Graveside Service Oak Park Cemetery, Claremont Thursday March 14th 10:30am.
Published Inland Valley Daily Bulletin March 8 2013.
April 9, 1993 we were ecstatic with the birth of our daughter. She was so beautiful to us. She appeared normal, and her beautiful, almond-shaped eyes left us no clue as to why our obstetrician would ask our family and friends to leave the delivery room. "She is a pretty girl," he said gently. But she does have some characteristics of Down Syndrome." Never had a couple been told in a more tender way that their lives would never be the same. And one thing was for sure, we had fallen in love with our daughter long before she was born, and we were ready to get her home to start the next chapter of our lives. One morning, six months later I noticed Krissie's body moving strangely in tiny jerks. The next day, she was diagnosed with a seizure disorder called infantile spasms, a severe form of epilepsy that is damaging and difficult to control. The epilepsy was far worse, we were to find out than the Down Syndrome diagnosis. Kristol continued to have hundreds of seizures a day, despite steriod injections that left her twice her normal size and debilitated her immune system. Later, the devastation of the North ridge earthquake seemed trite and far away as my nine-month old baby lay in a oxygen tent and struggled to breathe through her fluid-filled lungs. Kristol battled pneumonia and came home two days later. Her condition varied from that point. We tried medications, diet and physical therapy. There were good days and bad days. On the good days, she had about a dozen seizures and I could hold her. The bad days brought 100 or more seizures while we took turns struggling to hold her contorted little body. One morning we couldn't wake her. Our baby had slipped into a coma. The blessings were still ours though, for we took her home again, one week later. As she began to grow, her ankles became so deformed it was painful for her to try and stand. A friend of ours arranged an appointment with Shriners hospital and through a miracle gave us a date for corrective surgery. Unfortunately surgery on Krissies ankles did not stop the seizures. Now that she could stand up with no pain just meant the drops during a seizure was longer and harder. A shattered jaw, busted lips, and multiple facial surgeries were evidence to the quiet epilepsy that lay beneath the surface of Kristol's beauty. As the years went by, we began to notice some unusual characteristics developing in Kristol. The doctors said that Kristol had also developed autistic impairments. As peculiar mannerisms began to take precedence in her life, then once again our lives were forced to change. Although Kristol was 10 years old, she was still just our baby. Mentally she was still about 8 months old. And now, the autism would not allow us to cuddle our baby the same way we were used to. Our next challenge with Kristol came in the form of severe scoliosis. When braces could no longer stop the severe curvature of her spine, she was sent to a spinal surgeon for a diagnosis of her condition. His words cut right through us. "She needs corrective surgery right now, or she will probably live less than a year!" The severe curvature of her spine was pressing against her heart and lungs. Breathing was becoming more difficult and as we once again became helpless to care for our daughter, major surgery was scheduled for our daughter in just a few weeks. Kristol was now 13 years old. Her seizures and autism were still a daily part of her life, and now she will die without surgery. Surgery arrived and once again, Jesus carried her through another life threatening surgery, and carried us through the 24 hour vigilance that accompanied recovery. Kristol is now 15 years old and has spent a lot of this last year in battling pneumonia and gastro-intestinal problems. She currently is being fed out of a G-tube and has had surgeries done on her stomach due to severe reflux. What does the future hold? That can never be answered. But we know who holds the future and He does hold our hands. And Kristol Jonni, our Pure, Anointed gift from God will one day be complete because we know that He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it. May God be continually praised!
On March 6, at 7:40 pm, Kristol Jonni accepted the invitation of her Lord and Savior "to dance" in His presence. She will never again fall, except at her Saviors feet in eternal praise and adoration. To God be the glory forever and ever, Amen! Love, Mom, Dad, Pam, April and Amber
Kristol Jonni
Pure, Anointed, Gift from God
Though Krissie was never able to speak, she spoke more of Gods love and graciousness than most.
Though she could never walk, she was used for Gods glory far beyond her boundaries.
Though considered "useless" by the worlds standards, God used her broken body as a lighthouse, shining His love to a dark and dying world.
Though her physical body was weak, and broken, her spirit never grew weary in pointing those around her to Christ.
We laughed, loved, and cried together, all the while she constantly led us closer to our Savior. Her ministry shall continue thru us. May God be praised for the years we were blessed together.
Amen
"Whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely....Think on these things. Phillipians 4:8
For a more indepth version of Kristols story and our life with our daughter, please see www.seeingkristolclear.com
Published Inland Valley Daily Bulletin March 8 2013.
