Retiring Retirement

Retiring Retirement Healing hearts love again

Couple’s tragic loss leads them to a new purpose – and another child to love

Many people assign different meanings to love around Valentine’s Day.

For John and Libby Moritz, the word “love” is a verb. After losing their three young children in a car accident 30 years ago, the griefstricken couple struggled with what John calls “the timeline of healing.”

“There is a process in working through the grief and coming to a place of healing that overcomes the fear of loss again and lets love win out,” the 66-year-old said. “Some get stuck on the timeline and never reach the healing end of it. We wanted love again more than we were afraid of another loss.”

As part of their path toward healing, a trip to a remote Guatemalan mountain orphanage spoke to their hearts as they witnessed a young paraplegic man and his wife from Minnesota care for adopted children.

“We started to understand the heart of God for helping the fatherless and orphans. We

by Robert LaCosta

After the Moritz children, Joshua, Kristen and Daniel (above), died in a car accident 30 years ago, their parents found healing with the adoption of their daughter Lily Joy from China (right).

saw the conditions the children faced and felt their loss. We also saw how profoundly love was able to heal their wounds,” he remembered.

With each passing day and month, an awakening love began to slowly surface in John and Libby’s hearts in what he

Continued on Page 19

MEDICARE WEBINAR

Saving a Life EVERY 11 MINUTES

Questions about Medicare? Join us Thursday, February 24th @ 9:00AM Questions about Medicare? Join us Friday November 19TH @ 9:00 AM EVENT MESSAGE: EVENT MESSAGE: This free webinar is presented to make Medicare easy to This free webinar is presented to make Medicare easy to understand. understand. During our time together I will explain the difference During our time together I will explain the difference between between Medicare Part A, B, C & D as well as Medigap Plans, and Medicare Part A, B, C & D and provide you with step by step provide you with step by step instructions of what you need to instructions of what you need to do to find the best Medicare plan do to find the best Medicare plan for you as well as answer any for you as well as answer any questions you may personally have. questions you may personally have. Meanwhile, you can ignore Meanwhile, you can ignore all of those confusing advertisements all of those confusing advertisements that come in the mail. CALL OR EMAIL TO REGISTER: 518-326-3939 or by email at candy@worksitebenefitsinc.net Candy Marrero Owner, Worksite Benefits that come in the mail. 115992_4

Home is Where You’ll Find Usalone alone I’m never Home is Where You’ll Find Us Life Alert® is always there for me at home Candy Marrero Owner, Worksite Benefits and on-the-go. CALL OR EMAIL TO REGISTER: 518-326-3939 or by email at candy@worksitebenefitsinc.net One touch of a button sends help fast, 24/7.

u Our aides and companions will keep you safe u Our aides and companions will keep you safe at home (518) 694-9907 • vnhc.com at home

with GPS!

u Skilled nursing and rehab therapy in the comfort of home HELP AT HOME HELP ON THE GO

AS SEEN ON TV

115996_4 (518) 694-9907 vnhc.com

(518) 489-2681 u Our aides and vnaalbany.org companions will keep you safe The Perfect Balance of Healing & Home at home

u Skilled nursing and rehab therapy in the comfort of u Skilled nursing and rehab therapy in the comfort of home (518) 489-2681 • vnaalbany.org home The Perfect Balance of Healing & Home

For a FREE brochure call: 1-855-519-8729

n Retiring

continued from Page 18

termed an “unspoken yearning.”

“In giving love to another person, that same love comes back to you,” he said.

Sure enough, that deep desire to love another child manifested itself in the idea of adopting a baby girl from China.

“Libby and I had independently read the passage that says, ‘The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land (Song of Solomon 2:11,12 NIV).’”

“When we were signing the adoption paperwork,” he continued, “the document revealed that her birthday was the first day of Spring.”

He remembers changing her clothes that had the distinct smell of coal from the orphanage’s heating system. With that simple symbolic act, Lily Joy was welcomed into their family.

“On the flight back,” he said. “We were on Cloud 9. Libby was beaming.”

Today, Lily Joy is a successful mechanical engineer.

And yet, there’s more to the story. Since the passing of their children, John and Libby have either started or supported orphanages in Africa, Mexico and India through their organization called Hearts of the Father Outreach. Their flagship home in Ghana is named after the children, “Josh, Kris, Dan.” It is now a flourishing school as well, and hundreds of children around the world fondly call Libby and John, “Mama” and “Papa.”

Below is John’s heartfelt message on the recent 30th anniversary of their tragedy and would-be 40th birthday of their daughter:

In Memory of Joshua, Kristen and Daniel Moritz

“Thirty years has slipped away since you departed for heaven. You did not choose nor did we know, the day would be our last. We waited anxiously as snow came down to see your joyful smiles. Instead a knock came at the door and the policeman said, you were gone.

Tears rained down as rivers run and a fog of incomprehension clouded our days. “Why, God, are we here and not with you?” we cried. Then we heard you cry, God. You asked us to go and love. You showed us children from far off lands. No parents they had, no children did we.

Broken hearts began to mend. Hope unfurled his flag. Then, though we were bereft, a little girl was given. Left in a basket, a gift to us. Spring had come, wintertime was over. Joy released.

Our promised reunion draws nearer as time runs on. We have kept the faith. Now we have many children who call us Mom and Dad. Different colors and languages they speak. Each one precious but none so precious as those we lost.

Thank you for all those who have prayed for us and supported our children through Hearts of the Father Outreach. We have overcome because of God and all of you. God bless you!” -John Moritz

To learn how you can share your love around Valentine’s Day or visit an orphanage, contact Hearts of the Father Outreach at heartsofthefather. org or call (413) 229-2922.

Robert J. LaCosta’s daily devotional blog is on his Facebook page and can also be received in your email by writing to norepcom@gmail.com.

Serving the entire Capital District

The Capital District’s leading provider for Direct Cremation, Urns and Memorial Services with over 40 years experience to bring it all together.

218 2nd Avenue, Troy, NY • 518-435-8030 www.SimpleChoicesCremation.com

No Gimmicks, No Hidden Fees, Just the Lowest Price for Cremation with Professional & Dignified Service.

Roy F. Bordeau Owner/Manager

Serving Families Since 1975

115999_4

St. Sophia & Holy Wisdom Apartments

426 & 428 Whitehall Road, Albany, NY One Bedroom Apartments All the convenience of city life with a peaceful tranquility of a lovely suburban setting

u Weekly Buses to Markets & Malls u Computers On Site u 24 Hour Security u On CDTA Bus Route

If qualified, pay 30% of your gross annual income which cannot exceed: $33,500 for 1 person – $38,250 for 2 persons

Equal Housing Opportunity (518)459-4910

115761_4

If you would like to showcase special events in our monthly publication, Please send them to us by the 5th of the month preceding publication.*

MONTH5

NowFamily CAPITAL DISTRICT GENERATIONS TOGETHER Email to: Kristen Roberts at robertsk@spotlightnews.com

*Based on space availability

116417_4