Friday, December 18, 2009
Victory
Today at approximately 6pm Ava Elisabeth Benton gave up her courageous fight on this earth and entered into the arms of her saviour. While we are incredibly sad, we rejoice in her complete healing and victory in Christ. We thank everyone for your faithfulness in prayer to our family. We request your continued prayer for our family for healing in our time of grief.
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Oh Amy - I am so sad for you and so joyful that Ava is completely healed and in Jesus' arms. I so wish she was in your arms but HIS love is so much greater than ours. But I am so sad for you, Allen and the bugs. Mary T.
ReplyDeleteMuch love and peace to you and your beautiful girls.
ReplyDeleteMy heart is breaking for you right now. I can't even imagine your grief. I will continue to pray for you both and for your girls. It's hard not to think how well Ava must feel now in Jesus arms though. What a hard situation.
ReplyDeleteOnly in the greatness of Jesus can there be hope and any semblance of joy in moments like this. I'm so thankful he has kept you close and is sustaining you and the bugs. I'm grieving with you, and am so sad I didn't get to meet precious Ava in person before she went to be with Jesus. That being said, I am so excited to meet her and spend eternity with her one day. Love you all and am praying for you. May God overwhelm you with his comfort, grace & love.
ReplyDeleteAmy and Allen No words. I will continue to pray for you and your friends and family. Ava was loved by so many even strangers as myself. She has touch many many lives and will save others..... so off, but this evening my lady bug braclet broke about 5:30pm and I thought and said oh no and prayed like I did so many times before when I looked at my wrist..oxoxo
ReplyDeleteCarolyn Anderson
gca mom/friend
You have my prayers and my love. Your bugs and your story have touched so many people, and I am so grateful to know such a courageous and loving family. You have given so much to each of us, and I for one appreciate the new level of love and strength I have learned from Miss Ava. I learned how to pray again and ask Him for miracles, and she is the reason.
ReplyDeleteMy love and continued prayers are yours.
Praying for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteDear Amy, Allan, Emily, Alexa and Elaina,
ReplyDeleteMy heart, where all of you are permanently etched, is breaking. God bless precious baby Ava and precious baby Eric. Heaven became a sweeter place at 6:00 tonight. I love all of you so very much. I wish for you God's grace and peace.
With all the love in my heart,
Merrie Lee
amy,
ReplyDeletelove, tears, hugs, more tears.....i am so sad, but knowing that Jesus is holding precious Ava brings hope and comfort....she has touched so many people and so have you.....
love,
Phoebe
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteYou have no way of knowing the lives that Ava has touched during her shoet time on this earth. My prayers are with you family as my heart is breaking with yours.
ReplyDeleteOh, Amy. It happened so fast at the end. I am so, so sad for you. Sending you all our love. You will be in our utmost prayers.
ReplyDelete--Becky Sodergren
I'm so sorry Amy. I'm thinking of you and praying for your beautiful family.
ReplyDelete- Kate Collins
So sorry for your loss. I too have spent weeks of sleepless nights at CHOP - I can relate to your falling asleep on your feet. I once fell asleep standing up.....in the elevator.
ReplyDeleteMay God embrace your little one and give you and your family the courage and strength to carry on, but to never forget.
Thankful that your precious little girl is no longer hurting. Thank you for sharing her with all of us. We're praying for comfort and healing of you and your girls during this time.
ReplyDeleteI am so sad for you all, but hope you find peace. I have been so awed by your journey and inspired by you with every step that you have shared. You have amazed me with your strength, courage, hope, tenacity, faith, love and honesty. I did not have the priviledge of personally meeting Ava, but she has touched my life in many ways. May God be with you now & always.
ReplyDeleteNicole (McCreadie) Brugger
I am so sad for your loss. My thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you and your family.
ReplyDeleteWe are praying for you all. Thank you for sharing your journey so openly with us. We hope that you will continue to blog. You have touched so many lives with your courage and strength that we know can only come from the Father.
ReplyDeleteMatt & Debbie Sanchez
We love her and miss her so! So happy that I was able to touch and kiss her just a few days ago. That will be such a precious memory. Love all of you so very much.
ReplyDeleteAmy, Allan, and little Bugs,
ReplyDeleteMy heart breaks for you right now. I've been following your blog and have been amazed by your faith, your courage and willingness to share this emotional moment in your life with all of us. Thank you for allowing us to go through this journey with you. We grieve with you. And now, may the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I am so sorry for your loss. May the realization of God's sufficient grace minister to you and your family. Ps:119:156: Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD:
ReplyDeleteAmy and Allan,
ReplyDeleteI can't even think of words to type . . . Please know that I love you and your girls so much.
