Malachi Stephen Sharbaugh went home to be with the Lord at approximately 4:30 this afternoon.
John and I are obviously deeply saddened by our loss, but rejoicing in the fact that Malachi will never again feel pain or suffering or life in a hospital bed. He will never be alone, but eternally in the loving presence of our Father.
Malachi's life was definitely NOT in vain. God had a mighty plan for his seven months and we would like to collect tangible evidence of the impact Malachi has had on the lives of those who have followed our story.
Details for Little Man:Big Impact will follow. For now, I will attempt to relax with my husband.
Marissa, I just wanted to send my deepest condolences to you on the loss of precious Malachi. I will be thinking of you and wishing you much strength & love in the days to come.
ReplyDeleteMuch love,
Lisa Weir
Marissa - My deepest condolences to your family. You are a special mama for Malachi to have chosen you. I'll be thinking and praying for you tonight and in the days to come.
ReplyDeleteHuGs,
Kendal VanValkenburg
I am so sorry to hear of your loss...will continue to pray for you family during this time.
ReplyDeletetake comfort in each other, and know that Jesus is present there with you, weeping your tears and feeling your heartbreak. we serve a God who cares deeply when His children hurt! we love you guys and are praying for you every moment we think of you (which is constantly!)
ReplyDeleteI have followed your story for some time and constantly admired the strength you have. It is God given and He will give you strength now. My heart aches for you and your entire family. Many prayers.
ReplyDeleteRita Y
My heart is breaking for your family....I am praying for peace for all three of you. Sweet precious baby boy. Marissa, your family has been such an inspiration to my. We will be remembering you all in our prayers....
ReplyDeletei have followed your blog about your special little guy that God trusted you both with all these months and my heart has bee so touched and blessed by your writings and your testimonies and lives. My daughter is a PICU nurse in Albany NY and has been touched reading what the parents of her kids are going through for the first time and seeing things a lot differently because of it.
ReplyDeleteSomeday I hope you can put your writings in a book as God has used it tremendously in my life and I know it could have a big impact on many others.
May God richly bless you all and may you find comfort that your little Malachi is resting peacefully in the arms of our Jesus.
~dorcas mckinney, Latham, NY
To you both,
ReplyDeleteI have followed your blog and have been inspired by how you both are so strong in your faith. Malachi was and will always be a blessings in peoples lives. May you both feel God's amazing love around you. Until we all meet again in that glorious land, and have all of our families together. God bless you both
Rochelle - Denver NC
You both have been a challenge and an inpsiration throughout this journey. Malachi accomplished more in his 7 months for God's glory than some do in an entire lifetime. Tears and prayers on your behalf tonight. Love you both so much - Pete and Mandy
ReplyDeleteI've been following your blog (by accident) since Malachi was born. I can not describe how I felt when I read your post tonight. I'm completely in tears and my heart is hurting for you guys. Know that I will be sending prayers for extra strength for both you and John tonight.
ReplyDelete-Amanda (Dominican Republic)
Here through Londa... I am so beyond humbled by your strength and faithfulness... and so saddened by the loss of such a sweet child.
ReplyDeleteKNow my heart is with you...
Blessings-
Amanda
Marissa...you have all weighed SO heavily on my heart the past two days. You have not walked this alone...we have all been kneeling at the foot of the cross...right along side you.
ReplyDeleteSending love tonight...
I am so sorry for your loss!! My heart, thoughts and prayers are with you all!!
ReplyDeleteOut of the arms of Mommy and Daddy and into the arms of Jesus.
God sent an Angel to earth....the sweetest Angel too.
and for such a tiny thing, he had so much to do.
He knew he did not have time upon this earth to stay,
He did not waste a second, he got started right away.
His eyes were bright and sparkly, he took in every turn.
He did not miss a single thing, because Angel came to learn.
God sent him here to touch the people he could not reach.
He taught them courage, strength and faith because Angel came to teach.
His tiny body so full of God above,
You felt it when you held him, because Angel came to love.
