Carissa M. Ireland

Dear Ireland Family,

We are so glad that God has blessed you with the life of Carissa and thus we have been blessed. You all have shown the joy of Christ in your lives. It hurts so much to think of your pain as you miss her. Carissa has been a special spark to help people know the light of Christ. Even this time of separation has made her life useful to draw more people to cling to Him more tightly. That clinging to Him has brought us comfort as we’ve sorted through the shock and sadness. God has comforted with thoughts of where Carissa was when she died–in Christ’s grip; with thoughts of where she is now–in Christ’s grip; with thoughts that all the Irelands are in His grip. We are also comforted in the thought that Christ came that we may have life to the full and Carissa has it now.
Until we join Christ in that joy, we fondly remember Carissa’s fun, insightfulness, adventurousness, sparkle in her eye, heartwarming smile, love for her family, and passion for Christ.
May you know the power of God’s love and peace in His grip.
With love from your brothers and sisters in Christ,
The Gabels (Lee, Anne, Samuel, Jonas, Paul, Evangeline, and Maria)

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Ireland,
I am a friend of Carissa’s from school and was so blessed to know her. She had a love for the Lord that shone brightly and was a testimony of the Lord and His goodness to those around her. Her joy was always evident in her smile and laugh. Her heart so caring toward others wept over souls and rejoiced in personal spiritual victories and in seeing souls saved. Her passion to see souls redeemed by Christ was so evident as she gave testimony of her missions trips and of what God was doing in Bible Clubs. Carissa was on my hall this year, and as I saw her in the hall talking on the phonse, she was always on with you, and that love for family is truly a treasure 🙂 She prayed regularly for your needs there in Ukrains, and brought them before the other girls on the floor in hall meeting so we could pray for them as well–I remember praying for rain! When I heard that the Lord had taken Carissa home with Him, I wept over the loss to us; and though questions and sorrow flooded over me, I remembered that God is always good and always does His very best for His children. It was God’s very best plan for Carissa, then, to take her home now. What rest and joy that gave me. I pray that tonight, many souls would be drawn to Christ at the service, and that through all things, He will be exalted and glorified. As I remember Carissa, that is how my heart is raised in thanksgiving to God for the gift that she was. To God be the glory, great things He has done in creating Carissa and fulfilling His perfect plan in her.
My love and prayers to you, and hugs as well.
Annelisa Winston

~Even in the valley, God is good. Even in the valley, He is faithful and true. He carries His children through, like He said He would. Even in the valley, God is good!~

I heard about this from other Christian friends on facebook. Although I did not know Carissa personally, I knew of her and her family. My heart and my prayers go out to your family. Nothing can be said to soothe your grieving hearts, but the one thing I can say is that ‘we sorrow not as others which have no hope.’ I pray that God strengthens and comforts you during this time. ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.’ Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

In Christ,
Lisa

Just imagine – a world with no tears of sorrow, no pain, and no death! Then the prayers for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven will be fully realized. (Rev.21:4; Matt.6:10; John 5:28,29)
My deepest sympathy.

Mike & Robin My prayers are with you and your family as you go thru this time.
I wish that I had some magic words that could ease your pain but at least now Carissa is with God in a place that knows only peace. Please contact me via my attached email. My love to you and your family.

Mike & Robin, I praise the Lord for good friends like you, but my heart breaks for your pain. I never wanted anyone to endure the pain we experienced w/ loosing Kevin, but expecially our best friends. We love you guys, and are praying for you all.

Mike, Robin
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time… May God Bless You during this difficult time…

Mike, Robin, and family, We have been praying for you, tears of joy knowing carrisa is with Jesus and we will see her again. We love you all.. Our thoughts and prayers are with you this week..
David n Dora

Robin, Michael and family,
we are very sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

There are no words to describe how much Carissa will be missed. Though we sorrow here on earth, she now lives where there is no sorrow. The years will seem to be only days to her until we are with her once again. She was such a positive influence on everyone she met. She cared about everyone she knew at college as if they were family, so we felt like she was our sister. She would ask us how we were doing, and she truly cared about what was going on in our lives. Serving God was her goal in life, and she accomplished that goal in everything that she did.

Matthew 5:4
‘Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.’

I Thessalonians 4:13
‘But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.’

I Thessalonians 4:18
‘Wherefore comfort one another with these words.’

May the testimony of Carissa’s life bring many others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ our Savior.

We will miss her dearly. We love you, dear friends, and you are in our constant prayers.