feel that way............ but we still trust you and believe that you had prepared a place for her, more wonderful than we could ever imagine!


Thank you all for coming tonight. Your support has meant the world to our family!
Thank you Cathy for singing, it was absolutely beautiful!

Only yesterday ** Daryn Worpel

I just read grandpa's poems. He and I go about our days keeping our deepest feelings to ourselves most of the time. Probably thinking that if we voice them it would be too unbearable. I just realized after reading what he wrote that we are both thinking about the same things. I too took her hand and closed my eyes and ran and jumped with her off the raft. I too look for her everywhere. But you take a closer look and then you know it's not her. She is just in my heart and in my mind. One year ago today. It's more than my mind can handle. It's been a year of a million different emotions and feelings. Mostly heartbreak for a grandma who loves. But I believe that love is stronger than death and I believe that Daryn can feel all our love . My mothers love is another heartbreak, wanting to comfort and ease Joe and Kims pain and also knowing that I can't. I must leave that up to the Holy Spirit, the Great Comforter. So today and everyday I pray to God to send the Holy Spirit to Joe, Kim Colin and Jolee,comfort them, hold them, let them feel your presence and love. They are all the bravest and most courageous children of God that I know. I honor them for all they have done this past year. Those who know them know of their faith in God and their goodness. Please join with me today to lift them up to God in prayer and bless them all the days of their lives.

Grandma S

Daryn Renee' Worpel with Jesus

One year ago today Daryn Renee' Worpel entered Eternity. That must have been such an Awesome day for Daryn, to see Jesus face to face.


We here on earth are all still filled with heartache, we miss that beautiful smile from a little girl who seemed to have wisdom beyond her years.

Love and Miss you everyday Daryn
Aunt Wendy

After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back. Then I will take you to be with me so that you may be where I am. John 14:3

Daryn Renee' Worpel

April 11, 1997 - Sept 10th, 2007

Move

Move forward to where

Give me your hand and I'll lead you

Give me your heart and I'll take you close to me

On earth to heaven bound

There is nothing to fear

Life goes on for those who Love God

God's design is for all to join Him

But it is a choice for all to make

rfw

Always near

You are never very far away

I've put my arm around you and I could feel you standing there

Oh it is not funny for sure you were there

Your spirit is alive I know cause you were there

rfw

Did I see you yesterday?

Did I see you yesterday
As I looked out unto the lake

Did I see you yesterday
As the tubers went by

Did I see you yesterday
As I walked on the beach

Did I see you yesterday
In the store

Did I see you yesterday
I never knew how many blondes God made

Did I see you yesterday
I started to run after you just to say HI

Did I see you yesterday
As I planted the beans

Did I see you yesterday
When I was pulling weeds

Did I see you yesterday
Walking by the window

Did I see you yesterday
Setting at the piano

Did I see you yesterday
Playing with your cousins

Did I see you yesterday

rfw

Daryn's Journey

OUR JOURNEY IS OUR LIFE

THERE IS JOY

THERE IS HEARTBREAK

THERE ARE SETBACKS

THERE ARE DIFFICULT CHOICES

THERE IS REGRET



BUT THERE IS A DESTINATION



AN END TO OUR JOURNEY ON EARTH



THE BEGINNING OF OUR JOURNEY




IN ETERNITY



A quote from Imagine The Life That Awaits....When I Get Where I'm Going By Rivers Rutherford & George Teren

Daryn you started your new journey very suddenly for us here on earth. We are all still in a bit of shock over your passing on to ETERNITY. Although we know you are you are safe and loved, that does stop the tears we shed. We will miss you until we met again.

Love you Daryn
Aunt Wendy

Did you ever see a double rainbow? If you have, did you notice the colors are opposite in second rainbow which is the top one. This is my first double rainbow I've seen and taken pics of.
One of God's Miracles

One Year, One Second ** Daryn Worpel

Daryn, my wonder child, my sweetheart, my love. One year, one second. I hear your voice, I see your smile, I feel your hug, I see your walk. I see your beautiful face. There are no words to describe how much I miss you. I will carry you in my heart until my body lays close to you in death and my soul soars with you in heaven. Love is stronger than death and my love for you is stronger than any mountain. We all miss you so much angel.

I love you forever Daryn,

Grandma Sandy

My thoughts for every day Always include Daryn Renee'

Going back to school, hard to let your kids go, especially this time.
Thinking about Daryn.
Trying to hold on to my moments with my children.
What tomorrow brings you never know.
Life is more precious to me now.
Trying to be happy.
Underlying sadness.
That is what it is for me, I can't imagine what it is for my brother.