April 9, 1993 we were ecstatic with the birth of our daughter. She was so beautiful to us. She appeared normal, and her beautiful, almond-shaped eyes left us no clue as to why our obstetrician would ask our family and friends to leave the delivery room. "She is a pretty girl," he said gently. But she does have some characteristics of Down Syndrome." Never had a couple been told in a more tender way that their lives would never be the same. And one thing was for sure, we had fallen in love with our daughter long before she was born, and we were ready to get her home to start the next chapter of our lives. One morning, six months later I noticed Krissie's body moving strangely in tiny jerks. The next day, she was diagnosed with a seizure disorder called infantile spasms, a severe form of epilepsy that is damaging and difficult to control. The epilepsy was far worse, we were to find out than the Down Syndrome diagnosis. Kristol continued to have hundreds of seizures a day, despite steriod injections that left her twice her normal size and debilitated her immune system. Later, the devastation of the North ridge earthquake seemed trite and far away as my nine-month old baby lay in a oxygen tent and struggled to breathe through her fluid-filled lungs. Kristol battled pneumonia and came home two days later. Her condition varied from that point. We tried medications, diet and physical therapy. There were good days and bad days. On the good days, she had about a dozen seizures and I could hold her. The bad days brought 100 or more seizures while we took turns struggling to hold her contorted little body. One morning we couldn't wake her. Our baby had slipped into a coma. The blessings were still ours though, for we took her home again, one week later. As she began to grow, her ankles became so deformed it was painful for her to try and stand. A friend of ours arranged an appointment with Shriners hospital and through a miracle gave us a date for corrective surgery. Unfortunately surgery on Krissies ankles did not stop the seizures. Now that she could stand up with no pain just meant the drops during a seizure was longer and harder. A shattered jaw, busted lips, and multiple facial surgeries were evidence to the quiet epilepsy that lay beneath the surface of Kristol's beauty. As the years went by, we began to notice some unusual characteristics developing in Kristol. The doctors said that Kristol had also developed autistic impairments. As peculiar mannerisms began to take precedence in her life, then once again our lives were forced to change. Although Kristol was 10 years old, she was still just our baby. Mentally she was still about 8 months old. And now, the autism would not allow us to cuddle our baby the same way we were used to. Our next challenge with Kristol came in the form of severe scoliosis. When braces could no longer stop the severe curvature of her spine, she was sent to a spinal surgeon for a diagnosis of her condition. His words cut right through us. "She needs corrective surgery right now, or she will probably live less than a year!" The severe curvature of her spine was pressing against her heart and lungs. Breathing was becoming more difficult and as we once again became helpless to care for our daughter, major surgery was scheduled for our daughter in just a few weeks. Kristol was now 13 years old. Her seizures and autism were still a daily part of her life, and now she will die without surgery. Surgery arrived and once again, Jesus carried her through another life threatening surgery, and carried us through the 24 hour vigilance that accompanied recovery. Kristol is now 15 years old and has spent a lot of this last year in battling pneumonia and gastro-intestinal problems. She currently is being fed out of a G-tube and has had surgeries done on her stomach due to severe reflux. What does the future hold? That can never be answered. But we know who holds the future and He does hold our hands. And Kristol Jonni, our Pure, Anointed gift from God will one day be complete because we know that He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it. May God be continually praised!
On March 6, at 7:40 pm, Kristol Jonni accepted the invitation of her Lord and Savior "to dance" in His presence. She will never again fall, except at her Saviors feet in eternal praise and adoration. To God be the glory forever and ever, Amen! Love, Mom, Dad, Pam, April and Amber
Kristol Jonni
Pure, Anointed, Gift from God
Though Krissie was never able to speak, she spoke more of Gods love and graciousness than most.
Though she could never walk, she was used for Gods glory far beyond her boundaries.
Though considered "useless" by the worlds standards, God used her broken body as a lighthouse, shining His love to a dark and dying world.
Though her physical body was weak, and broken, her spirit never grew weary in pointing those around her to Christ.
We laughed, loved, and cried together, all the while she constantly led us closer to our Savior. Her ministry shall continue thru us. May God be praised for the years we were blessed together.
Amen
"Whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely....Think on these things. Phillipians 4:8
For a more indepth version of Kristols story and our life with our daughter, please see www.seeingkristolclear.com
Graveside Service Oak Park Cemetery, Claremont Thursday March 14th 10:30am.
