Thursday, November 15, 2012

Our Family Has lost a HERO... PLEASE PRAY...



Our hearts are aching..... On Monday November 12, our oldest daughter Brooke got that DREADED KNOCK ON THE DOOR that every military wife has nightmares about.

A Chaplain and an officer in his dress Blues, gave her the news.. Our precious 22 year old daughter is a widow... A widow to a senseless war...

Our Son In Law STAFF SERGEANT MATTHEW H. STILTZ was killed in action we beleive on Veterans Day in Afghanistan.

Our hearts are shattered for Brooke and Matt's parents. To see our baby mourn at such a young age is SENSELESS.



 
 
Please pray fervently for our family... Mostly Brooke and Matt's parents of course.
 
 
We were HONORED to fly out Tuesday with Brooke and we met Matt's parents at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to attend the "DIGNIFIED TRANSFER" of our HERO son in law...
 

His body was flown in on a C-17, We were greeted by a General flown in from Washington. He expressed his deepest condolences and talked to us a lot about Matt., The soldiers who guard the tomb of the unknown soldier at Arlington perfomed a very wonderfully moving service as Matt's body returned back on American soil. We watched his flag draped casket be transferred on to a vehicle and escorted off with flashing lights by the Military Police.
 
 
Matt is from Spokane, Wa.. His body will be flown there in a few days for the funeral... Our family will make our way there in our RV and Brooke will fly out tomorrow.
 
We will spend our Thanksgiving THANKING JESUS for Heroes like Matt... Thanking Jesus for our freedoms.. Thanking Jesus that Matt is now resting safely in HIS ARMS, NEVER to be afraid again..  This was his 3rd tour in war...
 
It just doesn't seem real... It just doesn't
 
 
http://video.kxly.com/watch.php?id=32342

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23 comments:

Mary said...

Oh. My. Goodness. So appreciative of heroes like your son-in-law who give THEIR ALL to protect and preserve freedom. Many prayers to your daughter (I can't even imagine what she's going through right now!) and to your family during this very difficult time.

My sincerest Thank You for your sacrifice, families of Staff Sergeant Matthew H. Stilz. May God pour out blessings of comfort upon you.

-Special Mothertivity- said...

My heart is so heavy. I'm holding back tears as best I can. I am so sorry for you loss. There are no words to express my feelings. Know that I am sincerely thankful for your family's very personal sacrifice to preserve our freedoms. I will remember your sweet daughter, and your dear son-in-laws parents and family, and your family as well.

Natalie said...

I have been following your blog for a while. My heart is breaking for you and your daughter. We are so thankful for the military.

Natalie said...

My heart is breaking for you and your family. Prayers to you and your daughter.

Erica said...

My heart is breaking for your family. Praying for Brooke, Matts parents, and your entire family.

My deepest condolences, thanks, gratitude for Matts service, his ultimate sacrifice, and the sacrifice his family has made.

My Jesus keep you as you grieve, walk with you as you carry this heavy heavy burden, and give peace that passes all understanding.

Heather Brandt said...

I don't know if you remember talking to me on the phone so long ago during our domestic adoption process. I'm praying for you and your family!

heather brandt
FAMILYOFMYHEART.WORDPRESS.COM

Sophie said...

Oh Jen. I am so sorry. I weep for your sweet daughter. I will be praying for all of you. I am so so sorry.

Unknown said...

Oh my precious friend...I can't stop crying. I am so sorry...praying for all of you!!! {{HUGS}}

Susie said...

As my brother heads to Afghanistan on Saturday (MP, TEDD dog handler), my heart breaks for your family. I am sitting at my desk weeping for your daughter, for your family. Your son-in-law is a hero. Your daughter is a hero.

Ashley said...

I have prayed over the last several days for God to wrap his loving arms around your family, Brooke, and Matt's family. I am so sorry for your loss. I will continue to pray for God's peace and comfort for you all.


