Dear Carly, how many times did I say, ‘have you done you homework yet’, ‘what have you done and what do you have left’, ‘get back to work’, or ‘time to get off the phone’. Compare that to how many times I said ‘I love you’, ‘gimme a hug’, ‘have a great day’, ‘you are beautiful’. And when you weigh it all in the balance what kind of father did you have, one who mostly encourages and only reproves occasionally or the other way around?
And Lord how I just presumed you would always be here. And my God how I just assumed you would get well soon like any other time you’ve been sick. You are so wonderful, I thought I knew you, and I did, until some other facet of the depth of your life would glimmer and attract me and I would learn something new. You were a deep thinker and your beauty multiplied many times over during your short life, and you were getting better and better as you flowered to womanhood. I cherish every memory of you and I miss you fiercely and I want to bring you back so badly and I know I can’t.
As I look at all your pictures from over the years I feel the normal sorrow of a parent watching the years flow by. First we lost our baby to the toddler, then we lost our toddler to the child, then we lost our child to the young adult. But then alas we lost you to heaven and our Lord. Because we know you loved our Lord though, we know we haven’t lost you utterly. As devastating as this is, how much worse would it be if you had had no regard for the Lord, or if you had been rebellious against your mother and me, or if you had not been such a close friend to your sister?
You left us at the tender age of fifteen, but you were also a mature young Christian woman. You asked and pondered the deep questions of life and death and eternity and you found the answers in Christ, and mysteriously it seems you were prepared. I know you fought a good fight, you finished your course, and you kept the faith. I don’t want to admit it but at the tender age of fifteen I know you finished your course.
Many of our friends and family have said things like ‘what can I do for you’, ‘we are there for you’, ‘if you need anything just ask’. And we HAVE asked many of you to do this or that and you’ve done it, and many of you have done much more without being asked. And many of you have done much without anyone knowing about it. And we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
But now I want to tell you what we really want you to do for us (especially you fathers):
We want you to slow down
We want you to think deeply about your own short life
Think about your own impending death. Your life on earth will be over very soon.
Think about where you came from and where you are going. Did you come from chaos? From the primordial soup? Or are you made by God in His image?
Be reconciled to God. God has rules, and they are ours to keep for our obedience and for our blessing. We all break His rules, and he extends forgiveness through Christ.
Be reconciled to each other. Your loved ones love and need you. Dig into your heart and find where you’ve hurt them and make it right.
Be kind and tenderhearted to each other. Say ‘please’, ‘thank you’, ‘you’re welcome’, ‘I’m sorry’, and ‘I forgive you’ and teach your children to do the same
If you have children then hug them and love them and spend quantity time with them. Quality time will come with the quantity time.
If you have been reconciled to God then do everything in your power to make sure your children are also reconciled to God. Make sure your children are learning about the world from God’s perspective.
Take full responsibility for the education you are providing for your children. The education they are receiving is according to YOUR decisions and choices. YOU are responsible. Are they learning to think God’s thoughts after Him? Are they learning to apply God’s word to every area of thought and life? Or are you losing them?
Think about who their teachers and counselors are and who is influencing them most. Guard them and shield them until they are strong.
Do everything in your power to NOT lose your children utterly.
THESE are the things you can do for us, and we want you to start doing them now and keep doing them for the rest of your lives. In a moment we are going to have a time of feasting where we can all get started. Thank you very much for coming and for pouring your lives out with ours.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Saturday, February 24, 2007
CARLY'S MEMORIAL SERVICE AND BURIAL
Carly's services will be on Saturday, March 3rd. Please continue to keep Mary, Kassia, and Steve in your prayers.
