Wednesday, July 23, 2008

A Very Sad Day . . .

. . . in the life of our church. Our church is a family, in the truest sense of the word. The choir is a small group of our family. Some of us have been singing together for over 30 years.

Dean and Suzanne are two of our dear friends who have been in our church and our choir for the entire time. We have watched them grow their family with 4 of the finest young men you would ever want to know. All of them. They've had their share of physical challenges - many trips to the emergency room and knee/shoulder surgeries, but all because the boys are so athletic. All of them have gone to college on athletic scholarships. Three of them have graduated - the last one just this past May. One more to go. All went to the same Christian college in Illinois. Two have married lovely Christian young women. One couple is heading to Alaska for mission aviation work in Alaska in another week.

The third son, Dan - wonderful, handsome, healthy young guy, who was spending his summer working at our denomination's camp in the mountains. His plans for the fall were to go to Focus on the Family Institute (commissioned by Focus on the Family, exists to provide a unique Christian educational community that nurtures passionate and persuasive leaders who are committed to Jesus Christ, equipping them to promote healthy families, vibrant churches and a civil society). His girlfriend is spending the summer in India doing mission work. They were going as a family to Peru next month. They were one of those families who just seemed blessed in every way.

This morning, all of that changed. Their life will never be the same. My heart is just aching. I can't imagine how you continue life when your first call in the morning is to tell you that your son died in his sleep in his bed - at summer camp. Unfathomable. Absolutely incomprehensible.

Please pray for Dean, Suzanne, Ted, Ryan, Kyle, their spouses, their very large family on both sides. And for the roommate who found him this morning. And for all the staff at the camp. And for all those kids who were at camp this week. And for our church, because we are their family, too.

Thank you.


26 comments:

SentimentsbyDenise said...

I am praying.

Anonymous said...

Dawn, the prayers are being said. Please pass on my condolences to the Family.
now,I'm going to post a link on my wordpress site as I do for every one I can.
Hugs and Blessings-Mike Golch said that.

Sandee said...

Prayers in progress honey. I cannot imagine. I just can't. Big hug. Oh, Mike sent me over. :)

nancygrayce said...

I'm so sorry. I'll be praying!

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

That is so sad and we never understand these things but must trust God through it all. I will be praying.

Hopefulsl said...

I'm so sorry to hear about the lost in this family lives... I don't think any of us can understand why things like this happens to good family's.
My prayers are with them, By the way i came to this site on Mikes behalf.
He is a wonderful man, and as usual he has asked for everyone for prayers for this family and everyone around them.....(God bless his heart!)...
BLESSINGS TO ALL OF YOU,
Love,Stacy

Diane@Diane's Place said...

I am so sorry, Dawn. I'll be praying.

Love, hugs and prayers,

Diane

Susan said...

I trust you will give a follow-up when more is known as to the cause. I will be praying for all these.
Susan

Tammy said...

The shock of this must be just horrible...I will be praying for all of them, Dawn!

Susie said...

What terrible news for any parent to hear. I'm so very sorry for their loss and have said a prayer for them.
xo

elizabeth said...

What a tragedy for this family and your church family. Please know that prayers are being said for all.

Anonymous said...

So sad. I'll be praying for the family and church family.

Nadine said...

That is very sad. I'm praying for the whole family.

Linda said...

We've been gone all day, and I just read your post Dawn. I am so deeply sorry. There just aren't words when there is such heartbreak.
Please know I will be praying for them and for all of you - their church family. I pray His presence will bring comfort and strength during this difficult time. My heart hurts for all of you.

Sam said...

Oh, Dawn. I am so, so sorry. What a tragedy. I am praying for all of you.

Lots of love,
Sammy

Jess said...

How awful...I will be praying.

Love, Jess

Linds said...

So sad, Dawn. I will be praying too.

Midlife Mom said...

Oh Dawn, there just aren't words enough to express my sorrow for this family! I pray that they find comfort in the knowledge that God makes no mistakes and that their beloved son is now with the Father in heaven, happy and healthy. Also for your church family I pray for healing and strength at this time.

groovyoldlady said...

Mercy! We've had that happen twice in our church. The shock is overwhelming. I am/will be praying!

Robin said...

How very sad. It truly doesn't make any sense at all to our earthly minds does it? I will be praying for this family and for your church.

Needled Mom said...

Dawn, this is such sad news. I can only imagine the tremendous grief that the families --immediate and church -- must be dealing with at this time. I pray that everyone will find comfort as they try to understand His plans. Each of us is on this earth for a numbered days known only to Him. Perhaps such tragedies helps us to hug our own familes a little tighter.

Baba said...

Hi Dawn, what a sad.. sad.. day this is for you and all of his family..he died doing God's work until his death.My prayers are with all of you.
Hugs, Baba

Simply Heart And Home said...

Dawn,

How very sad. I will add them to my prayers.

Thank you for praying for my family and me. My daughter is fine but stranded in southern Texas due to the hurricane. She called and she sounds pretty sad. She was due to come home today. They have no electricity and some food but they have begun rationing it. I'm trying to not worry as she is in the Lord's hands.

Gina

Christa said...

I am so sorry, I can't imagine
I'll be praying.

Deb said...

Oh how very sad, I will pray for his family.

Unknown said...

What a very sad loss. I am so sorry for all of you.