|
Date
|
December
15, 2004 |
|
Name
|
Patti
|
|
Email
|
periippa@stthomas.edu |
|
Home Page
|
|
|
City
|
St. Paul
|
|
State
|
MN
|
|
Country
|
USA
|
|
|
Comments
|
Ben is in
my thoughts every day; here at the University of St. Thomas my friends
and I have St. Jude bag tags with Ben's picture on our backpacks. Every
time I see his face, it reminds me how God has worked through Ben to
reach so many people. Ben's life and your faith are such testaments to
God's love. Still praying for Ben and all the St. Jude's kids.
|
|
|
|
Date
|
December
15, 2004 |
|
Name
|
Darlene
Koons |
|
Email
|
csanford@fulbright.com |
|
Home Page
|
www.snigglestheclown.com |
|
City
|
Devine
|
|
State
|
TX
|
|
Country
|
USA
|
|
|
Comments
|
Ben, what
a very special little boy you are. God has chosen a select few
throughout the years to illustrate His love and power. You are fortunate
enough to be included in that select few. I know that because of the
faith that your family has shown, people that have never prayed, have
gotten on their knees to talk to God! Way to go, Big Ben! I once sent
your dad an e-mail (my name was Darlene Sanford then) about a special
little boy named Micah Johnson. Micah is a miracle! I am still praying
for a miracle for you because I know that through God, anything is
possible. I admire your family and you so very much. You have changed my
life in ways I have no words to express. Merry Christmas Ben, Eli, Tom
and Jennifer. God loves you and so do thousands of His children! God
speed.
|
|
|
|
Date
|
December
15, 2004 |
|
Name
|
Shirley
Baker - Hiles |
|
Email
|
firstshushu@aol.com
|
|
Home Page
|
|
|
City
|
Hurricane
|
|
State
|
WV
|
|
Country
|
|
|
|
Comments
|
Ben you
have taught me to cherish the little things in life that I used to take
forgranted. Your family have showed me what Faith is. Everyday we see
how good God is.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comments
|
I first
heard your story when you appeared on the Memphis news. Since then, I
have kept reading the updates on your site. God will give you the
strength you need to get through this diffcult journey. I will pray for
you and your family as we approach Christmas. May God continue to bless
your family!
|
|
|
|
Date
|
December
15, 2004 |
|
Name
|
Barb
|
|
Email
|
barbilens@msnc.om
|
|
Home Page
|
|
|
City
|
La Crosse
|
|
State
|
WI
|
|
Country
|
USA
|
|
|
Comments
|
Hi Ben, I
just wanted to let you knowt hat I am so inspired by you. You are one of
my HEROs. Through you I have learned to appreciate my children a lot
more and to not let the little things get in me down. I give more
kisses, hugs and have more patience when things get tough. I look at
life in a whole new way - more meaningful and Thank God for allof the
wonderful people he placed in my life. From your parents I have learnesd
to begin believing once again. I guess that I never really stopped, but
somewhat placed my faith on the back burner. I have now begun to live
for the moment and believe that God will care for us all. I have grown
to love so many little ones and their families that I have not met
personally, but feel as if they are a part of my extended family. I want
to Thank You Ben for bringing me into the here and now. And for showing
me what is really important. Not the housework, or the yardwork, or the
errands that did not get done, but our children and our families and our
Faith in God. Because of knowing you
|
|
|
|
Date
|
December
15, 2004 |
|
Name
|
Darlene
Koons |
|
Email
|
csanford@fulbright.com |
|
Home Page
|
www.snigglestheclown.com |
|
City
|
Devine
|
|
State
|
TX
|
|
Country
|
USA
|
|
|
Comments
|
Ben -
Throughout history, God has chosen a select few to touch the lives of
thousands, and you can include yourself in those thousands. Through your
story, people that have never prayer before, have gotten down on their
knees to speak to our Lord and Savior! Way to go, Big Ben! I once sent
your father a rather long e-mail about a little boy I knew named Micah
Johnson (my name then was Darlene Sanford). Micah is a miracle! I am
still praying for a miracle for you because I know that with God, all
things are possible. The faith and love shown by your family is an
inspiration to all. I pray you have a wonderful holiday season, Ben.
Give your mommy, daddy and very special brother, Eli, a great big hug
from Sniggles the Clown! God speed to all of you!
|
|
|
|
Date
|
December
15, 2004 |
|
Name
|
Patricia
Scott |
|
Email
|
scottchick25@aol.com
|
|
Home Page
|
|
|
City
|
Louisa
|
|
State
|
ky
|
|
Country
|
usa
|
|
|
Comments
|
Dear Ben
and Family, Well I hope today has been a good day for you all. I just
finished making some cookies with my little guys and once again my mind
drifted to thoughts of Ben. Little things really are more precious now.
