Another day...
Just wanted to check in and let you know that Ellie still continues to decline day by day. She is now at the point where sitting up or even lying down propped up hurts her back too much. Ellie spends her days completely in bed, and does not even have the energy to watch movies. There are brief moments in the day when we can talk and interact, but she tires quickly even of that. She has the desire to do small projects, but then puts them off to do later. Watching Ellie like this is heartbreaking, and we have begun to pray that it will be over soon for her. Thank you so much for your continued love and prayers. We could not make it through the days without them!
posted @ 12:21 AM
38 Comments:
Praying for you as my heart breaks for you. Praying you experience an amazing perfect peace that only knowing Him can bring. Thanks for your honesty and allowing to us to be a part by praying. Marie - NTM UK
I don't know what to say other than I'm praying hard for you all.
God is good and He will not let your family or Ellie go through any more than you can handle. He promises!
Lord, please give this precious family exactly what they need at this very moment. Be with them in a way that they have never experienced You before. They need to experience Your comfort and Your presence during these difficult days. Thank you for Ellie and all of those that are caring for her. Give them grace, strength and wisdom to keep her comfortable and as healthy as possible. Thank you for their lives and how they are allowing You to shine through. Please grant the prayers and desires of this family according to your perfect will.We love You Lord and praise You for being in control of this situation. Take all the anxiety and fear away from all involved and give them the "peace that passes all understanding."
In Your Name ~ Amen
Love,
Nicki
Sarah, my heart aches for you. I wish I had words, but know how much I love you and am praying for you.
Dearest Sarah and Family,
My heart and soul just breaks for you. We have been praying for Ellie's strength during the holidays.... I know the Lord is sovereign and I know Ellie has effected so many people all over the world..... Your family has been an amazing example of Christ's love and unshakable faith and strength in our Saviour. We will not stop praying for you and we love you so much!!!!!
In His Strength,
The Haviland's
Our hearts are aching for you - there is no harder or nobler prayer than Father take my loved one home. Thank you as always for sharing with us, words cannot tell you so we trust and beseech our Lord to bring you comfort and rest. Been there and it is only bearable with the One who is faithful.
hello, dear ellie:)
just wanted to say hi this morning. i'm on my way to help out at my moms favorite place which is a soup kitchen. there are lots of friends from her church there, so i'll get you the hook up on the prayer chain!
ellie, just incase we might not talk again, i have a secret to tell you. guess what???? i think my boyfriend is going to ask me to marry him on christmas:)))) i wanted you to be the first to know!!!
stay warm and cozy in bed today, ok? i'll be thinking of you lots, as always!!!
love,
jeni
We are praying for you.
We are praying.
I will be lifting your family up in my prayers. Please tell Ellie that a family in New Jersey loves her, and is always thinking of all of you through this time. The one beautiful thing that we can cling to as believers, is 'hope'. - Hope that we will see our loved ones again. Hope to be reunited in time... - Precious Hope. Let that be your anchor, and may our beautiful Lord comfort you through this valley. Remember 'our' hope is from God. All our love, from The Stark Family in Blairstown, NJ - (Mike, Kelly, Michael, Kristen and Madelyn)
We pray for Gods comfort and peace on all of you.We know that God has a wonderful plan for Ellie and it will all be for his Glory.You are in our hearts and thoughts everyday.You have been such a wonderful testimony to so many people!! Thank you for all you have done for us!! Love Simons Family
Hey, just a reminder that we are lifting you all up in prayer!! Sarah, thanks again for letting us have a peak into your lives and this 'nail' God has given your family to bear and bring Him glory. Sending hugs!!!
Praying that God Himself will be Ellie's and your whole families comfort as only He can be.
Holly
You are in our thoughts and prayers daily. We hope that you find the comfort of the Lord in even the small things. We love you all so much.
Theron, Judy and family
Every morning, this is the first place I visit. Heartfelt prayers for all of you . . . too full to speak.
"My soul followeth hard after thee;
thy right hand upholdeth me." - Psalm 63:8
ALL I COULD WHISPER WAS "JESUS"
All I could whisper was "Jesus"
I was torn in the depths of despair.
All I could whisper was Jesus
His name alone was my prayer.
All I could murmur was Jesus.
He knew all my struggles and pain.
He knew my requests all unspoken
While I softly cried out His name.
Bound in the depth of His mercy
Held fast in the shade of His care,
His sweet gentle name was my refuge,
Anchored safe in that harbor of prayer.
-B. G. Alexander
our love, prayers and thoughts are very much with you all.
Thank you so much for even thinking to keep us posted in all of this. I continue to pray for you all. God does have a plan, even though in all this it may be hard to see. Your family has changed my thinking completely.I just want to thank you so much for being completely honest and open with people that you don't even know. Give Ellie a hug.
