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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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Debbie
Betz |
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Email
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betzde@missouri.edu
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Home Page
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City
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Columbia
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MO
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Dear
Bowen Family, My prayers have been with you since I began following your
journey months ago. I pray for no suffering and peace for Ben and for
you. I can see His work through your messages. The strength and faith of
the families of children who are sick is amazing to me. You have all
made me a better person. May God grant your prayers and give Ben comfort
and peace in His perfect world. You're in my prayers always!
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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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Larry and
bev |
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Email
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larodell6859@charter.net |
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Home Page
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City
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Saint
Albans |
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State
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WV
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USA
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Tom and
Jennifer, with all that you are going through, it truly saddens us that
anyone would suggest that God's grace and healing are in relationship to
the actions and measure of faith that you possess. Your faith and belief
have far surpassed any that we have witnessed in our lives; even so, to
suggest such a misguided idea totally de-values God's sacrifice of His
own son on the cross. God's complete healing is most definitely our
arrival in the presence of His glory in Heaven. We love you guys so much
and are so ashamed of those who would add to your present suffering and
pain. How dare others question God's purposes in Ben's life---are they
not witnesses to the miracles that are occurring in every moment that
precious little life?!!!
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I agree
with your view about life on earth.I am not sure what the purpose is,but
we will find out once we enter God's kingdom-the place we will all be
friends and neighbors.Faith is believing that God's will is what is
supposed to happen and to find the good from it.Your family sees similar
things in that you see the miracle that Ben has brought your family and
so many others.Hearts filled with love they never knew existed.The sight
of beauty no artist could ever paint.The overwhelming joy that is
brought by just one smile.I am terrified about the possibility of losing
Isaiah to this disease, but I know the reward for him is heaven and
there is no better place imaginable.Our selfishness pleads to keep our
loved ones here,but if we can take the emotion aside and look
objectively,why would we want our loved ones here on earth dealing with
the chance of pain and turmoil when they can have eternal bliss.Our life
on earth is but a blink of an eye for all who are in heaven.The pain of
losing a loved one is what makes us human,but we must
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its
amazing how a little boy can do such big things. Its amazing how he can
reach out to so many people and touch them. It amazing to see how strong
he is for just a little boy. My heart goes out to you and your family. I
know a lot of other people can agreed with me when I say it make me even
realize more how lucky I am to have a health child. Thank you for
keeping in touch with us all and letting us know how you all are doing.
down below is an e mail I got last week and I'd thought I share it with
you . With lots of love Candice IF I KNEW If I knew it would be the last
time That I'd see you fall asleep, I would tuck you in more tightly and
pray the Lord, your soul to keep. If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door, I would give you a hug and kiss and
call you back for one more. If I knew it would be the last time I'd hear
your voice lifted up in praise, I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day. If I knew it would be the last
time, I could spare an
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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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Stephanie
Alvarez |
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Email
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salvarez@mail.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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Louisiana
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Comments
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Stronger
Faith? WOW!!! How much more faith in our Lord Jesus Christ can you have
and exhibit? Your faith in Jesus Christ has been over flowing. You have
allowed the whole world to see this wonderful faith in such a hard time.
You have allowed us to join with you in praying for Ben's complete
healing and for that I'm very greatful. As a human I'm sad that God has
choosen not to answer our prayers for healing this side of heaven but as
a Christ follower I know that he will have a completely healed body when
he meets face to face with Jesus. Jesus Christ has used Ben and your
family to touch many people in this old world! For that we must be
greatful! Don't ever let anyone convince you that you don't have the
faith it takes for healing!! We are praying for you guys everyday!!Keep
up the faith and take care of your sweet family!!!
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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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Sammie
Culpepper |
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Email
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SamC64@att.net |
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Home Page
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City
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Tupelo
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State
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MS
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Comments
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Tom,
Jennifer, Sweet Eli, and Precious Ben, Each of you are in my prayers.
May God keep His loving arms around you all (as I know He has) as you
face each day.
