On a recent visit with Gracie, I sat at her bedside and stroked her arm as she drifted in and out of medicated sleep. She’d wake up and speak about youth ministry and how she remembered what it was like when she was in high school group and when she’d come into my office just to talk life and when kids during service wouldn’t pay attention and how it bothered her. Sleep.
Then she’d awake just for a moment to share a diatribe about the lack of respect her peers had for God and church and youth leaders. Sleep.
A moment later she’d awake to adjust her oxygen mask, readjust her pillow, or just try to ease the pain. Sleep.
It was almost as if she was spouting memories and words of wisdom and love during her periods of being awake. Then sleep.
On August 30, 2011 little Gracie went into a permanent sleep. Gracie was given grace and taken home to be in the arms of Jesus. Completely healed and without pain. She now is in the arms of our heavenly father doing what she does best… laughing, joking, and having a blast.
Thank you for your prayers and kind words of support. Please continue to pray for her family during this time of loss.
Below is my favorite picture of Zoe [my little sister] and Gracie because it typifies them exactly! Together, staring at the future, uncaring of who was watching them.
I am very sorry to hear this news. My thoughts and heartfelt prayers go out to her family as well as to yours.
Bianca – it is times like this that the beauty in your writing becomes all the more poignant.
Praying for her family. Praying for you and your family as you all remember her and celebrate the blessing of her life.
Love you.
There are never really any words that can bring the amount of comfort that we wish them to. I’m sorry for your loss. I’m sorry for the world’s loss. She sounds like she was a life-changer. I will be praying for you all.
I am sobbing. And I am smiling. Because I know that Gracie is now at home in our Heavenly Father’s arms. Sending prayers of love and support for her family. Please give them a huge hug for me All the way from Australia and let them know that she has TRULY touched my heart! Xo
Thank you for sharing Gracie’s story. I will also pray for your sister Zoe, she lost a beautiful friend, but one she will see again in heaven. Remember I told you your blog made me laugh, this time you made me cry.
I’m so sorry for your pain and her family’s pain. Confidence in where Gracie is soothes a broken heart. Love to you and her’s during this time…
My heart just completely broke when I read this. Prayers going out to you and your family and Gracie’s family during this time!
My heart hurts for the loss of Gracie. I do not know her personally, just through your blog. I know that hearts must be aching. My prayers are with her family and friends right now.
Hard as it may be to grasp right now, All things work for good to them that love the Lord. He gave you all those precious years to be with her so thank him for that.
I pray that he comforts her family and he friends
Never are there words to properly express sympathy for the loss of life but knowing that she is resting in Jesus gives hope because you know that if you keep the faith in JESUS you will see her again.
Gracie and her family will be in my prayers.
Oh sweet Gracie. May you rest in peace, in the arms of our Heavenly Father.
i feel as though i have gotten to know gracie just a teeny bit through your and jasmine’s blogs. i am so glad that gracie is finally free from the bonds of this world. i am definitely lifting up all those who knew her on earth in prayer. love from ohio.
I’m sorry. I will continue praying for her family, and those impacted by the loss. She seemed like a beautiful young lady.
:'( Prayers for all her family and friends. May she rest in peace.
Praying for you, sweet Bianca.
my heart aches for the sadness this family and your sister must be going through, but praise be to God for her being a sister in Christ and without pain now!
I am very sorry for your loss, however I can’t help but smile when I picture Gracie running around Heaven checkin’ out her new digs!! Praying for you, your family and Gracie’s family! <3
Oh I am so sorry for your loss Bianca and for everyone else who knew sweet Gracie. Prayers for her family…
I didn’t know what to think when I found out after work last night. There was mixed emotions. But then I remembered who Gracie was as a person, who she was in Christ. The crazy, rambunctious, sassy, always smiling and always happy Ms. Gracie Aroz. She taught me a life lesson before her cancer ever was (and of course with Zoe at her side as always lol) what a beautiful legacy such a young crurageous woman has left behind. We need more Gracies. An inspirational ending to a young extraordinary life. Love you always Ms. Gracie.
I pray for Gracie’s family, your sister, you, & all those who love her. I especially know how your sister feels losing her best friend… i will hold her so close to my heart and prayers. May God bless your memories of Gracie… that you never forget them… & may Gracie’s soul rest deeply in the love of the Lord that she loves so much! I love you!!! xoxoxoxoxoxo
Praying for the comfort of the Holy Spirit to be upon you all!
Isn’t it amazing how a heart can break and rejoice at the same time. I want to say words of comfort, but they all fall so short. All I can say is, “Thank you Jesus for letting Zoe be with us, even the ones who never met her. Be glorified.”
Can I get an Amen up in this place?
i’m so sorry for your family and her family’s loss. both of your blogs about her made me cry. it’s never fair to lose children, it’s incomprehensible, it’s unnatural. my heart goes out to you and your loved ones.
