Heaven's A Coming...
Dear friends and loved ones,
Please take a moment to sit down before you read this. And a take deep breath. There is much I want to say about how this moment has arrived. The toil we have been wrestling with, the faith we have been free-falling into, the layers and layers of trust we have surrendered unto Jesus. All along we have been drenched in the Lord’s mercy as we have been allowed to live seven years with Levi this side of heaven.
Levi’s season has shifted.
He has let us know that he is ready to depart from this earth. To be free from the challenges he has faced within his earthly body. To receive his heavenly body and be face to face with Jesus. Tho there are things he worries about, he also longs for the depth of peace his friend Isaac now lives within.
His body has developed a serious case of pneumonia. The biggest one we have seen in 7 years. In the past week we have gone about our usual ICU-level support. Providing him with all of the medications and therapies that would usually bring about an upswing in his health. The more we do, the longer we do it, the less he is getting relief. He simply isn’t improving.
This time Levi is tired.
His body is struggling more to maintain oxygen saturation levels, digest food, expel congestion from his lungs, and he is needing medicine to manage increased pain.
We have always placed Levi’s comfort as a priority. In every circumstance we have asked, how can we bring him the greatest comfort and quality of life? We have always allowed Levi a voice within his care. Although he is non-verbal, we make space for him to express his needs, wishes, and concerns.
Knowing his spirit is ready to make the journey to heaven, we are making choices to give him the greatest comfort and love along the way.
We as parents are making the enormous shift from trusting he will rally yet again… to humbly recognizing the realities we are facing.
The Lord is calling Levi and the Kingdom of God is near.
Levi is ready. We are as well. We have known since his birth this moment would arrive.
Levi has the promise of heaven, an eternity with our beloved Jesus. A freedom from all the challenges he has faced in this world.
We have the promise of worshiping Jesus freely together in heaven.
We ask you to pray for the Lord’s sovereign will to be manifest. For the Lord’s strength, comfort and peace that surpasses all understanding through this very difficult time for all of his family, friends, and caregivers.
May the grace and mercy of the Lord prevail within you as you join with us in prayer.
Details on how you can be of help
Supporting our family without visiting
1. Prayer
2. Light a candle
3. A moment of purposeful stillness
4. Release a balloon
5. Gift cards: Eastside Food Co-op, Target, Bite Squad
6. Donate to the Levi Shu trust
7.Make a card and send it to us
8. Consider what Levi has taught you, send us a note about it and share your story with a friend
9. Come up with your own creative idea and tell us about it
Please send mail and gifts to
North Central University
c/o Stacy Sikorski
910 Elliot Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Details on Visiting, Meal Drop Offs, and Helps at Home
Here is a link we are using for coordinating these details.
It is very important to us that people who sign up for a visitation time be family or have a Direct Personal Relationship with LEVI. For meal drop off, this does not apply.
To reach us you can emails us LeviEllisShu@gmail.com This email is being facilitated by our friend Stacy. Please know that we can't respond to every message. Our primary goal is to be present with Levi in this precious season.
May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-11
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
9 What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