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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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Paula
Lyons |
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Email
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lyonsden@localline.com |
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Home Page
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City
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Covington
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State
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Indiana
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USA
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To Dear
Big Ben, I must say you have impacted our lives a great deal. We are
from Covington,IN. We are in West Central IN, near the ILL border. I
work with a lady that her daughter has met you. Chelsea Spurlock from
Eastern Ill Univ. I work w/ her mom & she introduced me to you. It has
become an every day check to see how you are doing. I get a sick feeling
when time passes between updates, & when updates come, sit here in
tears. It is as though I have met you in person. The Mark Schultz song
is just awesome. Your mommy & daddy's faith is also awesome. You have
helped me so much in my walk with faith. My daughters have been in their
walk with their faith too (they are 15 & 13) & Ben has been so
inspiring. He truly is a lil' Angel here on earth. My 13 year old
daughter doesn't miss a day of asking if I have checked on you. My son
of 6 also asks about you. We're waiting on bracelets & can't wait to
wear them. Thank you for your courage, you have taught us so much about
what is truly important in life. Tell Eli hi for us too. Wh
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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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Jeff
Peters |
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CONTINUED>>but we must find a way to understand that our loved ones are
in a PERFECT place watching us and anxiously anticipating our
arrival.They know once they arrive in heaven what their life on earth
meant.Death, in what it gives to those who have died, should be rejoiced
because they go to sit by the hand of God and that is what we are all
supposed to be looking forward to.We must learn from these situations
because their is a reason behind it and I feel it everytime I see
Isaiah. If I loose him, I will feel great pain for a period of time, but
I know I will see him again in the blink of an eye. God bless!
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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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Carrie
Harrison |
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Email
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baychef2000@yahoo.com |
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Home Page
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City
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Tulsa
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State
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OK
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Comments
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Praying
for your precious boy to have peace, and be free from pain. thankful
that he is surrounded by such a strong love from his family. I pray for
you all every night. Your son has touched so many lives. Thank you for
sharing him with the world. My heart is breaking for you all. Stay
strong! I will not stop praying for your families healing. God bless you
all! Carrie
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Big Ben,
I guess the time is drawing near and you're about to meet Jesus face to
face. I'm sorry that cancer entered your life. You WILL beat the cancer,
but perhaps it will be in heaven, instead of here on earth. Your Mommy
and Daddy have faith stronger than anything I've ever seen. I guess that
some people are telling them that its apparently not strong enough, but
I assure you, precious one, it is suffieient. The funny thing about God
is that we may pray and pray and have faith that something will happen,
but if its not in God's will, its not going to happen -reguardless of
what we do. We, as mortals, cannot will something to be done, because if
we could, Ben, you'd have been cancer free long ago. Remember that
you've got a doggy named Kozmo who will be waiting on you at the pearly
gates. I've told him about you, so he knows that you'll be coming to see
him soon...unless God decides that he will grant us the miracle that we
want so badly for you. Take it easy Big Ben. Also still believing,
Tabitha
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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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Ann Davis
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Email
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dadavis@tntech.edu
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Home Page
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City
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Cookeville |
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State
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TN
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Comments
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We were
not promised freedom from pain and suffering, but strength and love
enough to face whatever life hands us. Your family is a beautiful
example of what it means to be "more than conquerors through Christ who
loves us".
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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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Cindy
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Email
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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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I had a
dream about Ben the other night. I visited his site, and there was a
video clip. In it, he was sitting in a high chair, surrounded by Eli and
a couple of his cousins, who were playing around him. Ben suddenly stood
up in the high chair, smiled a radiant smile, then he fell into his
dad's outstretched arms. It was clear that Ben had seen a glimpse of
Heaven. That's what Ben's story has meant to so many of us. Your shining
faith has been a beacon to so many, and will continue to be so. Praying
and believing with you.
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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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Evelyn
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Email
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Home Page
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City
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Edmonton
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State
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Canada
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Comments
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My heart
breaks for you. I have followed Ben's story for quite a while now and
can't believe the devestation of this terrible disease. There is a big
fundraiser for pediatric cancer research going on right now in my area.
A local optomotrist has organized a world record book breaking hockey
game. If interested please see www.worldslongestgame.com Lets hope that
someday all these monies being raised will end the suffering from this
cruel disease. Give Ben & Eli a hug from Canada.
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Comments
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I was
just checking in on Ben. I almost sometimes don't check in on him
because it breaks my heart to know that your family is going through
this. i can't imagine how you feel. But then i always end up checking in
anyway because i feel drawn to this child. He is so precious.I am
praying for you and your family. May God keep you in his peace and may
he have mercy on precious Big Ben.
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Comments
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Hi Ben
and Family, My name is Ashley and I am a student at Georgetown College.
I live down the hall from Joy! I wanted to thank all four of you for
your incredible inspiration! You have given so many the ability to take
a step into your lives. Although I can't begin to imagine how your
hearts feel, I want you to know I have gained incredible strength from
reading about the amazing bond you share as a family! Recently I have
found myself saying if the Bowen family can be strong with what they are
facing, I can get through whatever challenge I have placed before me!