Flowers are a welcome symbol of the godly woman Carly was blooming into these short years of her life. If you wish to send flowers to adorn the services please send them to the following address for arrival by 12:00 noon on Friday March 2nd:
Cochrane's Chapel of the Roses
103 Lincoln Street
Roseville, CA 95678
(916) 783-7171
SERVICES
Friday March 2, 2007, 4pm to 8pm
Viewing at Cochrane's Chapel of the Roses
103 Lincoln Street
Roseville, CA 95678
(916) 783-7171
Light food and drinks will be served in a side-room
Saturday March 3, 2007, 8:30am to 10am
Viewing at Cochrane's Chapel of the Roses
10am to 10:30am
Procession from Cochrane's to Roseville Cemetery
10:30am to 11:30am
Graveside Service at Roseville Cemetery
421 Berry St.
Roseville, CA 95678
(916) 783-3131
11:30am to 12:00pm
Procession to Memorial Service
Roseville Cemetery to Valley Springs Presbyterian Church
A light lunch will be served from 12:00pm to 1:00pm
1:00pm to 3:00pm (times are approximate)
Memorial Service at Valley Springs Presbyterian Church
2401 Olympus Drive
Roseville, CA 95661
(916) 786-7940
3:00pm to 5:00pm (times are approximate)
Time of Fellowship
Valley Springs Presbyterian Church
A potluck dinner will be served
Flowers are a welcome symbol of the godly woman Carly was blooming into these short years of her life. If you wish to send flowers to adorn the services please send them to the following address for arrival by 12:00 noon on Friday March 2nd:
Cochrane's Chapel of the Roses
103 Lincoln Street
Roseville, CA 95678
(916) 783-7171
SERVICES
Friday March 2, 2007, 4pm to 8pm
Viewing at Cochrane's Chapel of the Roses
103 Lincoln Street
Roseville, CA 95678
(916) 783-7171
Light food and drinks will be served in a side-room
Saturday March 3, 2007, 8:30am to 10am
Viewing at Cochrane's Chapel of the Roses
10am to 10:30am
Procession from Cochrane's to Roseville Cemetery
10:30am to 11:30am
Graveside Service at Roseville Cemetery
421 Berry St.
Roseville, CA 95678
(916) 783-3131
11:30am to 12:00pm
Procession to Memorial Service
Roseville Cemetery to Valley Springs Presbyterian Church
A light lunch will be served from 12:00pm to 1:00pm
1:00pm to 3:00pm (times are approximate)
Memorial Service at Valley Springs Presbyterian Church
2401 Olympus Drive
Roseville, CA 95661
(916) 786-7940
3:00pm to 5:00pm (times are approximate)
Time of Fellowship
Valley Springs Presbyterian Church
A potluck dinner will be served
VISITING THE FAMILY
The Wisniewskis have said their door is open for visitors. Please feel free to stop by their house. If they are too tired or need a break, they will let you know.
Friday, February 23, 2007
DONATIONS IN CARLY'S HONOR
Our hope is that we will glorify the Lord as we remember Carly's life and ministry and that we will remember how the Lord used Carly in many ways.
A number of families have stated that they want to contribute financially to the Wisniewski’s to help with Carly’s death, funeral, and memorial service expenses. We have set up a Memorial Fund, therefore, to assist the Wisniewski family with those expenses. This Memorial Fund will be administered by Cornerstone Christian School.
Also, in memory of Carly, the Wisniewski family is starting an Endowment Fund administered by Cornerstone Christian School, to help pay for programs related to the things Carly loved such as art, photography, and poetry. It is the family’s intent to assist students while at Cornerstone Christian School who are involved in such programs.
Should you be interested in contributing in Carly’s honor to any one of these funds, please designate which fund you are directing your gift to and send to the address below.
Cornerstone Christian School
ATTN: Carly Wisniewski’s Memorial
143 Clinton Avenue
Roseville, CA 95678.
Should you have any specific questions, please do not hesitate to contact Michelle Schiffel at (916) 783-7779.
A number of families have stated that they want to contribute financially to the Wisniewski’s to help with Carly’s death, funeral, and memorial service expenses. We have set up a Memorial Fund, therefore, to assist the Wisniewski family with those expenses. This Memorial Fund will be administered by Cornerstone Christian School.
Also, in memory of Carly, the Wisniewski family is starting an Endowment Fund administered by Cornerstone Christian School, to help pay for programs related to the things Carly loved such as art, photography, and poetry. It is the family’s intent to assist students while at Cornerstone Christian School who are involved in such programs.
Should you be interested in contributing in Carly’s honor to any one of these funds, please designate which fund you are directing your gift to and send to the address below.
Cornerstone Christian School
ATTN: Carly Wisniewski’s Memorial
143 Clinton Avenue
Roseville, CA 95678.
