Right now, the memorial service for baby Abigayl is preparing to start in Oklahoma. Her mommy and her grandma (Darrin's sister and mom) are both going to share a eulogy. Grandma sent me her words and is allowing me to share them here.

"In Jeremiah chapter 1 verse 5, God says "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." There is a strong message here for all of us who knew and loved Abigayl. Her life was too short for those of us who are left behind, but God had a purpose for Abiʼs life before she was even formed. A small part of that purpose was fulfilled in the time that we had her. She brought us joy and love and laughter. Itʼs very difficult at this moment to understand why she was taken from us, but as the sorrow fades and is replaced by the power of the love we hold for her, we will discover strength that we would never have known we had.

If you are without faith of salvation through Christ, then Abigaylʼs journey ended with her last breath. I believe her worldly purpose doesnʼt have to end just because sheʼs not physically with us. Abigayl was a gift. Rusty and Raychel were chosen by God to receive her, and they shared her with all of us. We all had wonderful and exciting ideas of who she was and what she meant to our lives. We were excited by the possibilities of what she might become.

Through faith in Godʼs word, you know that she became exactly what God formed her to be. She all too quickly became our angel, and she took her place in the arms of Jesus. She doesnʼt know sorrow, but she knows hope. She now has ideas and hope for what she wants each of us to become through knowing her. If you trust Godʼs word, this isnʼt the end of our time with Abigayl.

This is only the beginning. She gives all of us something to strive for in this lifetime. We can live each day with faith that we will be with her again. We can spread the joy and beauty she brought to us just by giving to others the compassion and kindness that we have shared since she left us.

Abigayl was a light that was too bright for this world. Let her light be your beacon to lead you from this life into the next. It is in that life that you will find her, with that beautiful smile lighting up her face, because when you join her there, your presence will fulfill the purpose for which she was set apart. Your presence will become the greatest gift you could ever give her."

We love you, sweet baby.