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Date
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June 23,
2004 |
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Name
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Mary
Ellen Black |
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Email
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megsraae@aol.com
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Home Page
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City
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Barboursville |
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State
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WV
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Comments
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Just read
the update - was glad to have news but I must admit sorry it wasn't what
we had hoped for; however one verse came quickly to mind and I believe
it is worth sharing, with the hopes of encouraging you guys as you deal
with today's news and the next stage of protocol ... "Trust in the Lord
with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your
ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight." We are
praying for you guys to mount up with wings like Eagles, to run and not
be weary, to walk and not faint ... Trusting and believing His grace to
be sufficient -- One day , one procedure, one decision at a time -- Mary
Ellen, Scott, Annie and Abigail
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Date
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June 23,
2004 |
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Name
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Catherine
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Email
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cimccau@uark.edu
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Home Page
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City
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Fayetteville |
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State
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AR
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Country
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Comments
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Ben and
Family- I am sorry to hear about the news that you have recieved today.
I have been praying for you since hearing your story at the Target House
with the group from Up Til Dawn. I have e-mailed many friends and family
your web page and they too are keeping your family in their prayers. I
belive in the power of prayer and I feel confident that with this many
people praying for you guys that something miraculous is on its way. My
friends, family and I will continue to keep you in our thoughts and
prayers.
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Comments
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I know
the news you got today wasn't the optimal, but remember that in the
world of oncology 2mm is nothing. Praise the Lord that the chemo is
working and that the growth has essentially stopped and Big Ben's
hearing has not been affected. You all are in our thoughts and prayers
daily, if not hourly. If anyone can beat this Big Ben can! It was so
wonderful seeing you all at church a couple weeks ago. You all are an
inspiration.
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Date
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June 23,
2004 |
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Name
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Traci
(Craft) Dalton |
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Email
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traci.dalton@verizon.net |
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Home Page
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City
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Charleston |
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State
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WV
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Country
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U.S.
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Comments
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Jennifer
and Tom, I check the website everyday and wanted to say I continue to
pray for Ben and your family (especially during his difficult days of
treatment and testing). Your strength as a family and your unwaivering
faith is an inspiration for me and many others. God Bless all of you!!
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Date
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June 23,
2004 |
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Name
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Karen
Bowen Wilburn |
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Email
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brose1956@adelphia.net |
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Home Page
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City
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Barboursville |
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State
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WV
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Comments
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Hey Guys.
I sat at work all day today just watching the clock and thinking of all
of you. Several friends at work would stop by to see if I had heard
anything - everyone is praying for Ben. While the results of the MRI may
have not been what we all had hoped for it does seem that the chemo is
working since the tumor hasn't grown very much. I'm glad Ben's hearing
is fine. I will be praying for all of you and thinking of you with the
next round of treatment. I love you guys. Kiss and hug the boys for Nana
and me. Love Aunt Karen.
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Comments
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I just
want you all to know that I am praying for Big Ben everyday. I can't
believe how this situation has affected me and I don't even know your
family. But I sit on pins and needles everyday awaiting some kind of
news. I feel like its my own child. I will continue praying for this
little miracle. Just make sure that you never forget that god has
blessed you with this amazing miracle. So that means he must think that
the two of you are very special and loving people to give you such a
special gift. Just know that we are all praying for you and love each of
you especially Big big and Eli. With much love and prayers jamie
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Comments
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Hi Tom &
Jennifer, I check the site often. The update today may not be as good as
we hoped for but it is still hopeful. We will continue to pray for all
of you. Love ya: Sam & Darlene Mayenchein
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Comments
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Can you
believe that people all over the world are praying for your little boy?
I stand in awe of God's greatness and how He binds His children together
no matter where they are to pray for one of His who is hurting.
Basically no growth in the tumor and no hearing loss-PRAISE GOD! I'm
sure that your request for cumulative prayers will be heard and that we
will all be standing in one accord for Big Ben. Hope you all have a
restful night. You remain wrapped in His arms, Mary Ann
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Comments
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Hey guys!
I stopped in to read the latest update. I'm sorry the news wasn't
better. Still and all you are moving forward with treatment and that's a
positive thing. I think of you every day and hope that you are all
hanging in there. This must be one of the hardest things anybody's ever
lived through and I admire the strength and dignity you guys bring to
the task. We are here supporting you in spirit and waiting to welcome
you home when the time comes. Please think of me if you need anything.
Take care.