Ashley

McFarland-Higgins family said...

Praying for your entire family. Deepest sorrow to you all, and great thanks for the sacrifice of your family.

QueenB said...

Oh Lord, Lord, please hear the cry of your people and comfort these who mourn this sensless death of a young man, so much promise of life ahead of him. I am so sorry, my heart breaks for you and your loss. Please know that in your darkest hours, Jesus sees your tears; He will never leave, nor forsake you.

Shonni said...

I am SO SORRY, and am praying.

Kelly said...

Jen,

Ever since I got your text message yesterday I have been grieving deeply. The tears will not stop flowing. When I don't think I have any left, they start to flow again.

Your son-in-love truly is a HERO and every single person in America should be so proud and thankful for His service!!

I have cried over and over again for your precious daughter having to get such terrible, life changing news. Especially at such a young age.

If it is okay with you, we would like to add your family(ies) to the prayer chain at church. There are over 20,000 people who attend the weekend services at this church and I know they would be honored to lift your family up in prayer during this difficult time. Also, please know that our little family of 5 has been crying out to the Lord since receiving your text message.

I can't really explain this; but feel the need to share it with you. Tuesday night when I texted you - it was 11pm our time and I kept telling my husband that I just couldn't stop thinking of you. In fact, it all started around 9 or 10pm - but I kept putting off calling or texting you because it was already so late. My husband and I had started talking about your business and thinking up questions to ask you in regards to that. However, by 11pm I just couldn't take it anymore. You were HEAVY on my heart, though I couldn't explain why. Finally my husband told me to go ahead and text you, since I was feeling so strongly about reaching out to you. I tossed and turned throughout the night, getting up several times to check my phone to see if you had called back or texted. Then the morning came and I realized that you had indeed texted me back...when I read the words you wrote my heart shattered. No wonder you were so heavy on my heart that night. Since then you have continued to be on my mind and in my heart.

Please know we will continue to lift you all up in our prayers. I wish I was there to give you a big hug.

May God bless you all with courage and strength and you face the next few days, weeks, months and beyond.

Hugs from Texas,
Kelly Turner and Family

prvpine said...

I will be praying for your family, just last night we laid our nephew to rest. Ryan was 22 and killed by a road side bomb 2 others lost their lives also. My heart breaks for your daughter and for your son-in-laws family. I know that our family will never be the same, Ryan will always be in our hearts. He is america's Hero not just ours.
God Bless Your Family,
Penny In Pa

Created For His Glory said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. Praying for your entire family.
Love,
Kim

Unknown said...

Oh, Jen! I am so sorry for your daughter, all of you, and his entire family. He was a dedicated and noble young man. You were blessed to have him so close to you. We are blessed by his sacrifice. He rests now until the trumpet of Jesus awakens him to life eternal. May God bless you all and give you peace.

Oldqueen44 said...

I am so sad for you all.
I have been praying for you all daily since Emilee told me.
God's blessings to you all.

Melissa, Multi-Tasking Mama said...

I am so deeply sorry for your family's loss. Prayers and {{hugs}}

Megan Russell said...

This is so heartbreaking! I am so sorry for your daughter. I am praying for your family and his family.

Renata said...

Hi Jen
I've only just read this & please know that I'm praying for Brooke, Matt's parents & you guys. I don't have words, but send my love over the oceans ((HUGS))
Renata

The Anglin Family said...

Oh, Jen! I am so so sorry. My heart is so heavy for your sweet daughter. Seems so unfair. Praying extra hard for your family, Brooke, and his family.

Laurel said...

Just found your blog. Will pray for your family.

My eldest son served 4.5 years in the Army (with 2.5 served in Iraq). My 2nd son is a Navy Pilot.

We are from WA State . . . my husband from Spokane.

So sorry for your loss.

Laurel
mama of 12 (ages 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 19, 22, 23, 23, 25, 27, 28)