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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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BeckyWhittington |
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Personally I have been moved by your strength and faith. Which has
reflected on your boys. That is why they are so grounded and at peace.
Thank you for sharing your kids and journey you have changed the days of
many people including myself. Thank you for showing me the way.
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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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Rebecca
(Irby) Brammer |
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Email
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littlehouse@ma.rr.com |
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Home Page
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Fairmont
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Our Awana
Cubbies lesson last week was about heaven. We showed the kids pictures
of things and asked if they thought they would see each one in heaven.
When shown a picture of a child sleeping, the kids all started shouting
"Yes", but we told them no, we wouldn't need to sleep in heaven. One
little boy jumped up eagerly and exclaimed, "No naps? No bedtime? WOW! I
can play all day and all night! I can't WAIT to go to heaven!" At the
time, I thought, "He's speaking for Ben." What a contrast to Ben's
situation now, where he's too weak to play at all and sleeps nearly all
the time. :o( Won't he be excited to graduate to a place where he can
play all day AND all night with Hanna, Benjamin, Aaron, Karley, Helen,
and his other little playmates waiting for him there, and never need to
sleep again? Earth will be a sadder place without him here, but won't
Heaven rejoice to see Ben's smile?
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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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amye
rochelle |
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Email
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amyern2000@yahoo.com
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Home Page
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City
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osceola
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ar
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usa
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Comments
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I am a
nurse at St. Jude. I took care of Ben only once, but he has been in my
heart each day since. I will continue to keep your family in my prayers
through these difficult times.
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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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kelli
pille |
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Email
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kelly.pille@cchmc.org |
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Home Page
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City
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cincnnati
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State
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oh
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usa
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hi ben i
just wanted to thank you for teaching me so much. you have taught me how
to strong and how to look at things in a postive way and to accept what
comes and make the best out of it. i have a daughter your age and she is
my miracle and her and i pray for you and youre family everynight. i
have purchased 5 big ben braclets one for each of my 5 daughters so that
they can look at it and remind them of you and how strong, brave and
wonderful you are. you are truely a gift from god and i am so blest
because i had the chance to meet you and learn from you. you are an
incredible little boy and i will never forget your smile and big eyes.
god is good he gave us you and in your short life you have impacted more
people and have done more good than any person i know. god bless you
always and thank you. tom jennifer and eli my prays are with you all ben
gets his strenght from you, you are a terrific family god bless you also
and please give ben a kiss and hug from me. i also wanted to tell you
that my daughters school i going to do
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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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MELANIE
CHAPMAN |
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Email
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chapmanmm@walmart.com |
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Home Page
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lavalette
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DEAR
BOWEN FAMILY, I TRY TO KEEP UP WITH YOUR STORY AS OFTEN AS I CAN MY
PARENTS HARRY AND HELEN HART ALSO KEEP ME [POSTED. I JUST GOT BACK FROM
TELLING MY HUSBAND GOODBYE FOR THE NEXT YR AS HE FLIES OFF TO HELP FIGHT
THE WAR IN IRAQ. YOUR FAMILY IS A GIFT TO US ALL N WHAT YOUR FAITH AND
BELIEF IN THE LORD CAN DO EACH DAY WITH BEN IS SUCH A GIFT TO US ALL AND
WE SHOULD THANK YOU JENNIFER AND ELI FOR SHARING SUCH AN AMAZING LITTLE
BOY WITH US. HE IS THE HOPE AND LIGHT THAT HAS SHONE SO MANY THE WAY TO
THE LORD EVEN IN THE WORST OF TIMES YOU ALL HAVE SUCH BELIEF AND TRUST
IN THE LORD. I AM TRULY IN AWE OF YOUR FAMILY. MY PROBLEMS DO NOT LOOK
SO GRIM AS LONG AS I HAVE FAITH IN THE LORD BEN TAUGHT ME THAT EVEN
THOUGH I HAVE NEVER MET HIM HE IS SUCH A WONDER A LIGHT THAT SHINES SO
BRIGHT ON THIS EARTH AND THIS WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE BECAUSE OF YOUR
FAMILY. BEN ACCOMPLISHED SO MUCH IN HIS LIFE MORE THAN MOST OF US WILL
EVER DO HE HAS TOUCHED OUR HEARTS AND OUR SOULS HE BROUGHT SO MANY OF US
TO THE LORD THRU IT ALL HE TAKES IT ALL WITH A S
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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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Amber
Tatom |
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Email
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Atatom101@aol.com
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Home Page
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City
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fortville
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in
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Tom &
Jennifer, you are always in our prayers. I am reminded that even in the
areas where we are weak God is strong for us. We are only human and God
above all knows that. You are leaning on God in the hardest, weakest
moments of your lives. You are doing the best you can. God knows that
and he will fill in the gaps. Love in Christ, Amber and Shane Tatom
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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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Annalee
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Email
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herd02girl@yahoo.com
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Home Page
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City
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Hurricane
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Tom and
Jennifer, You are in my prayers tonight and I am so amazed at the
continued amount of faith and strength that you display. God is truly
shining through you all in the midst of this. I am praying God continues
to strengthen you through all of this. Ben, You'll never know what
you've taught me and what an impact you've had on my life. You are so
strong. I'm sending you big hugs as you rest tonight. Thank you for
teaching me so much. The best is yet to come... Eli, I am sure your
mommy and daddy are so proud of you. I have a nephew around your age and
he is a big brother too. It's a tough job but you are a great big
brother. Always remember that you have lots of people around you (mommy
and daddy especially!) that love you so much.
