Justin's Jesus

By Mary Swick

Our son, Justin Ryker Swick, went to be with the angels just shy of three months old, due to SIDS. This is our story of how such a tragic event strengthened our faith in Jesus Christ, put peace in our hearts, and hope for a better tomorrow. Through the stories our oldest son Riley, told us about seeing angels and his encounter with Jesus the night that Justin went to Heaven, we have been able to find joy in our every day lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 10, 2012
• ISBN: 9781449736156

Mary Swick

Mary Swick and her husband, Ryan, reside in Alden, Iowa. She is a 26-year-old mother of three beautiful boys. Riley, the oldest is four-years-old, Jacob is two-and-a-half, and little Justin went to Heaven just shy of three-months-old. She is a graduate of Wayne State College, in Wayne, Nebraska where she obtained her elementary education degree in 2009. She is now a stay-at-home mom, an assistant photo editor, and a part time daycare provider. She loves to spend time with her husband and their children. Mary has not written a book, after Justin’s passing, her oldest son Riley, started telling her and her husband about angels, and an encounter he had with Jesus the night Justin went to Heaven. While Justin’s passing has been the hardest thing she has ever had to deal with, she is so thankful for the lessons she has learned about life through Justin’s death, and for the strength, courage, and every day blessings God has bestowed upon her and her family, and also for a new found peace that has been placed in her heart.

Book preview

Justin’s Jesus

MARY SWICK

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Copyright © 2012 Mary Swick

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ISBN: 978-1-4497-3616-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-3615-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011963688

Printed in the United States of America

WestBow Press rev. date: 01/06/2012

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Letters to Justin

Prologue

Justin’s Jesus

That Dreadful Day

Justin’s Little Life

Justin’s Angels

Heaven Is For Real

No Such Thing as Coincidence

What Death Teaches Us About Life

89 Days

Epilogue

Notes

About The Swicks

At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

-Luke 10:21

Dedication

I would like to dedicate this book to the Lord, Jesus Christ, for carrying us through this storm and showing us He is big enough to handle our pain and conquer our biggest fears.

In loving memory of Justin, I miss you everyday precious baby, but I know that Jesus is holding you in his arms. I can’t wait until we are able to see you again and hold you in our own arms.

To my wonderful husband, Ryan, who has been there with me through thick and thin; you have been my rock, my shoulder to cry on, and even on my worst days, the sweetest man I know.

To Riley and Jacob, you boys mean so much to me, and I am so proud to be your mommy.

To every parent, grandparent, and sibling who has had a child go to Heaven long before you desired; and in loving memory of those children.

To Justin Kniefl, Ben Holbrook, Tyler Bird, Jarid Anderson, Keeley Settles, Dakota Cleland, and Dacey De Whitmire, may you all be dancing among the angels and watching over your families.

Acknowledgements

I would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who has been there for us through this trying time. I cannot believe the amount of support we received from so many people and communities. To the EMT’s, First Responders, Eric and Jessi Eugenio, for all your help that day!

To everyone who brought covered dishes and supplies after Justin’s funeral, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Thank you to Pastor T.J Norman, his wife Laurie, and all of the people of the First Christian Church in Iowa Falls.

To Leonard Linn, and the Linn Funeral Home staff, you all have been such a godsend to us. Thank you so much for all you have done

To both Ryan’s parents and mine, thank you so much for instilling in us a strong faith, for taking us to church, and providing us with a solid foundation in Jesus Christ.

Thank you to my dad for making me get out of bed all those Sunday mornings to go to church; even though I wasn’t happy about it then, I appreciate it more than you know!

To all of our sisters, you have been so amazing to both of us. The Strength, dedication, and love you have shared are truly a treasure to us both.

Many, many, thanks to my sister Jill Brindle, and Jack Dennis, who always seemed to find time to spend with us and with the boys especially during the crucial times in our lives. Thank you so much for staying with me while Justin was in the NICU, for staying to help with swimming lessons, and for staying with me after Justin’s funeral. You have been there for us through everything and I cannot express my appreciation and love enough. Thank you so much! We love you!

Thank you to those of you who helped in getting Justin’s Jesus ready for publishing. Joni Irlmeier, you are such an amazing lady, I was so blessed to have you as a teacher and I cannot begin to express my gratitude and appreciation. Thank you for being willing to do the editing for us on Justin’s Jesus. Thank you also for introducing the name Ryker to me, I love that name!

Thank you to my cousin Leigh Rigby-Adcock for doing the final editing. I cannot begin to express my appreciation and gratitude!

To my Great-Aunt Marilyn who also edited Justin’s Jesus, thank you so much for your time, we love you.

Thank you to my grandmother, Martha Havens, for all you did and brought for us after Justin’s passing, and thank you so much for giving us the privilege of keeping Justin so close to us, by letting us use the burial plots; we are eternally grateful. Love you.

To my Aunt Janie, who came as soon as she heard the news and stayed with us. Thank you for helping us laugh during such a hard time, easing the tension, and calming us down I am so grateful for your constant support. You have always been there for me, and I cannot thank you enough!

To my Aunt Gina for being there for us while hearing the awful news. Thank you so much for your love and support, I could not have done it without you!!!

To my grandparents, who mean the world to me: thank you for all you have done for us, and all the lessons you have taught us; you are an inspiration and great living example of love, generosity, and kindness. We love you!

Thank you to Stephanie Stolzman for all you did for us after Justin’s passing and the support you have given us. You are a great person, a wonderful friend, and an amazing boss.

To my best friend, Amanda Holbrook, and her mother Cheryl, who has always been like a mother to me. You two ladies have been such a big part of my life; thank you so much for everything. I love you