Thank you for sharing your story and for providing so much inspiration
to so many! In Him, Ashley
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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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Diane
Johnson |
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Email
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dianeljohnson@excite.com |
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Home Page
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City
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Highlands
Ranch |
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State
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CO
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USA
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Comments
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I have
been following your family from this website and am overwhelmed by your
kindness in allowing others a window to view your experience. It breaks
my heart to think others feel the need to "correct" you or tell you to
do things different than you already are. I have lost a child, too, and
no one can understand fully without going through it. Ben is heaven
bound, and though your hearts break there is also incredible relief to
know he will be free. I hold you close in prayer, love, concern and
heartbreak. When my son died, a friend was given a vision of him in
heaven, playing and carefree. May your loving Father provide that for
you when the time comes. Diane
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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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Carol
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Email
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Lewiscarol@aol.com
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Home Page
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City
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Little
Ferry |
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State
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NJ
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Comments
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Just want
to let you know that I am still praying for you and that you are in my
thoughts daily! From your post online , I see you have gotten some
troubling posts...don't give them a second thought..You are
wonderful..and a great example of Faith!! Love to you all ....
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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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kim wix
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Email
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kwix@hsc.wvu.edu
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Home Page
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City
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fairmont
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State
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wv
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usa
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Comments
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God Bless
You for the courage and strength to face each new challenge that each
new day brings, until God decides the right moment in time to gently
reach out and take his precious little angel home.
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So, may
God hold you in the palm of your hand and keep you close. May he give
you the needed strength, mercy and grace to see you through. You 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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Tricia
Totty |
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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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I think
it is incredible, not to mention sad, that someone could base a cure for
this disease on the amount of faith surrounding each individual case.
Just goes to show you who has received the right information about how
God grants answers to prayer as well as salvation. I think that you, Tom
and Jennifer, are raising your two boys in a beautiful example of love
and faith. What a wonderful way to prepare Ben for the best days to
come! Ben has fulfilled his purpose for God so quickly in his 2 years of
life. My heart breaks for all of you. I check on you daily, if not twice
daily... feeling like others- dreading to see the words "Ben has gone to
meet Jesus", yet so excited for Ben to meet Him and be free from his
tumor. I pray for the Bowens constantly. I pray that you are surrounded
with peace, knowing you have done all that you can do for Ben. I pray
that you will be comforted today and in the days ahead of you. I pray
for Eli- that he will someday understand what an inspiration he is at 3
years old. I also pray that he will gr
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Comments
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Tom and
Jennifer, NEVER let anyone make you feel bad about your faith. God has
plans we could never dream of and amazingly, you are accepting that.
Most of us are incapable. And if you'll accept a little foresight from a
Heaven Stormer, it's Eli who I see great things in. God has plans for
him and I believe he will use everything horrible that he's witnessed
during his brother's illness and turn it into magnificent work for God.
Never lose faith, for without faith and love, where would this world
be?!
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Comments
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Sweet
Ben, Oh how I smile every time I think of you and all you have done to
change this world; my world. I cannot thank you enough. What a blessing
and comfort it is, knowing we'll all get to see our hero Big Ben Bowen
in Heaven someday. You truly are a gift from God sent to earth with the
most powerful of stories to tell. I love you, Ben....rest peacefully you
precious doll, you. Forever thinking of you, Megan
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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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Kristen
Grossman |
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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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WI
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USA
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Comments
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Sending
up prayers from Wisconsin for Big Ben and his wonderful family. What a
marvelous faith you have. It breaks my heart to hear you have to deal
with people saying your faith is not strong enough. What a poignant and
gracious response you gave Feb 14. The best is yet to come!
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Comments
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I AM
PRAYING FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY DAILY. I HATE THAT BEN IS IN SO MUCH
PAIN. GOD BLESS YOU AT THIS TIME AND GIVE BEN AND ELI A BIG HUG FROM ME.
I MISS YOU GUYS AROUND ST. JUDE. EVERYONE HERE IN E CLINIC SAYS HI AND
THEY ARE PRAYING FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. TAKE CARE AND GOD IS GOOD ALL
THE TIME.......
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Date
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February
15, 2005 |
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Name
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Allison
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Email
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Renee608@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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usa
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Comments
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WOW!! Ben
you are an amazing little guy. I have heard a lot about you since i live
in the same city as you. I have just recently had my first child and now
i now know what it is like to be a mother. Your parents must really be
something special too! im so happy that St. Jude has helped you along
the way, they are special people too! Your story has touched me in a way
that i will never take my child for granted. I will love her
unconditionaly each and every day. Thank you for showing me that our
children are precious. We love you and pray for you and your family
every day. God bless you in this fight. Miracles happen every day.
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