Most, if not all of you, have heard the news by now, but Carolyn's husband, Jon (better known as Weasel), passed away very unexpectedly on February 1st. As I type this, the tears are bubbling back to the surface, a familiar friend these last few weeks. This hit our family so hard. In the midst of hard things, even harder things came, like a gut punch that knocks you down flat. Our hearts are so deeply saddened by the loss of our Husband/Dad/Pop/Father-in-law/Uncle/Brother-in-law and Son-in-law and while we try to make sense of it all, there just isn't a way to do that.
Pastor Loren Van Woudenberg, Jon & Carolyn's long time pastor and friend, flew in from California and spoke so much truth and love to us all the day that we celebrated his life. What we are clinging to are these words - a reminder of what's true - "God is God, He is in control and we can trust Him." Carolyn and the kids are waking up every morning, taking one step at a time and remembering to trust God. That's the word He's put on Carolyn's heart from the moment she lost Jon - TRUST.
Here's the beauty of following Jesus... when life gets messy and tragedy strikes (notice I said WHEN, not IF), God is right in the thick of the battle with us. He never leaves us and His love becomes even more evident. We got the chance the Sunday after Weasel's service to share with each other at "Oma Church" how we've seen God, even in these darkest days and it was incredible to hear echoes of His love across that room - meals, cards and messages sent; people standing in the gap for Carolyn, Justin, Jeanna & Jesse when they had nothing left to give; the presence of people from ALL over the country who came to Texas to remind us that we are not alone, we are seen, we are so loved. God's hand has been right there, picking us up and we are so grateful for an overwhelming peace and comfort that only His presence can provide. Our family has been so surrounded and we are so grateful, especially Carolyn, for all the love and support.
Here's a picture of Weasel's guys - his closest friends, brothers-in-law and nephews - they all shared during the service and reminded us that Carolyn has an army behind her... and an incredible crew of women to stand beside her.
In the midst of all of this, Oma has been doing really well! We are thankful to report that she had her second immunotherapy treatment last week and seems to be responding well to it! She has done awesome these last few weeks in spite of the stress and busyness of it all - she's such a trooper! She really enjoyed seeing long-time friends and her siblings who were here for the service, as well as more visitors from Holland this last week. We even got 20 of her great-grandkids in the same place at the same time!
We have a huge answer to prayer in that we were able to hire her favorite night time care giver to be with her most of the week days and nights. Brenda has been a God-send and they have a sweet friendship. We are so very grateful. Here's a picture of the two of them on Valentine's Day :)
God is so good through it all. We trust Him with all that has been in front of us - we know he goes before us and makes the path straight. How can you be praying?
We'd love prayers for:
- Carolyn and her kids and grandkids as they grieve and learn to live life without Jon
- Our family as we continue to process all of this and love each other through it
- Oma's continued good health
Carolyn says she would also love for you to join us in thanking God for his goodness and faithfulness to all of us and for SO many friends and loved ones who've stood in the valley with us. We are humbled and grateful and could not have made it through these last few weeks without you.
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 PATHS STRAIGHT. - PROVERBS 3:5-6
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