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Date
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May 10,
2004 |
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Name
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Sandy
Adkins |
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Email
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Sandysbooks@AOL.com
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Home Page
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City
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Vero
Beach |
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State
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Florida
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USA
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Comments
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Jennifer,
You may or may not remember me. Your mom and I were friends when you and
Susan were kids. In fact, you and your family, and Del and I made
gingerbread houses each Christmas. I haven't heard from your Mom in
quite a while, but I have another friend that now works in the ER, and
she gave me this link. You can be sure that Ben and the rest of your
family will be on my prayer list, both at home, and at church.
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Date
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May 10,
2004 |
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Name
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Mark
Brown |
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Date
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May 10,
2004 |
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Name
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Heather
McCoy |
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Email
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hdlmccoy@yahoo.com
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Home Page
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City
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St.
Albans |
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State
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WV
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Comments
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Thanks so
much for taking the time to update the website so often. I think of you
all and pray for you all daily. As a mother of two (3year old and 8
month old) I am brought to tears everytime I think of what the whole
family (but especially Jennifer) are going through right now. The
strength you show in your faith and as parents and as husband/wife is
admirable. You always say keep believing and I do. So many people are
beliving and praying with you.
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Comments
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We know
what you are going through all too well. Our youngest daughter Alicia
was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer when she was 6. We went
through a year of intense in-patient chemotherapy and radiation
treatment. Through good medicine, a fabulous support network and the
power of prayer, she is doing well and is now 8 years old. We have
started a foundation and fund a program for children with cancer (The
Honeysuckle Foundation's Psychosocial Program for Children with Cancer
and Blood Disorders at Schneider Children's Hospital.) It is our way of
'paying back' our good fortune, and to never forget that there are newly
diagnosed kids each and everyday. We are praying for you all.
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Date
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May 10,
2004 |
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Name
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Shannon
and Mary Jane |
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Email
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Home Page
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City
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Brecksville |
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State
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OH
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Comments
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Glad to
hear Ben is still doing well! Just to say 'hi', and yes, we do believe.
We wish we were closer to give other tangible support, but our
prayers......and that of our prayer group.....are with you.
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Date
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May 10,
2004 |
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Name
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Angela
Atherton |
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Email
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angatherton@comcast.net |
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Home Page
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www.caringbridge.org/ca/jordan |
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City
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Murrieta
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State
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CA
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USA
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Comments
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Hello
Bowen family! I pray that Ben is feeling good tonight. I will continue
to pray for your sweet Ben until you guys go home with a healthy boy!
(Well, two healthy boys, actually). Keep your spirits up and hold onto
your faith. It will get you through the tough times, and help you
rejoice in the good times. Jennifer, I hope you had a wonderful Mother's
Day. I know it must be hard to spend it in the hospital. We were blessed
that Jordan never had to spend a holiday inpatient. Take care and God
Bless you all. With love, hugs and prayers, Angela Atherton
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Date
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May 10,
2004 |
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Name
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Marla
Brannan |
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Email
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Home Page
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City
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Huntington |
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State
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WV
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Comments
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Hi all,
You're still in our hearts and in our prayers. Tom, I saw you and Eli
across the church Sunday, but couldn't get to you. Glad, so glad, you
had a chance to come home and especially, do something great for Eli. I
enjoy the web-cam updates--you look great, Jennifer! ;-)
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Comments
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Jamie and
I are so glad that we have had the pleasure of meeting you guys while
being here at St Jude. It looks like both of our journey's are going to
be long, but with God on our side, anything is possible. I have read
your website and think it is wonderful. We would love for you to look at
ours and sign the guest book. www.jonathansjourney.com Thanks for
thinking of us when your friend Wynn came to visit. It was a pleasure
meeting him. Call us if we can do anything for you.