Thank you all for showing me that. I continue to pray. Continue to
believe. Continue to have faith that Gods will be done. Thinking of you
always. Patricia Scott
|
|
|
|
Date
|
December
15, 2004 |
|
Name
|
Autumn
Falconer |
|
Email
|
afalconer@grizzlies.com |
|
Home Page
|
|
|
City
|
Memphis
|
|
State
|
TN
|
|
Country
|
United
States |
|
|
Comments
|
Oh what
an angel has touched my heart! God works in mysterious ways... I pray
that this work of God is a miracle & we get to keep Ben in our life. You
will be in my prayers & in my heart. Just added to my long list of loves
@ St. Jude. God Bless and stay strong. We may not always know why we are
given the journey we are on... But you will learn the lesson and be
greatful for the memories. Much love, Autumn
|
|
|
|
Date
|
December
15, 2004 |
|
Name
|
Anita
Kennedy |
|
Email
|
afkjpk@comcast.net
|
|
Home Page
|
|
|
City
|
Murfreesboro |
|
State
|
TN
|
|
Country
|
USA
|
|
|
Comments
|
Hi Ben,
You are so brave and just a delight to many in this world! Anything
which turns us and others to God is SO GOOD!!!! You have, are, and will
continue to do just that others. Give all a big hug for us for sharing
your trials with us. As Christians, we are thankful for the opportunity
to bear your burdens! Much hope, prayers, and love sent to you! Merry
Christmas, Anita
|
|
|
|
Date
|
December
15, 2004 |
|
Name
|
Brenda
Leake |
|
Email
|
Leake54@hotmail.com
|
|
Home Page
|
Msn
|
|
City
|
Huntington |
|
State
|
Wv
|
|
Country
|
USA
|
|
|
Comments
|
To the
Bowen Family: We keep your family in our prayers and hope that Ben will
be healed by God we pray for every day and night.May God be with your
Family at time and hope you all have a very wonderful Hoilday Seasons
and a Happy New Year.We keep your Family in our prayers. The Leake
Family
|
|
|
|
Date
|
December
15, 2004 |
|
Name
|
Tomika &
Emily Woodall |
|
Email
|
tomiwood@wmconnect.com |
|
Home Page
|
|
|
City
|
Muscle
Shoals |
|
State
|
AL
|
|
Country
|
USA
|
|
|
Comments
|
Hello Mr.
Eli! Our three kids from Alabama who are -- Brady, and he is 11 --
Justin, who is 7 --and Emily who is 4 -- all say hello to such a
wonderful brave boy! Your parents must be so very, very proud of you and
we think it's so cool that you get to be Ben's only big brother! : )
Sweet Ben, We just wanted to tell you that you are a very handsome boy!
But most of all you are one of the most courageous we know. As we are
all God's children, it's a great honor to know you are our brother! To
Tom and Jennifer: I have no words that even amount to anything that I
would think you would want to hear, moreover being a complete stranger.
Our daughter is a patient at St. Jude as well and we found you site via
another child's site. Emily was diagnosed August 2, 2002, with high-risk
ALL. She will be finishing up her two and a half year protocol on March
9th. Every morning when I wake up it's the first thing that's on our
minds as it is when we are going to bed, the last thing on our minds.
It's my greatest fear an
|
|
|
|
Date
|
December
15, 2004 |
|
Name
|
Tomika &
Emily Woodall |
|
Email
|
tomiwood@wmconnect.com |
|
Home Page
|
|
|
City
|
Muscle
Shoals |
|
State
|
AL
|
|
Country
|
USA
|
|
|
Comments
|
To Tom
and Jennifer: I have no words that even amount to anything that I would
think you would want to hear, moreover being a complete stranger. Our
daughter is a patient at St. Jude as well and we found you site via
another child's site. Emily was diagnosed August 2, 2002, with high-risk
ALL. She will be finishing up her two and a half year protocol on March
9th. Every morning when I wake up it's the first thing that's on our
minds as it is when we are going to bed, the last thing on our minds.
