Whitney Cerak

We, the Cerak family, are elated beyond description at Whitney’s return home. It is so much more than we ever imagined three months ago.We would like to restate our plans of not speaking to the media. There is still much on the road to Whitney’s full recovery. We want to thank the media for the respect they have shown of our privacy in this time. And ask that the same courtesy given us would be extended to our family and friends.

Monday, June 12, 2006

Job 8:21 "He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.Boy has God filled Whitney's mouth with laughter! All of our cheeks hurt after today. Starting late last night when she was going to sleep, she has had a serious case of the giggles. It has really boosted my confidence because she laughs at everything I have said.

It is such a blessing for me to see how resilient she has been to having the news of the accident and mix-up largely revealed to her these past few days. She has had many questions and many tears, but then God has given her this amazing gift to smile and laugh.

Many of the church staff from Gaylord came to visit my parents today and Whit was more than willing to greet them all. She had them smiling as she went around the circle saying all of their names. And we all got to see Jim Mathis speechless for the first time when she said goodbye to him in these words, "Thanks for speaking at my funeral." She really is approaching the situation with a light heart and it makes me so happy as it also makes me wonder. I wonder how much of it has actually set in, but even while it continues to become real to her, I can see how God is truly a God of healing, peace, and laughter.

Carly Cerak

34 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

test comment

11:30 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i wish well to whitney! such a shame though that with overwhelming joy for whitney's family came agonising pain for laura's family. i hope the two families come together and support each other. x

12:41 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Having known the Cerak family personally, I have shared your story with our chruch in Nebraska, The York Evangelical Free Church. Our prayers and our churches prayers are for both families, and God's continuing healing for Whitney. Our continuing prayers are with you and Laura's family.

5:59 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't know you, but am a fellow believer. I get a lump in my throat every time I read one of your posts. I am so excited for you all. Your times together must be so precious.

6:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The world anxiously waits to hear how Whitney is doing today. Thank you for indulging us with the precious moments you share with Whitney.

6:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Whitney's Dad, Mom, and Sis

Thank you so very much for your faithful updates on Whitney. The Student Life staff at Philadelphia Biblical University continue to pray for her and wish her the best.

7:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi guys from one of your Canadian cousins...
People magazine... Wow!!! God really is giving you all an amazing platform to share an amazing story that only God could possibly orchestrate!!! We continue to pray for ALL of you (the VanRyns, too) to make Jesus Christ attractive to all! Whit, you were soooo well named!!! I'm loving the funny stories of how bright and funny you still are - still bringing smiles and laughter to everyone around!
We love you!!!
xox
The "German pancake" maker... :)

7:29 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why is Whitney's original blog being redirected to another blog site? And all the previous comments have been erased. Such a shame.

7:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Whitney, I am so glad you are doing so great! Its nice to read about you every day and see how much progress you have made. As each day goes by, you sound more and more like the Whitney I know and love :) Ceraks and Sandra, I've been thinking of you often and hope for a fast recovery for Whitney so you can come home. I'm sure it is very tiring, but at the same time, it must be awesome to watch Whit succeed at something new each day. Love you all and God Bless!

7:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you for the updates of Whitney's progress. Many prayers continue throughout the world for Whitney, the Cerak and VanRyn families and friends. I'm reminder right now of Proverbs 3:5-6. Thank you all for your testimony. In Christ, Jessica@christiscentral.com

7:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Cerak Family:

My wife Nancie and I attend Forest Hills Bible Chapel. We are so happy for all of you, even though our joy is tempered by the loss of our dear Laura VanRyn. May God bless you, and bless Whitney, as you deal with her recovery. We look forward to meeting Whitney some day, and sharing in your joy.

In Christ,
Andy Smith
Pastor-Teacher
Forest Hills Bible Chapel

8:10 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Its truly a blessing and a miracle..... she will do fine... She has something very special to do and the familes must stay close.... To understand the blessing. God Bless.

Robin

8:18 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Greetings from California!