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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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Carri
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Email
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cmedcalf@charter.net
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Home Page
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City
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Greenville |
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SC
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USA
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Comments
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Amen! It
is truth that your "performance" (i.e. more belief, more faith as
suggested by others) is not what would make Ben 'better'; Romans 4:2-3
"If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast
about-but not before God. What does the Scripture say? 'Abraham believed
God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.'" Abraham was
justified by Faith. Abraham was called to sacrifice his son (as a burnt
offering; God intervened with a ram sacrifice). Moses' mother was called
to sacrifice her son (by sending him in the basket to be found by
Pharoah's daughter). It is with great Faith and only by Faith that they,
and myself (with my husband), and you were/are able to believe the
promises of God and navigate this journey to release our sons from this
Earth to the Lord our God. Hebrews 11:40 "God had planned something
better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect".
By Faith we were able to live each day with our son's diagnosis and
subsequent prognosis of eminent death. By
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Comments
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I just
wanted to let you all know that you are surely in my prayers tonight as
you were when I first read about Ben. I pray that the Lord continue to
comfort you and give you strength for the journey yet to be on. I pray
that Ben's pain remain controlled and that he remains at peace in the
loving arms of his family and those of the Lord. You are so right the
best the Lord has to offer is yet to come...thank you for reminding us
of that. Thank you Ben for sharing your smile with the world and making
it a better place. With a heavy heart tonight and lots of hugs sent your
way from Texas. Sincerly, Rachel C.
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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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Carri
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Email
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cmedcalf@charter.net
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Home Page
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City
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Greenville |
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State
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SC
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USA
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Comments
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By faith
we were able to release him to the Lord at conception, during his short
life in utero, and upon his birth directly to Heaven. I agree with you
that if this Earth is the best we have to offer our children then I,
too, am saddened. I wanted to keep my son and experience him but know
that no matter what I would have/could have done on this Earth, even if
I had tried for the rest of my live, I could never, NEVER give to him
what he is currently experiencing in Heaven and will for eternity. This
knowledge does not spare me my sadness, but does bring me tremendous
peace and great hope. I know that you too know this place. With Joy,
Carri
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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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Melora
Burchell |
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Email
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melora34@yahoo.com
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Home Page
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City
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huntington |
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wv
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Comments
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I am so
proud of your family. You have demonstrated great courage and
faithfulness. I pray for peace for your family and that God will put his
arms around you and hold you all tight tonight. Your are in my thoughts
and prayers.
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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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SUE
WALTERS |
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Email
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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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MAY
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. ONE DAY AT A TIME.THANK YOU FOR
SHARING YOUR STORY.
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Comments
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I have
been following Ben's story and He has touched a spot in my heart. I have
no children. I can see in his face, everytime they show it on the
news...he is a happy little boy. Life isn't fair...I know this all to
well. Cancer of all sorts has touched my family. I keep hoping and
praying for a miracle. He is a sweet little boy! May God bless him and
continue to watch over Ben. It is better to love and lost than never to
have loved at all. I can see Ben is easy to love. Bless you, his
parents. God has a purpose for you and Ben and only he knows what that
plan is. Every minute you spend with Ben is a precious blessing that you
will always remember. GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!
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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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Mikey
Taylor |
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Email
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mike.taylor@uscm.org
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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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USA
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Comments
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I just
wanted to say thank you for the awesome testimony that you all are to
everyone you come in contact with. Your perspective throughout this
whole process shows how deep of a faith that you have, trusting in His
sovereignity and believing in the plan that GOD has to use your "light
and momentary afflictions"-in the light of eternity. Your story is truly
inspiring. Thank you that your story is completely founded on Christ.
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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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Carrie
Amis |
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Email
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Carrie8278@aol.com
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Home Page
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City
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Kenova
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State
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WV
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US
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Comments
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Big Ben
You are such an inspiration to every one every where. At only 2 years
old your teaching people 10 times your age what life is about.Your have
been an angel on earth and will continue to be either here or in Heaven.
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Comments
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I AM SO
VERY SORRY.HE SUCH A DOLL BABY.MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.
