Saturday, April 25, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

This blog has been setup to keep everyone updated on Josh, rather than trying to manage email lists. Josh's parents, Phil & Terri, thought this would be a good idea. They also liked the idea of being able to read comments of encouragement and hope to possibly post some entries as well. Phil & Terri and family are also very grateful for all the prayers, love and support. 

Josh is still in critical condition in the trauma ICU at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. The "shockwave" from the accident has caused damage to his body and brain. Much of the major concern is that Josh's brain experienced damage from that "shockwave", leaving him in a coma and in need of a respirator to breath. What the extent of the damage is, the doctors do not know yet, as it takes time to determine this.

Please continue to pray for healing for Josh, especially for his brain. Pray for the damage to be minimal and for the swelling to decrease. Pray that Josh would begin to show signs of coming out of the coma. And ask that our heavenly Father would give Josh a wonderful sense of His love and nearness.

 Pray for Phil & Terri and their children, Joel & Irma, Meagan & Josh, Karina and Stephen (and Alexandra). Pray for comfort in the midst of this painful time. Pray for patience as they wait. Pray for strength to make it through each day. Pray this as well for their extended family. Pray that each of them will know the hope that comes from belonging to a loving and faithful saviour, Jesus Christ, who promises to never leave or forsake them. We are thankful that Josh knows that hope and love in his heart.

 Pray for the medical staff at St. Michael's. Pray for wisdom and skill as they care for Josh. Pray also for Josh's coworker in the accident as well as Josh's other coworkers as they come to grips with the results of this accident.

 In those time when you are unsure how to pray or struggle to find the words, may this word be of comfort to you, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Romans 8:26

 Feel free to leave comments for the family to encourage them. Also, please know that while the family would love to respond to texts, calls and emails, there are just too many of them. So, please know they are so thankful for all your support.

 In Christ,
Pastor Albert Kooy

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42 comments:

  1. UnknownApril 25, 2015 at 9:38 PM

    Dear Phil & Terri, you and Josh are on my mind and in my prayers all day. May God give you patience and a peace that passes all understanding as you endure these difficult days. Love, Liz (& Don)

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  2. UnknownApril 25, 2015 at 9:43 PM

    Thank you, Albert, for your opening post.

    Van Andel family:

    We, at TDChristian High School, continue to pray for Josh and for each of you, his family.

    We pray that each of you may know of God's nearness, strength and hope as you seek comfort and direction for each day.

    Above all, we pray for Josh's healing. We will continue to check in here to give direction and focus to our prayers.

    Finally, may you, together as a family, uphold each other and also be upheld by God as you seek to find rest for your hearts and minds.

    On behalf of the TDChristian community, William Groot

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  3. UnknownApril 25, 2015 at 10:05 PM

    Dear Uncle Phil, Aunt Terri and your dearest family. We are praying and praying for you all. You are constantly on our minds. May you feel Jesus' presence during this very hard time. He is holding Josh's hand through this all.. We hold you all so close in prayer.
    Love the Kamstras

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  4. JPVApril 25, 2015 at 10:19 PM

    Praying for Josh and you all

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  5. DianeApril 25, 2015 at 10:35 PM

    Dear Phil and Terri and family,
    Our hearts go out to you all! May you feel God's presence as you wait by Josh's bedside. May He hear your cries and grant you strength. We pray that our loving Father may grant Josh healing.
    Love, the Bosschers

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  6. CarolApril 25, 2015 at 10:53 PM

    Dear Phil and Terri and family,
    You are never more than a thought away, and our prayers are with you. May you feel our Fathers nearness during this difficult time.
    Love, Ron and Carol

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  7. JoAnne OstermeierApril 25, 2015 at 11:10 PM

    Phil, Terri and family,
    You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We pray that the Lord gives to each of you much strength and patience and healing for Josh. God bless you all!!

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  8. The KortlevesApril 25, 2015 at 11:36 PM

    Your in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
    May the Lord surround with love and comfort.

