Austin's Blog

When Austin asked me to do a speech for Gabe I knew exactly where I wanted to start. Where my true love for Gabe bloomed. It was just June 25th, 2022. Just another Saturday afternoon and I was at the DeArmond’s place. I’ve seen Gabe time and time again before this day. Gabe was being as usual a hungry lil baby and I simply was asked…”Do you want to hold him and feed him?” I reluctantly said yes. I never held a baby to feed him before. But the Lord stirred up the courage in me to choose to do so. I fed him. I was fumbling and bumbling but Austin or Valerie said try this so I had him cradled in my arms milk bottle in his mouth. Then he just looked up in my eyes. And I looked in his. I saw a twinkle in his blue eyes and something just struck me in my heart. And just in that moment I thought “I see what all the fuss is about.” I was never one to care much for babies in the past, but God allowed such a small moment to spark a love for Gabriel. I was finding myself during times when I got home from work or just had spare time wanting to go see how Gabe was doing. Time and time again I would just head over next door, knock on the door and Austin or Valerie would open it and I would sometimes see Gabe just poke his head from his seat to see who it is and he would look and pause and do his little smile. Or there were times when I would knock on the door and I woke Valerie up from a nap and she would tell me “Gabe isn’t home” or Addie would yell “Gabe, your friend is here!!!” Because they knew I wanted to see the baby. That smile always brought so much joy to me and so many of the people in this room. If anyone would lock eyes with Gabe, you would be graced with the God given gift of his little smile. Gabe was a joyful baby. He was a “cool dude” as his Dad and Mom would say. Gabe was a gift to our church. He made others joyful. He played a huge part in me in sparking a love for the children in our church and community. No moment that we spent with Gabe was ever wasted.

Gabe you were just starting to crawl, picking yourself up to stand, and giving little fist bumps. I looked forward to seeing you walk. To be able to see you grow up and walk alongside with you as you got older, then maybe crying when you go off with your parents to be missionaries in a different country. But I knew our next plans for you were to celebrate your birthday this Saturday but we are here now celebrating your life on this Earth. Man makes plans but the Lord directs our steps. The last time I saw you doing your Gabey things , I was driving to work and I glanced to my left and you were crawling up a hill next to your sister and your momma. I like to think of that as symbolism of you going up the hill to be with Christ. Now even though I won’t see you walk on this side of heaven, we have a hope that won’t put us to shame that you are now walking uprightly with Christ now and one day with that same hope in Christ, the church will be able to join you in glory my brother. We love you Gabriel.