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So I bet you're wondering why mom would write to you on the blog. Here goes:
You are 6 of the most wonderful gifts I was ever given in my life. Some husbands may disagree, but a mother's love stands (sorry guys). When I was a little girl all I wanted was to get married and have kids. People thought I was crazy. I know now that God was preparing you six for a reason none of us understand. How can a loving and caring God take your mom away from you when you all need her. God has given you each other and dad to comfort each other and give you strength in the hard times. Now, that sounds so easy to say but it is hard to do. I know that. It is the hardest thing I have ever and will ever have to do to say, "God, here they are again." and then leave you.
Jake, people always comment that we tried and tried and finally got a boy. We always say, "No, mom wanted a lot of kids and an extra bonus was given to our family when you were born." They also say, "Poor Jake with 6 mothers." You know that those 6 mothers have and will continue to spoil you rotten. In fact, I think all your sisters would say that they got spoiled by mom. If you wanted anything you went to mom, and if you needed homework help you went to dad. So thank dad for some of your good grades.
Now I have some things to say that I would like you to base your life upon. Keep Jesus at the CENTER and never push Him aside. Am I saying this so you will always have good things happen? Not at all. Look where you are right now. We are all fighting for my life, and we know only a miracle could make that happen. As I said before we don't understand any of this, but God still asks us to trust Him. Sometimes I am angry. Sometimes I am sad. Sometimes I am grieving, and sometimes I am hoping. But when you are all here I'm Happy! You were brought with Jesus and all of you gave your life to Him. Leave it with him!
I love all of you so much and can't express it in words. Maybe that is what God is saying to all of us right I love you so much . . .
Remember you are always dad's and my children with God watching over us. We may never understand this pain but I want to encourage you let the pain out whenever you want.
Jen and AJ together raise Quint to love Jesus.
Julie and Joel together raise Tyler, Eli, and Isaac to love Jesus.
Jillaine pick a partner who loves Jesus and raise your children to love Jesus.
Jodi and Jeremy together raise Declan to love Jesus.
Jacquelyn pick a partner who loves Jesus and raise your children to love Jesus.
Jacob pick a partner who loves Jesus and raise your children to love Jesus.
And to all of you reading this, remember you are children of God and once God puts His hand on you, you will always be children of God.
I Love you all,
Mom
13 comments:
Mom,
I love you! Thanks for writing to us. I pray with Quint every night just like you did with us. I am so thankful that you and dad raised all of us to love Jesus.
Love you lots!
Jen
P.S. And you were right, this "2nd" mom of Jake's will take care of him and continue to spoil him:)
i'll see you shortly. thanks for this love through words.
To my second mom,
While you may have 6 biological children, you have been a powerful motherly force in many more lives than I am sure can be counted. Your family has been such an important part of my life for over ten years, and I feel blessed to have stumbled across such an amazing tight knit group, created by you! Thank you for the legacy you have created. I love you so much!
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Becky (aka "The girl that DID fit in the freezer!")
Seconding Becky's sentiment: The love your family shares stands as a powerful witness, even to strangers. (who definitely do NOT fit into freezers)
-Margot, in Durham NC
Dear Dawn--I cannot comprehend what you are going through right now. May God and his peace be so very, very close--
Love and prayers,
Mary
Dawn, your life is a beautiful witness to all of us. Our children are the greatest gifts of love our Father in heaven has given us. And to think that He can top our earthly love ...is unimaginable.
I am so sorry this is all happening to you and your family and I pray daily for you. I love the verse found in Romans 8:18. It says, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." I pray you and your family will find this verse comforting.
What a blessing to have such a loving family that you can all hold on to eachother. I love you and Doug and pray that you will find comfort and peace during the holiday season. Our Father has given us His Son to be the Light in the darkness. I thank God for His faithfulness to you and your family.
Laurie Slorf
My dear sweet sister (in-law), I started out opening this blog with the thought that I would send you a little encouragement from Ps 112: 4 " Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man." but what I found was you telling your kids this very thing in your words. And to those "kids" I just want to tell you how smart and special your Mom is. You are going to know this to be a true statement even more as you age. Now before I stop I just want all of you Kids to know that I also love each of you. -Bev
Thank you for also teaching me to love so purely and for being willing to love each and every one of us that came through your door, no matter how often we were there or how much of your food we ate or how much more crowded we made your living room.
Phil and I love you and pray for all of you daily.
Dawn,
I could hardly type this through the tears.
You have 6 wonderful blessings. Your kids are gifts from God. They have grown into fabulous adults. Jen, Julie and Jodi are great mothers. You taught them well through example.
Your family holds a special place in my heart and I feel very blessed to have had all of you as a part of my life.
Praying every day for you and your family.
Love you! Love, Jane
P.S. I have been trying to post for ever. Thanks to Andrew he got me all straighten out. ( Only with this blog!)
Mrs. VanEssen-
You are a strong woman! You and your family are in my prayers. Your blog entry's bring tears to my eyes, and also a smile when I see your love with the Lord through your words!
-Lindsey Berg-DeJonge
My dear friend,
It is 1:00 a.m. and I am thinking of you. You know I don't sleep well so I thought while I was awake I would send you a message! You are on my mind even in the early hours of the day. The message you wrote to your children was so wonderful. That could only come from the heart of a mother whose love for her children is without measure. In the midst of sadness, anger, and frustration with a terrible disease you are encouraging your children. What a witness to you and your faith! What a legacy for your children! You are so loved Dawn. There are so many people praying for you, Doug, and the kids. God bless you my friend. Praying for a good day for you today! Love, Pam
Your family continues to inspire many daily. Your faith in the Lord and your daily strength is an amazing testimony. I feel very lucky to have so many memories of times spent with all of you and am thankful for being able to be an extended part of your family. I have learned a lot from you growing up and continue to learn from you now. Thank you for all that you have taught me, the love you have shared with me and the love that you share with everyone. You are in my thoughts and prayers daily.
Merry Christmas!!!!
I realized that I didn't actually sign my post. So, the last post was from me. I hope that you all enjoy your time together this Christmas. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Erika Hall
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