SICERELLY, DENISE
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Comments
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Dear
Tom,Jen,Eli and Ben, I to as many others have followed Ben's story from
the beginning. I pray for Ben and all of you daily. Not only has Ben
been an example to thousands but that loving Child Eli and you both
have. Your family is a wonderful example of Christ and the four of you
will gather together one day in heaven and recieve many blessings from
the Father, for your love for Him, your examples, your life and the many
people you have reached. I know that you have many emails to read so
know that my prayers are lifted up to God for all of you and that Ben is
an angel sent from God to touch many. Love and Prayers, Sara
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Date
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February
16, 2005 |
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Name
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Aimee
Brashears |
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Thinking
of you all tonight...wishing I could be there to help walk through this
with you. Praying and praying. You all have touched me and blessed me so
tremendously. Your strength of character and unwaivering faith in the
things we know to be true is heartening and inspiring. We absolutely can
believe in God's promises. He is alive and is perfect, and when Ben
leaves this earth for eternity with Jesus -- he will have that whole,
perfect, healthy complete body that holds no more pain, tears or
hurt...and you will see that angel boy again...and until that day -- you
will be covered in prayer for God's grace and peace to help you walk
through the earthly loss of one so dear and so precious. And have no
doubt, even when Ben's life here on earth comes to an end, God will
continue to work good through what he is and has done and the story of
his life and the little family of faith that surrounds your sweet boy.
Much love and grace to you tonight -- looking heavenward with the
assurance that the best is absolutely yet to come. G
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Date
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February
16, 2005 |
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Name
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Gail Lore
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Email
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gaillore@yahoo.com
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Home Page
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City
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Carrier
Mills |
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State
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IL
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USA
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Comments
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Tom and
Jennifer, Your continued support and love of others during the worst
trial of your lives is the most Christ-like example of human beings that
I have ever witnessed. I wish I had gotten to know you more when you
were at St. Jude, you folks are a blessing to others. All we can do for
you is send love and prayers, and thank-you and commend you on your
faith. Gail, aka Devan's mommy (Devan is a 3 year-old St. Jude patient
on maintenance treatment for ALL, doing well)
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Date
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February
16, 2005 |
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Name
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Aimee
Brashears |
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Email
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(just
finishing up...) God bless each and every one of you. He loves you
beyond measure with a love that will never let you go. His hand and his
work are present everywhere in Ben's story -- and while we don't always
understand the earhtly endings, God is so good -- blessings and glory to
God have continuously shown how he remains ultimately in loving control.
I just imagine the loving smile and tender whole hearted embrace that
Ben will be given when he sees Jesus -- and can just imagine that famous
Ben grin shining back at a very proud Savior and Lord. I love you all.
Praying and believing with you...and remain at your side with love.
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Comments
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What an
honor it is, if only through this website to have become acquainted with
such a tiny angel that has made such a big difference in the lives of so
many, what an honor to experience what true faith is all about, no
matter what any well-meaning person may have to say, I have experienced
faith beyond words in just reading the wisdom that you share. God will
definitely heal Big Ben ("Ultimately") and the best IS yet to come "I
Can Only Imagine"! Lifting your arms up in prayer for peace that
transcends all of our understanding--like others I am standing in the
gap and In His Grip, Karen
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Date
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February
16, 2005 |
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Name
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Fawna
McWilliams |
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Email
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4mcwilliams@charter.net |
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Home Page
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www.mcwilliamshugs.com |
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City
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Parkersuburg |
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State
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WV
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Comments
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Dear Ben
and Eli and Family. God is so amazing. His love for us so deep and
unmeasurable. I am right now in tears thanking God for Bens life. I
never have met Ben I have not been blessed to do so. My life too was
blessed by a little one who now runs the streets of gold and plays where
"Moths and rust do not corropt" (Sure beast my living room conditions)
:) Soon Ben will run with Noah with our almighty father. Our pain pales
in comparison to the joy and love that abounds within their new home. I
have a mental Picture of my son Noah who passed too early, in heaven
with Ben laughing and prasing God with sweet innocent sounds of
children. Someday we will get to watch our loved ones and play with them
in heaven singing and laughing with refound freedom and amazment at the
love of God and His eternal life. Rest safe and comfortablly little Ben.
Love alawys the McWilliams Family
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Date
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February
16, 2005 |
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Name
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Amanda
Abston-Thomas |
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Email
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caydendwight@charter.net |
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Home Page
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www.caringbridge.org/tx/noahsjourney |
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City
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NRH
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State
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TX
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USA
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Comments
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Your
story is awe inspiring.....thank you for sharing with us. We will pray
for all of you. It is mazing how awesome god is...Our son is also
fighting a dreadful disease and we are in awe of him. In Love and
Admiration, Amanda and Noah Thomas
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Comments
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Dear Ben,
Eli, Jennifer and Tom, One of my favorite quotes from Emerson: To laugh
often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the
affection of children;...to appreciate beauty; to find the best in
others; to leave the world a bit better...to know even one life has
breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. I am
so amazed at how one little (but so BIG!!!) 2 year old...with those
precious wise eyes, has "succeeded" in ways that many adults have yet to
figure out. I am amazed at how one family can shine so brightly with
G-d's love in the midst of heartwrenching circumstances. If that isn't
faith and if that isn't succeeding in one's calling on this earth -
well, then I don't know what is. I am sorry to hear that people have
made unsupportive comments about your faith. I don't know much about
Christian theology, but I do know that in Judaism we are called to be a
healing force, a partner/servant of the Holy One....lovers of what is
true and just. It seems to me that if G-d's heali
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