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  9. UnknownApril 25, 2015 at 11:58 PM

    Dear Phil, Terri and family,
    Sending all my love and so wishing for Josh to wake soon. He is strong and so are all of you and he feels you near him so stay positive. Love Jackie Rueping

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  10. UnknownApril 25, 2015 at 11:59 PM

    Terri, Phil and family, please know that we are praying for Josh and his healing, with God all things are possible and he is with all of you now. God bless and keep you all.

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  11. UnknownApril 26, 2015 at 2:38 AM

    Phil and Terri, Norm and I prayer constantly. We continue to hope and pray that Josh heals. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

    Love Cristie & Norman Geroux (nee Bultje)

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  12. UnknownApril 26, 2015 at 6:56 AM

    I am always praying for Josh and you his family.love you al if there is anything that you need let me know.

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  13. RichardApril 26, 2015 at 7:05 AM

    Holland Marsh CRC will continue to pray for you through our prayer chain and during our worship services today. May God surround you and fill you all in a powerful way today and throughout this difficult journey.

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  14. ellenApril 26, 2015 at 7:48 AM

    Dear Phil, Terri and families,
    May God be merciful and grant healing to your dear Josh. The almighty One who holds Josh in the palm of His hands may He also sustain you through this difficult journey and give you peace. He is faithful. He will do it. We continue to prayer for you all. Romans 8: 28, 29
    Ed and Ellen Hekert

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  15. UnknownApril 26, 2015 at 8:24 AM

    VanAndels, you are constantly in our prayers as we ask God for His divine peace and restoration in your lives, and for Josh to be restored to good health.

    Love Darren & Victoria

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  16. Doug and Elaine HollanderApril 26, 2015 at 9:05 AM

    Dear Phil, Terri, and family
    We are praying that the Lord will give you strength as you wait on him and that you will feel his arms around you. We pray that the Lord will heal Josh fully.
    Doug and Elaine Hollander and family.

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  17. UnknownApril 26, 2015 at 9:15 AM

    Dear Phil, Terri and family,
    We are remembering you in our prayers and know that God is good. May He give you the strength and courage to meet each day and know that His love and presence is always near.
    The Feddemas

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  18. UnknownApril 26, 2015 at 9:24 AM

    Phil and Terri we are holding you up in constant prayer! May the Lord sustain you in these days and give recovery to Josh!

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  19. UnknownApril 26, 2015 at 10:09 AM

    Our prayers for your family, especially Josh. Lisa and Glenn Ryzebol

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  20. Frits vanderBrugghenApril 26, 2015 at 1:07 PM

    ...words are just not enough right now, all We can say is We hold you close in our prayers!

    2 Corinthians 1:5 - "For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows."

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  21. cobieApril 26, 2015 at 1:13 PM

    Dear Phil and Terri and Family. Praying that the great Healer will be be with Josh and that He may give you peace and strength for the challenges of each new day.

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  22. Smeding Art & SandraApril 26, 2015 at 2:47 PM

    Dear Phil & Terri and family. Josh was lifted in prayer this morning in our worship service. We will continue to remember Josh and your family in our prayer.

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  23. UnknownApril 26, 2015 at 4:16 PM

    Our hearts go out to you guys. Know that we are keeping Josh close in thought and prayer and will continue to do so in the days ahead.
    Big hugs!
    Wilma and Raymond

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  24. Jan DeeApril 26, 2015 at 6:09 PM

    I've been praying and will continue to keep praying for all of you. May you feel God's loving arms around your family.
    Janice deBoer

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  25. UnknownApril 26, 2015 at 7:11 PM

    Prayers and love to you Aunt Terry, Uncle Phil and family. I pray that God will provide strength and healing to Josh and let him know he is loved.
    Xo Carlie and Kevin Riedstra

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  26. UnknownApril 26, 2015 at 7:20 PM

    Phil, Terri & family: We pray that Josh will be completely healed, and that all of you will feel the Peace that passes understanding, that only God can give during this extremely difficult time. May Josh feel the Lord's presence strongly, and be aware of you, his loving family, at his side.
    John and Sandra Rodrigues

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  27. UnknownApril 26, 2015 at 7:26 PM

    Josh and your family are constantly in our thoughts and in our prayers.

