Pain & progress: Martins’ faith sustains family in loss of son, recovery of daughter
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I am touched by the Martin’s faith in God and would like them to know that they are in my prayers.
Alaina Henderson
Baytown, TX
Jeff-I thank you so much for your personal care and compassion toward me and my family during this difficult time. You are my hero for helping me remember the wonderful life of my son, Stone, and so clearly expressing our families’ faith. You have been an avenue allowing good things to result from the tragic death of my little man.
To you I will always be grateful!
Paul Martin
Meeker, CO
Paul, Vanessa, and Alahna,
We were so sad to hear about the terrible car accident and the suffering that has resulted for your family as it’s result. Our hearts weep for you in the loss you have suffered of your precious son, and brother to Alahna, young Stone. Please know that you have been in our constant prayers since the morning of the tragedy. Jerry and Denise called us early in the morning before they left Memphis to ask us to pray for y’all and to spread the word to others to ask them to pray too. We called several ICYC people and got the new director, Burt Fuller, to put the prayer request on the ICYC e-mail loop.
The loving report above by Jeff Burkhead about the tragedy which has befallen you is truly a tribute to your family and your faith. We hardly know what to say to you other than that our hearts go out to you even as our prayers go up to God in your behalf. I would guess that it would be easy or perhaps human to do a lot of second guessing, or “what iffing,” or maybe even personal recriminations by thinking or saying, “if only I had…,” but I would offer you some wisdom from the pen of Solomon, in the book of Ecclesiates, which reminds us that sometimes, through no fault of our own, we are just simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, and as a result bad, sad, or heart-rending things happen to us. Solomon wrote, “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all” (Eccl. 9:11). Of course, then, God can take the worst of circumstances and ultimately, in the long run, make something good out of it for His people, as Romans 8:28 affirms. However, though that knowledge gives us an anchor to hold on to when the storms of life are seemingly blowing us to pieces, that doesn’t make the suffering itself any less painful tobear, so we want you to know that we grieve with you in your loss, and want you to know that if there is anything we could do to help you guys, that all you have to do is call, and we will do our best to find a way to render whatever aid you need.
May the God of all comfort be with you and strengthen you all, and may the Great Physician’s watch over Alahna and heal her body, even as He ultimately will heal all your hearts and souls.
With brotherly love,
David McCain
Dear Paul, Vanessa, Alahna and family,
We continue to pray for you. We only met Stone and Alahna once during one of Jerry’s gospel meetings and we ate together that evening. Both of your children were very well-mannered and loved each other so much. Mom and I were impressed with their maturity and attitudes. Even then we talked about how wonderful they both were.
May God greatly bless all of you with strength, courage and love. The Lord has carried me through many things, including cancer, treatments and a bone marrow transplant, and I know that He will carry you through as well. There are so many Christians praying for you all and we carry your family in our hearts.
Love in Christ,
Amy (Henry) Lemmons & Vera Kelly
Pingback: Alahna update 2/8 at The Martin Box
What a beautiful tribute to such a beautiful family. I can only imagine their pain but can indeed see where their hope and strength comes from.
Dear Paul and Vanessa:
I am the minister at the church in Amherst where your brother, Nathan, has been attending. The congregation here has had your family in prayer. Though I am sure that there will always be a sore spot in your hearts due to this tragedy, I hope that you, your wife and daughter will find peace soon; although, I know it is hard to imagine that at this point. Likewise, it is our prayer that Alahna continues her recovery and is back to normal soon. May the Lord lift you and your family up and give you the comfort that only He can give at such a time.
grace and peace,
Jeffrey L. Shelton
Dear Paul, Vanessa and Alahna,
All our love to you and your family. We have been keeping track of Alahna’s progress through the Martin Box and Uncle Billy. We sent Alahna a “Valentine stuffed frog and a card” to the hospital but Uncle Billy told me she was being discharged yesterday. I am going to try and route it to your home address. Hopefully, it will make it in time! All our love, Herb, Jeanne, Matt ,Kelly Bussey and Uncle Hootie and Aunt Ruby
Paul, Vanessa and Alahna,
We have been remembering you constantly in our prayers. We know that God will continue to comfort and strengthen you in the coming days. We love you and want you to know that you can call on us if we can do anything for you.
In Christian love,
Tom and Regina Larkin