On January 14th, I was coming home from a meeting I’d had in LA. Since I hate LA freeways, my husband had driven me down there, and we had kind of turned it into a date night. My daughters were hanging out at home, having a sister day.
As we started down the freeway, I decided to message someone about something we had decided at the meeting. I got on Facebook, messaged her, then was scrolling down my home feed when I saw a Missing Child Alert for my own two year old nephew, Noah. He had been lost in the woods of Tennessee.
I started screaming, “Noah’s missing, Noah’s missing!”
I called my parents, hysterical. Due to the extreme chaos of the situation, no one in our California family had even been alerted. The next hour as we raced home was devastating and surreal, but it was nothing compared to the next week of our life.
Noah never made it out of the woods. After a week of searching and praying, his body was found. Our sweet little nephew had found a hidden place to lay down and he died of hypothermia.
I want to share more of Noah’s story, but I am not ready to do that now, as I’m still processing all of it. Our lives are forever changed, and we’re still grieving. I think we always will be. There is so much more to say about all of this, and someday I will.
But for now, I just wanted to share the basic facts with you, because I know that some of my blog readers only read my blog via email and don’t have Facebook, so some of you don’t even know this happened.
I’ve been putting off writing this post, but there’s no way I could go back to posting regular blog posts without addressing this.
You can read a lot of the story on my Facebook page, I was posting as everything was happening while we were searching in TN. I also started a new page, In Memory of Noah, to keep his memory alive and to give God glory for his life.
Like I said, there’s so much to say about all of this. But what matters most is that this little baby’s short life was used mightily by God. Noah’s story touched people all over the world. Over a thousand people came out to search for him. Thousands around the world prayed and sent messages and letters and cards.
Hundreds shared stories of growing in their faith as they prayed for Noah, some praying for the first time ever, some even putting their faith in Jesus and receiving salvation.
You can watch Noah’s beautiful memorial service, viewed by over 100,000 people, here. I am still blown away by the strength God gave his parents as they shared at the service.
Soon, I’ll be going back to posting regular old blog posts, but know that I am praying about how best to honor Noah’s story, and when I am ready to share that with you, I will.
For now, I may not be able to answer all of the questions you may have. I hope you can understand. First of all, we are still grieving and it’s hard. Secondly, there is a LOT of misinformation out there, including some very ugly rumors, and I can’t possibly address them all.
If you want more information, you can read most of the story at the Jackson Sun. They seemed to be reporting correctly as far as I remember.
To those who have sent messages of love, prayers, and kind words, thank you so much. God has blessed us with comfort through the love of others, and we will always be thankful for that.
Please take a moment today to pray for Noah’s parents and his big sister, and give your little ones an extra hug.
MICHELLE says
I cant even begin to tell you how this sweet faced baby boy has touched my heart and I never even met him. Praying for you and your family, it has broken my heart and I’m a stranger, I can’t even begin to imagine how his family feels. He looks so much like you by the way…….
Jessica says
Sweet Noah you have forever changed my life. I think about him often. Angela I am still praying for your family.
Dionna says
I started following Noah’s missing and praying. Asking everyone to join me in prayer, this little guy won my heart, without me ever even setting eyes on him, hearing his sweet voice, or knowing anymore than his name, and that he was away from his family.i was so emotionally attached to this story, this little blessing … I know this baby is in heaven with my father, (who is a missed papaw, daddy, uncle, brother, husband) I am positive these 2 are having a great time! Watching over us all… Fly high baby Noah!!!
Melinda says
One of the saddest things ever. So much sorrow for your family ! I went on one of the searches, and my son was there searching daily. I know everything possible was used in the search and many, many prayers. We will never fully understand, but sometimes one is so full of adventure and spirit that it seems this thing that was so amazing caused him to be so far away that he wasn’t found in time . Continued prayers for all, and I especially think of his sister. I know she will never understand .
regina says
Many of us are still heart broken in Madison County TN and praying for Noah’s family and all ppl involved in search. His disappearance and death brought us all a little closer .So sorry for all vindictive,rude and mostly nosy people that have used to get attention for themselves. And such inspiration that his family stood strong and took high road and didn’t feed into the negative drama. God has blessed that family even though He called His little one Home. Praying the family stays strong in their faith and minute by minute day by day they will make it til reunited with Noah again.
Christy Hotchkiss says
I have been so saddened by your loss of Noah he was such a beautiful boy! I watched and prayed and Hoped soo for him to be found safe..God must have needed another little angel up there for sure. You have been through sooo much this is never going to be an easy things never. Noah reminds me of a Little boy at a local campground he and his sister befriended me when i was camping there a few years ago they were so curious and adorable ..I am sooo sorry. Keep his memory ALIVE in your hearts and souls Stories about him are beautiful see “What would Daniel do about Daniel Barden in CT they are beautiful too. Danny and Noah are together I am sure in that better place. God Bless and keep you strong,
Christy H
Nicole O. says
Noah touched millions of hearts & changed millions of lives. His short life was used to make the world a better place. I am so thankful for Destiny, Jabob, R, & your entire family. Your willingness to share this journey with the world is brave & beautiful. My family prays for yours daily.
