Thursday, June 01, 2006

Unbelievable turn of events...

If you click back in my archives on April 28, '06 you will read a post in which I talked of the pain and ache I was feeling for some friends who learned the news of their daughter's tragic death. It's been 5 weeks now, and yesterday the family learned that the daughter they had buried and mourned is actually alive and in a rehab facility. It is an unbelievable case of mistaken identity between their daughter and another fellow Taylor student who was actually killed in the tragic accident last month.
I cannot begin to imagine what the families involved are feeling at this time. I will continue to pray for the families of all those involved in this incident. I am glad, once again, to know that both of these families have deep-rooted faiths in a God who is real and in control. I know from my own experience with death, trauma and grief that He is the one true source of comfort and hope. He gives peace when there should be pain. He provides comfort where there would otherwise be only hurt and emptiness. He can give joy to those experiencing the deepest sorrow. Yes, this experience reminds me that I would not be the person I am today without a God holding the broken pieces of my life together. I hope you share this same belief. If not, I encourage you to send me emails with your questions and/or concerns regarding faith, assurance of Heaven and the God I know and love. He can be the One who holds your life together too!
In the meantime, if you want more information on this incredible tragedy and turn of events, click on the Taylor website ( www.Taylor.edu ) or visit the blog of the VanRyn family ( www.lauravanryn.blogspot.com ). I hope this story sparks or deepens your faith, as it did mine.

11 comments:

renee said...

Jodi-
I read about the story in my local paper...what a cornucopia of emotions for those families!
It is hard to put feelings into words for this situation but you are so right - God is the greatest source of comfort for us all...
may He wrap his big arms around both families.
-renee

Valerie said...

omygosh!!! i heard about this on the news this a.m. and it's just unbelievable. poor families, you think you've lost your child, then the joy when you realize they are alive, but your joy is tempered by the fact that your gain is someone's loss. there's a lot of questions i have for God when i get where i'm going...that is one of them.

Suzelle said...

I remember you talking about this....that was that family..oh my gosh !!!!! Such a range of emotions !!! I have been thinking about this all day....I have been praying for comfort for all of them.

Stephanie said...

Hi there. Here I am at 2 am unable to sleep, so I hopped on here and checked what was Laura's blog to get updated on the situation with the misidentification. My husband went to Taylor, and we were friends with one of the victims, Betsy Smith. Anyway, as I read comments I came across your blog, and what a blessing it has been to read about YOUR story. I am a new wife and at times feel very inadequate and overwelmed. You have a strength that is admirable, and I praise God that He used you to encourage me tonight. Blessings to you and your family!

Anonymous said...

jodi-
Yes, it's 5 am (ish) but I couldn't sleep so I got up to read Laura VanRyn's blog (again) Much to my relief Carly had made her entry and I got the update. Now I can't stop crying! I saw your comment and you said exactly what I was thinking. Our God is an AWESOME GOD.
love your blog/site! Tami K. Gaylord

Anonymous said...

Jody,
I've been a long time reader, but this is my first comment. This story hits home for me. My cousin is one of Whitney's best friends and classmates at Taylor. She went to the funeral, grieved with her family, and said good-bye to her friend. When she found out Tuesday that Whitney was in fact still alive, she trembled for over 30 minutes... her body and mind were in complete shock.
While we find joy in knowing that the Cerak's have more time here with Whitney, knowing what my cousin went through experiencing the loss of her dear friend makes my heart ache for all of Laura's family and friends.
God has a purpose and a reson for everything... we'll understand it someday.

Anonymous said...

Read about this story on-line yesterday and was floored by the emotions that must be so raw for both families...unbelievable story.

Anonymous said...

WOW. Unbelievable.

Anonymous said...

Jody,

I have been following this horrible story in the news. I can't imagine the turn of emotions for all involved -- grief to bittersweet joy and relief to unbelievable grief.

I'm not surprised that you know these people -- God seems to put you in places that you are needed!

- Brad

Anonymous said...

Wow... I can't imagine the pain of one family turning into joy...and the joy of another turning to pain. Heart & prayers to both families.

Anonymous said...

Who but He can help
assuage the anguish
of the found and lost.
Who but He
can know the cost
of having tendered a rose
till first the blush
and then the bloom returned
in sweet awakening…
to loving strangers
who now have learned
their present nearly held
has passed,
and another’s past is present.
The mind cannot undo
such twists of time;
the heart cannot contain
such mingled joy and sorrow.
This budding hope
comes with a thorny stem
that who but He
can help them hold?
Who but He who taught them
what they know of love…
and thorns?

Tom K.

Romans 12:15
Rejoice with them that do rejoice,
and weep with them that weep.

http://patternsofink.blogspot.com/2006/06/who-but-he-can-help.html