He did his patty cakes, and made his monkey face and batted colored keys all day,
Stroked his rabbit til he fell asleep, because Angel came to play.
In 7 short months he managed what many never will.
When he went home with Jesus his purpose was fulfilled.
He learned and taught, loved and played, he learned his lessons well.
I know He was proud of him when he went home to dwell.
I think he gave him golden keys to play with all day...
He plays his patty cakes with Angels and makes his monkey face.
I am sure he tells them all is GO-OO-OD I am sure they all agree...
I know he thinks that heaven is simply heavenly.
But when we miss him OH SO MUCH, I can almost hear him say,
Please understand his work was done...
Angel did not come to stay.
Love,
Crystal and Eva
Dear John, Just tonight I learned, thru facebook, about your precious Malachi. I've been reading your blog and sit here bawling my eyes out for your aching heart. Your wife sounds wonderful. I always thought so much of you, John, and I can understand why God hs blessed you with Marissa. You are a great young man. I have two little baby girls we adopted from Vietnam 2 years ago and as a mother I am only imagining the pain and loss you are feeling. I have confidence that our Loving Lord is giving both of you the peace that passes all understanding. I am praying for His loving arms to engulf you like never before. I will be lifting you up to Jesus Christ for He alone is what can fill your needs. You have my love and deep sympathy. Love to you both, John and Marissa, in the Name of Jesus. Paula Davis
ReplyDeleteMarissa and John,
ReplyDeleteI am so deeply saddened to read this news about Malachi. I have quietly followed your story and thought of you all often. While I cannot begin to fathom the heartbreak and heartache you must be experiencing, I hope that the knowledge that Malachi is no longer suffering continues to give you strength and peace.
You are in the hearts, thoughts and prayers of our family,
The Swanns
My deepest condolences to you and your family, Marissa. My thoughts an prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteWe are so saddened by Malachi's passing. We have been following your story since he was born and have cheered and cried with you. Please know that our thoughts and prayers, as well as, the thoughts and prayers of a much larger CHARGE Syndrome community will be with you for a very long time.
ReplyDeleteCynthia, Keith, & Brady Antaya
I can't imagine how much this must hurt. He was a beautiful little boy. We will be praying for you guys!!
ReplyDeleteThere are no words that can help at this moment. Please know we are praying for comfort for you. Malachi will always be present in your life. You have been and always will be the best parents for him. He has definitely earned his angel wings. Sending prayers and hugs your way.
ReplyDeleteThe Kurby Family
(parents to Joshua- 8.5 month CHARGE angel)
Marissa - With a sad heart I write these comments. I have been following your blogs and Malachi's status since Steven and Sarah made me aware of the situation. You and your husband are such strong Christians, however that does not make the grief go away or any easier to bear. Please know you are in my prayers and thoughts as you heal and store the many happy memories of your "little man of steel." Be comforted by knowing that God will never give you more than you can handle, and he has chosen you to be the parents of a new life you are growing. He has a plan, and it will be glorious. Malachi was part of the plan. My condolences and love.
ReplyDeleteNancy Pinkston
John and Marissa, I am so sorry for your pain at this time! Please know that Caleb and I are praying for strength, rest, and peace for you!
ReplyDeleteMy deepest condolences for you and your family. I stumbled into your blog while my daughter was in the NICU and have been touched beyond words by your son's journey.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers are with you.
I've been following your story for some time and have been so touched by your words, your strength and your faith. I'm so sorry. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteJohn and Marissa,
ReplyDeleteYou both have been a tremendous testimony from the beginning of Malichi's birth. Knowing that all was to glorify our Saviour. Each day I would marvel and also be so proud of your undying faith and strength. I find it hard to say the right words, but do be assured that we are praying for you and love you all dearly. Malachi is safe in the arms of Jesus! Love always, Tony, Dianne & Tiffany
My deepest condolences to you and your family. Malichi was truly an angel and touched a special place in my heart. Thank you for sharing your words with us all. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteYou don't know me, but I found your blog through a friend of a friend and have been following it ever since, all the way from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Words cannot express how deeply saddened I was to hear of Malachi's passing. You were so blessed to have had such an amazing little boy in your lives, if even for the short time that it was. Thank you for sharing his life with everyone. I will forever remember him and the huge impact that he had on my own life. I have prayed for him from day one and will continue to pray for you and your family during this difficult time.
