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Thankful Thursday - Dayna's Story "A Testimony"

By
Real Estate Agent with 101 Main St. Realty 518539

Last week on Wordless Wednesday I posted a photo of Dayna.  Today, on Thankful Thursday, I will tell you her story. 

On September 18 , 2009 Dayna Paige came into this world. She was born twelve weeks early, weighed 2 pounds and was 15 inches long. It was an amazing thing to see a baby this tiny. Her skin was so thin that you could see through it. You could watch her heart beating through her chest and yet, at the same time she was perfect. Our little community watched and prayed as Danya grew stronger and stronger. We rejoiced when she was able to come home in time for Thanksgiving.  

Fast forward to April, 2010. 7 months later.

 

Wes Is time to have the annual Camp Meeting. Dayna's grandpa, Wes, was scheduled to lead the music each night and his job was to select the theme song for the revival. God put "Bring the Rain" on his heart and that was the song that he chose. 

On the last night of the revival Wes received the heart stopping telephone call that Dayna had stopped breathing and to go immediately to the hospital in Trintiy.  Brother Jim stoped the services and everyone began to pray for Dayna. 

That night Dayna passed away from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The first thing that came to mind for a lot of people was, "I bet Wes never sings that song again..." 

The people file in.... Wes gets up and says something like this...

"We are so thankful for the time that God allowed us with Dayna. She did not belong to us. She belonged to God and He has called her home. "

then he pulled out his guitar and began to sing.....

 

 

 

There were lives changed that day. At the funeral there were several people who made decisions for Christ and two weeks later her uncle accepted Christ as his savior.

Was Dayna's life wasted? Absolutely not! She was fearfully and wonderfully made and God had a plan for her. What a testimony of a family's faith and their devotion to the God of all creation! And even through their pain, they chose to praise Him! God is so good!

 

I shot this photo at camp meeting of Dayna and her Granny on Thursday. Danya passed away 2 days later. 

Today I am thankful for the life of this beautiful baby girl.

 

Day 5

Comments(21)

Tish Lloyd
BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC
Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

Joni:  What a wonderfully sad and uplifting experience.  Thank you for sharing.

Aug 26, 2010 04:39 AM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

Paul: AMEN

Tish: You're right. It was both heart breaking and inspiring at the same time. 

Aug 26, 2010 11:19 AM
William James Walton Sr.
WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Briotti Group - Waterbury, CT
Greater Waterbury Real Estate

Joni, everything that God does is perfect...even when it seems like it is not in our eyes. His purpose for little Dayna was accomplished, for He knew what her life, and her passing, would bring about. This was a wonderful testimony to share, and I am glad that you did.

Aug 26, 2010 04:34 PM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

Thank you William! Blessings!

Aug 26, 2010 05:20 PM
Joshua Zargari
MJ Decorators Workshop LI staging and home decorating - Lynbrook, NY
MJ Decorators Workshop

Great post Joni!

Aug 26, 2010 11:19 PM
Diane Williams
Pell City, AL

Joni, Dayna was a beautiful gift from God. What a wonderful story about how she touched every one's life. My prayers will go out to her family. God Bless.

Aug 27, 2010 12:13 AM
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

Joni,

Thank you for stopping by my blog BECAUSE it led me here.  I so enjoyed this post.  Your joy and aliveness in the LORD shines through in your post as you tell the story of Dayna.  What a wonderful family that they could handle this birth and death in this way.  I pray that they continue to have that JOY in spite of what may happen in this world.

Aug 27, 2010 12:29 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Joni,

Thank you for telling this story. I like Judi feel your joy and aliveness in the LORD as you tell Dayna's story. They are a true Christian family to praise the Lord for the gift they received for a short time. I'm sure the blessing of Dayna changed their lives as many who were part of her short life. My prayers go out to her family and friends who experienced the joy of Dayna's life. 

 

Aug 27, 2010 01:19 AM
Karen Bernetti
Southington, CT

Joni - This post moved me in more ways than you could ever know.  To think I almost missed it - I was out of town for a few days - the Lord does work in the most mysterious ways!  What a beautfiul reminder - every second of every day we have with our loved ones is a precious gift to be savored.  THANK YOU!

Aug 27, 2010 05:13 PM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=119579631395348&ref=ts

Thank you all for your words of encouragement.

Aug 27, 2010 05:22 PM
Lisa Orme
The Master's Key Realty LLC -Windsor, CT - HARTFORD COUNTY - Windsor, CT
Broker/Realtor, ABR, CRS,GRI, PSCS, SFR, Notary Pu

I went back to your Wordless Wednesday post and recalled how very amazing is the gift of life the Father has given us.  I have a nephew that was born 1 1b 4 oz, 12 years ago! About the size of a pound of butter! But God was gracious to that little one and his family...they are not yet believers, and our Lord has given them additional time to wonder about His ways. We are still praying for them to truly come to a knowledge of the one who died that they might have salvation and eternal life in His presence...

Sometimes God's ways are so beyond our searching them out...we just have to trust that He indeed knows what is the very best for each one of us.  Praise God that little Dayna is in the arms of God, enjoying His presence, and for the great rejoicing there will be at the heavenly reunion with her family. Thank you for sharing this wonderful testimony of her life!

Aug 27, 2010 05:40 PM
Deanne Olivas
eXp Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Your Home Matters

Joni, Thank you for sharing that beautiful story to remind us of God's presence in every circumstance in our lives. The journey to your post started at Lisa's post. I have never read any of your posts before but plan to subscribe. Your signature reminded me of another story of God's hand in bringing us people who impact our lives for Him. Do you know who Joni Eareckson Tada is? My brother became a quadriplegic at a young age and God used her to encourage our family.

Aug 28, 2010 02:48 AM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

Lisa: I will be in prayer for your nephew and his family. Thank you for the encouraging words.

Deanne: I do know who she is. My mother bought me a book about her when I was a child. I will be in prayer for your brother as well. Thank you so much for stopping by!

Aug 28, 2010 05:03 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Joni, Thanks for sharing this touching story with us and thanks to Karen for pointing us to your post. You write with such clarity and that is a gift.

Margaret

Aug 28, 2010 07:24 AM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

Margaret: Oh wow! I didn't realize what everyone was talking about till I went to Karen's blog. What a great story SHE shared. God is soooooooo good! :O)

Aug 29, 2010 07:36 AM
Karen Bernetti
Southington, CT

I made mention of this post on Lisa's blog as well.  I knew she'd like it.  Ironically YOU had posted a comment on her blog post just one minute before I did.  Mysterious indeed!  Something tells me that we were meant to connect. 

Aug 29, 2010 09:04 AM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

Karen: I think so too! He put us on the same Home Team! :O)

Aug 29, 2010 04:09 PM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

You are absolutely correct that she had came to Earth with a mission from God and she had fulfilled her plan and was not ready to return to him. She clearly touched many and brought God to others and that says a lot about that little girl! Thanks for sharing such a heart ripping story with us!

May God bless you and your family this Thanksgiving and Christmas.



Nov 24, 2010 07:06 PM
Bob & Bonnie Horning
Mount Joy, PA

I'm sorry I missed this incredible testimony at the time. She sure did an awful lot here in her short time. God wastes nothing. Thank you for sharing.

Dec 22, 2010 02:44 AM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

B&B: And thank you for praying for her little brother or sister that is on its way!! ::))))

Dec 22, 2010 04:12 AM