(I can't speak for anyone else, these are just some of my thoughts today**Daryn's Aunt M)

P.S. Grandpa and Colin, with Daryn enjoying the fun!

Daryn Renee' Worpel

This song is one of my favorite songs
and it reminds me of Daryn. I heard this
song one day when I was having a hard day,
and it reminded me of Daryn and her singing.

Love you Daryn,


Taiylor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-hJ87ApWtw&feature=related

Missing you Daryn Worpel

Not one day has gone by since Daryn left for her new home in heaven that I don't think about her. Sometimes I still wake up in the morning and think I had a horrible nightmare, but soon realize the reality of our broken family. I watch Taiylor trying to fill the void with many things, but then reality also hits her when the silence sets in. I know that Jesus is holding us, because we are still moving forward. Moving forward doesn't stop the hurting, but it does help us to get through one day at a time.

Last Aug when we celebrated Syd's and Mindy's birthday was one of my last memories of Daryn.
Just like Mindy said, 2 banana's for her banana split. I remember saying ,"Are you going to eat all that?" and my my surprise she did.

She was so kind, the very last time I seen her smile was Sept. 10th 2007. We were at Colin and Rylie's soccer practice, Daryn, Jolee, Taiylor and Sydney were in Kim's Van and it started to rain and she handed me a umbrella with a smile. Thank You

Daryn, I love you and miss you.
Aunt Wendy

HOPE Daryn Worpel

I guess this was my first sign over the past year that helped me to keep the Faith. Last Fall about a week after Daryn died, I was walking back from getting Kaila onto the bus, I looked up at the sunrise and saw this in the sky. Sometimes things happen and it is just what you needed in that moment. I believe that God gives us little signs here and there to let us know he is with us. This was my little miracle for the day, and a beautiful thing it was. The picture itself does no justice to what I saw in the sky, but you get the idea. I read the book, The Case for Faith (Lee Strobel) last Fall as well and found it a great book to help you keep your Faith any time in your life but especially in times of loss. I highly recommend the book to anyone!

I was thinking about last year at Sydney and my b-day party at Wendy/Jer's.......... we had banana splits, Daryn was making her dessert and peeled 2 whole bananas with her scoops of ice cream and toppings.......... we thought her eyes were a little bigger than her tummy, with a little smirk on her face she started to eat it and ......... , well, she gotter dun!

It is nice to be able to smile at a memory............. just keep remembering all of her life, the big things and the little things, keep them fresh, so that when we see her again, face to face, it will not feel like she has been gone too long............ compared to eternity it is not That Long!
Love you Daryn, Aunt Mindy

Daryn Worpel * You Are Forever Loved

Click on link below, a video that reminds us of what LOVE really is!!

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8cf08faca5dd9ea45513

I watched this video and was moved, I am sure you will be too.

Daryn, I think about you every day! I see God pushing all of us through the obstacles in our lives, and loving us enough to do what it takes, whatever it may be........... hopefully we all can open our hearts even through grief and pain to feel his love and feel the hope that he gives us. Also to give us the strength to appreciate the great gift of each of our lives! Life is a gift! A miraculous and amazing gift, that I hope to not ever take for granted!
God Bless You All!!

One last thing: Last Sunday at church the Gospel reading was Matthew 14:13.......... take a minute to read it

During the sermon Fr. Tony talked about how Jesus did 3 things; Blessed the food, Broke it, and Shared it...... giving this small amount of food to 5000 people and they were all satisfied, as only we can be satisfied with the "food" from Jesus himself. Nothing else will fill us as we need to be fed. Nothing from this world can fill us as our Lord can.

He made a correlation between that reading and the Last Supper and Jesus himself. In all situation these 3 things: Blessed, Broken and Shared. Now it is our turn to do the job as followers of Christ, We have been blessed we have been broken (or will be broken) and as a result we need to Share our experiences in order to bring others to God. Obviously it seems some are broken much more painfully as in Joe and Kim, Colin, Jolee and others who were close to Daryn. Much more painfully, but the message I am trying to convey is to all that are hurt and broken, you must continue on and fight the good fight for our God! It is the Most important thing in this world!

I sometimes think about doing things that would make Daryn happy, and that would be the most important thing to her, I am sure, introduce others to Jesus, who Loves us and Forgives us no matter what! I want to make God happy first and foremost, but knowing my little niece is right there with Him I want her to be proud of her family and be proud to introduce me to God, when my time comes!
Aunt Mindy P

Daryn Worpel ; still with us

I am thinking about Daryn a lot tonight.

