Happy Birthday Joel!
I know you would love to have Cora here
to blow out your candles with you today.
I wish so much that she was here to do that too.
She would have wanted to give her daddy a giant birthday hug…
and a high five, just like you taught her.
I hope today you know how much you are loved…
by so many!
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by Jess
Amber Ellis - God love that man. I hope he has a wonderful birthday. I know it is hard to feel like it is a blessing, but God put him on this earth for a reason.
I hope you both have a great day
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A - You guys have such beautiful life-moment pictures of you and Cora!! I hope his birthday celebration is fun, even as Cora is in Heaven right now
That is so cute he taught her high-five…I want to teach my little one that…whenever he/she gets here!
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Melody - Happy Birthday Joel!!! I hope your day is wonderfully blessed!
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PamperingBeki - Happy birthday Joel!
Cora’s high five-ing everyone in heaven today. With her chubby little dimpled hands.
God bless you guys!
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rentz - Happy birthday, Joel! We continue to pray for you two. And your new little one.
I asked Jake, after we saw you at the wedding, if he knew you were having a baby. His eyes lit up and he said, “She is?” with a big smile on his face. He then told me if he could pick two teachers for next year he would pick you and Tobi. You’re still a favorite!
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shepherdsgrace - May God bless him in a particular way to day that strengthens and encourages him…
blessings…
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Clare Z. - Happy Birthday Joel!!!
May the Lord continue to bless you now on your very special day and always!
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Julie - Happy birthday, Joel. I know the one person you wish were here is not…but know sweet Cora is smiling on you today.
Hugs and prayers from Indiana.
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Mandy - Happy Birthday Joel. I hope your day is full of love and happiness! You are one amazing man!
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The Sweigart Family - Happy Birthday, Joel. We are blessed by your sweet memories of Cora. May God’s love comfort you today.
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Jess - happy birthday to joel! happy birthday to joel! happy birthday mister jooooeeeeel! happy birthday to you! (just be thankful i wrote it instead of ‘blessing’ you by singing it!)
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Susy - Happy Birthday Joel. What a beautiful picture. May God bless Cora up in heaven.
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Holly - Happy Birthday, Joel!
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Erica - haapy bday to your sweet husband!
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Emily - I love that in that picture there is a reflection of you as you smile at the loves of your life while you take their picture. It looks as though you are looking down on them just the same as Cora is looking down on the two of you today- with all the love in your heart. I hope Joel’s birthday is blessed, and that in the deep sorrow, joy and peace will overcome him this day. Prayers for you always…
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Elle's Mom - Happy Birthday Joel!
What a beautiful picture of Daddy and Cora. Thinking of you and your family.
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Lauren Kelly - Awww, happy birthday!!!!
And I know you’ll be celebrating it with Cora in spirit!
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Kendall Smith - 29???? WOah!! That’s old!!!!!!
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The Hams - Happy Birthday Joel!
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Amy - Happy birthday to one of the best husbands and fathers I can think of!
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Marla Taviano - Happy 29th Birthday, Joel! That picture of you and Cora is PRICELESS!
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Anonymous - HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOEL!
Kim
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Rebecca - That is such a sweet picture. A treasure for sure.
Happy Birthday, Joel. We hope you have a wonderful day.
You are definitely loved by so many, even us strangers. We are keeping you in our daily prayers.
Love and Hugs to both of you.
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purejoy - what a sweet picture and memory. hope his birthday is a day marked by family and joy.
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Rebecca - WOW!! I just noticed after looking at the picture a second time, that Jess’s reflection is in there too. LOVE THAT!!
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Jane In The Jungle - Happy Birthday Joel,
And enjoy a year full of promises and love.
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The Bohrer's - Joel – happy birthday! I hear you almost got to share it with a new nephew!
Heidi
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Robin in Benton - Happy Birthday – Blessings on you today. I know that Cora is smiling down at you and giving you those high fives!
Hope you both have a good day – and remember that Cora wants to see you happy!
Hugs
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Christa - Happy Birthday Joel!
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The Boccias - Happy birthday, Joel!
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ryanandlindsay - Well, Kendall said what I was going to say.
Happy Birthday Joel! If you need some youngsters to help you celebrate, let Ryan and I know. We can show you how its done.
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Jamie - That is such a great photo! Happy Birthday!!
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Sew Many Ideas, So Little Time - One summer I had the opportunity to drive my friend Avis around to small churches to preach. (Avis was 87 at the time and the wife of an Assembly of God pastor for over 60 years.) As the day got closer to the day her husband passed away I wondered how she would respond. She surprised us all by raising her hands announcing at the beginning of the sermon, that this was Chester’s first anniversary in heaven and what a wonderful day it was, I am focusing on what a time he is having in heaven with Our Savior!!!I keep her message close to my heart as I remember my sister who went to be with the Lord last January. Yesterday was the first time I read your blog about baby Cora, it was sad and painful, but what a spiritual legacy she left!!!These days are difficult, always the first events without them are hard,but Cora lives on! She just beat us to heaven! Happy Birthday Joel, Numbers 6:24 Barbara G.
