July 20, 2006 "Jesus Christ is the same..."
“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:14 NIV
“We have this as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19a
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
In this ever changing world we need to put our trust in something that will never change. In our world there are all kinds of calamity. Things change from good to bad or bad to good in a flash. There is so much unrest in the world. Where do we find security and comfort for our souls? When compared to the uncertainty that is going on in this world our situation pales; there are so many others that are in situations more trying than ours Where can we find peace and comfort? We find it in the one thing that has never changed, Jesus Christ. Our strength continues to come from the One who has not nor will ever change. Please find your peace and strength in Him today.
It’s good to be back with my family again. With Whitney doing so well and progressing in her recovery I was able to head home for the weekend. The better Whit gets each, and with her moving more toward independence, it makes it somewhat easier to leave for a short time. But getting back to my family is one of the best feelings, ever!
Whitney looks great! Today was the first time I had seen her wear something other than shorts and a tee shirt. She looked more beautiful in jeans and a cute shirt. I asked her how her therapies have been going. She reported that she improved on the DynaVision from 46 to 60 lights hit. This is a device/method to help with reaction time used by some professional ice hockey goalies to measure vision and reaction times.
She is working in speech therapy with figuring problems out in her head; also with comprehension and writing skills; her motor skills are very good, just sometime not as quick as before. This continues to improve steadily.
This evening we enjoyed chicken wings from LaSeniorita’s in Gaylord. These are a favorite of Whitney’s. Then we surprised Sandra, Terra and Matt by showing up at Spring Hill…at Copper Country. It was “Wednesday Night Live”. Whitney loved watching saying that next summer she wanted to be a counselor.
Watching Whitney tonight again brought us to our knees thanking God for His gift. We pray constantly for those whose hearts are still aching, for those who feel that hole in their lives. We revel in Whitney’s amazing recovery yet are daily aware of the pain of our dear friends in Christ.
Continue to pray for all.
In Christ alone, Whitney’s dad
“We have this as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19a
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
In this ever changing world we need to put our trust in something that will never change. In our world there are all kinds of calamity. Things change from good to bad or bad to good in a flash. There is so much unrest in the world. Where do we find security and comfort for our souls? When compared to the uncertainty that is going on in this world our situation pales; there are so many others that are in situations more trying than ours Where can we find peace and comfort? We find it in the one thing that has never changed, Jesus Christ. Our strength continues to come from the One who has not nor will ever change. Please find your peace and strength in Him today.
It’s good to be back with my family again. With Whitney doing so well and progressing in her recovery I was able to head home for the weekend. The better Whit gets each, and with her moving more toward independence, it makes it somewhat easier to leave for a short time. But getting back to my family is one of the best feelings, ever!
Whitney looks great! Today was the first time I had seen her wear something other than shorts and a tee shirt. She looked more beautiful in jeans and a cute shirt. I asked her how her therapies have been going. She reported that she improved on the DynaVision from 46 to 60 lights hit. This is a device/method to help with reaction time used by some professional ice hockey goalies to measure vision and reaction times.
She is working in speech therapy with figuring problems out in her head; also with comprehension and writing skills; her motor skills are very good, just sometime not as quick as before. This continues to improve steadily.
This evening we enjoyed chicken wings from LaSeniorita’s in Gaylord. These are a favorite of Whitney’s. Then we surprised Sandra, Terra and Matt by showing up at Spring Hill…at Copper Country. It was “Wednesday Night Live”. Whitney loved watching saying that next summer she wanted to be a counselor.
Watching Whitney tonight again brought us to our knees thanking God for His gift. We pray constantly for those whose hearts are still aching, for those who feel that hole in their lives. We revel in Whitney’s amazing recovery yet are daily aware of the pain of our dear friends in Christ.
Continue to pray for all.
In Christ alone, Whitney’s dad
posted by ncerak | 7:41 AM
19 Comments:
Thank you so much for these updates. I am an '06 TU graduate and lost 3 good friends in the accident. Every single day I think about the accident and continue to pray for all the families involved. My heart aches to bring them back. Although I did not know Whitney personally it makes me happy and gives me hope to read about her recovery and know that she is improving daily. Her survival of the crash makes me see even more how God has a plan in everything. Thank you again for
You are all an inspiration and encouragement to those of us who read your daily posts. Whitney, please know that we continue to think of you and pray for you - and we are rejoicing every day over the progress God is giving to you. He is restoring you physically - I will pray that he continues to renew you spiritually, and that you feel His hand on your life!
We love you, even though we haven't met you, because we all share the same Father...
Thank you for such heartfelt updates. I have loved getting to know your family through your daily writings. Though I'm Christian, I have strayed lately, and I want to thank you for helping me get back onto the best path for my life.