Thank you for sharing these sweet memories of such a precious child of God, may her love for our awesome God spill over to all who loved her dearly and be a testament of a strong relationship with Christ, our family continues to pray for family and friends, bless you Bianca.
Ah, this breaks my heart. I’m so happy that she is now with Jesus, but my heart is sad for her family and friends. I still remember when your sister posted the pictures of her a year or so ago. She was so young, but obviously her short life here on earth made a difference. She was loved, honored, respected and cherished by many people. Definitely will be praying for her family and friends, your sister as well.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” -Psalm 116:15
Dance with Jesus sweet Grace, say hi to Christy for me, she will welcome you into a beautiful place free of cancer and full of life.
Much love and many prayers.
Praying for the family from a place of understanding. Weeping with them as they weep and rejoicing in her being HOME.
But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:16
The loss of life is heartbreaking, and I’m praying for all families that knew this precious life. Thank you for bringing Gracie’s story to your blog.
My heart breaks for your sister and your families. I have been following her story through Jasmine’s photos and have always been giving a silent prayer for her. I am happy she is at peace now, but definitely mourning her loss.
sending up prayers of peace and comfort for her family and loved ones
Oh B, I am so sorry. I had no idea. And I talked to you yesterday….so consumed with my transition. I’m such an idiot. And I didn’t even know, didn’t even ask, what you were going through. What can I do for you? For your family?
I love you tons and you all are in my prayers.
I’m so sorry B! Through your writing I felt like I knew her… I send you a big hug! My prayers go to you, Gracie’s family, Zoey and all her friends!! As I cry for the loss of a beautiful girl, I rest assured that she is delighting in God’s presence. Lots of love!!
I’m so sad for what her family and yours must feel from losing someone you love so much. Thank you for sharing even a small part of Gracie with us. She’s touched so many hearts, it seems her work is done and she’s resting in the arms of our Lord.
Bianca – I am so so sorry for the loss of someone so dear to you. She was blessed to have someone like you in her life.
Thank you all so much! It means to world to me to have your loving words of support. xoxo
My heart aches and yet rejoices for Gracie. Her laughther was contagious and now she laughs with no pain while worshiping the true living God.
Thank you for sharing this story, it means alot to me.
Lil
i’m so sorry….praying for her family…
I’m so sorry. My deepest sympathies to Gracie, her family, and yours and your sister Zoe for losing such a wonderful soul. I hope you all can feel the love and care being sent your way at this difficult time.
God’s grace and God’s Gracie. Praying and believing that His peace which surpasses all understanding will comfort you all during this season.
There are tears in my eyes as I read this. Gracie’s story has touched my heart and I felt that I had to tell you and all of her family and loved ones how much you are in my thoughts and prayers right now. It was evident in photos what a beautiful person she was and I am so sorry for that loss. I lost my sister this summer also to cancer and I can very much understand how everyone must be feeling right now. My love to you all.
My sympathies to you and your family for the loss of your sister.
I am so sorry about this B. My prayers are definitely with Gracie’s family, you, and everyone else who loved her… that God may give you all peace knowing that Gracie is now with Jesus.
There are not words except to praise God for the joy she brought to so many lives. God used her greatly and continues to use her to encourage others. Praying for her family, and that God would continue to use her sweet life to bless and encourage.Praying for her family…
Crying sweet tears. So glad Gracie is at home in her fathers arms and so sad she has gone from this world so young. Praying for you, Zoe, and Gracie’s family.
B –
Sad to hear about Gracie’s passing – knowing how much life on this side of eternity will never be the same for those who’ve been blessed to be her family and friends and in her circle of influence. I have been touched by her life and legacy (thank you for sharing her unfading beauty with us) and can only imagine the unfathomable ways God is using her for His glory and purposes. Thankful that there are no goodbyes in Christ. My deepest condolences.
Love you dearly & hope to give you a big hug soon.
Allie
I am so sorry for your loss, Bianca. I will indeed pray for Gracie’s family and your fam as well.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. As one who lost a brother when we were teenagers, my heart aches deeply for and with you all. Praying for you and your family as well as for Gracie’s family that you would truly be able to know and rest in the peace that passes all understanding and rely on HIS strength in a time when our strength just isn’t there.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. I just read Jasmine’s blog post as well.
She seemed like such a beautiful and sweet individual.
Hello Bianca,
I did not get to meet Gracie but would hear about her at CCM. I just became a member of CCM a few months ago. It made me really sad to hear about her suffering with cancer. She was very beautiful. I will be praying for you and her family and your little sister Zoe Belle.
My prayers are with the Aroz family, their Faith has kept them strong and encouraging to others. As children of God we have hope that we will be reunited with Gracie in God’s timing..
Bianca, I’m so sorry to hear about Grace’s passing. My heart is so tender toward you, your family and her family. (((hugs)))