It's my greatest fear and it's what you are facing. So I know that I
can't even imagine what you are going through right now but I just hope
and pray that you both hold on to each other and your love for each
other grows stronger each second. I pray for Eli's strength and delicate
understanding. But mostly I pray for the miraculous healing that we all
know that only our Father can do. We all have our little motto or
favorite saying and I just wanted to share that I once read that 'We are
loved beyond our ability to comprehe
|
|
|
|
Date
|
December
15, 2004 |
|
Name
|
Mikayl
|
|
Email
|
|
|
Home Page
|
|
|
City
|
St. Paul
|
|
State
|
MN
|
|
Country
|
|
|
|
Comments
|
Ben, you
are an amazing inspiration! You and your family will be in my thoughts
and prayers :)
|
|
|
|
Date
|
December
15, 2004 |
|
Name
|
Kelli
McSweeney Chatterton |
|
Email
|
zachsmom1995@charter.net |
|
Home Page
|
|
|
City
|
Hurricane
|
|
State
|
WV
|
|
Country
|
|
|
|
Comments
|
Hi Ben
and Eli, I bet you are cuddling up with your Mommy and Daddy with this
cold weather. I bet you really liked the snow we had yesterday. I want
to wish you a Merry Christmas and I hope Santa brings you evertthing you
want. You deserve everything you ask for. You are 2 of the strongest
boys I have ever seen.
|
|
|
|
Date
|
December
15, 2004 |
|
Name
|
Tomika &
Emily Woodall |
|
Email
|
tomiwood@wmconnect.com |
|
Home Page
|
|
|
City
|
Muscle
Shoals |
|
State
|
AL
|
|
Country
|
USA
|
|
|
Comments
|
'We are
loved beyond our ability to comprehend.' I believe that. When Emily
first got diagnosed a little lady who is 85 and was my mom's Sunday
school teacher sent me a note on a piece of paper. She simply wrote
"Jeremiah 29:11". I hope you can take from that verse now what we did.
Please know we are praying for your family and thinking about you often.
The Woodall Family
|
|
|
|
Date
|
December
15, 2004 |
|
Name
|
Sue
Fentress |
|
Email
|
|
|
Home Page
|
|
|
City
|
Greensboro |
|
State
|
North
Carolina |
|
Country
|
USA
|
|
|
Comments
|
As I am
sure you already heard many times, God is with you and your family. I
wish I had half as much faith as you and Hanna's family have shown. It
is impossible for me to say "I know how you feel". I can imagine how
terrible it would be to loose my daughter, but it is an unthinkable
thought. I thought when she was litte we had some major "health issues"
with her because she always seemed to be getting an ear infection or
getting over one. I realize now that it does not come close to watching
your child slip away day by day and still turn to God as you folks do.
I've always said that when I get to Heaven I have two questions for Him.
Why does he allow little children to be so sick, and why does He do the
same with very old people. We always try to justify what happens in
life, but sometimes we just cannot nderstand. But if Heaven is a perfect
and wonderful place, I probably will not ask God why...but know God is
with us. Two years ago this coming February, I was suppose to have foot
surgery and the day before my sur
|
|
|
|
Date
|
December
15, 2004 |
|
Name
|
Ginny
Stralow |
|
Email
|
|
|
Home Page
|
|
|
City
|
Pella
|
|
State
|
Iowa
|
|
Country
|
|
|
|
Comments
|
Your
story makes me realize that God's answers to prayer aren't always what
we look for. God has surely performed a miracle in how Ben's story has
touched so many lives. Our prayers continue for you and your family,
Ben.
|
|
|
|
Date
|
December
15, 2004 |
|
Name
|
Melanie
Worley |
|
Email
|
hotmel323@hotmail.com |
|
Home Page
|
|
|
City
|
haughton
|
|
State
|
La
|
|
Country
|
|
|
|
Comments
|
Ben has
touched my life in so many ways that I dont even know were to start.
Since reading about Ben's story I have learned not to worry about the
small stuff anymore, and to cherish everyday with my baby boy because we
never know when we will be called home. I pray for your family and for a
miracle for Ben everynight. I have truly witnessed the power of prayer
thru Ben's story. What an awesome feeling to know that so many thousands
of people are praying for your precious Ben. I know that you are proud
to be Ben and Eli's mommy and daddy, what a wonderful family you have. I
pray that your family has a great Christmas, and may we all remember the
story of Jesus!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comments
|
Little
Ben, our thoughts and prayers are with you. I pray that God's healing
hand wraps around you and that you will feel the love and comfort that
only he can provide. I pray that it's God's will that you are miracle
here on earth, you're certainly a testimony to many. To your family, my
heart breaks for you. I will pray for you. I know you need much and pray
that every need will be met and even when you feel that you aren't able
to go on or even take another breathe that you'll rely on His love and
guidance to see you through.