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Date
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May 10,
2004 |
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Name
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connie
watts |
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Email
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wphotohill@aol.com
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Home Page
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City
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chesapeake |
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State
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oh
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lawrence
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Comments
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Just
letting you know I'm praying for you tonight.When I saw the pictures of
little Ben - the day of his surgery it took me back a few years when I
too was setting with a young brother with a brain tumor.My brother Mark
was hospitalized for months at a time .I can recall the pain I saw in my
Dad's face. He would only leave the hospital to clean up and return
again.My mom, dad, sis and I took turns, most of the time we sat in
pairs so we could encourage each other and if one had to go out someone
would be with him. Many times the Doctors would pull us aside and
say,"this is it ,he won't pull through this time. We were up and down so
many times we were numb. Sitting up with him all night, listening to him
breath, sometimes when I was real tired I would find myself reaching
over and touching him to see if he was! breathing. So many high
temperatures.I would lay my head on his bed and sing softly to him so he
would know I was there for him.Patting his face sometimes to keep him
awake. He could be in that condition one day and si
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Date
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May 10,
2004 |
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Name
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connie
watts |
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Email
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Comments
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Im' sorry
My comment was cut short. I don't know what happened. As I was saying
Mark would be in that condition one day and singing to me the next. The
twenty three years after the good doctors had done all they could, He
came home with a testimony of what a big God he was serving.He touched
many lives as your little one is.The tumor alone wasn't what took him
home at the end. I thank God for the years I shared with my brother and
I am praying for strength for you as you are up and down.Give him a kiss
for me. love,connie
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Date
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May 11,
2004 |
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Name
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Scott &
Sherri Springer |
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Email
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Home Page
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City
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Cinci
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State
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OH
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Comments
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Hey guys!
After reading your last update, my heart is sadened by my own
thoughts...thinking that "understanding" would come much easier if we
did not believe God was in control. However, our core belief is just
that. "....I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE." John 14:6 Who's in
control there? I am reminded that it is not my job to understand, but
believe He who said... "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who
believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives
and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25 & 26
This same power Jesus is speaking of is the One we are calling on to
bring healing, peace and joy in the midst of ugly pain. That's quite a
bit of power....that power washed my sins away! I know it's a Larry
Greene cliche, but God is good all the time....all the time God is good.
Sometimes that's all we can say...praying for YOU all! Scott & Sherri
<><
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Comments
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What a
powerful message Tom. We are raised in a society that takes SO much for
granted. How spoiled we are....It's so easy to get tangled in the
"messes" of our day to day activities. How many moms have not gotten
upset because for yet another time a kids have tracked mud through the
house, forgot to carry their plate to the sink, failed to pick up the
toys etc...Your message and reality puts life's "messes" in a new light.
Moms and Dads maybe we should lighten our daily load. Is ballet, piano,
dance, tumbling, basketball, soccer ALL really necessary. By elimnating
the stress we may not struggle so with the "messes". All our kids really
need and want is our love and time. Tom and Jennifer thank you so much
for sharing your story. Your faith and strength is changing my outlook
on life and parenting. May God continue to bless all of you. I know you
believe...I believe.... All my pryaers....Keri Sites *Parents Hug your
kids and tell them how speical they are.
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Date
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May 11,
2004 |
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Name
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Terri &
Greg Booth |
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Email
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tldb16@yahoo.com
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Home Page
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City
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Huntington |
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State
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W.VA.
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Comments
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Believing
and Praying....Love, Greg and Terri
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Date
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May 11,
2004 |
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Name
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Colonel
Dawn Astin |
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Email
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dawn@arwwmpt.org
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Home Page
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www.arwwmpt.org |
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City
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Williamsport |
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State
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PA
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Country
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USA
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Comments
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Dear Tom
and family: Please know that the whole organization of the American
Rescue Workers is lifting you and your family up in prayer everyday! We
know that there will be days when you are strong, and days when you feel
you can't take anymore. Remember the words of this old hymn of the
church - "O God, our Help in ages past, Our Hope for years to come, Our
Shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal Home! Under the shadow of
Thy throne still may we dwell secure; Suffficient is Thine arm alone,
and our defense is sure." God's grace will sustain you in your weakness.
Stand strong! Know that you are loved with an everlasting love.
Blessings, many prayers and much love to your family.......Amen!
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Date
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May 11,
2004 |
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Name
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Becky
Whittington |
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Email
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Comments
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Tom after
reading your latest update. I couldn’t help but to feel sadness for all
the sick children. And a sick place in the bottom of my stomach for
their families to be living such a nightmare. Your right they are just
kids… No kid should have such a horrible illness. But fortunally there
are places like St. Jude where a child and his or her family can come
and get help. To be told how things will go and to live them I am sure
is different. These are the time you hold on to one another a little
tighter. As you know God is in control. My prayer is that all the
children are able to leave St. Jude and assume a normal kids life. We
all know that doesn’t happen. So we make the best of our time here.
Because none of us know the plans God has for us. Right now as always I
am praying for Ben and Eli. For you and Jennifer to find strength to
deal with this time and that your marriage is strong and your love for
one another is like the fight you have in you for a normal life with
your kids. I believe!!!
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Date
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May 11,
2004 |
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Name
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Becky
Whittington |
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Comments
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The Lord
says, "I will make you wise and show you were to go. I will guide you
and watch over you." Psalm 32:8 He gives me strength. He leads me on
paths that are right for the good of his name. Psalm 23:3 If you go the
wrong way--to the right or to the left--you will hear a voice behind you
saying, "This is the right way. You should go this way." Isaiah 30:21 I
believe you will find your way. Love and prayers. Becky and boys.
