Dear Friends in Christ,
We want to thank our Zion Church familly for all of the love and support that you have given us in these past difficult months. As most of you know on November 28, 2007 our grandson Owen was stillborn due to a cord accident. Owen’s parents are our daughter and son-in-law Anne and Grant Christianson. Then on April 6 our 19 month old granddaughter Helena died after surgery to repair her heart. Helena’s parents are our son and daughter-in-law Aaron and Mary Suomala Folkerds. In the deep grief that our family has experienced, you our Zion family has reached out to us with great compassion. Thank you for the many cards, kind notes, visits, prayers, food and memorial gifts. A special thank you to Zion’s pastors and to all who helped with Helena’s funeral and the fellowship lunch that followed. We have been surrounded and uplifted by your outreach.
As a family we have found strength in your caring ways and in the promise of the resurrection. These have been healing days for us all. Anne and Grant have found the Compassionate Friends support group, for those who have lost children, to be very helpful. The scriptures and many helpful printed resources have also brought us comfort. After Helena’s funeral Aaron and Mary were able to take three weeks off from their parish duties to be alone and to spend time with family. Their first Sunday back at the Prairie Land Lutheran Parish in La Salle and Hanska, MN was May 4. The grieving continues but we know who walks with us in our grief. We firmly believe in our loving God who cares for Owen, Helena and for each of us. We live each day in God’s loving promise and in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection. Thank you again for walking with us in this time and may the blessings of Christ our Lord be with you all.
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor John and Judy Folkerds