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Olivia - Happy Birthday Brother! We love you and wish Cora was here today to celebrate with you too.
Hope you are having a great birthday meal today…even if it isn’t fried chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy!
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Shannon - Happy Birthday Joel! Hope you have a great one!
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Misty Rice - I didn’t even need to read the post before the tears started falling. Just seeing that photo, my heart broke in pieces all over again. Oh how painful it is to see and hear the sadness your hearts have.
Happy Birthday, Joel.
God Bless
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me and my boys - happy birthday joel ! still praying for you guys !
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wicker0407 - Happy Birthday Joel! Your family continues to be in my prayers I hope this next year proves to be amazing for you. God Bless!
Summer & Family in California
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Trasie Bressler - God must be so proud. Happy Birthday to Cora’s daddy and I’m sure she is smiling up above as you blow out those candles.
Many Many Blessings!
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Polka Dot Moon - What an adorable picture of the two of them!
Wishing your hubby a happy day!!
Denise
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Ruth - Happy birthday, Joel! Even strangers like me think you are an incredible pillar of strength, and a true man of God.
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Karina - As one other reader pointed out, that is an amazing picture of the THREE of you! That is how Cora is now, I suppose, like an image in a mirror, on another plane – except that you don’t see her (I had to look twice – I didn’t notice Jess the first time!).
Happy birthday, Joel, you are a strong and inspiring father.
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Kristi REDISKE - Happy Birthday Joel. What a wonderful picture of you and Cora-what a sweet memory. Praying for you especially today.
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Autumn - Happy Birthday Joel!
That picture is so precious but breaks my heart that his sweet baby isn’t here to celebrate with him.
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Allen and Debby Graber - 29? Wow! Congratulations, to a dear Daddy and a man of God! What a precious picture! Thanks for posting it!
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Alice - That is such an adoranle picture, treasure that forever. I hope to both had a good day celebrate Joel’s day.
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The Moffats - Happy Birthday, Joel. Know that you are soooo loved…especially by the Moffats! Wishing this birthday was as precious as your last but realizing the heartache that comes along with it. Praying for you…and Jess…and thanking God for your life and all the people you have touched so deeply.
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Sue - Happy birthday, Joel. I don’t know you, but think of your family so much. I hope that your birthday went OK, it’s these special occassions that are the hardest to deal with. I am sure that you had a wonderful day in any event!
Sue
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Miranda - Happy Birthday, Joel! Hope he has a wonderful birthday!
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Micah - Happy birthday, Joel. I’m sure it’s not your best birthday ever, but may God give you an extra measure of peace and comfort this day to help you get through. I’ll say an extra prayer for you all today.
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Anonymous - I remember when you were born. Your family was so excited to have a boy — and it was 112 degrees that day. You have brought so much happiness to your family and you have inspired all of us in the way in which you have leaned on God. It seems that the more one depends upon the Lord, the more strength one has.
I hope your birthday is happy.
The picture is amazing and brought a flood of tears to my eyes.
praying for you so often.
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Toni :O) - Happy Belated Birthday…hope it was wonderful and there is lots to look forward to with new baby Mac on the way. Be blessed!
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Kristi - I hope your husband had a great birthday!!
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Allison - Happy birthday Joel! You share the exact same birthday as my husband, who also turned 29 yesterday. I hope your next year is a blessing for you.
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Brooke - Happy Birthday Joel!!!!
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Townsend Crew - God, Father to us all, we know you share Joel’s pain. You gave your Son to us and know the pain of watching your child in pain. Lift the pain and burden that Joel feels and hold him close to your heart…. and lift up Jess, as she cares for and tries to heal the man that she loves and tries to heal her own spirit. Keep them strong on their journey together.
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Sarah - Happy Birthday!!!!
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meg duerksen - happy birthday joel!!!!
hope you are relaxing right now! you deserve some down time. have fun!
it’s your birthday!
in your honor i will have two desserts tonight!
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Judy - Happy Birthday to an amazing Daddy and super husband!!!
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michelle - Happy (late) Birthday to Joel!!! I hope you were able to enjoy it, you sound like a guy who deserves it!!
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Savanna - What a beautiful photo….and Jess’s reflection in the mirror is just so tender. I think of your family often. happy birthday!
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Savanna - Your family is just so sweet and tender! Happy birthday Joel!
I think of you often.
–check out my blog at grits-savanna.blogspot.com
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Team Martins - happy birthday to man whose strength comes across the screen so beautifully! hope you all got a chance to hold each other extra tight.
thank you for being such inspirations to us all.
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Krystal - You have been on my mind all day long, so I thought I should drop you a note. I’m praying for you!
Happy Belated Birthday, Joel!
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Anonymous - Oh goodness, Hurts my Heart!
Thinking of you.
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Queen B. - oh my gosh, i just love that picture of your family.
did you know you are in it ??
Just look at how you smiled at your husband and Cora.
Beautiful !
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rebecca - Just wanted to drop by and let you know that you have been on my mind a lot today.
Praying for you guys!!
Love and Hugs.
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