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Date
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June 23,
2004 |
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Name
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Teresa
Powell |
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Email
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annah99@aol.com |
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Home Page
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City
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Shreveport |
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State
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La
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Country
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Comments
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Tom and
Jennifer, I feel like I know your family, through all the updates. As a
grandmother of a 5 year old, my heart breaks for the pain and trauma
that Ben has endured. I have been listenting to Beth Moores series on
BELIEVING GOD and again I am encouaged to BELEIVE him for BIG THINGS. My
prayers are with you tonight...I pray that you both get to rest and that
peace is everywhere around you. Blessings, Teresa P
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Date
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June 23,
2004 |
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Name
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Kristi
McSweeney Haney |
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Email
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Home Page
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City
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Comments
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I don't
even know what to say other than your faith is amazing. In times like
these, we are supposed to be encouraging the Bowen family, but I do
believe that the Bowen family is encouraging to so many people all
around the world. I know that listening to you talk, reading your words,
looking at the smiles on your faces is such a witness. I know that so
many people have grown in the Lord through the ordeal Big Ben is going
through and in turn God is going to be and ALWAYS is so good to you. I
don't even know if my words are making sense right now, but just know
that the Bowen family is loved. Continue having the incredible faith
that you do. Always believing with you!!!
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Comments
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95% of
being blessed is how you look at things. It is true, we could sulk and
say how much better the results could be. We just discussed this very
thing at church. Instead, the positive is so wonderful! He CAN hear!
That tumor HAS NOT really grown at all! He WILL be able to go onto the
next phase of treatment! This is FABULOUS news! Ben is blessed &
everything in God's time. Ben DOES have THOUSANDS upon THOUSANDS of
people praying for him and checking in daily. HE is touching & changing
so many lives. It is a high price for him to pay, but my goodness...if
one person finds God & accepts Jesus because of Ben's story, what a
glorious tool he is! Ben IS going to be ok he is STRONG & he has the
POWER OF PRAYER! Still believing & praying....
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Date
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June 23,
2004 |
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Name
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Heather
McIlrath |
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Email
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mcilrath1@msn.com
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Home Page
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www.caringbridge.org/il/alethea |
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City
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Morrison
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State
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IL
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Country
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Comments
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Dearest
Bowens, We were so sad not to get to say goodbye, but we were glad you
were home for a little while and we are now so thankful to be home
ourselves. Big Ben and the rest of your family continues in our daily
prayers. We love you guys and we believe. God does have a plan for Ben's
life and He has already begun to fulfil it through your story as well as
the ways that your family touches the lives of everyone you come into
contact with at St. Jude. We were so blessed by our limited contact and
I have spoken with so many others who received love and encouragement
from you. Keep up the good work, but take the time to take care of
yourselves too. A dear friend shared a scripture with me today from the
parable of the wise and foolish builders, "The rain came down, the
streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did
not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." Matthew 7:25. Your
foundation is firm and though you are in the midst of the storm, He will
hold you firmly! Cling to the Rock of
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Date
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June 23,
2004 |
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Name
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The
Sobonya's (Ed, Kelli, Andrew, & Abby) |
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Email
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metkel@aol.com |
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Home Page
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City
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Ona
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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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Tom,
Jennifer, Ben, and Eli.. We are in fervernt prayer for your family and
know with God, all things are possible. We admire your faith and thank
you for being an example for us all to follow. Faith by its very nature
must be tested and tried. And the real trial of faith is not that we
find it difficult to trust God, but that God's character must be proven
as trustworthy in our own minds. Faith being worked out into reality
must experience times of unbroken isolation. Never confuse the trial of
faith with the ordinary discipline of life, because a great deal of what
we call the trial of faith is the inevitable result of being alive.
Faith, as the Bible teaches it, is faith in God coming against
everything that contradicts Him--a faith that says, "I will remain true
to God's character whatever he may do." No matter what God puts before
you, we know that you will continue to put your trust in Him. Keep
remebering what Philippians 4:13 has to say, "I can do all things
through Christ who gives me strength." It is our prayer that G
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Date
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June 24,
2004 |
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Name
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Christine
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Email
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Home Page
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City
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State
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WA
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Country
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Australia
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Comments
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Tom,
Jennifer, Ben, and Eli.. I check in daily to see how Ben is progressing.
Your unwavering faith is a true inspiration. I will pray that Ben feels
the love of angels around him. "Do not be afraid I am with you.." Isaiah
43:5. Remember that your family and precious son are surrounded by God's
loving protection.
