Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Arrangements

Kira's viewing will be on Friday, Feb. 27, 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. The funeral will be on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 1:00 p.m. Both will be held at Calvary Monument Bible Church.
Directions to Calvary Monument

38 comments:

  1. Dear Merlin, Marylu and Family,

    Our hearts are grieving with you as you walk through this "valley of the shadow of death." We also lost a baby years ago and so can, in part, know some of the pain and sorrow you're experiencing.....as well as know the "peace that truly passes understanding" that our Faithful Father will give to you during this hard trial. We have been upholding you all in prayer during Kira's illness and will continue to do so in the coming days and months, trusting you to the care of our Loving Lord who as "truly man" wept at the tomb of Lazarus.

    With love,
    Denny and Vicki Wingert (sister and brother-in-law to Joe L.; we met you at Joe and Barb’s home just before Kira was born)

    What-e'er my God ordains is right:
    Holy His will abideth;
    I will be still what-e'er He doth,
    And follow where He guideth:
    He is my God;
    Though dark my road,
    He holds me that I shall not fall:
    Wherefore to Him I leave it all.

    What-e'er my God ordains is right:
    He never will deceive me;
    He leads me by the proper path;
    I know He will not leave me:
    I take, content,
    What He hath sent;
    His hand can turn my griefs away,
    And patiently I wait His day.

    What-e'er my God ordains is right:
    Though now this cup, in drinking,
    May bitter seem to my faint heart,
    I take it, all unshrinking:
    My God is true;
    Each morn anew
    Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,
    And pain and sorrow shall depart.

    What-e'er my God ordains is right:
    Here shall my stand be taken;
    Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
    Yet am I not forsaken;
    My Father's care is round me there;
    He holds me that I shall not fall:
    And so to Him I leave it all.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm sure these will be very draining days for all of you. You'll be in our prayers. Hugs...Brad & Mimy
    P.S. My school kids made cards for you today. They are adorable. Can't wait to give them to you. One little boy drew a picture of Kira running to Jesus...so precious. They've been faithfully praying for you all...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dear Yutzy Family,

    We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your precious girl. We are keeping you in our prayers.

    Love and Prayers

    Pastor and Mrs. Jeff Walters

    (Debbie Briggs' daughter)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mary Lou, my niece just told me about this...I am so sorry, my heart goes out to you!! Love and prayers, Cheryl (Sauder) Stoltzfus

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dear Mary Lou & Merlin,

    My heart goes out to you all so much. Just felt such a pang when I read of Kira's passing. May God's comfort and grace be real to you now.

    My love and prayers,

    Barb (Kinsinger) Beachy

    ReplyDelete
  6. Dear Marylu, Merlin, & Family,
    Our hearts and prayers are with you. We know everything happens for a reason, but finding that reason always seems impossible. The last time we saw all the girls was when they just arrived back from pumpkin picking....of course making sure daddy picked the biggest pumpkin of all... We're thinking of you and sending you are love.
    Cheryl & Greg Drinkuth

    ReplyDelete
  7. Our hearts and prayers are with you and your family.
    The Richmond family

    ReplyDelete
  8. Marylu, Merlin, Marlea, Anna, and family,
    Words can't begin to express how very truly sorry we are about the loss of Kira. We cannot imagine what you are going through. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers CONSTANTLY! Having two boys that are just about Kira's age, this really hits home for us. Caleb and Noah love to see your girls (especially Kira since she is their size) when we come to the suites. We know that Jesus is cradling Kira at this moment. Take care and we pray that God gives you the strength to get through this unimaginable tragedy.
    Sending love and prayers always,
    Jeanine and John Fries (Caleb and Noah, too)

    ReplyDelete
  9. We only met the Yutzy family briefly while staying at their inn but feel their sorrow with the passing of Kira. Please know that our prayers are with you and your family and your precious little girl. May God Bless such a wonderful family.
    Irene Savidge

    ReplyDelete
  10. GOD bless ....... Kira Mary is with HIM
    I know this is not we planned on earth for Kira Mary at her very young age.
    We pray that we on earth may accept this as difficult as it may be
    TRUST in HIM ............ FAITH

    God bless
    Peggy Connelly ( see u at the Inn Mary Lu , Merlin & family on 3/24/09 )

    ReplyDelete
  11. Merlin & MaryLu my heart goes out to you at the loss of your little girl. Words can not express the saddness that's felt. You have been in my thoughts & prayers all week.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Merlin & MaryLu and girls,
    We were sorry to hear of the loss of your beautiful little girl. Even though we don't know you personally, we have been lifting your name in prayer to our faithful heavenly Father. May it be a comfort to you to know once you reach heaven you will be with her much longer than you are without her here on this earth.

    David J. and Suetta Beachy

    ReplyDelete
  13. As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you... Isaiah 66:13
    Praying you will feel the comfort of the True Comforter tonight!

    ReplyDelete
  14. We have stayed at The Olde Homestead Suites in the past and heard about Kira through friends who spent the night last night. We will keep the Yutzy family in our prayers as they go through this difficult time. We pray the God will give them the peace they need each and every day.