Published Inland Valley Daily Bulletin March 8 2013.
April 9, 1993 we were ecstatic with the birth of our daughter. She was so beautiful to us. She appeared normal, and her beautiful, almond-shaped eyes left us no clue as to why our obstetrician would ask our family and friends to leave the delivery room. "She is a pretty girl," he said gently. But she does have some characteristics of Down Syndrome." Never had a couple been told in a more tender way that their lives would never be the same. And one thing was for sure, we had fallen in love with our daughter long before she was born, and we were ready to get her home to start the next chapter of our lives. One morning, six months later I noticed Krissie's body moving strangely in tiny jerks. The next day, she was diagnosed with a seizure disorder called infantile spasms, a severe form of epilepsy that is damaging and difficult to control. The epilepsy was far worse, we were to find out than the Down Syndrome diagnosis. Kristol continued to have hundreds of seizures a day, despite steriod injections that left her twice her normal size and debilitated her immune system. Later, the devastation of the North ridge earthquake seemed trite and far away as my nine-month old baby lay in a oxygen tent and struggled to breathe through her fluid-filled lungs. Kristol battled pneumonia and came home two days later. Her condition varied from that point. We tried medications, diet and physical therapy. There were good days and bad days. On the good days, she had about a dozen seizures and I could hold her. The bad days brought 100 or more seizures while we took turns struggling to hold her contorted little body. One morning we couldn't wake her. Our baby had slipped into a coma. The blessings were still ours though, for we took her home again, one week later. As she began to grow, her ankles became so deformed it was painful for her to try and stand. A friend of ours arranged an appointment with Shriners hospital and through a miracle gave us a date for corrective surgery. Unfortunately surgery on Krissies ankles did not stop the seizures. Now that she could stand up with no pain just meant the drops during a seizure was longer and harder. A shattered jaw, busted lips, and multiple facial surgeries were evidence to the quiet epilepsy that lay beneath the surface of Kristol's beauty. As the years went by, we began to notice some unusual characteristics developing in Kristol. The doctors said that Kristol had also developed autistic impairments. As peculiar mannerisms began to take precedence in her life, then once again our lives were forced to change. Although Kristol was 10 years old, she was still just our baby. Mentally she was still about 8 months old. And now, the autism would not allow us to cuddle our baby the same way we were used to. Our next challenge with Kristol came in the form of severe scoliosis. When braces could no longer stop the severe curvature of her spine, she was sent to a spinal surgeon for a diagnosis of her condition. His words cut right through us. "She needs corrective surgery right now, or she will probably live less than a year!" The severe curvature of her spine was pressing against her heart and lungs. Breathing was becoming more difficult and as we once again became helpless to care for our daughter, major surgery was scheduled for our daughter in just a few weeks. Kristol was now 13 years old. Her seizures and autism were still a daily part of her life, and now she will die without surgery. Surgery arrived and once again, Jesus carried her through another life threatening surgery, and carried us through the 24 hour vigilance that accompanied recovery. Kristol is now 15 years old and has spent a lot of this last year in battling pneumonia and gastro-intestinal problems. She currently is being fed out of a G-tube and has had surgeries done on her stomach due to severe reflux. What does the future hold? That can never be answered. But we know who holds the future and He does hold our hands. And Kristol Jonni, our Pure, Anointed gift from God will one day be complete because we know that He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it. May God be continually praised!
On March 6, at 7:40 pm, Kristol Jonni accepted the invitation of her Lord and Savior "to dance" in His presence. She will never again fall, except at her Saviors feet in eternal praise and adoration. To God be the glory forever and ever, Amen! Love, Mom, Dad, Pam, April and Amber
Kristol Jonni
Pure, Anointed, Gift from God
Though Krissie was never able to speak, she spoke more of Gods love and graciousness than most.
Though she could never walk, she was used for Gods glory far beyond her boundaries.
Though considered "useless" by the worlds standards, God used her broken body as a lighthouse, shining His love to a dark and dying world.
Though her physical body was weak, and broken, her spirit never grew weary in pointing those around her to Christ.
We laughed, loved, and cried together, all the while she constantly led us closer to our Savior. Her ministry shall continue thru us. May God be praised for the years we were blessed together.
Amen
"Whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely....Think on these things. Phillipians 4:8
For a more indepth version of Kristols story and our life with our daughter, please see www.seeingkristolclear.com
Published Inland Valley Daily Bulletin March 8 2013.