Kaila woke up on Friday morning she seemed upbeat, and said I saw Daryn in my dream. I was excited and asked what was the dream?
She said, "I was swinging on the swings in the backyard and went as high as I could up to the sky and I brought Daryn down with me". she went on to say that she felt like she just wanted to get Daryn back home because she would be sad if she was at our house, and that when her family saw her they would be so happy and give big hugs......

I later asked her if she got a glimpse of Heaven while she was swinging way up there and she said that she didn't. She just reached "up there" and grabbed her to bring her back down.

When I saw Kaila's face right after she woke up she was so happy and upbeat, which is quite unusual for her so early, she saw Daryn!

I have had a few dreams of Daryn as well and every time I have one, I wake up happy and with a feeling that Daryn is fine, that everything will be OK, that we will reunite again.

Daryn , you are missed and loved!

Colin's 7th b-day was July 19 Happy Day Colin, a reason to celebrate his precious life and another day to feel the real pain.

In Jesus' arms ** Daryn Worpel

There hasn't been a post in a while, not for lack of thoughts. My thoughts of Daryn are multiple! Sometimes I really just think of her in Paradise what a lucky girl, no pain, no sorrow, just Perfection, only what GOD can provide.

In some ways I am so thankful for my life and in other ways I am anxious for that moment we are ALL together again.

Jane, my neighbor drove through the intersection of the accident with her kids the other week and was explaining to them what happened and that Daryn went to Heaven, but her physical body was here. Her kids were thinking about that and trying to figure out how that could be when one of her girls said, "Oh I get it Jesus just flew down and grabbed her and brought her right back up with Him." I love it when kids have these thoughts! I felt a sense of calm when I pictured that scene, in all the tragedy, Jesus.........quickly and calmly there in an instant, I picture Jesus just being excited for Daryn, she was going HOME!
The "home" that her family is now so homesick for.

I have been doing some reading and have found that a person's physical body is actually like 99% just empty space. If you really look at each cell in our body and the empty space that allows the molecules to move around, just empty space.............at least empty to the human eye, I like to think of us as 1% physical beings, and 99% spiritual. It helps me to understand a little more.

Daryn, My prayer for you today is that you feel warm thoughts of love from your family here and that your parents and siblings feel warm thoughts of love from you.
Love Aunt Mindy

We all have someone ** For Daryn Worpel

song


We all have someone that make us feel like we're a someone in everyway,
she was my someone,
thats the truth ,
in September I lost her but that dosen't change anything,
she is still is my someone that makes me feel like a someone in everyway,
it hurts to not see her,
but I still love her,
and that will never change,
because the pain is real,
the love is real,
the way she makes me feel is real,
and thats the truth,
I love her,
she loves me,
as cousins we will,
always,
stick,
stand,
and make each other feel like a,
SOMEONE

Daryn Worpel

Here is a picture of Daryn with her cousins, Caden and Kaila. I like this picture for a couple of reasons, one because Daryn is sitting with my kids and also because it reminds me of Daryn's sweetness. If you notice my little guy Caden had a hemangioma, the red mark on his nose. As you can imagine it provoked lots of comments and questions for his first couple years of life, What is that on his nose? When will that go away? It kind of made me start to just expect the questions and to be prepared to answer them. I was really fine with it, but after a year or so it got a little old. Daryn was probably the one and only child who never, ever asked a thing about his nose. She never asked what it was, when it would go away or anything like that. She just accepted him for who he was. I can remember times her saying, he's so cute, and I was like........thank you!!

During that time I was truly thankful for this child (who so often seemed like an adult) that just knew how to accept a person for who they are and not their physicality. Thanks Daryn for just treating him like a cousin and loving him for who he is. Another lesson to be learned from this precious person, thanks Daryn. We miss you so much and look forward to that moment we see you again. Love from Aunt Mindy

PS : All of the pictures I find of Daryn her face is beautiful, bright, and full of happiness, which I am sure describes how she exists this very moment!!

Jesus Loves Me and Daryn / Grandpa Worpel

I like this picture because I notice (Great) Grandpa Worpel's hand is around Daryn ........... Colin and Grandpa's eyes are connected and Colin has his hands grasping Grandpa's pant leg, baby Jolee is there too. To me Grandpa is saying, "Don't worry Colin and Jolee, Daryn is with me and we are happy........... just look at our smiles, we will meet again someday soon, hang in there, it IS worth it! Jesus loves you."

I can remember clearly Daryn's little head leaning up against my shoulder at Grandpa Worpel's visitation, it was nice to have her sit next to me and just BE................ and I can remember sitting at my Grandpa Worpel's funeral and looking over at Daryn sitting by her mom, with a tear in her eye, singing, "Jesus Loves Me"............. which was the last thing I heard my Grandpa say as he lay on his deathbed, a short time before he met his Saviour ..................................... what was also just weeks before Daryn met her Saviour.

