Moving Forward - A Chance To Help & Give

To the ones who love us so well,

I don't know that I've adequately expressed how honored I have been over the past 3 weeks to be the one receiving the majority of your e-mails, texts, calls etc. addressed to our families. We say over and over again how humbled we are by your love and your support...but the truth is, to continuously use the word "humbled" is a poor understatement. Thankful, grateful, blessed, appreciative, blown away...there isn't a word or a phrase that exists to truly thank each of you for the millions of ways that you all have served the Rice/Wanberg/Thompson family in the last 28 days. 28 days. Not one of those 28 days did any one of us go without feeling incredibly loved and taken care of. Not ONE of those days have we felt alone in this world or in this insane journey that we did not ask for and wish we were not on. Tears are streaming down my face as I write this and reflect on the overwhelming and genuine outpour of care shown to every member of my family. You are the ones who know us, who take care of us, who remind us of truth, who carry us when we can't take another step. The ones who keep us looking forward, and simultaneously comfort us when in our brokenness, we can't stop looking back. The ones who make us laugh when we don't have any tears left, and the ones who check in on us even though we seem fine. Please allow me to say thank you for the 5 millionth time on behalf of our families. YOU are teaching us more every single day about the faithful love of the God we serve.

Now that you have been gracious enough to read my pitiful attempt to thank you-we have an announcement:

John's best friend (who is, along with his lovely wife, a cherished member of our family), David, has been incredibly generous in making Kait and John a donation website to help them as they move forward. This website outlines the needs that we foresee in the future for these amazing newlyweds. All of the support raised will go directly to John & Kaitlin as they renovate their house and begin to put in place some financial structures for long term care.

On the site, David writes, "We have created this site to act as the vehicle for giving to Kaitlin and John. As you can imagine, we are only beginning to understand the full scope of needs and requirements to care for John and Kaitlin long-term. However, over the past several weeks John and the families have been working with friends, family, and the staff at Craig Hospital to begin to put together the initial list of needs and ways the community can support Kaitlin." 

Please know that we do NOT expect you to give. Your prayers, love, support, phone calls, e-mails, texts, cards etc. have been more than adequate in allowing us to see the unbelievable community around us. There is no pressure surrounding this donation site...only an opportunity for those of you who feel called to help John & Kaitlin monetarily. If there's one thing we all understand, it's the need to do something to help the two best people we know....this is in response to that need. Many of you have already reached out and blessed John & Kait financially-you are beyond appreciated. The money you have given will be going towards the items on this website.

We would be so grateful if you took a look: www.youcaring.com/kaitlinwanberg

Again, there are no words.
We love you more than you know.
-Carolyn

Showers - A Post From John

(Posted on behalf of John)

Over the past few weeks my morning showers have been getting longer and longer. In a time of trauma and uncertainty, I find myself searching for those rare moments when my life feels somewhat normal. As hot water streams over my neck and back, I can almost imagine that everything is still ok. As the water continues to flow reality always floods back in, leaving my mind to wander and wrestle with the circumstances that have been thrust upon us. Is this part of God’s will? Why would he let this happen? If it is part of his will, did God cause the crash? If he did, what does that say about who God is? If we know God can heal Kaitlin, why doesn’t he do it?

When Theology Collides with Life - A Note From Tom

A post by John's Dad, Tom:

Our whole family has been on a roller coaster of emotions and thought. Who controls an accident of this nature? Is it man’s will, Satan’s attack, or God’s providence?  Or is an accident a random event, not controlled but just a happening?

Whispers

A brief medical update: Kaitlin did have to have her right lung drained today, but they are confident this is the last time that will be necessary. She is feeling good today, and we are thankful. Today was a day of education...she went to class, met new friends (she already has 2 younger girls from out of state that she calls her "babies") and continued her therapy.

Please Pray....

Specific prayer request for TONIGHT: the doctors are taking another x-ray of Kait's chest tomorrow mid-morning to determine if she needs to have ANOTHER procedure done to drain the remaining fluid in her lungs. She has already had more than her share of fluid drained and this procedure, while relatively quick is quite painful for Kaitlin. Pray that the Lord would take away the fluid and that this issue would resolve itself!

Continue to pray for Kaitlin's spirit, John's health (his blood sugar has been too high), the spirit of our family and for walking legs without pain. I read Kaitlin cards today for awhile at the hospital (this is becoming a daily ritual for us as she is settling in for dinner) and I can't tell you how much she's encouraged by them. She smiles, giggles, says "awwwww" and looks at every single one of them with such care. She feels so loved by all of you who are reaching out...thank you.

Love.

"All Was Well."

Hi family and friends,

This is Kaitlin's mom, Sue, and I wanted to give you an update on her progress and pass on to you our current prayer requests. It amazes me how our prayer needs seem to change each and every day. Thank you all for your faithfulness to take these requests to the very foot of the cross, both with us and for us.

True Love.