Tuesday, December 15, 2009

We Have Such a Dim View

Scott Hodge, the man who married us, once told me that we as humans have such a dim view of heaven. Otherwise no one would say something like "I just want to see/do ____ before I die". If we truly understood what heaven was like there is no way we would ever wait for something on this Earth. Tonight just before 6:30 Stephanie was able to find out exactly heaven is like. She lost her battle with cancer, her body had just been through too much. The tumor in her left lung had grown to nearly replace the lung, pain was not subsiding in her arm from the growth in the chest wall, and her right lung was full of fluid. She fought hard, and she fought long, but it was just too much.Today marks eight months from the official diagnosis of her recurrence. Your thoughts and prayers for all of her family and friends is greatly appreciated. I will post the details about the services once they are finalized.

42 comments:

TomT said...

So sorry to hear the news. May God confort you in this difficult time. You and Stephanie have touched many lives by sharing your journey. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

My condolences to you and the rest of Stephanie's family. She seemed like such a ray of light. I'm sure she will be missed by many.

Margo said...

Warner, I don't know you and Stephanie well, just really knew of you through the BSU, but have been following Stephanie's battle on the blog. I am so saddened to hear of her passing; my heart hurts for you. I am so thankful you can be in peace because you know Stephanie is in Heaven with our Lord, no more cancer, no more pain. I'm praying for you and your families and the long journey ahead of you. ~Margo Hale

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry, Warner. I didn't know Stephanie, except from reading her posts and reading her blog, which never failed to be upbeat and humorous and sweet, which I imagine was how she herself was in life. I pray all who knew and loved her, and supported her in her amazing battle, will find some comfort and peace. Again, I am sincerely sorry.

Anonymous said...

We will all miss Stephanie. I'm so happy that her faith has now turned to sight. We will be praying for you, her family and friends. ~ nancy jackson

Regan said...

oh Warner, I am so sorry. I knew Stephanie from CWP and know what a loss this is for you, your families, and the world. You're in my thoughts.

Brad and Gina Moreman said...

We love you Warner and are praying for the whole family!

Diane said...

We love Stephanie. We rejoice that her faith has been turned into sight! We know we'll see her again. Praying for you, Warner, and family.

Dale and Diane Boring

Anonymous said...

We're so sorry. We send our love and prayers.

David and Karen Mann

Anonymous said...

We're so sorry for your loss. We send our love and prayers.

David and Karen Mann

Nels and Ann Wilt said...

Warner, Nels and I were stricken when we got the new this evening. Stephanie was an unbelievably strong woman of spirit and faith. We know that she is watching all of us that have met her and her courage will be remembered ofted as you go through these first days. We are saying prayer for her, for you and for your whole family. Remember her strength and faith!! With love, Ann and Nels Wilt

Anonymous said...

Warner, I am so sorry to hear the news of Steph... I met her by finding her blog one night after my diagnosis with my cancer. She helped me through alot and we talked quite a bit.... My thoughts and prayers are with you... You two have been awesome... We all know shes is out of pain now.. she will be missed by sooo many people ... Thank you for keepin the updates going on her...

Jessica and Kier (tweetstoy@hotmail.com)

Sarah White said...

Warner I am so sorry. Stephanie will be greatly missed. I truly enjoyed spending time with her in our classes and at field camp. I am crying for you now and I hope you are able to find comfort soon to help heal your heart as I am sure that it is broken. I am just so sorry.

Anonymous said...

i knew stephanie a long time ago, but i never forgot her.

i made a donation in her name the oral cancer foundation so that fewer people will go through what stephanie, you and her family have gone through.

Anonymous said...

Warner, God be with you, and though you are in grief, Stephanie is free from the pain, and in Heaven with the Lord. You are a good man.

Anonymous said...

Praying for you and your family!

Unknown said...

We knew Stephanie when she attended our church school, BCA many years ago & her mom Candy worked in the office. Such a sweet young lady and good people. We are sad to hear that she had passed away, but I know that there is a celebration going on in Heaven...we will continue to pray for peace to you and the family!
Pastor Steve & Karen Marze

Hayley said...

I am so, so sorry Warner. I am shocked and can't believe that Stephanie has gone.
She was a great support to me and I will always remember her.
My thoughts are with you, your family and your friends.
Love, Hayley

Anonymous said...

Barney, I Love You!!! we all do! I feel so helpless, lease give me everything I can do to help you! I am here and readty to do whatevr I can for you! I Love You!

SLS said...

finally she can have some comfort and peace....I wish the same for you Warner.....we are here for you anytime you need us!

Anonymous said...

I've never met either of you, only feel like I know you from this blog. Thank you for sharing your journey with me and others. It is always uplifting. Stephanie sure seemed to have a sense of humor! You know better than anyone the pain she's suffered with this awful cancer, but I know that doesn't lessen the pain you feel today with her loss. But atleast you can rest in the knowledge of being reunited with her once again in our heavenly home! What a sweet time of the year to join Jesus in heaven! I always enjoy hearing Christmas carols...can you imagine how they sound in heaven? God bless you.

Anonymous said...

I've never met you, only feel like I know you from following your blog. You more than anybody know what Stephanie has suffered through with this awful cancer. But I know that doesn't lessen the pain you feel today. I pray you find a little peace by knowing you will be reunited with her in our heavenly home. What a sweet time of the year to be with Jesus! I always love hearing Christmas carols. Can you imagine how beautiful they sound in heaven? God bless you.

Susan Bradley said...