Jesus loves me...................... 3 little words that mean Everything!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4zgJXPpI4
I just had this little video sent to me and thought I would share it. It feels good to learn of something that is visible to us and can help us continue our faith in Jesus Christ. I had heard about this a while back but never had a visual until now, pretty cool!

Keep the Faith, Jesus Loves You!

Also Keep the prayers coming for Joe, Kim, Colin, Jolee. As much as they still have their Faith, I am under the impression that the pain is more than could ever be explained. Thank you.

Also feel free to leave comments. Thanks

Jesus is Everything! For Daryn Renee' and US

After conversing with Joe and Kim through email regarding the money raised and where it should go (beyond the scholarship)................. they reminded me that the most important thing that Daryn would want is for people to learn of the salvation that Jesus Christ has given to us. Absolutely that would be Daryn's #1 cause!!

I think anyone who views the video through the link below will be moved in some way! The youth of today and the adults too (me being one) have so many obstacles to overcome............ and to see a visual of how badly Jesus wants each and everyone of us and is willing to fight for us.............. it makes me want to fight for him!

With Jesus in your heart and with Daryn in your heart, I ask all of you to be a blessing to someone today!


http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ee73e63418003b47d7d5&page=1&viewtype=&category=mv


Click on the above link and prepare to be moved!!

Joy: Daryn's Song

I drove up to Coops school with my kids last night, it was the spring band concert for the 5th grade. The second song was composed by Mr. Randles, Daryn's 4/5th grade music teacher. It was titled Joy; Daryn's Song. Mr. Randles stood up and spoke about Daryn, to a packed auditorium. He remembered her sitting by the window...........she was always ready for class, prepared. He said if there was one word he could describe her as, it would be "sophisticated". He said she was musically talented and talented in many other ways that he has learned since; he encouraged all parents to keep their kids in music/band (even when it isn't cool anymore) and that it is important etc..

The kids then played the piece with Soloists, Alec and Taiylor playing together on a few different spots in the song. It was quite an emotional moment, not a dry eye in my row for sure. I hope Daryn could hear it............I believe she did! After the performance a moment of clapping and ..................Mr. Randles, to their surprise, pointed to Alec and Taiylor to stand up and they did, louder clapping. I think it is the first time Taiylor ever turned bright red in front of a crowd.

Nothing is easy to do when you are missing that sweet little girl. I am going to appreciate each moment with my family because with life you never know what tomorrow brings and I for one want to be able to enjoy these moments .......... our time here on this earth is limited.
Aunt Mindy

By the way , I just noticed Wendy had started a similar blog..... great minds think alike , hey:)

Joy:Daryn's Song

Lastnight was the 5th grade band concert. Mr. Randles and Beethoven wrote an awesome song called, Joy:Daryn's Song, that was played by the 5th grade band with Taiylor and Alec as soloists. It was so awesome to see Daryn's classmates gathered together to honor her with "Joy". She loved music, she loved her cousins and she loved her friends. I want to thank Mr. Randles for putting this together for the
5th grade band and our family. We will be forever grateful for your kindness in honoring Daryn is such a beautiful way

I also want to thank all the East Elementary for their donations to the read-a-thon in Daryn's name. You have all helped in keeping Daryn's spirit alive for her friends and family for years to come.

Keep Jesus in your hearts and mind.
God Bless,
Daryn's Aunt Wendy

I can see her right now - Daryn Worpel

I just wanted to share a little story from a couple of weeks ago.......as my daughter, Kaila and I sat on her bed and said prayers I began to say,

"God if you could give Daryn a message from us........" and before I got any further Kaila said,

"Why do you only think of seeing Daryn in Heaven?"
as she went on to tell me that we don't only have to think of seeing her in Heaven, we can see her in other ways too, in pictures, when we just think of her, or in a painting. Kaila then closed her eyes and said,
" like .......... I can see her right now".

Another quick story to add my Caden was looking through pictures of his 3rd birthday party a few weeks ago and just scrolling through them on Wendy's computer. After looking at some pictures of the group of kids, Caden said very softly, "where's Daryn's picture?" we asked him to repeat it a few times because we weren't sure if that is what he was saying or not, but he definitely was saying that and when Wendy found some pictures of Daryn to show to him he just softly laughed ........ "there's Daryn".

We truly don't have to "see" Daryn only in Heaven, we can still see her and keep her close in our hearts and minds right now.
It is important to talk about her and remember her and share memories.