Should you have any specific questions, please do not hesitate to contact Michelle Schiffel at (916) 783-7779.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
PURPOSE OF THE BLOG
We invite you to submit your favorite memories of Carly in the comments section of this post. Our hope is that we will glorify the Lord as we remember Carly's life and ministry, that we will weep with those who weep at her sudden passing, and that we will remember how the Lord used Carly in many ways.
When a young person dies it is normal for us to question, "Why?" We believe the Lord has something special he wants to teach all of us through Carly’s death. There is something meaningful in it…her death is not a complete loss. There is something redemptive in it. It is our hope that you will be very touched by Carly’s life, artwork, photography, poems, essays, and final words in her most recent blog posts. Please join with us in celebrating Carly’s life and ministry.
When a young person dies it is normal for us to question, "Why?" We believe the Lord has something special he wants to teach all of us through Carly’s death. There is something meaningful in it…her death is not a complete loss. There is something redemptive in it. It is our hope that you will be very touched by Carly’s life, artwork, photography, poems, essays, and final words in her most recent blog posts. Please join with us in celebrating Carly’s life and ministry.
ABOUT US
This blog is a ministry of Cornerstone Christian School (CCS), where Carly was a student for almost ten years and served in a variety of ministries.This blog was created by Doris Pop (CCS student and friend of Carly's), Miss Becky Johnson (the CCS junior high homeroom teacher, and former teacher of Carly), and CCS headmaster, Craig Garbe.
Carly outside of her classroom in the summer of 2006
How We Lost Our Jewel
Carly and her sister Kassia had both been sick with the flu-like symptoms the week of February 12. Kassia got it first, then Carly. Carly had run a fever Thursday and Friday, but then on Saturday her fever had cleared, but she had lost her voice. It didn’t seem too unusual to have the flu and then to have a touch of laryngitis at the end as you are recovering.
On Sunday morning, though, her fever was back, so she stayed home from church. By the evening, her fever was very high, her pulse was fast and she still could not talk and in fact, seemed labored in her breathing. Mary called the Doctor who recommended medicines to lower her fever and to take her in to the doctor the next day.
On Monday morning, February 19th, we took her to the doctor (not our family physician because of the holiday) and picked up a prescription for antibiotics. She came home but just tossed and turned, going from the couch to her bed and back to the couch. She just couldn’t sleep. We were just waiting for the medicine to work and for Carly to start feeling better…
Later, in the evening, she told Mom she was going to lie down on her bed and Mary and I went about a few chores. We were very worried and about ready to take her to the doctor again. Mary made arrangements to stay home from work the next day to be with Carly.
Fifteen minutes later, around 8:05pm, Mary went to check on Carly and she was not breathing and had no pulse. Mary administered CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while I called 911. The police and paramedics arrived very quickly and took over for Mary and tried to bring Carly back. At one point I overheard them saying they had a pulse, and we caught a glimmer of hope. Later though, we learned that they had used special medication to induce the pulse.
At the hospital the doctors and medics tried for over an hour but to no avail. In hindsight we are afraid Carly may have left us before Mary went to check on her. We may learn more when the coroner’s report is finished or we may never know the rest until we get to heaven. We know she loved the Lord with all her heart, soul, mind and body so we know she is happy. But there is such a devastating hole left in our hearts. I believe in miracles, but to see God NOT answer our immediate request for the miracle to spare her life, makes me think He has a much bigger plan for a bigger miracle through all this…..I just may not get to see what that is for a long time.
We are hurting; we are on faces before the Lord. Thank you to all who have, who continue to and who will reach out to us though cards, prayers, phone calls, visits, caring for our physical needs and supporting us in great and small ways. We love you…..God loves you! We wouldn’t be making it without you!
On Sunday morning, though, her fever was back, so she stayed home from church. By the evening, her fever was very high, her pulse was fast and she still could not talk and in fact, seemed labored in her breathing. Mary called the Doctor who recommended medicines to lower her fever and to take her in to the doctor the next day.
On Monday morning, February 19th, we took her to the doctor (not our family physician because of the holiday) and picked up a prescription for antibiotics. She came home but just tossed and turned, going from the couch to her bed and back to the couch. She just couldn’t sleep. We were just waiting for the medicine to work and for Carly to start feeling better…
Later, in the evening, she told Mom she was going to lie down on her bed and Mary and I went about a few chores. We were very worried and about ready to take her to the doctor again. Mary made arrangements to stay home from work the next day to be with Carly.