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Comments
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Hey Tom
and Jennifer, :O)..Just stopping by to let you know I'm in prayer
warrior mode ~~grins~~
Storming the gates of heaven for you BEN!
God is still in control and in the very midst of this.
Let's try a siggy again...Just save it to your computer and you can use
it wherever you like.
http://www.caringbridge.org/oh/jophie/
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Comments
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Hey guys,
it has been a long time since I've been on the guestbook...and I HAVE
missed it. So after reading MANY entries, I am reminded how encouraging
this would be to daily SEE the people who are supporting you. We will be
praying for you today as you start this round of inpatient. We love you
so...I want to talk to you about the prayer campaign ideas...I need to
talk to you, too, about that Disney stuff- June 28th is the cut-off date
for the 5+2 DreamMaker package. Laura
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Date
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June 24,
2004 |
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Name
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TANYA
LUIKART |
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Email
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JADERABBIT5@AOL.COM
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Home Page
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City
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RED HOUSE
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State
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WV
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Country
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PUTNAM
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Comments
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SO SORRY
TO HEAR ABOUT THE TRIAL YOU ARE FACING. YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS AND
PRAYERS. MY GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY AND KEEP YOU IN HIS LOVING ARMS.
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Date
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June 24,
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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Country
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Comments
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Hey guys!
As I'm sitting here at work, this song by Jeremy Camp (who lost his
first wife to breast cancer) came on the radio. I wanted to share a few
lyrics..."I still believe in your faithfulness, I still believe in your
TRUTH, I still believe in YOUR HOLY WORD--Even when I don't SEE I still
believe." Thanks for believing, for not wavering and for being amazing
witnesses for the kingdom! No other place to attibute the source of that
kind of strength; Jesus! Still praying.....Keep on..... Sherri<><
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Date
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June 24,
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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Country
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Comments
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"But let
all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread
your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in
you." Psalm 5:11 I, too, am sorry that the news was not better, but in
no way am I discouraged. Still believing right there with you guys.
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Date
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June 24,
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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Country
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Comments
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Sorry I
haven't written in guestbook for a while. I do continue to check in on
Ben everyday and I continue to pray for him, your family, and many of
your friends at St. Jude. As I read the MRI results my first reaction
was "why is the tumor not shrinking?" Then I thought of the whole
picture and I realized how well Ben is doing and how many prayers God is
answering. Then my reaction was "this is such an aggresive cancer and
the tumor has not grown!!!" This is WONDERFUL news. Your family still
amazes me with the strength and faith that you have. I pray for
continued strength for Ben and family, for Ben's comfort during
treatment, and for complete healing.
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Date
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June 24,
2004 |
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Name
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Gary,
Angela, Dalton, and Delaney Coovert |
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Email
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gcoov@alltel.net
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Home Page
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City
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Raceland
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State
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KY
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Country
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USA
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Comments
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We have
read your updates daily and have experienced smiles, rejoicing, and
tears. Even with the updates I doubt any of us truly realize what you
are facing. I met Tom briefly in high school track but now feel bonded
through this. I have learned and grown, May God continue to strengthen
Ben. Psalm 55:22
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Date
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June 24,
2004 |
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Name
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Bill
Sheils |
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Email
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bsheez@aol.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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Comments
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Tom,
can't you sense something special is happening, right here, right now?
Just reading the messages the past few days gives me goose bumps. Ben's
army of faith warriors, thousands upon thousands, are assembling from
around the world, all lining up behind Ben and his family, ready to take
this cancer head on and destroy it. Like a general leading us into
battle, Ben's army will ultimately prevail, all to the glory of God. We
are all here with you, Ben, ready to ride into battle with you.
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Date
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June 24,
2004 |
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Name
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Rodney &
Kay Leake |
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Email
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kaylleake@yahoo.com
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Home Page
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City
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MT.
Carbon |
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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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We are
praying so very hard and much for Ben. I am a cancer survivor. God
healed me 10 years ago, and I am praying for God to heal Ben. We love
you and will keep you in our prayers.
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Date
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June 24,
2004 |
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Name
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Mary
Ellen Black |
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Email
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megsraae@aol.com
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Home Page
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City
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Barboursville |
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State
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WV
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Country
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Comments
|
Rejoicing
with you all this morning in the light of a new day -- thanking God for
His perfect plan and loving care for Ben and your entire family. We love
you guys and believe with you - day by day. Mary Ellen
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Next
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