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Date
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May 11,
2004 |
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Name
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Melissa
Roberts |
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Email
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mroberts623@comcast.net |
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Home Page
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City
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West
Hartford |
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State
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CT
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Country
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US
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Comments
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I was so
touched by your story. Having children of my own, I can't imagine what
you are going through. But please know that my family is praying for
your family in this time of need. He is in such wonderful hands with our
Lord and Savior. I wish you the best.
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Date
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May 11,
2004 |
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Name
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Sarah
Hastings |
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Email
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gohorsey@hotmail.com
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Home Page
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City
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Lexington
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State
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KY
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Comments
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Tom, your
message from Monday evening was heart-wrenching look at what you are all
going through. We are here--- listening, praying, learning, believing.
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Date
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May 11,
2004 |
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Name
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Tammy
Vernick |
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Email
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ripvnwkl@shentel.net
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Home Page
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City
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Front
Royal |
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State
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VA
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USA
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Comments
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Bowen
Family: Our thoughts and prayers are with you daily. I felt compelled to
write after reading Tom's account of yesterdays experiences. It must be
so hard to see your own child suffer as well as all that are around you.
To look in to a face of a parent and/or grandparent and feel exactly
what they are feeling at that precise moment can be heartwrenching yet
also encouraging on good days. The people that are there with you are a
wonderful support group and you all feel as if you are going through
this together...feed from each other on good days and bad. Draw from
their strengths and extend your own during their time of need...even if
it's a look of understanding. I admire you guys so much and think of you
often. We've never met, but I, too am from the Huntington area (Wayne
County). I read your updates and pray daily for you all. My older
daughter was born at 28 weeks and spent nearly 3 months in the NICU. I
will never forget the families that were in there with us. Lots of days
we didn't have to say anything to
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Date
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May 11,
2004 |
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Name
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Tammy
Vernick |
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Email
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ripvnwkl@shentel.net
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Home Page
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City
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Front
Royal |
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State
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VA
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USA
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Comments
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Oops...I
guess I wrote too much earlier so I'll finish it here. I was saying that
there were days that our NICU family didn't have to say anything to one
another but knew the prayers of each other's hearts. You guys are a
wonderful family and are such an inspiration to us and all that are
following Ben's progress. Please wish Jennifer a belated Happy Mother's
Day for us...she is the epitome of what we all strive to be. Stay strong
in Christ for he will carry you through these storms. Always believing,
Tammy Thompson Vernick
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Comments
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I pray
for you daily...Stand on your faith and keep believing. Love to you,
Michelle (Colton's Mom)
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Date
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May 11,
2004 |
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Name
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Barbara
Tucker |
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Email
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Comments
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Tom and
Jennifer, Just read the latest posting. Tom, you have such an
inspirational way of expressing your self and helping us "be there" with
you. I can see you publishing a book of your thoughts. We are all
thinking of you here in Huntington. Barbara
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Date
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May 11,
2004 |
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Name
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Trish
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Email
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Home Page
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City
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Memphis
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State
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Tn
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Comments
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You are
still in my daily thoughts and prayers! Sorry about your trip to the
zoo! Maybe the next time Ben is able to get out the crowds won't be as
bad! I hoep that Jennifer had a great Mother's Day. She certainly
deserved it! Stay encouraged...there is ALWAYS hope!!!!
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Date
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May 11,
2004 |
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Name
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MAMAWROSIE |
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Email
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Home Page
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City
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H
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Comments
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JENNIFER,
THIS NOTE IS ESPECIALLY FOR YOU. I AM SO PROUD OF YOUR COURAGE IN THE
FACE OF ALL THAT IS HAPPENING IN YOUR CHILDREN'S LIVES. YOU ARE SUCH AN
INSPIRATION TO ALL OF US NO MATTER HOW YOUNG OR HOW OLD. KEEP TRUSTING
AND LEANING ON YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER. HE WILL CONTINUE TO HOLD YOU AND
YOUR FAMILY UP. LOVE AND PRAYERS MAMAWROSIE
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Date
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May 11,
2004 |
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Name
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Xiaodi
Whitfield |
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Email
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tracker6@ezwv.com
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Home Page
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City
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Huntington |
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State
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WV
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Country
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USA
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Comments
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Dear Ben,
I wish that you feel better. I have been praying for you. Bob and Jack
are praying for you, too. Love Xiaodi
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Next
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