Fifteen minutes later, around 8:05pm, Mary went to check on Carly and she was not breathing and had no pulse. Mary administered CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while I called 911. The police and paramedics arrived very quickly and took over for Mary and tried to bring Carly back. At one point I overheard them saying they had a pulse, and we caught a glimmer of hope. Later though, we learned that they had used special medication to induce the pulse.
At the hospital the doctors and medics tried for over an hour but to no avail. In hindsight we are afraid Carly may have left us before Mary went to check on her. We may learn more when the coroner’s report is finished or we may never know the rest until we get to heaven. We know she loved the Lord with all her heart, soul, mind and body so we know she is happy. But there is such a devastating hole left in our hearts. I believe in miracles, but to see God NOT answer our immediate request for the miracle to spare her life, makes me think He has a much bigger plan for a bigger miracle through all this…..I just may not get to see what that is for a long time.
We are hurting; we are on faces before the Lord. Thank you to all who have, who continue to and who will reach out to us though cards, prayers, phone calls, visits, caring for our physical needs and supporting us in great and small ways. We love you…..God loves you! We wouldn’t be making it without you!
PICTURES
EDIT: Thank you all for sending in so many pictures thus far! Keep checking back for more pictures of our beautiful jewel, Carly Jewel Wisniewski.
If you have any pictures of Carly you would like to share, please let us know. Email Doris at missdorispop@hotmail.com.
If you have any pictures of Carly you would like to share, please let us know. Email Doris at missdorispop@hotmail.com.
Kassia giving Carly a big bear hug, 1994, Yuba City
One of my favorites
Barefootin'
Too beautiful for words
My cup runneth over
You wanna piece of me?
Peace
Joy 
Kassia and Carly
Summer 2006
Carly (left, in the back row) with her friends in Europe-- Summer 2006
This drawing comes to us from Mrs. Brown (a.k.a. Miss Noxon), Carly's 2nd Grade teacher. She writes:
I have about 15 'anonymous' pictures from Carly, all from either "Who" or "Guess Who". I would find them in my jacket pocket, on my desk, in my inbox, on my chair...you name it, Carly hid a note there. She culminated this 'Guess Who' series with a silly picture saying that it was her the whole time (I already knew that...). This is my favorite picture she drew for me. It's me and her holding hands.
Happy Independence Day!
Deep in thought...Summer 2006
Carly and Kassia (first and fourth, from left) in Europe with friends
Babe
Carly and some of her dear friends at the 2006 JSA Fall State Convention 
Best best bestest friends wreaking havoc in the kitchen
Carly (third from left) and her friends in Scotland
Summer 2006
Carly and her Photography Class buddies
Carly, looking beautiful, at Cornerstone's 2005 Winter Formal
This picture comes to us from Mrs. Brown (a.k.a. Miss Noxon), who was Carly's teacher in 2nd Grade. Carly is celebrating "Literature Day" with two of her young friends.
Left to right: Carly, cousin Bethany, Kassia, Cousin Sandra 
First Blood!
Carly and Mandy in Scotland
Carly on top of the world in Scotland (now she is looking down at the clouds)
First Days
Carly chillin' with Steve Crooke, best man in her mom & dad's wedding
Carly and Kassia having a smiling contest. (I think Carly is winning.)
Kassia demanded a rematch, this one may be a tie.
Lisa, Kassia, Rachel, Carly taking it easy
Carly getting passed around by beloved neighbors in Yuba City
Sweet fellowship --- Prelude to Heaven!
Carly and Kassia having an old-fashioned gurning contest. Looks like a tie to me!
Our first fixer-upper! (It was home to us!)
Carly with Dad and uncle Mark (Not sure if Mark wants to get in on the smiling contest or the gurning contest!)
Kassia teaching Carly how to eat with utensils, sort of...
One of Carly's personal favorites, possibly her most favorite. This one has been on her dresser for years and years.
With cousin Natalie, more like sisters.
At Vern Sasaki's summer hideout, fresh king salmon!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