    Doug and Beth Striebig

    ReplyDelete
  15. Our hearts ache for you, and we weep with and for you. Know that you have been lifted to the throne of God often and we will continue praying for your family.

    Phil & LaRonda Snader and family
    (friends of Arlin & Carol)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Praying that God's presence is very real to you...

    "Oh, it hurts. I wish it didn’t have to hurt. I’m dragging myself through the mud and pain. Crawling because I can’t stand. Only moving because it hurts too bad to hold still. In these moments I need someone beside me to help me. I look up to see Jesus, but He is not there. But as my tears begin to fall, and I keep pushing along, gritting my teeth against the pain of the rocks beneath my hands and the pain that grips my soul… I hear gentle sobs echoing mine… I see an extra tear fall beside everyone of mine…And I look beside me to realize that my Savior… The one who already did so much for me… My Righteous God who created the universe… Who deserves all the honor and glory the world and the heaven can compose… He’s right beside me. In His pure white robe, which is stained with mud, and my blood and tears… He’s crawling along beside me, whispering TRUTH to me the whole way. His face is stained with the pain that I feel, with the hurt that He feels watching someone so precious to Him go though this. But through our tears, He smiles… And He whispers, “My child, I am here. I am here. It’s okay now. I want to hold you more than you can know. I want to carry you. I want to lift you out of this pain. I want to keep you by my heart with me forever. Trust Me; I will never let you down. I am always faithful and will never disappoint you.”
    Sometimes we view God to be above us and looking down at us with a bird’s eye view of the maze… But no, He is right beside you and inside of you. He knows the maze because He’s walked through it. He feels the pain and He really, really cares. May you feel His comforting arms carrying you through and the peace that comes from being carried close to His heart.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Dear Merlin, Marylu, Marlea & Anna,

    We have no adequate words to express our deepest and heartfelt sympathy at Kira's Homegoing. We ask God to surround you with His peace that passes all understanding and frequently ask the Holy Spirit to intercede with groanings too deep for words. May His perfect utterance at the Throne fill the needs in the depths of your hearts and minds and be refreshment to your entire beings.

    We thank God in advance for the ways He will make His faithful presence known to you in the days and months ahead. We will continue to hold you in our constant thoughts and prayers.

    We love you dear precious friends,
    Joe & Barb Lindenmuth
    Ephrata, PA

    Come quickly Lord Jesus

    ReplyDelete
  18. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your sweet beautiful daughter. Your family will be in our prayers I did not realize you were going through such a hard time until last night. I hope Kira did not suffer and she is at peace now. We will certainly be thinkink about your family and praying for you.
    Rose and Bob Whipps

    ReplyDelete
  19. Dear Merlin & Mary Lou,

    Our hearts go out to you and its hard to be so far away right now. We would want to be there for you in some way. You've been in our thoughts and prayers and we will keep on praying. God bless you, comfort you, hold you close. We wish you grace for Marlea and Anna's questions and loss--as well as your own.
    Love & prayers, Tom & Iva

    ReplyDelete
  20. Dear Merlin & Mary Lou, We are so sorry to here of Kira's passing! We can't imagine what you are going through! May God hold you close with his comfort and care! Love & Prayers Kevin & Delores

    ReplyDelete
  21. Dear Merlin and Mary Lou,

    Our names are Doyn and Mary Grill, parents of Kim Wilson. Kim has kept us posted on Kira's condition. Kim and Ken love her dearly as well as all of you. I feel Blessed that your family has become family to Kim and Ken since we are so far away. Doyn and I have heard about all of you for several years now. Please know that God is still alive and Kira is running in Heaven. I've been there and it is filled with overwhelming love, joy, peace --- no tears, pain, sorrow, worry. Kira is in the center of God's love waiting for all of you. Meanwhile, you will continue to be lifted before the Lord as you travel through many shifting feelings over the next months. May you feel His 'everlasting arms' enfold all of you. (Deut 33:27) Zephaniah 3:17 says, "I, the Lord your God, Am with you...I take great delight in all of the Yutzes" Listen and "I will quiet you with My love". Jesus knows how you feel for He was a "man of sorrows and familiar with suffering... surely He...carries your sorrows". God is with you and will cover you with the Shadow of His Hand (Isaiah 51:16). May "God be your strength" (Isaiah 49:5) in the depth of your loss.

    Our love and prayers will remain with you,
    Doyn and Mary Grill

    ReplyDelete
  22. Dear Merlin & Marylou & family,

    We are just heart broken to hear of your loss. You are in our prayers constantly. You have been an inspiration to us by your faith in God and I know he will see you through this. Try to remember Proverbs 3:5-6.


    “Hold us up lord”


    Lord we know you are always busy,
    For you’ve many things to do,
    But when sorrow overcomes us,
    Well, we need to talk to you.

    For we’ve lost someone precious,
    She’s with you there above,
    She’s someone that we needed,
    She’s someone that we love.

