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.)