Two years….
// December 23rd, 2011 // Loux Family News
It is said that absence makes the heart grow fonder; but in death, the absence of one as dearly loved as my precious husband Derek, causes the heart to ache with a depth that is unimaginable.
Two years later, the hole that is in each of our hearts as we find ourselves remembering the anniversary of Derek’s death today (December 23rd) remains very deep. There really are no words to describe how this loss has affected our family. Every morning, the reality of my precious husband’s absence is there in such a real way. We sit at the breakfast table without him. We have family devotions without him. We celebrate birthdays without him. I tuck my children in bed each night and pray for them, without him. Every night I get into bed alone and wish I could touch his face, hold him and pour out my heart to him just one more time. I miss his voice, his laugh, his passion for life. I miss everything about him. The pain is very, very real and yet so is God’s grace.
My beautiful man
Our family's last trip together with Derek. What a beautiful blessing from God this was!
Two new priceless children added after Derek's death (baby Judah and precious Joanna)
This year we pressed on with our fight for justice, to see redemption come to the lives of precious children who need fathers and a family of their own. With my own children now fatherless, my passion only grows deeper. Every time I see a child step into the arms of a loving family, my heart leaps inside of me. I am blessed by so many families who have linked arms with us to rescue, adopt and restore orphans. I am so moved by the emails that I still receive, sharing about how Derek’s life and passion have spurred others on to walk out the journey of redemption in their own lives.
As real as the pain and loss are, and as deeply as we still grieve, the love of the Father remains as our steady and constant hope. He loves us. This we know! He is watching over us, He cares for our hearts, and without Him, this journey would be impossible. I cling to my Jesus and lean hard on His unfailing Love.
As we honor Derek’s memory on this, the second anniversary of his death, I am grateful for the mercy of God. I am grateful for children who love Jesus and press on in the midst of pain. I am so grateful for those who have loved, supported and prayed for our family in so many ways. And, I am grateful, more than I can say that the mission God gave Derek and I together, still carries on. Our staff at the Orphan Justice Center are amazing and I am so thankful that they too, have an undying passion to see justice walked out for children around the world. They have worked tirelessly to see children restored through the love of their Creator, the One who considers them priceless and beautiful and so worth fighting for!
A few weeks ago The Orphan Justice Center released a beautiful children’s book “Redemption,” written by our dear friend Tiffany Larson and illustrated by another precious friend, Bethany Hackman. This book tells the story of our journey to Ukraine to adopt our three boys, Ethan, Silas, and Sasha and was inspired by Derek’s “Redemption” blog post written in 2008 while we were in Ukraine. It was three years ago yesterday (on December 22, 2008) that a Ukrainian judge decreed that three precious little boys would become our sons forever. Yesterday, we celebrated their adoptions. Our eyes filled up with tears as we looked into each precious face and saw in their eyes, the reflection of a daddy who fought hard to rescue them and fought even harder to see them restored.
You can read more about the book release and purchase it if you’d like, HERE. Any profits from the book (above and beyond the printing costs) will benefit our work at The Orphan Justice Center.
We are also thrilled to announce that in the next month or so, we will be releasing an album that Derek had been working on months before his death. This is a priceless treasure to us as a family. This album is full of the depth and passion of what the Lord was doing in Derek and speaking to his heart in the last year of his life. We can hardly wait to share it with all of you.
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas this year, I ask you to join our family in truly reflecting on the power of redemption that is offered to us because of Christ’s humble birth, His death on the cross and His resurrection. Because He loved us so well and sacrificed His very life, we have been made his sons and daughters through the spirit of adoption. He redeemed us, restored us and calls us His own.
Derek’s life was a challenge to many, to walk out the message of the gospel by literally living it, by rescuing and restoring orphans through adoption. I’ve included (below) a video that our precious friend and partner in justice, Marci Lewellen, put together last year in memory of Derek. It is a true celebration of so many of the lives that have been rescued.