A Day to Remember , A life we will NEVER forget

Just wanted to say thank you again to all of the wonderful people and businesses that helped to make the benefit on Sunday a great success! It was a beautiful day and truly honored, my niece, Daryn Renee'. No one ever wants to plan this type of event, because we don't want to face the reality of our loss. That said, our job continues to be to keep Daryn's memory alive for us and for all of our kids.

We hope to finalize the scholarship details and other needs the money will meet within a few weeks, and will let you in on that information as it becomes available.

We have so many to thank, but I did want to say thank you to Donna's Catering. They were so great! We appreciate their professional service, good food, and generosity!

Continue to pray for Joe and Kim, Colin and Jolee and the rest of the family as well. It is a long road and it is just the beginning.

I was at a garage sale today and picked up a little plaque for 25 cents. It is an Irish Blessing Verse and I felt it was meant for me to grab because it is truly what I wish for my brother and his family. God Bless them!

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields...
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

(I also wanted to open up the option for those that are viewing this blog to feel free to add comments if you have anything to add)

UNITY

Daryn created this, I believe during her first week of school. I have been looking at the picture for a few weeks and literally every time I look at it I notice another little detail that she added. All the little details set together to create a work of art.

I think of her life and all of the details, big and little, some that I know of, others that only her parents know of, and still other details that only she knows of; all of them work together to create what was her life here.

All of the family and friends and others that may not have even had the opportunity to meet her, all working together for the Memorial Benefit on Sunday.

For the memorial benefit this Sunday; we are excited to be wearing on our shirts Daryn's artwork! Although neither the details of her art nor the colors are exactly as the original piece, the message still shines through.

UNITY

Daryn Worpel Memorial Benefit

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are Young, but set an example for the believers in Speech, in Life, in Love, in Faith, and in Purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

This reminds me of Daryn, she was young, but so mature in her beliefs. I hope that her example can be passed on to her siblings, cousins, friends, and more!

Thanks to : LynDee's Christian Books, Coffee, and Gifts, LLC. for posting this sign on East St. and for the donations they have given for raffles at the dinner on Sunday.

We are pretty happy that the number of people attending on Sunday is well over 400!! We have so many items being raffled that it is amazing. There is definitely something for everyone!! There will also be lots of stuff for kids to do. Many thanks to be given..............

We have high hopes of doing great things with the money made at the event....all in Daryn's precious name!

Real Love and Real Loss

Here is a picture of Daryn many years ago giving us all a bit of entertainment during some family pictures, what sticks out to me is her proud mom and dad, smiling so big, you can almost feel the pride and joy they feel for their baby girl, Daryn Renee'.

The following is an article a grieving mother wrote to help her explain to others how she was feeling. This is not necessarily how Joe and Kim feel exactly, but I was thinking that it may be good information for people who just don't know what to say, or what to do. I think one thing I have learned is that it is impossible to know how someone else feels. We may think we know, but we just can't, there are some things we can still do. Read on.............

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We cannot expect others to understand how we feel after the death of a child, especially if they have never gone through it. Sometimes we get angry at how friends or relatives react and respond to us. They don't know what to say or how to say it and often they say it wrong, not meaning to be cruel, but not knowing any better.

We have a choice. We can be bitter and resentful to others or we can help them understand and be part of our grief journey. What follows are what I call 10 Grief Lessons for Others. By sharing these lessons with those close to you, a new level of understanding between you and others can help you down that long difficult road to recovery.

1. BE THERE FOR ME. If you are my friend, reach out, talk to me, hold my hand, hug me. Know that even though we may say we are all right, we will never be all right again.

2. WE ARE DIFFERENT. Understand that what has happened will change us forever and if you are my friend, you will accept me for what I have become, for who I am now, a person with different goals and different priorities. What was once important to me may no longer have any meaning.

3. BE A GOOD LISTENER. We want above all else to talk about our children. To us, they will always be alive in our hearts, and we don't want others to forget them either. Don't be afraid to mention their names in our conversations. They were real people at one time, even though they are no longer with us. They had hopes and dreams we'd still like to share with others. Please don't pretend they never existed.

4. NO ONE ELSE KNOWS HOW I FEEL. We all grieve differently, even husbands and wives. Please don't tell me you know how I feel. You don't. Rather than asking me, How are you feeling? ask me What are you feeling? I can probably give you a more honest answer.

5. I MAY GRIEVE FOR A VERY LONG TIME. There is no set time limit to my grief. It may take me two years; it may take me five years. I have to do what is comfortable for me. Be patient. I will do the best I can in whatever amount of time it takes.

