Please pray, think good thoughts, whatever you do, please do it..

Thank you everyone. Michelle, I agree.. I cannot imagine what this other boy is going through either. It was a total and comeplete accident, and he was not playing rough or aggressive any more than to be expected in a fair game from what I was told. He must still feel a horrible sense of pain.

Oh Nicki, this is not the ending any of us were hoping for. This is a serious tragedy for both families, and very. very sad for the community, what an enormous loss. Wow! I was really hoping that he was headed down the right path, when you were saying that the swelling was starting to lessen...I knew it was an hour by hour thing.

Pleases try and take some time for yourself when time permits, this has no doubt been very stressful for you as well as everyone involved. Life is incredibly fragile... unbelievable.
Josh, and his community will be thought of and prayed for often.

Without words...

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Originally Posted by Chocolate Muffin's

Oh Nicki, this is not the ending any of us were hoping for. This is a serious tragedy for both families, and very. very sad for the community, what an enormous loss. Wow! I was really hoping that he was headed down the right path, when you were saying that the swelling was starting to lessen...I knew it was an hour by hour thing.

Pleases try and take some time for yourself when time permits, this has no doubt been very stressful for you as well as everyone involved. Life is incredibly fragile... unbelievable.
Josh, and his community will be thought of and prayed for often.

Without words...

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Thank you.. I'm worried about how some of the family and the youth are dealing, because they seem to really really be struggling. I tried so hard at the hospital to hold it together for them, but one of my boys found me when I was alone at the end of a hallway bawling and just put his arm around me like such a great little man. I was supposed to be there for them, and this 14 year old kid found the strength to comfort me. As hard as all of this is, I am so so so proud of these kids. They have rallied around one another like the family that they are, and I know that will be their saving grace in all of this.

:( I'm so sorry. I know I will keep his family and friends in my prayers tonight. Thank you for keeping us updated.. I know there is nothing anyone here can say, but know that you will be in my thoughts, I know it hurts to lose someone, especially someone so young. Stay strong, and remember the blessings he gave you in his life. I know it's hard, but have faith he is with God now!

Bumping this for those that wanted updates, in case you missed it before it went off the new posts page..

Nicki I am so sorry, I will keep you & his family (both home & church family) in my prayers. Thank you for keeping us updated, I can't imagine how difficult this is for you all. Sending hugs with prayers for comfort & strength :(

Please say a special prayer this evening for the youth group. We are having a meeting for them in about half an hour. I'm not sure what all it's for, but I'm sure to just talk and pray and be there for one another mostly. I'm going, and I have a feeling it will be an emotional night for all of the kids. Thanks.

I posted this on FB a few minutes ago, but hope that everyone can take something from it. I know none of you knew Josh, but you have all been so wonderful during all of this, I wanted to share it..

It's always a shock to lose anyone we love. It's even more so of a shock when it is a sudden death. I think the hardest thing to cope with though is the unexpected death of a young person, especially when they have so much potential in life. That was one of my first thoughts when Josh got hurt, "Please God, he has so much potential." Looking back on that cry to God just a few days ago, I realize that through this, Josh can reach his potential. I truly think his potential is to change the world. He may not physically be here to do it, but his impact on us can change the lives of countless people. That was Josh's reason for living. I know we are all hurting right now, and it's okay to hurt. It's natural to cry, yell, laugh, and even be at a loss for words. However it is that you need to work through this, please find a healthy way to do so. The hurt won't ever really end, nor will the feeling of missing him go away. But with time, a peace of losing him will come, if we work towards it. When my dad's best friend died almost 6 years ago, I felt it all. And it took me a very long time to feel that peace of accepting that he was gone. Do what you have to do to find that peace and acceptance. And then, LIVE. Don't just go through life, acting out the motions, but truly LIVE. You have the chance to do anything you want to do in this world and you never know when you will lose it. I had an idea of that when my dad's best friend died, but he was sick for a very long time and in a way, I knew it may happen. But losing Josh has made me realize that no one, regardless of age, potential, strength, anything is invincible. Don't let the feeling of truly living last for a few months as we work through the pain of grieving Josh's death. No, let it be with you forever. Take each chance you can to live life to the fullest. Never let any day go by that you don't let those around you know you love them. Don't ever forget that you may not take your next breath. Remember to laugh so much it hurts. Don't be reckless, but do things you never thought you would do. We hear people talk about these things all the time, but I don't think very many people really do it. I want to do it. Not for a week, or a month, or a year, but as long as God allows me to be here. From this day forward, I don't want to exist, I want to LIVE. For God, for myself, for Josh because his chance is over. He had a wonderful life while he was here, and he's in a better place than I could dream of being in right now. But I want to do my part to let Josh's potential be reached. I want to change the world. As cliche as it sounds, Carpe Diem.. Seize the day. Each day. Live as if it will be your last.

Did'nt expect to read this kind of update.... I feel really bad for you and your group. Accidental and out of the blue deaths are so hard and leave you with so many questions. This is where Faith comes in. Hopefully with time and prayer everyone will get thru this. Best of luck to you all.

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Originally Posted by Monster Dodge

Did'nt expect to read this kind of update.... I feel really bad for you and your group. Accidental and out of the blue deaths are so hard and leave you with so many questions. This is where Faith comes in. Hopefully with time and prayer everyone will get thru this. Best of luck to you all.

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I don't think any of us did.. Saturday I left the hospital and he was slowly stabilizing and we had the hope he would eventually be better. Sunday morning I went to church and things had taken a complete 180. I know the kids have so many questions, and I am so thankful that so far they seem to all be holding on to their faith enough to get them through. I was so scared they would be angry, blame God, ect. but they are holding on to their faith with everything they have. I really hope it stays that way. Thanks again everyone.