April 9, 1993 we were ecstatic with the birth of our daughter. She was so beautiful to us. She appeared normal, and her beautiful, almond-shaped eyes left us no clue as to why our obstetrician would ask our family and friends to leave the delivery room. "She is a pretty girl," he said gently. But she does have some characteristics of Down Syndrome." Never had a couple been told in a more tender way that their lives would never be the same. And one thing was for sure, we had fallen in love with our daughter long before she was born, and we were ready to get her home to start the next chapter of our lives. One morning, six months later I noticed Krissie's body moving strangely in tiny jerks. The next day, she was diagnosed with a seizure disorder called infantile spasms, a severe form of epilepsy that is damaging and difficult to control. The epilepsy was far worse, we were to find out than the Down Syndrome diagnosis. Kristol continued to have hundreds of seizures a day, despite steriod injections that left her twice her normal size and debilitated her immune system. Later, the devastation of the North ridge earthquake seemed trite and far away as my nine-month old baby lay in a oxygen tent and struggled to breathe through her fluid-filled lungs. Kristol battled pneumonia and came home two days later. Her condition varied from that point. We tried medications, diet and physical therapy. There were good days and bad days. On the good days, she had about a dozen seizures and I could hold her. The bad days brought 100 or more seizures while we took turns struggling to hold her contorted little body. One morning we couldn't wake her. Our baby had slipped into a coma. The blessings were still ours though, for we took her home again, one week later. As she began to grow, her ankles became so deformed it was painful for her to try and stand. A friend of ours arranged an appointment with Shriners hospital and through a miracle gave us a date for corrective surgery. Unfortunately surgery on Krissies ankles did not stop the seizures. Now that she could stand up with no pain just meant the drops during a seizure was longer and harder. A shattered jaw, busted lips, and multiple facial surgeries were evidence to the quiet epilepsy that lay beneath the surface of Kristol's beauty. As the years went by, we began to notice some unusual characteristics developing in Kristol. The doctors said that Kristol had also developed autistic impairments. As peculiar mannerisms began to take precedence in her life, then once again our lives were forced to change. Although Kristol was 10 years old, she was still just our baby. Mentally she was still about 8 months old. And now, the autism would not allow us to cuddle our baby the same way we were used to. Our next challenge with Kristol came in the form of severe scoliosis. When braces could no longer stop the severe curvature of her spine, she was sent to a spinal surgeon for a diagnosis of her condition. His words cut right through us. "She needs corrective surgery right now, or she will probably live less than a year!" The severe curvature of her spine was pressing against her heart and lungs. Breathing was becoming more difficult and as we once again became helpless to care for our daughter, major surgery was scheduled for our daughter in just a few weeks. Kristol was now 13 years old. Her seizures and autism were still a daily part of her life, and now she will die without surgery. Surgery arrived and once again, Jesus carried her through another life threatening surgery, and carried us through the 24 hour vigilance that accompanied recovery. Kristol is now 15 years old and has spent a lot of this last year in battling pneumonia and gastro-intestinal problems. She currently is being fed out of a G-tube and has had surgeries done on her stomach due to severe reflux. What does the future hold? That can never be answered. But we know who holds the future and He does hold our hands. And Kristol Jonni, our Pure, Anointed gift from God will one day be complete because we know that He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it. May God be continually praised!
On March 6, at 7:40 pm, Kristol Jonni accepted the invitation of her Lord and Savior "to dance" in His presence. She will never again fall, except at her Saviors feet in eternal praise and adoration. To God be the glory forever and ever, Amen! Love, Mom, Dad, Pam, April and Amber
Kristol Jonni
Pure, Anointed, Gift from God
Though Krissie was never able to speak, she spoke more of Gods love and graciousness than most.
Though she could never walk, she was used for Gods glory far beyond her boundaries.
Though considered "useless" by the worlds standards, God used her broken body as a lighthouse, shining His love to a dark and dying world.
Though her physical body was weak, and broken, her spirit never grew weary in pointing those around her to Christ.
We laughed, loved, and cried together, all the while she constantly led us closer to our Savior. Her ministry shall continue thru us. May God be praised for the years we were blessed together.
Amen
"Whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely....Think on these things. Phillipians 4:8
For a more indepth version of Kristols story and our life with our daughter, please see www.seeingkristolclear.com