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  28. Jim and YvonneApril 26, 2015 at 7:34 PM

    Dear Phil & Terri and family - We're praying for a full recovery for Josh, and that God may give you and your family the strength, patience, and wisdom needed in all circumstances. Jim & Yvonne Bultje

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  29. Heather BosmaApril 26, 2015 at 7:39 PM

    May our gracious God surround Josh and you all with His comfort. We pray that our prayers will hold you close so Him.

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  30. Heather BosmaApril 26, 2015 at 7:42 PM

    May our gracious God surround Josh and you all with His comfort. We pray that our prayers will hold you close so Him.

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  31. UnknownApril 26, 2015 at 7:56 PM

    Remembering your family in our prayers, that you may feel comfort in this difficult time
    Tom and Rebecca Bosscher

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  32. Kathy R. ProudfootApril 26, 2015 at 8:10 PM

    Dear Terri and Phil and Josh and family--please know that so many people care and are sending prayers, love and positive thoughts every minute of the day for a full recovery for Josh. May your faith,family and friends keep you strong during this challenging time. Sending huge hugs and prayers from your neighbours the Proudfoot Family

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  33. Hoving familyApril 26, 2015 at 8:52 PM

    Josh and your family are constantly in our thoughts and prayers, we pray for strength and patience during this difficult time.

    Bill & Grace Hoving and family

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  34. Nynke om utens.April 26, 2015 at 9:35 PM

    Dear Family,

    We pray that our Heavenly Father will surround all of you with His Peace, His Comfort and His Love. Your Joshua is His and we pray that He will restore him fully.
    Love from the Zandstra family.

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  35. UnknownApril 27, 2015 at 8:49 AM

    Dear Terri, Phil and family,
    Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Praying for strength and a sense of your Father's presence every moment. We are lifting Josh up continually; blessings and strength from Karen, Megan, Nick and Jordan

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  36. Lawrence and Teresa SimonseApril 27, 2015 at 12:37 PM

    Josh and you are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May you receive comfort in knowing God is with him and you guys through these trying times. Praying for strength for you all.
    Lawrence and Teresa Simonse

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  37. Janet SchuttenApril 27, 2015 at 5:05 PM

    Dear Phil and Terri, and family,
    You are all in our thoughts and prayers. We hope and pray that God will bless Josh's recovery, and that he may receive restoration of health from the Almighty Healer. May you find strength and comfort knowing that you can cast your cares on Him, and may you be uplifted knowing that such a large family of faith is holding you all up in prayer.
    Love, Al and Janet Schutten

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  38. John and Irene VanAndelApril 27, 2015 at 7:43 PM

    Dear Phil & Terri and family: we were very saddened to hear of Josh's accident. Very thankful to hear of his progress and we pray to our Heavenly Father, Josh will be granted a complete recovery.
    Our prayers are for you as well, that you all may be granted the strength you need, provided by our Lord to help you during this very difficult time.
    Love and regards,
    John and Irene VanAndel

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  39. Herma April 28, 2015 at 9:56 AM

    Dear Phil and Terri,
    We have ben thinking of and praying for you, as are so many of your family in Christ. God hears the cries of His people whom He loves with an everlasting love.
    " Behold the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His steadfast love...Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield." Psalm 33
    With love and prayers for Josh and the family,
    Henry and Herma DeBoer

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  40. MarjorieApril 28, 2015 at 4:01 PM

    My first thought in the morning is of Josh and your family and I say a prayer for you. My last thought at night when trying to fall asleep is also of Josh and your family and I pray again for you. During the day I think of you often and pray each time. I am just one friend who does that - I'm sure there are many more who do also. Many friends are thinking of you during this difficult time and God is surrounding you with His love and peace. God is faithful and answers the prayers of His faithful ones - Thank you Lord. Our thoughts and prayers will continue for you & Josh.
    Love Marjorie (& Elwood) Hurst

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  41. UnknownApril 30, 2015 at 10:56 PM

    Terri and Phil - Praying for Josh, and the family, since we heard of the accident.
    Appreciate the updates, so many encouraging entries. God is able.
    Harold and Shelley MacDonald

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  42. testMay 12, 2015 at 11:58 PM

    Hi VanAndel family, Just learned of Josh's accident. I'm praying that he keeps improving! Thinking of you, Cait Kooistra

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