God’s heart for justice is beyond what we could begin to imagine. His love for the orphan is priceless and I know that each time a child is rescued, all of Heaven rejoices!
Thank you again to all of you who have loved us so well. Your prayers have carried us far and we are so humbled by the love and the support you’ve shown our family. We are truly rich in love….
15 Responses to “Two years….”
Leave a Reply
- Sandi o said: Wow it took me a while to figure all this out! My...
- photo editor free download mac said: The other main cause of blurry or out of pure enjo...
- lalamain said: :)hope u feel better Silas w...
- lalamain said: I am praying for Silas and I know that God will he...
- diy solar heater said: I was just looking for this info for some time. A...
- Cheryl Anderson said: So happy to hear the success of the surgery and th...
- The Face of Redemption
- Our newest little Loux blessing is on the way!
- Suffering
- Sasha's spine surgery
- What part will you play?
Renee, I thought of you all this morning. I thought of Derek and how loved he is. I hope you can feel this virtual hug from me to you (((hug))) I love you
I was truly moved by your blog. I didn’t k ow Derek but you have done a wonderful job telling me who he was on this earth. Sending all the love I have to you and your family.
I am so grateful for yours and Derek’s love for the hurting children of this world. His life was truly well spent.
I cannot imagine how you must feel…I pray that the Comforter would be very near to you. May the peace and love of Christ overwhelm you today.
My heart aches for you Renee. I will be ordering yout book about your adoptions once I get back to the States. Please say a prayer for me. On Dec. 27th, I will go to court to become Liam’s Mama always! Thank you Renee….love you!
I was so blessed by your blog, but that video was over the top amazing. What a beautiful tribute. He is so proud of you as you carry on the dream and high calling you have. My prayers are with you today. I love you all and really miss Derek too.
Beloved Renee, I am in Belfast and I was telling you and Derek’s story tonight to a couple with a special needs child.
I love you, You are amazing.
My heart aches for you today. I”m so sorry.
Renee and family, still holding you up in prayer.
I have thought of you and your family almost every day since I heard the news of the passing of Derek. I am so moved by what you have shared in so many posts. My family has recently grown to a large number in a short time. I really want to say thank you for sharing your heart. You have impacted more people than you could possibly know. Praying for you.
Thanks for giving us a peek into your life and family these last two years. It’s an honor to run in the stream of Justice with you and the rest of OJC.
Dear Renee.. Thank you so much for sharing this all! in 2006, I visited IHOP for 3 months with a friend.. we’re both from and still living in Holland. Derek and his music also impacted our lives and therefore we also grieved over his death and still when we listen to his music, our prayers are with you.Your blog is priceless.. Thanks for sharing your heart this way!!
Been praying for you during this week. Merry Christmas!!!
Joy
beautiful post, you are an inspiration to so many. and the picture of your twins… omgoodness, gorgeous!
I don’t even know you, but cried my eyes out reading your post. Can’t imagine this loss…what BEAUTIFUL people you are, what beautiful LOVE you shared and share…pouring His Love with maturity and grace to so many… proof of the SAVIOUR. MAY YOU FIND GRACE DAILY IN TAKING UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOWING JESUS. MAY CHRIST’S HUGS AND FACE BRING MOMENT BY MOMENT STRENGTH & COMFORT. SOON, YOU WILL MEET <3 .
Hey, Renee! I was just catching up on the Loux family. I knew the anniversary of Derek’s passing was recent & we are loving & praying for you all & we mourn with you.
Congrats on the girls’ weddings!! That is so fantastic! They & you looked beautiful.
I also wanted to let you know that if you want to talk about our experience with Selah’s kyphectomy, I’d be happy to. It was a tough recovery (six months total), but like you said, vital for life and health. Selah basically has a new body, thanks to the kyphectomy & some other recent orthopedic surgeries. She is almost 7 (March).
When are you coming to St. Louis?!? I’d love to catch up, friend!