With all my heart I pray for you and Ellie. It is a place that I have never been with a child and can't even begin to imagine. Please know that even know we have never meet except through you blog I feel as if I have been apart of your life. You are an amzing woman, mother, wife and Child of God. I pray the Peace of God that passes all understanding will comfort you and your husband. That the Spirit of God will direct every moment of everyday from now until ----. In Jesus Name Amen
Form Mema Tyler (Edith) in SC
Dear Skees family,
We (Dad, Mom and kids) have been praying for Ellie and your family several times a day for the past year. We have been so touched by Ellie's character, strength and charm and your testimony and faith. Our hearts are breaking with yours, as we continue to pray for you and think about you. Thank you for letting us be a part of your family and your journey. God bless you all and we will conitinue to pray for your precious Ellie and your family. Love,
The Clinton family of Pittsburgh
Praying!
My Family & I pray that God's comfort will help you and Ellie find peace during this difficult time. You have given Ellie so much; honesty, faith, courage and and most of all love. Ellie and your entire Family are an inspiration and we truly appreciate you taking the time to share such a special little girl with us.
Big hugs,
The Maletich Family
Sanford, Florida
Ellie has been a part of my daily prayers. I will continue to keep her in my prayers each day. I pray for the rest of your family too.
-The Shumways
I was busy in the kitchen just now and God brought Ellie to mind with an overwhelming urge to pray for her. I prayed and then came to check in.
We will be continuing in prayer, as is our church family.
From Texas:
For nearly a year we have followed Ellis's progress and prayed much for her. Thank you for sharing with people you don't know from the very depths of your heart. I pray God's abundant peace and rest for you as you go through this difficult valley. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for Thou art with me." Remember He is with you always.
We are praying for all of you there in Montana and the rest of your family....Stan, Pat, Russ, Ginger, Nancy,Chad, Janeen, etc. We're praying that God will comfort your hearts during this extremely hard time. Thank you for taking the time to share your journey.
In Him, Scott & Deb Ross
This breaks my heart. We are praying for your peace, and for Ellie's continued comfort. Jesus is near.
In Christ Alone,
Sheila
People in Colorado Springs are praying for you! Praying that you have strength, peace, hope...and enjoy these times together!
Thank you for sharing such a personal and private time with those of us who only know you by this blog. Some how, most of us feel as though we know you personally.
Dear Sarah and family - It is with tears and much love for you all that I write this. I remember one time you wrote that Ellie would like to just fall asleep and not wake up if she was to go to Jesus. No tubes, medicines, machines. You all have worked and prayed so hard to give your little girl what she needs and wants through all of this. I know I would be selfish in your situation and want to hang on....you are most loving and an incredible family with love for Ellie and what is best for her. Let the words and prayers from all your friends around the world hold you close too. In His Love, Gerry
Hi John and Sarah,
Please don't post this - It's really just for you.
John, you are a good man. I admire you greatly. I can't imagine how you are facing the huge challenges and changes that have gone on this past year & a half. Moving from FL to NYC to Montana. Trying to find work to support your family. Watching your daughter suffer and die and not being able to do anything about it. Seeing your dear wife suffer through all this. Continuing to raise a son and not allow him to feel less loved or less important. And now to just wail until Ellie is taken home to heaven. And then to wonder "Lord, what was all this about? Why go through all this just to take her home in the end anyway?" I wish I had answers, but I don't. But I am crying with you. I'm so sorry. I hope the Lord allows me to shake your hand one day.
Sarah, you are a good woman. I went through most of the old reports from the beginning, and you have changed. They started as reports with a numbered list of prayer requests. They are now an opening of your heart for all to see. They read like the psalms now as that's what David did. He opened his heart. I can't understand the suffering you're going through. The love between a mother and her child is something I cannot understand. But I know it must be heart-rending for you. Yet you have stuck by her. You have honored your husband. You have remained there for Ethan. You have not denied God. And neither has John. That is a miracle of God.
Ellie has suffered more in her short 8 years than most do in 90. She will soon have rest.
My wife, Bethany, now has rest after 26 years. They will have rest together, and it won't be long before we will be with them. I can't wait, and you probably can't either. Death has no sting for those in Christ who die. But we who are left behind definitely feel a deep sting.
We just hold (sometimes just by a thread) to the truth that God has a plan, and it is good. What else can we do, broken as we are?
We press on...
with our eyes on the Lord.
Jeff
I just want you to know that God brings you to my mind all the time. I pray for you last thing at night before I fall asleep and first thing in the morning before I get up and throughout the day. I pray that God will surround you with His peace and the incredible grace that only He can give during times like these!
Sarah - You, Ellie, John & Ethan are never out of our thoughts and prayers. The heavenly Father hears our groans and knows. love, Doug & Pauleen White
My prayers continue for your family.
Becky K.
love and prayers from the gentiles.
Praying God's comfort and peace will sustain. Mollie (friend of the Newtons in PA)
Our hearts are breaking for you. How good to know that where she is going is better than any place here on earth but she will be greatly missed. We continue to uphold her and you in our prayers daily.
Love, Dan & Marlys
So many prayers are being lifted up for you all, as you pour out your love on Ellie and help her through each hard day! May you continue to find solace in God's infinite mercy and grace, knowing that He holds Ellie in the palm of His hand.
Kristen
Praying for peace and comfort for all of you especially Ellie!
Love,
The Gustafson Family
Theresa, Dan, Noah and Gloria
Jesus, draw Ellie close
and wrap your love and comfort around the Skees family.
We will be up praying through the night for you.
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