I REMEMBER that windy day in July when my little
   Allyssa was born.   I arrived at the hospital in the
   morning excited that my baby's birthday was going
to be that day!

At 7:41 P.M., July 1, 1997, Allyssa Hope Spurgeon
entered the world.   I gently held her in my arms,
amazed at the tiny life that God had given me.

Our home was now complete with three little girls.
Allyssa - we nicknamed her Ally - was precious to my
two other daughters, who quickly discovered the joy
of having a sister small enough to hold.   I would often
hold Ally myself, kissing her bright cheeks while she
giggled in response.   She smiled at everyone, and
rarely made a fuss.   Looking back, I've often
wondered if she knew in her little heart that her time
was short.

On December 12, 1997 my husband and I took the
girls' picture for our annual Christmas letter.   It was
quite a task getting three girls to sit still by the
Christmas tree.   But, half a roll of film later, we were
sure we have at least one picture good enough to
send.

When I finally put her to bed, I kissed her goodnight
and sang to her:

I didn't know Ally's "Someday" would be the next
morning.   But on Saturday morning, December 13,
1997, Ally took her last breath; her short life here on
earth was over.   I cannot explain the intense sense of
loss that I felt when I walked into her room and found
her not breathing.

Only a mother who has lost one of her children can
understand the hurt that I felt when I realized death
had taken my child.   My life would never be the same.
While on this earth, I would never hold her in my arms
or sing to her again.

Yet, in spite of the hurt and loss, I still had a sense
of peace.   I knew the Bible clearly teaches that all
babies go to Heaven when they die.   Verses such as
Matthew 9:13-14 and 2 Samuel 12:13-23 assured me
of that.

As the tears flowed down my face, I knew that Ally
awoke in the arms of Jesus Christ.   She was in
Heaven with the Lord.

It was a cold December morning when we said our
good-byes to our little one.   Beside the casket, my
husband and I stood arm in arm, praying that the Lord
would help us through the difficult days that lay
ahead.

Many times during the months that followed, I stood at
the burial plot where we had prayed that day.   There
is a stone with her name, date of birth/death, and a
little saying that reads: "Waiting in Heaven."

So many days after Ally died have I taken comfort
in the fact that I know that our goodbye is not forever.
She IS waiting in Heaven for me.   The Bible teaches
that no one ever ceases to exist.   When our life here
is over our body dies; but our soul lives on forever.   I
know my little Ally is not lying in the cemetery.   She is
in Heaven!   She is alive!   As alive as I am today.

May I ask you dear reader, are you a Christian?   Do
you know if you died today if you would go to
Heaven?   Perhaps you are reading this pamphlet
because you too have lost a baby that was dear to
your heart.   You can have the same hope that I do
that you will see your child again!   If you would like
more information on how you can have a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ please take the time to
contact me.