6. KEEP IN TOUCH. Call me once in a while. I promise to do the same. Invite me to lunch or to a movie. I will eventually go, because I will eventually feel better. Don't give up on me and don't forget me. I am trying to do the best I can right now.

7. I MAY CRY AT TIMES IN FRONT OF YOU. Please don't be embarrassed, and I won't be either. Besides being a natural emotion, crying is also a cleansing emotion. By crying I can relieve a lot of anger, frustration, guilt and stress. And best of all, I feel much better after a good cry.

8. I PUT A MASK ON FOR THE PUBLIC. Don't assume just because I am functioning during the day that I am over it. I will never get over it. I try to function normally because I have no other choice. You should see me when the day is over, and I am in the privacy of my own home and free to let my emotions out. My day mask comes off and I am just a mother, aching for her child.

9. SOME DAYS MAY BE OVERWHELMING. The slightest thing can trigger a bad time. It can be a song, a place I go, a holiday, a wedding or even smells or sounds. If I break down and start crying or seem to be in another world, it is because I am thinking of my child and longing for what I will never have again.

10. LET ME DO WHATEVER MAKES ME HAPPY. Don't think me strange if I want to go to the cemetery a lot, if I want to buy a brick in honor of my child in every new building in town, or if I want to try to get new laws passed to keep this world safe for our children. I may need to try different things before I find what will be right for me in my new life. Encourage me to reach for the stars.

We will never forget our children. The pain never leaves. It just softens a little with time. We eventually function again, feel hope again, find joy in our lives. It is a long road that we travel, but with the help of friends and relatives who understand a little of how we feel and what we are going through, perhaps that road will lead to new paths to enrich our lives in new ways we never dreamed were possible.

http://thegriefblog.com/

Generosity

Daryn could be described as a very generous person. She seemed to always want to please those around her. She was polite and kind and fun and active. I sometimes think of her as an old soul. She could sit and have a conversation with you like she was a mature adult, sometimes seeming so wise beyond her years; but then turn around and just be a kid and having loads of fun. She was special in many ways. She cared for others, not just people but animals too. That was her nature.

She always was serious about the things she did, nothing was done half-way. Some examples are decorating cupcakes (see pic) last april she was over for kaila's b-day and the girls decorated cupcakes, I soon notice Daryn decorating her's; taking her time, adding little details ( one thing I wanted to add was how the other girls seemed to noticed how she was taking her time and followed her example trying to add some extra detail as well, what a role model she already was). Also how she cared for her siblings, aways keeping an eye on Jolee and Colin, always the responsible "little mom". Her art work is another example of this. If you look at her artwork the details of it are quite amazing (which will be highlighted on our benefit t-shirts on April 27). Every little part of it she took her time and made it her own. I think that comes from her parents, who also take time to think about things and do them the "right" way.

She was and I would believe IS a reflection of her parents, and the values they taught her. That is the Daryn I remember, never a problem, always a "please" , "thank-you", soft-spoken (although she could let out some big 'ol screams when running around playing). We all miss her and continue to pray for Joe and Kim and Colin and Jolee. They need the prayers. Time passes but I am not sure if it really heals or if it is just learning how to live with the immense pain.
I just recently read that; "We were never promised that this life would be easy, but that it would be Worth it." That moment Will come when Daryn is reunited with her family, a beautiful moment it will be!

I am happy to say that the people that are working together to put on this benefit have also been extremely generous. I am amazed by all of the donations of time, raffle items, the list goes on and on. I for one know that this is going to be a successful event. It doesn't even matter how much money we make (although with all of this generosity it will be an awesome amount!)

Ticket sales are somewhere close to 350 right now, which is great. If you still want to attend please contact one of us before April 20th, the date that the caterer needs a number of people.
We just added some great golf packages including one membership to Arrowhead Golf in Lowell and another great one, two U of M football tickets, that will be raffled. If you would like a complete raffle list or tickets please email: mpolak@altelco.net.

Thank you all again!
Mindy P.

Daryn we are thinking about you especially today , your birthday, the 11th anniversary of your birth.

What a gift she has been! I hope we can all remember Daryn's beautiful life today.

It is hard to believe that it was 11 years ago today that she was brought into this world! I remember last year we celebrated Daryn's birthday on Easter Sunday with Caden.
He wanted nothing to do with the pictures or blowing out the candles, but this year he blew some out for himself and for Daryn too. I remember we got her a turqouise shirt and necklace, knowing any shade of blue looked great on Daryn with her beautiful eyes! Your mom's blonde hair, but definitely your Daddy's Blue eyes.