Remembering Noah & sending love from Montana.
Xo.
Merri says
Angela my heart still breaks for you and your family. Destiny and Jacob, I cried many nights for Noah and we’re grieving along with you. I’ve purchased a keychain in Noah’s honor because even though I never met God’s little Soldier, I never want to forget him. Noah will forever remain in my heart. Always praying. ~Merri
Denise says
As I read this through tears, my heartfelt thoughts and prayers for Noah’s family are being sent. I think of Noah every day. Just today as I was traveling over the mountain where I live, my thoughts were on Noah and how I prayed for a different outcome. A heavy rainstorm came through while I was driving and when it finished, the most beautiful double rainbow was there, reminding me of the picture with Noah and the rainbow. Noah captured my heart and I will always have a place in my heart for him. I’m so sorry you had to say goodbye so soon, we may never know the “why” but trust in the Lord, we will see him again one day. I pray that God shows you mercy and strength to endure this journey.
Sending love and prayers from Pennsylvania
Becky says
I am praying for your whole family, I was working in the 2’s class at church last weekend and there was a little boy who looked like Noah to me and boy was he a handful, he was literally running circles around us teachers and it made me think of Noah, although I never met him I feel like all the stories I’ve heard has given us all a good look into his all boy personality. I don’t know why this happened to you guys, something that could happen to any one of us who spend time with kids, but I do know that eternity is real and has never seemed so sweet. We are in the night, and we will see him in the morning!
Sharon says
So sorry for your lost . Praying for you and all the family . Wish there was something I could say to take the pain away but I am sure there is no words that can do that .
Janice says
I lost my sweet niece to a drowning tragedy over 20 years ago and it is still painful. It always will be. But I rejoice that I KNOW I will see her again. Prayers to you and your family. <3 <3 My heart goes out to you all.
Homegrown Mom says
I’m sorry to hear that Janice 🙁 Praying tonight for comfort for your family.
evelyn ashton says
I first read about Noah wondering off .i prayed for Noah to be found.and for peace and strength for his .parents. My heart acts for Noah family.losing a child is the hardest thing a parent can ever face.I no I lost 2children my self.and without the love of Jesus I wouldn’t be here today.Noah was angel from moment he was born.got already knew how long he would be here .its sad but true.he used Noah to bring people to Jesus .they whole world followed Noah story.I no myself I love him from minute I seen his face.beautiful baby.sorry for y’all loss praying for the best for the family a.just keep praying god hears them.he will give you the words when it’s time for you to tell Noah story.my son died 16yrs ago at age of 18.and my grandson died 5yrs ago.he was killed he was 10.we was raising him.so yes I no y’all pain.sorry.but Noah flying high.with his wings.god bless.love y’all.I will never forget that beautiful boy.memories that y’all share of Noah is in my heart.not the sad part.
Donna Rowe says
My prayers also continue for the dear grandmother. May God give her his peace.
Carley says
I am the mother of a two year old little boy that fits Noahs description.. And I followed this story extremely closely. I looked for news every night every morning and multiple times throughout the day.. it touched me in a way I’ll never be able to put into words. I had shortly before he went missing found out I was pregnant.. And since we already had a boy as well as my stepson I wanted a girl . Honestly more than is even healthy… the day Noah was found I had an ultrasound to find out what my baby was.. And come to find out we are having a third boy.. And the second I found out it hit me like a tons of bricks.. I wasn’t the least bit sad.. not at all.. I was thankful. And I knew it was a blessing. . Now, we have our own Noah on the way.. And I vow to hold him tight and be thankful for him everyday because I know that with everyday I hold my Noah your family is wishing you could hold yours. I send my deepest sympathies and pray that your family will find peace in the memory of this sweet Angel.
Crystal says
I don’t even know you but this is the most awesome,kind, and sincere thing I’ve ever heard! It’s also weird because I always wanted one more baby boy and my husband and I always dreamed of him having blonde hair and bright blue eyes, but I can’t have anymore so please hold these baby boys tight and give them love from us too, and for the #1 NOAH, YOU WILL FOREVER BE THOUGHT OF AND MISSED EVERYDAY!
Tammy richard says
Noah became a piece of my heart the second I saw his sweet face. He had a similar look as my 2 year old son, same love for Thomas the Train and the ability to sneak away in a second. I know many will never understand how this could happen but everyday I know that it’s very possible.