I don't know your family at all but am touched by the miracle (and sadness for the VanRyns) of this amazing story. God's Hand is truly at work and many are seeing this blog and your faith and your emotions as real people. Thank you for sharing. It strengthens me in what I sometimes think are hard times. God Bless and strengthen you guys!

9:13 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We are in colorado and From the time we first read this crazyyyyy story our hearts and prayers have been with both Laura's and Whitney's family........we continue to pray for each family, and thank you so much for sharing how whitney is amazingly getting through all of this one step at a time!! we look foward to each new post that the cerak family provides with updates!

9:59 PM  
Blogger Taylor Family said...

Dear Newell and Colleen
I see you have changed the site to blogspot, which is much easier to find and remember for the general public. Probably your church's website had all but stopped functioning because of all the traffic on Whitney's part of it!

We continue to check daily and pray for stamina and patience as you run this race together.

In Christ, Carol Taylor in Wheaton, IL

10:14 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Cerak family you are in my thoughts and prayers!!!!!!I have been following Whits progress.a year and a half ago my 19 year old niece ran a red light and was t-boned by a tractor and trailor.She was in a coma for two months. I am relating to many things you are saying!!!!!!!!I think what you are doing with the blog can be very healing for Whit and your family.My sister became very private with what was going on.My niece had to relearn everything,and it was very pain-ful for them to see a once normal young women go through so much trial.I prayed for a verse for my sister and Paula.And the Lord gave me this one Roman 12:12.It was a verse I wrote out and put in many rooms in my sisters house.It became a wonderful encouragment to her. I would like you to write it on a index card and please give it to Whit. Paula is a wonder-ful blessing to us her family.She loves the Lord and is still climbing her mountain. She has a wonderful sence of humor and is very loving to us her family.Please also pray for her complete recovery.She is still working on speech.And full recovery of her right side.She walks without a cane.Her memory and mental state is remarkable.I feel your joys and pains!prayers are with you!!

10:16 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Whitney and her family continues to be in our thoughts and prayers daily. The new blog site looks great. Thanks to the Cerak family for taking the time to post updates on Whitney; it is very much appreciated. God bless you all!

11:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to give you hope and a future. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13

12:25 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It is wonderful to see your family touching the lives of so many others. I hope Whitney is receiving mental health counseling, or will be when she is ready. This is very important in her healing. My thoughts are with your family and the VanRyns'. I hope someone can tell the VanRyns' to listen to the song "Laura" by Christopher Cross. I had not listened to this cd in a long time, and was compelled to pull it out, and heard this song and immediately thought of Laura and her family. Please continue with your strength and courage.
Sincerely, Sheri Heflin, MA, LLP, NCHT

4:58 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Whitney and the Ceraks,
Greetings from Up-Land . You know that's how they say it here if you are a native or have lived here long enough to pick up the accent. I guess I qualify in the second part . When you lived in Upland Darla and I were so impressed with your lives. God was teaching you many things back then. Colleen car pooling to RJB and working with YFC with you was a joy and Newell "Fun in the Sun" was always exciting.
God has been preparing you all for this situation for many years. He tests us in order to find us faithful so that we can testify to others that are going through simmilar situations that Jesus is our rock and our foundation.
Darla and I have prayed for you all so many times during these weeks and rejoice with you. We also have prayed for the Van Ryns and will continue to do so.

James 1:17 But whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God, the creator of all light , and He shines forever without change or shadow
God Bless you all .. Steve

6:07 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you, Cerak family, for keeping us updated on Whitney. What a joy to pray for you all regularly and specifically! This whole situation is beyond our understanding, but our God does not change. May He continue to be the Rock upon which you stand.
Whitney, as you recover in body and mind, may the Lord Jesus continue to be your peace.
With love & prayers, Chris Lay, Upland, IN

6:15 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why do we not see any new updates since Monday, June 12 ?

