Hi everyone!
On June 3, 2009, my oldest daughter, Makenzie, went out on a photoshoot with some friends from her ballet company in Houston. She never came home.
This page gives you a bit of the story. To read more, you can read my older posts (just type “Makenzie” in the search bar on the right) or read about her in my books, “Dancing With God” and “Refined.” – Peace!
“One of Those Years”
The Lutheran Witness Article, 01/2010
CLICK ON MAKENZIE’S PICTURE FOR THE ARTICLE.
“Storm Ready”
Living Magazine Article, 11/2009
CLICK ON THE PICTURE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE ….
Todd Stocker 
Powerful story. Reminds me, yet again, nothing in the Kingdom is wasted – Nothing…
Thank you Carol. I completely agree. In grief, we may not see it’s purpose for a long, long time. Feel free to pass this along.
Todd
I just want to thank Mrs. Stocker for sharing this story at the National Youth Gathering a couple weeks ago. It really has changed my life and done something to me. It has made a big great change to my life. I want to thank her very much.
-Hayden
Allow me to introduce myself. I am an LC-MS pastor who lives in Woodbury (and currently serving as interim pastor at a church near St. Cloud). I want to thank you for the moving and powerful article in The Lutheran Witness about your daughter Makensie and the blessed hope and peace that we have in the Good News of Jesus Christ. I lost a younger sister in a car accident when she was 21. Like your daughter, God had given her gifts in the area of creative expression (songwriter, first chair violin in her university orchestra). My dad was also quite moved by your article, and wanted to send you a card. He is a bit “old school” and doesn’t have internet access, so . . . if you are okay with it, he was hoping to get your mailing address. The peace and strength of the Lord Jesus be with you and your family!+1
+1
Allow me to introduce myself. I am an LC-MS pastor who lives in Woodbury (and currently serving as interim pastor at a church near St. Cloud). I want to thank you for the moving and powerful article in The Lutheran Witness about your daughter Makensie and the blessed hope and peace that we have in the Good News of Jesus Christ. I lost a younger sister in a car accident when she was 21. Like your daughter, God had given her gifts in the area of creative expression (songwriter, first chair violin in her university orchestra). My dad was also quite moved by your article, and wanted to send you a card. He is a bit “old school” and doesn’t have internet access, so . . . if you are okay with it, he was hoping to get your mailing address. The peace and strength of the Lord Jesus be with you and your family!
+1
Pastor,
My heart goes out to you and your family. The article was beautiful, and your daughter is a beautiful person.
I want you to know that I understand the pain you and your family have gone through, and may still be going through. My beautiful 16 year old daughter was killed in an ATV roll over accident 20 months ago. She died on impact–so she didn’t suffer. She wasn’t wearing a helmet–had she had been, her injuries would have been much worse than what they were. She was on her way, after school, to visit a friend, when she collided with a pickup, the road was narrow, and neither driver could get out of the way.
I am there every step with you.
Please feel free to email me if you would like.
Sincerely,
Dawn Rouswell
Vernon, Texas
ROUSWELL7@AOL.COM
Pastor,
My heart goes out to you and your family. The article was beautiful, and your daughter is a beautiful person.
I want you to know that I understand the pain you and your family have gone through, and may still be going through. My beautiful 16 year old daughter was killed in an ATV roll over accident 20 months ago. She died on impact–so she didn’t suffer. She wasn’t wearing a helmet–had she had been, her injuries would have been much worse than what they were. She was on her way, after school, to visit a friend, when she collided with a pickup, the road was narrow, and neither driver could get out of the way.
It’s been difficult–the pain of losing her was unbearable. I don’t know how Mary could watch her Son die on the cross. During those early days, I did a lot a praying, a lot of soul searching, but there was also a peace that came over me too–I knew that Autumn (my daughter) was in heaven. I raised both of my children in the church, they were both baptized, and had been confirmed, and even though Autumn was living with her dad when she died, she still attended church with one of the family members. Last year, Ash Wednesday, was very hard for me to attend (during the imposition of the Ashes). Easter took on a whole new meaning for me–not only will I see my Savior face-to-face, I’ll see my daughter again as well. What a reunion that will be!!
Allow yourself time to heal–don’t be too hard on yourself. I commned you for publishing the article about your daughter in the Lutheran Witness You and your family are in my thougts and prayers–I am there every step with you.
Please feel free to email me if you would like.
Sincerely,
Dawn Rouswell
Vernon, Texas
ROUSWELL7@AOL.COM
Todd,
I somehow came across this article on my computer. I went to Christ College Irvine & knew you from college days. I am so sorry for your loss. I immediately said a prayer for you, your wife & your family. What a witness you are to so many. May our Lord & Savior bless you & your family. I now live in Bend, OR with my husband & 3 children. We are members of Trinity Lutheran Church, along with Dr. Ray & Darlene Halm & Tom & Heather Stueve. I will look you up on Facebook! Blessings!
Dear Todd,
Allow me to introduce myself. I am an LC-MS pastor who lives in Woodbury (and currently serving as interim pastor at a church near St. Cloud). I want to thank you for the moving and powerful article in The Lutheran Witness about your daughter Makensie and the blessed hope and peace that we have in the Good News of Jesus Christ. I lost a younger sister in a car accident when she was 21. Like your daughter, God had given her gifts in the area of creative expression (songwriter, first chair violin in her university orchestra). My dad was also quite moved by your article, and wanted to send you a card. He is a bit “old school” and doesn’t have internet access, so . . . if you are okay with it, he was hoping to get your mailing address. The peace and strength of the Lord Jesus be with you and your family!
– Alan Rehwaldt
Thank you for sharing. Trying so hard to make it on this painful journey of grief. Trusting in Him even when I don’t know how
I’ve read the print article, thank you for sharing. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Todd,
What a great article-thanks so much for having the faith and courage to write and share this-through your grief and strength others will be changed and led to Christ.
Blessings to you-and much love.
This is such a beautiful written article. I love that picture, she was gorgeous.
I always wondered how the pictures turned out that day. Beautiful of course. Love you all.
I can’t read it even doing that! Can you post it bigger!
Becca,
I redid the article. Just click on the picture and it will be larger on your computer.
We are thinkin of you all during the nutcracker rehearsals.!!!
Peace
todd
Thank you. I will be thinking of you during this time as well. I had so much fun with ya’ll during nutcracker.Fun times! 🙂