    We are feeling lost and all alone,
    Though we still believe,
    We need you, Lord, to hold us up,
    To help us while we grieve.

    Please give us strength and courage, Lord,
    To bear what we must bear,
    And nudge us when our faith is weak,
    To remind us you’re still there.

    Give us hope for our tomorrows,
    Tell us life will still go on,
    Show us, Lord, that all this darkness,
    Will be followed by the dawn.

    You have led us through so many things,
    You’ve pulled us through before,
    Hold us up, Lord, till we’re through this,
    And we are strong once more.

    God Bless, We love you both,

    Dave & Angie Mueller
    Balto., MD

    ReplyDelete
  23. Merlin, Marylu, Marlea, & Anna
    We have been praying for your family all week and will continue to pray for you every day. May it give you peace to know that your little Kira is in Jesus' arms and is happier than she ever could have been on this earth. Our prayer is that you will be comforted by God's word, knowing that you will see your little girl again one day in Heaven. Your strength to get through each day will come from Him.
    Love, Evelyn & Rufus Haney

    ReplyDelete
  24. I am very sorry for you, Merlin and Marylou. I'm sure this is a very hard time. May the Lord sustain you and give you grace and comfort. We are praying for you.
    Neto and Bonnie Glick

    ReplyDelete
  25. I don't even know you, but please know my heart goes out to you, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I have lost 2 babies due to miscarriage and I know that pain and heartache and agony, so I can only imagine what you are feeling now. I pray God brings you peace and for you to know your angel is in a much happier and better place to one day be reunited with you. I can't get you or her precious face out of my mind. His reasons are unclear as to why she was chosen, but He does have his reason and will guide you through. God bless you and your family and know that even those who don't know you are thinking and praying for you.

    ReplyDelete
  26. My heart breaks with yours. I am petitioning God to pour His comfort out unmistakably, tangibly, upon you and your family.
    love, Jason & Judy (Croutch) Beachy

    ReplyDelete
  27. Merlin and Marylou,

    We love you and are praying for strength for you as you mourn your dear little Kira. Lean on God as well as your friends and family.

    Rod and Faith

    ReplyDelete
  28. Its so hard to believe all this happened in the short time we were gone! i feel so far away... i am so so sorry. we are praying for you and thinking of you so much. the church people here are praying for you as well. May God hold you close. Love-Krista

    ReplyDelete
  29. Praying especially today for Marlea and Anna - that Anna could sleep well tonight and in her naps today, and be a happy baby for her mommy. ...That God would comfort Marlea, give her mind a picture of Kira playing with Jesus in heaven, and see and feel the peace that she sees in her mommy and daddy. Praying God would give you grace as you continue to comfort and grieve with your two little girls.
    _Katrina Stoltzfus

    ReplyDelete
  30. We wish you peace and love.
    Linda and Tom Devlin

    ReplyDelete
  31. Merlin, Mary Lu, Marlea and Anna,

    we are so sorry to hear about Kira. Our prayers are with you during this time.

    God bless you,

    Linda & Andre, Noah and Jaden (from Germany)

    ReplyDelete
  32. Dear Merlin & Marylu,

    We're so sad for you, with you. We can't express our sympathy, and our desire to be there. It's so hard to be so far away at a time like this; we struggled and prayed about coming all day yesterday. We won't be coming for the funeral, but we want you to know we care so much, and we are praying for you almost constantly. We can't imagine the pain; Jesus knows and He is The Healer.

    We love you,
    Jay, Trish, & Kensi

    ReplyDelete
  33. When the journey is hard, and it hurts, we will lift you to the Father....the giver of life that gave you Kira!

    from our heart that aches with you,
    Andy and Esther Miller

    ReplyDelete
  34. Dear Merlin and Mary Lu, Marlea, and Anna

    Praying for you guys so much. I have a hard time even thinking of words to say... except that I love you guys and you're on my mind and in my prayers almost all the time!

    Love ya'll!

    Ana

    ReplyDelete
  35. DEAR MARLEA,
    I LOVE YOU! I AM PRAYING FOR YOU!
    YOUR FRIEND, SARAH STOLTZFUS

    ReplyDelete
  36. Dear Merlin and Marylu, Marlea and Anna,

    Hugs. Prayers. Tight hugs. Tears. Prayers. More tears. Tight hugs.

    I wish I could be with you.

    Love, love, love, cousin Lois

    ReplyDelete
  37. Dear Merlin and Marylou,

    We are so sorry to hear about Kira's death. but we have been praying for you thinking of you so often over the past several days since we heard of Kira's serious condition. We wish so badly that we could be there with you all over this time, but please know that we will be praying and thinking of you often still. May God give you the grace you need as you face this painful mountain. Our hearts hurt with you.

    We love you,
    Marcus and Joanna

    ReplyDelete
  38. anguish, peace, sorrow, rest, emptiness, full of Jesus...so many emotions...the reality is JESUS is HOLDING you!!! the song that came to my mind today; "The Gentle Healer" came into our town today...oh, He seems like just an ordinary man...Praying for you

    ReplyDelete