|
|
|
|
Date
|
December
15, 2004 |
|
Name
|
Vanessa
Ashley |
|
Email
|
vsashley@fuse.net
|
|
Home Page
|
|
|
City
|
Villa
Hills |
|
State
|
KY
|
|
Country
|
USA
|
|
|
Comments
|
Dear Big
Ben, You have been such an inspiration to my sons and I. My oldest son
Jason always asks about you when he is home from college. We talk about
how brave you are to be able to endure everything you have been through
and be able to a happy two year old. You are so precious. You have
changed my life for I don't take anything for granted and cherish the
time I spend with my sons. You are a very special little boy and bring
joy to many lives. We are praying for a miracle. Love to your family,
Ms. Ashley
|
|
|
|
Date
|
December
15, 2004 |
|
Name
|
Sue
Fentress |
|
Email
|
123beach@belsouth.net |
|
Home Page
|
bellsouth.net |
|
City
|
greensboro |
|
State
|
nc
|
|
Country
|
usa
|
|
|
Comments
|
As I am
sure you already heard many times, God is with you and your family. I
wish I had half as much faith as you and Hanna's family have shown. It
is impossible for me to say "I know how you feel". I can imagine how
terrible it would be to loose my daughter, but it is an unthinkable
thought. I thought when she was little we had some major "health issues"
with her because she always seemed to be getting an ear infection or
getting over one. I realize now that it does not come close to watching
your child slip away day by day and still turn to God as you folks do.
I've always said that when I get to Heaven I have two questions for Him.
Why does he allow little children to be so sick, and why does He do the
same with very old people. We always try to justify what happens in
life, but sometimes we just cannot understand. But if Heaven is a
perfect and wonderful place, I probably will not ask God why...but know
God is with us. Two years ago this coming February, I was suppose to
have foot surgery and the day before my surgery ar
|
|
|
|
Date
|
December
15, 2004 |
|
Name
|
Kerin
Hentz |
|
Email
|
|
|
Home Page
|
|
|
City
|
|
|
State
|
|
|
Country
|
|
|
|
Comments
|
Ben, you
& your family helped bring us to St. Jude. We followed in your footsteps
from Cincinnati Children's Hospital, to St. Jude, to Lebonheur & back to
St. Jude. Everyone we met who met you 1st loves, adores & praises you
Ben. Your smile is incredibly beautiful & heartwarming & will always be
a part of our journey forever. So will the strength and tenderness of
your mother, the wonderful spirit of your brother & the courage of your
father. I cannot imagine the pain your family feels & hurt so bad for
your big brother. I must quote from my favorite book because I feel my
own words are not adequately honoring you Ben. ..."when we face the
reality of death, we begin to understand the greater reality of eternal
life and how this life is simply a preparation for everlasting
life....for that which we lose here on earth, we receive back many times
in heaven." We will always be praying for a miracle, but you already are
one. Love, The Hentz's
|
|
|
|
Date
|
December
15, 2004 |
|
Name
|
Sue
Fentress |
|
Email
|
123beach@belsouth.net |
|
Home Page
|
|
|
City
|
Greensboro |
|
State
|
NC
|
|
Country
|
USA
|
|
|
Comments
|
As I am
sure you already heard many times, God is with you and your family. I
wish I had half as much faith as you and Hanna's family have shown. It
is impossible for me to say "I know how you feel". I can imagine how
terrible it would be to loose my aughter, but it is an unthinkable
thought. I thought when she was litte we had some major "health issues"
with her because she always seemed to be getting an ear infection or
getting over one. I realize now that it does not come close to watching
your child slip away day by day and still turn to God as you folks do.
I've always said that when I get to Heaven I have two questions for Him.
Why does he allow little children to be so sick, and why does He do the
same with very old people. We always try to justify what happens in
life, but sometimes we just cannot understand. Two years ago this coming
February, I was suppose to have foot surgery and the day before my
surgery around 3:30 in the afternoon, my doctor called me to tell me
that it had been cancelled. I was furious that he had
|
|
|
|
Date
|
December
15, 2004 |
|
Name
|
Cora
Korus |
|
Email
|
jlkorus@megavision.com |
|
Home Page
|
|
|
City
|
Lindsay
|
|
State
|
NE
|
|
Country
|
USA
|
|
|
Comments
|
Ben and
family, you have helped me understand that I should be glad my child are
naughty and healthy. I realize that I should treasure every moment with
my children and it is o.k. when they are naughty. Thanks Ben! You will
be in our daily thoughts and prayers buddy. Love Cora Korus and family.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comments
|
Since
reading about Ben, I have learned to treasure each moment with my 17
month old little girl. Oh, sure I loved her before reading , but now I
hold her a little tighter. I kiss her more and tell her I love her even
more. At night I often look at her while sleeping and think how very
thankful I am to have a healthy little girl. I don't take the little
moments for granted and appreciate each day with her. I pray for your
family each night. Your faith and strenth amazes me each time I read
your journal. Thanks for sharing! Emily
|
|
Previous
Next
|
| |