When he was found I told my 5 year old daughter and she responded, oh good Mommy. I was devastated and said Honey he wasn’t alive which I thought I had made clear. She said, I know but now you can quit crying for him. He’s with Jesus and he’s happy. She was right. When my Mom passed someone asked my brother how he was holding up and he said, I’ve had better days but Mom hasn’t. This truth is our only consolation.
I still pray for your family. I’m so happy you all know the Lord. I don’t know how people that don’t have a relationship with Him survive this kind of tragedy.
With love, Tammy
Necole says
I followed Noah’s story from the start. I prayed every day that he would be found safe and unharmed. When the news came across that he was found ,I cried like I haven’t in a long time. This sweet blonde haired, blue eyed baby boy touched my heart and soul. As a mother of 3 children I could never begin to understand the pain but I know that my children are my world and that I’d be nothing without them. My son had just turned 3 he is a very hyper and loves to explore. He brightens my day with every smile. I know that little Noah was the same way to his mother and father. Prayers from Mississippi
Claire says
I’m so sorry for the pain your family has experienced, and I’m also sorry that there have been ugly rumors surrounding it. Prayers for healing for your whole family.
Lindsey Silvestrini says
I think the fact that there is an author in the family is all part of Gods master plan for Noah. Who better to tell his complete story and do justice to this little boys life and family? I have often thought there should be a book about his life telling his story and all the lives that were changed. I think even more would be touched, blessed and forever changed. #FindNoah: How a Little Boy was Lost so that Thousands Could be Found! I’ll pray for you and your heart as you prepare to find a way to tell his story!
Homegrown Mom says
Thank you for your prayers, Lindsey. I’m not sure what God has in mind, I think right now we all just need to get through the next phase. I do know that God will keep using Noah’s story, and for that I am thankful 🙂
Jules says
Amen, Lindsey! God placed the same thoughts on my heart. May the beauty of Noah’s journey continue to unfold, bless hearts, and bring glory to God! It encourages me to never stop seeking the lost. ?
Lois Alexander says
Our search and rescue team, Bloodhound Search and Rescue, responded on the Friday, after he had gone missing Thursday, to search for little Noah.
It was one of the most trying searches we had been on (we go on anywhere from 100 to 12 searches a year). The results were even more devastating.
After each search, we debrief and seek solace in God’s words, however, difficult it may be.
Today, once again, I was brought back to the thought of the poem I wrote six or seven years ago. There was a personal connection when I wrote this poem, as we had been looking for the last missing person from the Nashville Flood. We searched six long months for him. He was very spiritual and had “God has my back” tattooed on his own back, with a picture of Jesus on the cross. We prayed often to locate him, but God works in his own time. The day he was found was the last search we would be holding for a long time. We had a circle of prayer to find him before the search, but there seemed to be a stirring in my spirit. I just knew we would find him.
The stirring was there again today regarding the poem and then I found your blog about Noah, so I thought I would post my poem to your blog. God speaks to us all at different times, in different manners and I feel he spoke to me today about Noah.
This poem is not only a searcher’s perspective, but one that fits Noah and the many people that prayed and continue to pray for the return of a lost one. Noah touched many lives and will continue to do so through God’s work.
“The Big Picture”
Somewhere a little boy is hugging a tree. He lost
his way in the woods and cannot find his path back home.
Somewhere a little old lady is sitting in a ditch.
She does not know how she got there, her name,
or how to get home.
Somewhere the river has engulfed a young man.
His family waits for word of his return.
Somewhere the “unknown searcher” knows his
help is needed. He packs his bag and gets his dog.
Somewhere in silence he prays for God’s blessing
and assistance.
Author – Lois Alexander,
Family Liaison Officer, Bloodhound Search and Rescue.
Homegrown Mom says
Lois, I am in tears. Thank you so much for your kindness and thank you from the bottom of my heart for looking for Noah. God bless you.
Lynda Hubbs says
52 years ago my 26 months old son wandered off while I was hanging out clothes to dry in the back yard. I lost precious moments searching in all the wrong places, thinking he might have gone back in the house since I had left the door open so I could hear the baby if he woke up.
There were only 2 houses in our heavily wooded rural area and a small lake within walking distance. I called my dad’s store and word quickly spread. The sheriff sent deputies , neighbors began to search the woods. my grandfather and a friend drove down a dirt TVA access road and found Jon and our dog 45 heart stopping minutes after I had called for help. Jon said he was going “hunting”. I cried for days. If he had left the road we might not have found him in time . It was a fairly mild November day but turned colder that night.
My prayers are still with your family . Noah’s loss touched so many lives. God bless you all.
Homegrown Mom says
Thank you Lynda. 52 years later and you still remember every detail… just shows how traumatic this was for you. I’m so glad he was found in time 🙂
Shelli Littleton says
Angela, I’m so sorry to hear this. Just broken-hearted. I’m so sorry. Prayers for your sweet family.