6:20 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Cerak Family: Just wanted you to know that we ran into Hunter the other day as we were walking to the park. He was enjoying the sunshine and happy to receive hugs from us. He seems to be doing very well. He'll be happy to see you when you come home, but you don't need to worry about him until then - and we will be sure to visit him again soon. Take Care - The Rakis Family

6:51 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Cerak Family: Just wanted you to know that we ran into Hunter the other day as we were walking to the park. He was enjoying the sunshine and happy to receive hugs from us. He seems to be doing very well. He'll be happy to see you when you come home, but you don't need to worry about him until then - and we will be sure to visit him again soon. Take Care - The Rakis Family

6:51 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Carly,
I am praying for you every day as you walk through the recovery process with your sister! Everyone at my church is praying for you guys as well. I'm so glad to hear how far Whitney has come! I love you and can't wait to see you in the fall!
~Erin Buchelt

7:21 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So glad to hear that Whitney is progessing well. Can't wait until she comes home to Gaylord. Please also pray for the family of Joshua LaCross, a classmate of Whitney's, who was killed in a car accident in Mississippi this past weekend. Pastor Mathias officiated at the funeral and did an awesome job.

7:23 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

On Wednesday, Whitney underwent leg surgery to improve her ability to stand. The Cerak family reports that Whitney’s surgery went very well. She now has a rod extending from below her knee to the ankle.

Her recovery is remarkably fast, her abilities are quickly returning and she looks great! We praise the Lord for His abundant grace.

Because of the nearly 110,000 hits to the website we have received over the last week, the former blog (hosted by another service) was timing out people's attempt to access. Because of this, we have changed services. We apologize that previous comments were not carried over.

Pastor Sam Smith, Gaylord Evangelical Free

7:31 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Is everything ok? I know you all are extremely busy with Whitney's recovery but we haven't seen a post in three days. Just want to make sure everything is ok. Our prayers continue for Whitney, her family and the Van Ryn's. May God continue to bless you all!

7:46 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wish you would replace all the daily entries from the Van Ryn family. The things they wrote especially on the 31st are such a witness to others and is an honor to who our Lord is. Please return them to the achrives! I tell people to go online and read the entries from may 31st. Thank you for your consideration!

7:51 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you for allowing us a "window" into your world. You are in our constant prayers.

We just found that the Blog has changed and sincerely hope that you were able to get a hard copy of all of the comments before the original E-free blog was discontinued. They will provide inspiration for years to come.

8:02 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Whit, hang in there and get better. Can't wait to see you.

8:51 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

To The Ceraks:

God is DEFINITELY watching over you. I am so happy for you all. I hope Whitney is okay. As long as God is in your hearts, everything will be okay. That is now a proven fact in your case. You are in everyone in Gaylord's prayers and thoughts. I hope Whit returns soon!!

-Devin Swatman-Stewart

9:15 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Like so many others, this 52-yr-old has never "blogged" before, but feel I must say thank you for keeping us "strangers" updated on Whitney. I, like so many others, have been obsessed with this amazing story. Yours and the VanRyn's postings, along with the comments from the commenters, have touched the depths of my soul. I,too, miss all the comments that are no longer available. They have such wonderful words of encouragement to all, not just to those of you who are going through this whole ordeal. I was saddened when the VanRyn's deleted everything, but when I read they were going to delete it, I printed the whole thing out, because it had so much stuff in it that I wanted my teenage kids to read and I am so glad I did. I have shared it with so many. I would have done the same with this had I known it would no longer be available. Haven't you been so touched by those who say the blog has become part of their daily devotional...WOW. I so love to hear about Whitney's progress, but I also have missed hearing how the VanRyn's are doing. Both families are a true testimony and example of what Jesus is all about...years ago a friend and I used the word "Jesusfied" alot...and that is what yall so remind me of...both families are just so Jesusfied...which I am sure, comes from years of walking with Jesus and loving Him with all that is within you. I have come to know that the real test is when you go through something like this and look so much like Jesus in the process... that is WHEN you know you are truly Jesusfied. Both your families have shown the world what it means to love Jesus and walk with Him. Whitney and your whole family and the VanRyn's are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless
(sorry this is so long)

9:29 AM  
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