We are sending some Birthday balloons (blue with butterflies) with a note from us and a picture from Kaila off from the beach in Florida. We hope the message will reach her in some way shape or form. Please think of Daryn's family today and send them a prayer.

Please Remember Life Is A Gift From GOD!
Mindy P and Family

Your 11th on the 11th

Happy 11th Birthday Daryn

You are our connection from the past to the future.

Our past is full of your memories.

Our present holds on to your memory.

Our future, in HEAVEN with JESUS,

is where we will make our new memories.

We love and miss you

Taiylor, Sydney, Rylie,

Aunt Wendy &Uncle Jer

My GRANDAUGHTER,DARYN

Daryn is number three and one of my twelve grandchildren. Daryn fit into her place in the bunch of grandchildren like a piece of a puzzle. If you have ever put puzzles together then you know that when you are all done with it and a puzzle piece is missing then it's not right, it's not complete. My family is no longer complete. We never will be on this earth anyway. Daryn was a very huge piece of our family's puzzle. She loved so much and she was in turn loved by everyone so much.

Daryn was number three of our twelve beautiful grandkids. It wasn't long before I started to call the first three, Alec, Taiylor and Daryn "The Three Amigos" because they were such good friends as well as cousins. We have been blessed to all live so close to one another therefore being able to get together a lot of the time. Because of our cottage we were blessed to spend a lot of awesome times together with our kids. I thank God for that. I have so many memories of Daryn at the cottage either playing with her cousins or her mom and dad and her brother Colin and her sister Jolee. And me. Come on grandma, lets build a fire and have smores. Come on grandma lets swim across the lake! Lets jump off the raft, which she did more with her mom and dad than me! On July 4 of 05 Daryn caught the biggest Bass that any of us has ever caught in our lake. It was quite exciting for everyone. She caught it off our neighbors dock. Of course we had it mounted and it is on the wall at the cabin. So if you win the week at the Bitely Cabin you will see it. We have a very old log cabin and everytime that I go up there and go inside I think that I love the way it smells. A couple of years ago Daryn and I arrived early for the weekend and I was unlocking the door from the entryway into the cabin and Daryn said to me " I just love the way it smells here." I will never forget that moment as long as I live. Oh I have so many moments that I will never ever forget with her but that moment made me feel so close to her, something that we shared together. My arms ache with missing her, my heart is broken into pieces for our loss, for the worlds loss, for what would have been. I loved my little girl from the moment I saw her being born. And I will love her for eternity and I am waiting to see her again in heaven with our KING.

To everyone who has helped with the upcoming benefit for Daryn's scholarship fund I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. It has been such a labor of love. We don't want her forgotten and this will help to keep her name alive.

I also wanted to say that my son Joe and daughter in law Kim and Colin and Jolee are truly awesome people. They have a faith and a strength truly given to them from God. And it's not because they aren't suffering in agony daily because I know that they are. No it's because they truly believe that Daryn is with Jesus and she is safe forever and that they will see her again. So if you see them just let them know you care, let them know you'll not forget Daryn if you knew her and lift them up in prayer.

Well, grandma has said enough for now. I love all of my children and grandchildren. God Bless them all forever.

Grandma Sandy Worpel

The 3 Musketeers

The 3 Musketeers- Daryn, Alec and Taiylor after their Spring Musical.

Love you

I found out about Daryn's upcoming coming arrival on my wedding day. My sister, my sister in-law and I were all pregnant at the same time. Alec my nephew was born in November, Taiylor my daughter was born in January,and Daryn in April ,and so the three musketeers

began. Through the next 10 years 9 other babies were born into the Worpel family.

Being a close family you are lucky enough to spend all holidays and many other fun times like hay rides, tubing in Bitely Lk., baking cookies, pumpkin carving, sledding sleepovers, birthdays, swimming, the beach and many others fun things. I thank God for all those awesome memories I hold close in my heart.

I never in my wildest dreams ever thought our family would lose a link. I know she's not lost, I know she's in Heaven, but that doesn't stop our families pain. I miss her everyday. I look at that beautiful face, and wonder," Why". I know that the why won't be answered. I do know she knew and loved God and that she is in heaven. I do know Daryn is part of our past, no longer physically in our present, and she has become part of our future in Heaven. I Love you Daryn

God Bless

Aunt Wendy

Thanks

A thank you to the Coopersville Observer for their support with coverage in their next issue regarding the Benefit and for covering the Roads Meeting in February, that my dad, Rich W. put together.

I was quite proud of my dad for following through and doing all he could to get the Road Commission to make some changes on 16th ave. and Arthur (a terrible intersection that has for some reason been the sight of at least 4 or 5 accidents in my family alone, and the last being Kim, Daryn, Colin, and Jolee being hit, due to other people running the stop sign).

