April’s legacy revitalizes faith

CALEDONIA, Minn. — When the Meyer family remembers 2-year-old April, they think of a playful young girl who would amuse herself in the free stall sand with one of her brothers, could count to 30, was always helping on the farm, liked to eat ice cream, and was often found playing with animals.

“It was her mission to make everybody happy, everybody smile,” said her mother, Rachelle Meyer. “She just was that kind of kid.”

April Meyer was born to Jordan and Rachelle Jan. 9, 2022, and died April 9, 2024, in a farming accident.

“April was God’s child first,” said her dad, Jordan. “We were just blessed to be her earthly parents for just a little bit.”

He said there has been a measure of redemption in their journey through the spiritual impact it has made on those who knew and loved her.

“If we wouldn’t have lost April, we wouldn’t have been following the Lord like we are now, and we wouldn’t have been compelled to share Jesus with everybody,” Jordan said.

Jordan and Rachelle dairy farm with Jordan’s dad, Lee, near Caledonia. Together they milk 160 cows in a double-10 parlor. Jordan and Rachelle also have their own independent farming enterprise, Wholesome Family Farms. They sell fresh milk from 15 grass-fed Jersey cows and raise their youngstock, manage herds of 800 grass-fed ewes and several hundred goats, and merchandise beef genetics and livestock protection dogs.

The Meyers said April liked to tag along on the farm, whether it was feeding the lamb kids — which were a favorite — or playing with puppies. She also spent lots of time in the tractor with Grandpa Lee.

“She was a sweetheart, that’s for sure,” Lee said.

Jordan said they are blessed to have many videos of April playing on the farm to look back on.

“The only time she would put up a fuss is if she couldn’t stay outside,” Jordan said.

Rachelle agreed.

“(She) just hated naps,” Rachelle said. “(She) hated sleeping, because farming and being outside was life.”

In their daughter’s death, the Meyers have leaned into their faith for comfort.

“God will help us through the tough times, but we’ve got to realize that He’s not going to lift us up and over them,” Jordan said. “He’s going to carry us through them.”

In the time since April passed, the Meyers have been doing Bible studies and focusing on getting to know God better. They said her death was a wake-up call for them, pushing them towards God and revitalizing their faith.

“Our time here on earth is just a dot on a never-ending timeline,” Jordan said. “It’s nothing compared to eternity with our Lord and Savior. One day, we’ll be able to see Jesus first, and then after that, we’ll see April. The gift that God gave us, that eternal life, is remarkable: believe and trust in Him above all else.”

Rachelle agreed.

“We live in a sinful world,” she said. “There is suffering here, but that will all be redeemed once we get to heaven. … No one really pays attention until you need to pay attention.”

The Meyers said they were surrounded by community support after April died. Though difficult to read, Jordan said there were many cards and notes of support.

A local business owner set up a fund for those who wanted to support them to donate money towards buying trees in April’s memory. The owner capped the number of trees at 70, and now the Meyers have planted “April’s Orchard” filled with peach, cherry, plum and apple trees along with raspberries, asparagus and other plants and non-fruit trees.

“It was almost overwhelming,” Rachelle said. “You didn’t realize how much people care.”

The Meyers said their journey of grief has enabled them to connect with hurting families at their church who have experienced miscarriages.

In the year and a half that has passed since her death, the Meyers said they have changed the focus of their lives and farm to prioritize sharing their faith in God.

“We have to put our faith and trust and believe in Him above all things,” Jordan said. “The No. 1 commandment is, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength.’ We weren’t doing that before, and obviously we still struggle with that, but we take it a lot more seriously now.”

The Meyers said they keep April’s memory alive by talking about her often with their other children. April has six siblings and one new sibling expected in mid-August.

“It’s gotten a lot easier talking about her,” Jordan said. “She’s with Jesus in heaven now. She’s in the place that we all want to be.”

The Meyers have seen this same faith and hope in their other children in the midst of grief.

“When we lost April, I’ll never forget we came in the house that night, and our daughter, Natalie, … she looked at us, and she’s like, ‘Why are you guys so sad?’” Rachelle said. “She’s like, ‘April’s in heaven. There’s no need to be sad.’ That is why God tells you to have the faith like a child.

Jordan agreed.

“She still lives,” he said. “That’s what we get to look forward to.”