Happy Birthday, Daniel!
I still remember waiting for Melissa to arrive as I coached an important soccer game for the Cyclones. She had gone to get an ultra-sound. I was eager to know if God was going to give us a boy or a girl for our second child.
We were well into the second half of the game and there was still no sign of Melissa. "Where could she be?” I thought to myself. After having given my "undivided" attention back to the game for a few minutes I looked across the field to see if my wife had finally arrived. There she sat with a blue balloon in her hand. "Yes, a boy! We are going to have a boy!!!” I said out loud. I couldn't wait for the game to end so that I could celebrate with my VERY pregnant wife and almost 3 year old daughter, Hannah.
Daniel William Cruver, II was born a month later on October 12. He would be five today. What a wonderful gift from God he was! Happy birthday, Daniel! We love you.
This picture was taken on Daniel's 3rd birthday.
This next picture is courtesy amt. She took it in celebration of his 5th birthday. Thanks, amt!!
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Praise God for His great mercy and grace. He gives us so much.
I am praying for you and Melissa.
Terry
Little Daniel - The greatest "silent preacher" of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We love you!!
What a reunion Heaven will be...
What a sweet little boy - I have that picture on my refrigerator. How his life has caused our hearts to be tender - he truly has a "ministry". Diane
What a gift Daniel was to us all! I know more of Jesus because of all Daniel taught me. God is gracious. I love you guys.
SA
the grace of Christ that was demonstrated in Daniel's life has not left us unaffected. praise Him for the freedom of hope.
I praise the Lord today for what he has worked in your lives & the effect it has had on me.
I trust you will feel much of your Good Shepherd today
You guys have "been through the fire" - the most intense trial I can imagine - "losing" your precious child - and your testimony of God's consistent love and grace is a tremendous example to all who know you.
You are our first grandson. We miss you so! You taught us so much and you continue to teach us..."you have only changed residence, the trading of clay for gold, the bartering of protoplasm for spirit, the exchange of temporality for immortality." Miller It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone. For part of us went with you..the day God called you HOME! You're our treasure in Heaven! God always takes the best. Loving you Daniel, as we await that grand reunion.
Grandma and Grandpa Cruver
I had the opportunity to know little Daniel for the first year or so of his life. Though he never spoke a word to me verbally, he proclaimed the matchless grace of God every time I saw him. What a precious gift and what a purifying trial. May Daniel continue, even in his absence from earth, to declare the fame and greatness of the Christ of Heaven. Happy Birthday, Daniel!
Grace and peace.
Happy Birthday!! Daniel William Cruver II.
It's hard to believe he was born 5 years ago. Dan and Melissa you have truly been an example of God's radical grace in your life since his home going. I love you both and am praying for you!!
Dan & Melissa:
I am sitting here, typing behind tear-filled eyes...looking at recent photos of my four boys, grateful for your transparency...rejoicing in God's goodness to you and ultimately toward Daniel.
Imagine he is laughing, leaping, and loving with Jesus! No longer is he imprisoned by his earthly infirmities!
Grace to you both! You are loved, appreciated, and prayed for daily.
Rick C.
Ken and I lost a child years ago. It almost finished us off. God was good to let us see "the sacrifice of praise" lived out in your lives when Daniel died, and in the months that followed. Thank you for sharing Daniel and your heart.
Happy Birthday, Daniel! I thank God for the testimony of your family, especially Daniel II--you will never know how much it has impacted me.
This very special day brings us closer to the time when we will see our loved ones again--and rejoice with them in the presence of our merciful and great God for all eternity! We eagerly wait for this--our hope (Romans 8)! Praying for you both on this day!