ReplyDeletePraying for you all during this time. Your peace and your trust rest in Christ Alone! May He wrap His loving arms around you and may you feel His presence close by, may your be surrounded by the Body of Christ.
ReplyDeleteMarissa, I know that I have only been in contact with you a short while. Finding you and your family was such an inspirational meeting for me and I have followed Malachi's journey with hope in my heart.
ReplyDeleteI am so sad to learn that he is no longer with us in this life.
I can't begin to understand how hard this time will be for all of you and your family, John and Emerson, BUT I know you will find a way through it.
When, and if you ever need a friend, I will be here for you.
With so much love to you.
Claire.
Our hearts are burdened for you in this time of loss. May Jesus bring the deep comfort that goes beyond what our words can say or our minds conceive.
ReplyDeleteYou are in our prayers
Rolf and Trish
You have been, are and will be in our hearts as you go through this difficult time. Sweet Malachi touched us all. We feel honored to have known him during our time together in the NICU. Graham and I will light a candle for Malachi today. Wishing you peace and rest in the days that lie ahead.
ReplyDeleteMarissa, I am so saddened by your loss. I am not sure if you even remember me at all, but I saw your button on someone's blog and remembered you from the Career Step forums. (I am smdenning) My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time, and know that you will be with you little angel again someday.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear of the loss of your precious son, Malachi. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
ReplyDeleteI have prayed for your family since Londa, shared your story on her blog when Malachi was born. I am praying today that God's comforting presence would be felt in a powerful way!
ReplyDeleteOur deepest sympathy, thoughts and prayers are with you all. Remember now that rather than pray for your precious son Malachi - pray too him asking for his help and guidance. He will be looking out for his family.
ReplyDeleteWe lost our daughter Isabelle in December last year aged 16 months and understand how difficult this is for you.
So very sorry to hear of your loss.We will be thinking about you in the days ahead.We would read your updates everyday whether they were new or old.Nathan was very much into him he called maci because he couldn't say his name.We never met you but when your a CHARGE mommy and your going through somewhat the same things a family starts forming.
ReplyDeleteDear John and Marissa,
ReplyDeleteMy heart is grieving along with yours at the loss of your precious son. I pray that God heals your broken hearts as He has healed little Malachi in Heaven. Your attitudes and the choices you have made through this difficult journey have been a blessing to me. How wonderful to see a couple so devoted to honoring God, especially through hardship. You will continue to be in my prayers.
In Christ,
Melodie
I am praying for your family through this unimaginable circumstance! your faith and raw honesty throughout your entire journey with malachi has been a true testimony of how great our God is! i have followed your journey along the way and cried and prayed and rejoiced in every milestone! i feel i am at a loss and i never even met your little man! praise God that he is whole and pain free with our Abba Father! We will continue to pray for your family as you try to make sense of this whirlwind God has brought you through these last 7 months!
ReplyDelete-Kasey (WCBC- WDM, IA)
Praying for your family - it is so neat how you are willing to be used even in this difficult situation to bring glory to God. Thank you for sharing your story.
ReplyDeleteI am so very very sorry for your loss. I didnt know until today. I kept trying to find his blog from yours but couldnt then tonight I saw Malachi's picture and the dates and I said, no no thats not right, then I found this blog and oh, I am just so very very sorry.
ReplyDeleteLord, I pray you would comfort them in this time. I pray you would wrap your arms around the 3 of them and hold them up. Give them strength. I pray that you would bless their lives abundantly and let them always think of Malachi with a smile. Thank you Lord for the time he was here and all the good he has done in such a short time. In Your name we pray, Amen.