Laura, Tanner and I would like to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. Your prayers and notes of encouragement have been a big blessing the last few weeks. We have really enjoyed reading cards, letters and the comments here on the blog. We are so grateful for our huge network of family, friends and many who we don't even know but hope to meeet some day- who are interceding on our and Lindsay's behalf.
The power of prayer is amazing, we can attest to this! Laura and I have felt the peace and comfort of the Holy Spirit on a daily basis. Peace that surpasses all comprehension, and a comfort that could only come from the One who created us and loves us more than we love our own precious children. We place Lindsay before God every day and trust him to do what he knows is best. We boldly ask him to heal Lindsay and restore her little body to health, but pray that His will be done, and that He continue to be our refuge and strength, the everlasting arms beneath the entire family.
We covet your continued prayer for Lindsay bear, that His will be done and that He will be glorified through her
Daddy's heart aches for you Lindsay -sleep tight honey bear! Daddy loves you!
Lindsay Alice Groen June 14, 2006 -- May 16, 2008
16 comments:
Jonathon,
I am so proud of you and amazed by your awesome words! I've always known you as my fun, crazy, cousin who I love to joke around with, but your faith and strength really are such a testiment and witness to all around you! I can't begin to even imagine everything you all have gone through but please know, that I am praying for all of you!
Love,
Amy Van Staalduinen
Jonathan,
There are times that I tell my dad, "Out of all the daddies in the world, the Lord chose you to be my daddy." Well, Jonathan, out of all the daddies in the world, the Lord chose you to be Lindsay's daddy.
I know you are on a journey that you would not have chosen. The road has been rough and uncertain and filled with heartache. Most of us cannot even begin to comprehend what you're going through.
In spite of all the ups and downs, all the uncertainties, you have displayed such amazing faith and trust in our Lord. Through the blog, you and Laura have touched countless lives by your godly example. I'm sure you have touched many more lives right there in the hospital.
Lindsay is incredibly blessed to have you and Laura as her parents.
Continuing to pray for all of you.
Love and prayers,
Susan M.
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms...
Dear Laura and Jon,
Your sister-in-law, Cait, told me about your beautiful daughter Lindsay about two weeks ago. I am a nurse at a children’s hospital in KC. Since learning about Lindsay I have thought of her every night that I am at work (I work the over night shift), and I pray for her each time I find her on my mind.
Tonight I was singing a song while driving along in my car that made me think of your family and it is what I am praying for you tonight!
Part of the words are (may not be exact) “I don’t understand your ways, oh but I will give you my heart, give you all of my praise. You hold on to all our days………and we’re desperately seeking and we’re frantic believing that the sight of your face is all that we’re needing….so we sing it’s gonna be worth it, it’s gonna be worth it, it’s gonna be worth it all…you are worth it all King Jesus!
“I the LORD do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.” Isaiah 27:3
“And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” Rev 22:4-5
Keep on keeping on! The Lord is faithful! His arm is not too short to save! He has not looked away once nor stopped working on behalf of Lindsay and your family! The Lord is good to His children, to those who faithfully wait upon Him! I pray blessings indeed!
Much love, Amanda Kane
Laura, Jon, Jan & Bill,
My heart is breaking for all of you. I sit here and read the messages on the blog and can't help but weep.
The following little verse was in one of my devotionals yesterday and has been on my mind since, so I thought that I would share it with you:
"Upon Thy Word I rest, so strong, so sure;
So full of comfort blest, so sweet, so pure,
Thy Word that changest not, that faileth never!
My King, I rest upon Thy Word forever."
My Prayers are with you all, especially Lindsay.
caf
I cannot pretend to possess the strong faith that I've witnessed here, through your family and every member of the community surrounding you, though I've tried. I can say that I've watched my children suffer, I've worried about their well-being, and I have lost a child. So, in that respect, I feel an affinity with you. I have been visiting Lindsay's blog for weeks and praying on her and your behalf. I seem to have so little to offer, yet I feel compelled to let you know that I care and that I'm thinking about you all.
Laura, you will be in my heart and in my thoughts on Mother's Day. You are the epitome of what God intended a mother to be.
Nancy
Mom to Kali (stillborn 4/97), Cody (Sinus Venosus Atrial Septal Defect, unroofed pulmonary veins), Tyler (Primum Atrial Septal Defect, cleft mitral valve with chronic mitral regurgitation), and Alana
NancyBr@juno.com
Jon, your words , so tender, so strong, so clearly a witness to the loving heart of a father for his child,your father heart trusting in the Father's heart are in themself a gift to your bride greater than a dozen diamond bracelets or flower filled vases.
We continue to pray for Lindsay and you all.
Love you - Laurel
Jon and Laura,
"We rest in Thee our Shield and our Defender, we go not forth alone against the foe. Strong is Thy strength safe in Thy keeping tender, we rest in Thee and in Thy Name we go..." Jon, what a comfort in knowing you are at peace as that is where the Father wants all fathers to be...trusting alone in Him who alone does all things.
We continue to pray for you daily. Little Bear, little brave heart continues to touch the lives of all who read her blog - what a powerful little vessel she is for the King of Kings...a little child shall lead them.
Hugs,
Sue thomas and "thumbs"
laura HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY I hope you get to spend the day with lindsay and tanner.
Thank you Jon.
You and laura have been a blessing to all who have read the blog. It is hard to imagine what you are going through. But God has called you to be the paernts of these beautiful children. He has given you the strength and grace to meet the needs that come with that calling. Your faith in Him is beautiful to see.
God bless Laura and Jan on this Mother's Day.
Love, hugs & prayers,
Miriam
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!! Laura and Jan
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY !!!!!!!Our ladies group sent you both a card...God Bless You...MD
The love of two Christian parents has shown through all of this. Jon, your words brought tears to my eyes. From the first time I saw you with TAnner and then Lindsay I had the opportunity to see what a great dad you are. Our thoughts and prayers remain with you there in Boston. Lindsay bear, we love you! Tanner you have been a real trooper through all of this. We hope to come down tomorrow. Jan and Laura, Happy MOther's Day. We will continue to pray throughout the day for all of you.
Love,
Susie
To Mommy and Grandmas...I pray for peace this Mother's Day...I promise to pray as we see God work for Lindsay...I often think of Tanner as well...Jon you are an amazing Dad...I do see answers to prayer for all of your strength...May God continue to bless...Romans 12:12...In Christ,Melanie Vara (Whiting Bible)
Dear Laura and Jan,
Wishing you many blessings on this Mother's Day.
Leah and Family
Jon,
Your words were so touching. Thanks for writing. I know this has been a roller-coaster for all of you and confusing (at least if you are anything like me).
In my daily devotions today, I read in The Message from Romans 8 "Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans."
Thank You, Jesus!
May God bless each of you who are keeping vigil. Just know that even though we aren't there physically, we truly are there in spirit. Our thoughts and prayers (even our groanings) are with you constantly.
In His mercy,
Marilyn
Jon-
You just raised the bar for husbands and fathers everywhere!
Lead on...
Dina
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