A BIG THANK YOU!!

 We would like to say a very big thank you to everyone.  So many of you have written emails, sent cards, brought food, called or sent a text.  So  many of you helped with the funeral and we don't even know who all helped.  Our family has been blessed abundantly through God's people that have rallied around us during the past 2 weeks. 

THANK YOU.. to all of you who brought food, served and cleaned up at the funeral. 

THANK YOU to the many that took the time to come to the funeral.  Some we didn't know till a few days later that you were even there.  We felt sad that we couldn't visit with each of you.  Please know your support for our family means so much to each of us.  

THANK YOU for those that sent gifts by mail or through the donor page, or gave " fat handshakes".  Through you, the Lord has abundantly provided for us and met each need that has come along.  It has been such an encouragement and answer to prayer to see how the Lord has taken care of each step.  Over and over, these past weeks, when I would normally been feeling very stressed or worried, the Lord has impressed on me the need to wait and watch HIM work.  The peace that passes understanding has ruled in so many decisions.  Thank you for praying for us.  

THANK YOU to many of you who sent donations to the Ezekiel project (TEPSE).  We honestly have no idea how much is there.  But we are excited to see what the Lord does through this ministry and those who are helped through David's Memorial fund.  We pray the Lord will take what was given and multiply it 100 fold in lives impacted for the Gospel.  

THANK YOU most of all for praying for us.  Through those prayers we have felt the LORD carry us these past two weeks.  When talking with some of our kids, they mentioned the comfort of feeling the Lord carry them.  We covet your continued prayers in the weeks and months to come.  

With the funeral over and life "moving on" kids are back to work, or starting their summer jobs in the corn fields.  Life keeps going.  Emotions are neither high nor low at home right now.  I think we all just feel a bit numb and motivation to do much is at a low ebb.    Even in the fun things, there seems to be something missing... a bit of the joy has left.  
BUT  even in that, we have a joy, and that is the knowledge of David's present state... 

Ps 16:11

You make known to me the path of life;
    in your presence there is fullness of joy;
    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

That is the truth of what David is enjoying right now.  THAT is what brings us JOY in the midst of SORROW. 

Please continue to pray for us to know how to help our children navigate this season.  It will be months or even longer for some of us (including Matt and I) before the true reality of David's death really hits home.  

Please do continue to pray for our friends in Montana who are back home and starting back on their house building project.  It is tough as the reality of David being gone is settling in for them.  Please pray for the LORD to love them through HIS people up in that area.  

David Van Essen Slide Show.

David Van Essen Slide Show. 

( the songs in this slide show were among his favorite.) 

Watch David's Graveside Service

 Here is David's Graveside service for those who have been asking. 

It is a compilation of a few different video clips put together. 

You can watch  the 13 minute video on YouTube HERE: https://youtu.be/PL98FJ-yYK8

Memories from Grandpa Brooks

Grandpa Brooks (Don Brooks) wrote up some memories of David. 

Here is what he wrote:

________________________________________________________________

(Grandpa Brooks & David building something)

My times with David very clearly showed that he was a hands on fellow. 

 HE always wanted to build things. 

He also enjoyed the out doors enjoying God's Creation  Some verses that come to miind are 

Psalm 19
  For the choir director: A psalm of David. 

    1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God. 
      The skies display his craftsmanship. 
    2 Day after day they continue to speak; 
      night after night they make him known. 
    3 They speak without a sound or word; 
      their voice is never heard. 
    4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, 
      and their words to all the world. 
    God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. 
    5 It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. 
      It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race. 
    6 The sun rises at one end of the heavens 
      and follows its course to the other end. 
      Nothing can hide from its heat. 
(Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ps 19).)

Although he will be terribly missed, we can be thankful that David is now enjoying the glories of heaven in the presence of his Lord and Saviour. and enjoying the wonders of God's  f=creation in even a greater way. 

Grandpa Brooks

Don Brooks

email    samukonga73@gmail.com

Funeral Replay

 For those who missed the LIVE or had trouble viewing it, the replay is now available at the same link :

Go to https://roperandsons.com/david-van-essen/ and scroll down the bottom of the page there you will be able to play the funeral recording. Here are few screen shots from the funeral. 

David's Funeral Bulletin

Here are the pages individually:

If you want the PDF version you can email leonardanrachel@gmail.com as at this point I don't know how to attach a PDF on the blog here.