A friend in Illinois
I am so glad Whiney got wings from Las! I know how much she loves them and was hoping she would get to eat them again soon! Keep up the good work Whit! You'll be home for wing night before you know it!
Your updates are a real blessing for me--both reading the scripture and seeing Whitney's daily progress! Just know everyone is still thinking of you all and continuing to hope and pray for each small improvement. We also think and pray often for the other families affected by the wreck. May God bless them and give them comfort and hope.
I have been reading Whitney's blog everyday, and I must say that I am truly blessed by it. I love to hear about her recovery process each day, it helps me realize that in the midst of my situation or circumstance, with God I can make it. I'm praying for you all and I am so thankful for your words everyday. God bless you!
Mr. Cerak,
Today's scriptures are just perfect. Your daily blog is
so inspiring and always right
for the day I read it. Thank you!No wonder God is healing and blessing Whitney so quickly. What a blessing to have family serving the Lord. So many don't have this assurance in their lives.
I enjoy the daily updates. :-) It's so nice to be able to pray for your family and find out specific needs of the day/week. I'm so excited that you guys get to take Whitney out more. How you must feel like a family again in those moments :-D I'll continue to pray! Keep leading others closer to Christ! I send my love.
Thank you for the blessing each day we receive from your writings. We continue to pray for all and are so thrilled to hear of Whitney's progress. We have two friends that have been involved in crashes which resulted in brain injuries, and your progress reports keep us hopeful for them. God Bless.
: )
Thinking back over the last 12 years of knowing all of you....and all of the different "fashion statements" Whit has made! She is beautiful...inside and out!
We love you!
What a blessing to see your blogs and the scriptures quoted in People Magazine and other websites! GOD IS AT WORK!!!! YAHOO!! PRAISE HIM!
Your scriptures today were just what I needed. As with so many others, we have never met, but I feel I know you. It has been a week of turmoil in many ways, but the two that have affected me most have been my mother-in-law's learning that she has leukemia and the shooting death of my best friend from elementary through high school. We lost touch about eight years ago and I do not know what her life was like. I just hope she has found peace. We do not know what the Lord has in store for us. Thank you for your inspiring words. I love learning of Whitney's progress and I love the tremendous ministry to others that has blossomed out of her recovery updates. Thank you.
I know Whitney only by sight. She must be a remarkable young woman. The accident left many of us feeling hopeless and alone, but your updates help us realize that God truly is in control.
I do not know Whitney, and I do not go to TU, but my friend knows Whitney and I have been reading this site for several weeks now and I just wanted you to know that I have been praying for Whitney and your family. I am constantly reminded of God's grace and I am so encouraged by what you write and by what Whitney has accomplished so far. God Bless your family!
I have been following this blog from the very beginning and have never wrote, but this evening, after reading the first comment, I feel compelled to share a poem that I recently read. I lost my nephew in a car wreck two years ago and I know the pain that never seems to go away. There hasn't been a day go by that I haven't thought of him.
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness, here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
"It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for our dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."
God gave me a list of things that He wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the days chores put to flight,
God and I are closest to you...in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you what God has planned,
but if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night..."My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented...that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick them up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go...from that body to be free,
remember you're not going...you're coming home to me.
Author Ruth Ann Mahaffey
Copyright 1998-2006
I hope that this poem gives all who reads it the great comfort that it gave to me.
Leisa from Illinois
I am sure you have heard from people all over the nation, but I just want to tell you all that I am amazed by your story, and so glad that you still have this time with your daughter/sister/granddaughter/friend. There is a reason God left her in your hands. We had a close call with my brother once too, and amazingly and wonderfully God gave him back to us. You are all an inspiration to me as I go about daily life. I can't fathom what it must be like to be in your shoes, or the VanRyn's, Erb's, Smith's, anyones.
Thank you for keeping me on track with God too, I stray often, and just get caught up in my everyday life, but reading your posts help remind me that He is there, and so great and mighty.
Thank you, God Bless, and continue to nurse your Whitney back to full health, which I am confident God will give her again one day.
I read your blog this morning (as I do every morning) and I want you to know that your scriptures and story in general give me so much hope. I have so much turmoil in my life right now, and I pray everyday to be a better christian. I want to have the kind of peace you all have and trust in the Lord like you do. I have always felt that I did, but yet I never feel it the way you discribe. My prayer is to be a more Godly women and to trust in the Lord more and have peace in my life. Thank you for your inspiration!! I Love your family without even knowing you personally. Colleen has taught all of my children and we know Whit from watching her play soccer and seeing her AWESOME smile around town. I am so thankful for her story and how it is helping not only me, but people all over the world. Thank you so much for sharing with the world. God Bless!!
Leisa from Illinois: Thank you for sharing that incredible poem. I hope the other afflected families check in and get to see it too.
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