It is frustrating and it is amazing what you have to do to get things done...........as my dad went and cut down the trees/brush obstructing the views on that intersection all by himself! I guess sometimes it is true , to get the job done right, you have to do it yourself! Not that you can stop others from being distracted and running the stop signs, but it is something. Thanks Dad!

Love is shown in many ways and My Dad and Mom love Daryn and miss her a ton! It makes it difficult to enjoy life with so much pain. Just remember that before long we will All be together again! I know this with all of my heart. It is all we have. Life is a gift............and it doesn't end here.

By the way if you would like to show your support for Joe and Kim, Colin and Jolee and the rest of the family and you would like to attend Daryn's Memorial Scholarship Benefit Dinner/Raffle on April 27 at the KC Hall in Conklin, you will need to purchase tickets ahead of time, we do need a number of people for the caterer by April 20. If you would like more information on the benefit please email me; mpolak@altelco.net
Thank you and God Bless!

Thanks and more ......

I think that before my niece, Daryn, was killed in a car accident last September I had no idea the pain and agony that families go through. Until something like this became personal; then and only then did I begin to realize how difficult losing a family member is. Mostly, I think about Joe and Kim and Colin and Jolee. They have to live with the loss on a day to day basis, every day they have to face what would be any parent's worst nightmare. I thank God that they still have their FAITH. Jesus Christ was Daryn's Saviour! I hope and pray that through this that many people are brought closer to God and able to live their lives with purpose. I believe many people will........ but we are all still human and still make mistakes........ so just to know that God is there and loves us and forgives us, is an amazing thing! I don't believe that Daryn's death happened for any particular reason, but we can choose to work on making positive changes in our own lives and to do some really great things in remembrance of her beautiful life.

We all need to be more loving toward one another and more forgiving as well. I feel like Love is one thing, but to actually reach out and show your love is a whole different thing. It is easy to hide behind a computer screen and email people (I am guilty here), but to actually call someone or stop over to visit, or send an actual card in the mail, or lean in for that little hug, like Daryn always did....... means so much more.

A few businesses and people to thank:
Stone Plastics
Great Lakes Label
Tequila Willies
Bud and Stanleys
J. Biermacher
Nature's Envy
Dr. Al LaFleur
Smith-Owen Sewing
Schwallier Tree and Landscaping Service
GripTrac
Raymer
Hansen Collision
VanKempen Electric
Donna's Catering
Spoelman's
These are a few of the many we want to thank. These businesses lent their support through buying "ad" space on the back of the t-shirts for the event, VK electric paid for the hall, Donna's Catering is donating their labor and working on a discounted dinner price. There are so many more people to thank, and I will try to get to everyone, including those that have donated services or items to be raffled off on the day of the benefit.

For Daryn

I have been wanting to start some sort of a web page to honor the memory of my 10 year old niece, Daryn Renee' Worpel. So here it is. When you lose a family member part of the process, at least for me has been trying to keep her memory alive. There are many ways to do this. The Internet seems to be a good place to share her memory.
Daryn was a beautiful girl inside and out. She was polite and kind. She always gave me a hug to greet me. She loved Jesus and wasn't afraid to talk about it. When Daryn was in the 2nd grade she invited me to her "Special Person's" Day. What an honor! We spent the day hanging out doing different activities and afterward we drove out to Alpine to have lunch at Fazoli's. I can remember her being so sweet and a little quiet and not wanting me to go out for lunch if I was too busy.......thank God I wasn't,because it was great day and a great memory. I also can remember taking the paddle boat out to the middle of Bitely Lake and just jumping off, she made me feel like a kid again and I forgot for a second that I was a mom. But soon I jumped back into mom mode and made her put her life jacket on, which she did not want to, but did. She was always so adventurous and willing to get out there and do things that most girls her age wouldn't think to do. She was athletic and had a pretty strong arm on her for softball. I have some great memories, probably my favorite was when she was just 5 she came over to see my first born, her cousin Kaila. She sat there and just held that tiny baby for what seemed like forever, she started to hum a sweet little song to her, it was absolutely precious!
This is also my way of sharing with you all of the wonderful people that have helped to put together a Benefit we are having on April 27 to raise funds to start a scholarship in Daryn's memory and to keep her alive within us. It is amazing all that have come together to make it happen. I know that the scholarship in itself will not necessarily do wonders in healing the family, but the support of family, friends and the community will. It is tragic to lose a child so young, and there is really nothing but Faith in Jesus our Saviour that will truly get you through.
Thank you all for your support!