Sunday, October 26, 2008

Ryan

Many of you already know, but Grant's younger brother, Ryan, passed away on Saturday, October 25.

In case you don't know the story yet, Ryan was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease a couple of weeks ago. He began treatment for that, and had a colonoscopy. It seems that since the colonoscopy, his health really started to deteriorate. He lost 20 pounds in the span of 10 days, and checked into the hospital on Tuesday, the 21st. Nothing seemed to help him, and he kept getting worse and worse. On Friday, he was walking down the hall and fainted. They rushed him to ICU, and that's where he stayed until God took him the next morning.

Grant, Kendall, and I, along with Grant's older brother, John, were able to get on the same flight to Pensacola, and we arrived here on Saturday night. We'll be here as long as needed.

Please pray for the entire family and friends as we're sorting through all of this.

Ryan was 17 years old, and in his Senior year of high school. In his short life, he travelled more than most people ever will. He was finishing up work to become an Eagle Scout. He loved video games. Basically, he was a great kid.

We don't know why God chose to take him so young, but we do know that God is in control.

I wanted to thank Mrs. J and Pinky for their kind words. Also, thanks to everyone else for their words of encouragement whether by email, Facebook, or message board.



14 comments:

  1. I am so sorry and so saddened to hear about this... I am grieving with all of your family because I know what it's like to lose a brother.

    Grant was really encouraging to me when I met him at B's funeral- I appreciated his kind words so much. Please tell him that we are thinking and praying for all of the family during this difficult time.

    I have lived by these verses since October 7, 2007- maybe they will be just as encouraging to you guys as they have been to me:

    2 Corinthians 4:6-9
    For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
    But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
    We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

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  2. Kelly, we are praying for you. I know your presence is a comfort to the family now and I am glad you can be there. Your loss is truly heavy on our hearts this week. I wish we could be there physically, but please know that you are never far from our thoughts.

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  3. So sorry to hear about Ryan passing away. We'll be in prayer for you guys.

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  4. We are praying for all of you, Spear family...especially for the peace that passes all understanding. And also that you all feel the presence of the Holy Spirit with you, bathing you with His love, and mercy, and peace, and tenderness.
    I am so sorry.

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  5. Kelly, I am so sorry to hear that, We will be thinking about you guys and praying for you!

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  6. We are praying for you all and the rest of the family.

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  7. Anonymous10:42 AM

    My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family at this most difficult time.
    Melissa's Mom

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  8. Kelly, I am so sorry for your loss. How devasating this must be to your family. May God give you peace.

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  9. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. We are praying for peace and understanding during such hard and trying times.

    Let us know if there is anything that we can do to help out.

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  10. Anonymous7:39 PM

    stay safe and it will be a comfort to have each other during this time. we'll pray for you and Grant...i'm so sorry kelly.

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  11. Anonymous10:59 AM

    KELLY AND GRANT:
    WOW. MY HEART ACHES TODAY TO HEAR OF THE DEATH OF GRANT'S BROTHER. I PRAY THAT YOU GUYS WOULD EXPERIENCE GOD'S COMFORT AND HIS NEARNESS DURING THIS TIME. I PRAY THAT YA'LL WOULD FEEL THE SUPPORT OF THE BODY OF CHRIST AS I KNOW MANY ARE LIFTING UP YOUR FAMILY.

    LOUIS MARTIN

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  12. Thinking of you especially today.

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  13. Praying for you today!

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  14. Kelly and Grant,
    There are no words big enough to express how sorry we are to hear of this loss. Please just know that we feel so much for you and you are deeply in our thoughts at this time. If there's anything, anything at all that you need, ask.

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