What wonderful friends,co-workers, family, hospital staff, and doctors Stephanie and Warner have. A HUGE THANK YOU to all of you who have loved and cared for our Stephanie. Stephanie was a remarkable young woman and the perfect wife for our son. We will miss her so much - especially those eye rolls when she and Warner shared an inside joke!

Again our heartfelt thank yous to all of you earth angels. SKSB, MIL,Mom

Anonymous said...

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Although we don't know you personally, we have mutual friends. We pray that God will give you peace that is indescribable.

Anonymous said...

Warner,
Thank you for letting me share this hard/joyous time with you! I am honored to be YFA Joan!

The Frugal Muse said...

Warner (and all of your family and Stephanie's family),

You all have been constantly in my thoughts and prayers the past few days. Praying that the God of all comfort will flood your hearts with grace for today and the days to come.

You have hundreds of people lifting you up in prayer and rejoicing that Stephanie is now completely healed.

Cherissa Roebuck

Diane said...

I love what Stephanie had posted under her profile.... "About Me"...

If I rise on the wings of the dawn you are there. If I rest on the far side of the sea. Your love hems me in both behind and before. You have laid your hand upon me. from Psalm 139

Lauren said...

Warner,

I have known Stephanie ever since I can remember. We were in Girl Scouts together as kids and i have some great memories of us together camping and being st summer camp. Unfortunately hadn't seen her in quite a few years, but we did email back and forth for a time. She always made me laugh.

I've heard, ever since the two of you began to date -from her mother- that you were a special man. Hearing how you stood by her and gave her love and support all this time, I am happy to know that she was able to experience true love and compassion in her lifetime. That is not something just anyone can find. I'm glad she found you. Even with her sickness she seemed to have a fervor for life. I will always remember that about her.

I can not imagine what this is like for you, and I am truly truly sorry!! She will certainly be missed and remembered as the best!

You and both your families are in my prayers. May God give you all comfort and peace.

Lauren Gervais

Dr. A said...

I'm so sorry for your loss,
I didn't know Stephanie well, saw her couple of time in the Geosciences department office several times, always greets with a smile.
My prayers and thoughts with you Warner and Stephanie’s family, may God comfort during this thought time.

Anonymous said...

I dont know you. I just had a friend from college ask people to pray for you on facebook today. But I can tell you from experience God is great. My wife died 2 years ago at age 29, and it is hard. But with an awesome God, family and friends life does eventually go on. I will be praying for you

Anonymous said...

I met Stephanie many years ago when she was just a freshman and I was a junior. We only had one class together, but we were in the same department. Earlier this year I was alerted to her condition and watched over the months hoping for the best. I am so sorry it turned out this way, but now she can be at peace. It was a hard battle truly fought valiantly. She was so young, yet she approached it with optimism, humor, and determination. I don't know if I would have the strength to approach it the same way. That's a lesson I will always take with me... to live more positively in spite of bad news. I will keep Warner and the rest of the family in my thoughts.

Cindy McLean said...

It grieves me so to hear about Stephanie. Although I have never met you all, I think of you as family. Know you are in my thoughts and prayers Warner. Give the "boys" a pat on the head for me. HUGS FROM ARKANSAS.

Rick and Doris Cobb said...

Warner, We were so sad to hear about Stephanie. You were such a blessing to her to be able to be there for love and support as she fought the fight. Draw support from your faith,family,and friends for the days ahead. You are in our prayers.

Anonymous said...

Warner, we were so sad to hear about Stephanie. We feel you were a blessing to her as you were there to offer love and support as she fought this battle. Draw support now from your faith, family , and friends for the days ahead. You are in our prayers.

Jason and Teresa Hardy said...

Warner -
We are so saddened to learn of the passing of your bride, Stephanie. We are in your parent's Sunday School class and have been kept abreasted of all of Stephanie's trials and tribulations. We here on earth grieve the loss of our loved one, but rejoice in the fact that she is in no more pain, and admit it, she's right there with the Lord, singing praise and worship to Him.

May you be filled with peace and comfort during this time.

Respectfully,
Jason and Teresa Hardy
First Baptist Church, O'Fallon, IL

Doug Siemens said...

Having known Stephanie just the little while when ya'll were at Sager Creek Community Church was enough to know her crazy sense of humor. Hence, the title of the blog and "getting her dang T-shirt." Well, Warner, among all the suffering she went thru, you can take comfort that she has much more than a t-shirt. She's got a white robe of righteousness. We'll keep praying for you and your family.

Anonymous said...

We are so sorry for your loss. We do not know you but felt like we did through Stephanie's blog. We are praying for you and Stephanie's family and friends.

Paul and Kathy Fletcher said...

Warner, We are so sorry for your loss. Stephanie's soul has been turned over to our Lord, her passing will stretch you truly between this earth and Heaven. Your memories of Stephanie are no longer bound by time and space and are real ever present "tastes of eternity" from the Lord. We are praying the Lord will give you peace. Paul and Kathy

Anonymous said...

We we so very saddened to hear the news of Stephanie's passing. She will remain in our hearts forever.
Loving condolences...Todd & Julie

Churchill said...

Hey Warner,
I'm sorry that Stephanie passed away. I will never forget the fun times that we all had together and the laughs also. I was asked in Honduras once "where did you see Jesus today?" and in the past few months I've seen him in both of you with the strength and courage that you've had. I hope that God will comfort you during this time. If you ever need anything give me a call. Take Care. -Carrie

Ashton said...

Marc and I are lifting you up. God is so good, I am praying for complete peace and comfort for you and your family.

Anonymous said...

Warner, Please know we are praying for you right now. Stephanie's and your strength and courage are a testament to your faith. May our prayers for you offer you comfort.

Tracy and Chris Ballard
Bingelrade, Netherlands