-Robin
My heart breaks for you. You are so thoughtful, and have understood that both life and death are part of "life". You are inspiring me on my journey with my son.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you have to go through this again. Your family is in my thoughts & prayers. Your amazing strength, faith, and honesty throughout your journey is inspiring.
ReplyDeleteI hope that the snow blaketing us tonight will bring smiles to the bigger bugs' faces tomorrow morning (even if the smiles might be fleeting) and hopefully you can find joy in your children's happiness.
I pray for continued strength as you face a tough road ahead of you. It's a journey that I, as a parent, hope to never take.
Psalm 34:18: God is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Allan and Amy,
ReplyDeleteWe are os sorry to hear about the loss of your precious Ava tonight. We are lifiting you up in prayer continually, and if there is anything we can do, please don't hesitate to ask. We rejoice knowing she is now perfectly well!!!! Thank you Lord....
We love you.
Aaron & Faith
I'm so sorry for your loss. Praying for you all.
ReplyDeleteThe littlest bug is at Peace and the pain is gone....she joins her brother who was waiting with open arms to escort her to her place in heaven. You have found incredible strength through this illness another gift from God... May you now find the strength to get through the next days and weeks of grieving.
ReplyDeleteAs parents who also have a child in heaven, we know the depth of pain, and the joy of knowing our child is in the arms of our Lord where we shall be united again. Our prayers are with each one of you! Art & Carol Lee Patch
ReplyDeleteDear Amy,Allen and Grandparents:
ReplyDeleteWhat a brave and lovely little girl. It was a privilege being able to pray for you and your family. My little ones delighted in asking the Lord for Ava's healing. Now I will explain that Ava is released from her litte body but alive with the Lord. My prayers now and for your days to come. You are an incredible inspiration to so many. May your Lord and the prayers of many hold your heart in comfort and peace. Linda D. and family
Words cannot describe how our hearts are breaking for all of you. Its no surprise that such a small person touched the lives and healed the hearts of so many people in such a big way. Ava was a precious gift from God, I wish we could have held onto her forever. I am so glad I had the chance to meet her, touch her, and kiss her sweet little hands and feet. I love you all...Megan Spencer
ReplyDeleteI have never met you but feel like I know you and your sweet little "bugs". Your blog has been so powerful to so many people. Little Ava touched all of us during her battle. I pray for all of you this day.
ReplyDeleteBarb
In Michigan
Your family is in my prayers this morning. May the Lord comfort each of you and may Jesus hold you in his arms during this time. You are each so precious to Him.
ReplyDeleteYes Amy,Ava leaves us with such powerful legacy. Ava touched me and all my girl's heart. My heart goes out to you and family. I am very proud of you and pray God to comfort and give you the strengths that you need. God bless you and family. Sandra Tineo
ReplyDeleteI hardly know what to say, except I'm so sad for all of you. Lord comfort this family with your tender and merciful grace. In the name of our precious Saviour Jesus.
ReplyDeleteCan only focus on Ava's being with her dear brother Eric and how each of them is enjoying perfect health and their wonderful Creator. Makes it hard to wait for that day we will see them whole. Prayers for each of their sisters who are here with you and Allen to help you carry on. God is good. All the time. Pain is hard. All the time. Take this time to heal and lean hard on your Maker and Creator who has perfected His plan, this vey hard plan for you. Love you each through Christ.
ReplyDeleteAmy and family,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about the loss of Ava. You are all in my thoughts and prayers during this time. Thanks so much for keeping us all updated on Ava throughout the months. I loved seeing her pictures too.
Cindy
I feel I have loved her and never met her ... I am so saddened for you and hope that your healing is swift. Judie
ReplyDeleteAmy and Allen,
ReplyDeleteNothing can be said that feels appropriate. Your courage and faith is a true inspiration to us and many more. Our hearts are with you.
Tim C. and Erica C.
Amy and Allan,
ReplyDeleteVery sorry to hear of your loss of Ava. My heart aches for you and your family. I will certainly keep you in my prayers as you go through this period of grief. Your blogs were so beautifully written and strengthened my faith in God- thank you. I can just picture sweet little Ava and her big brother playing together in glorious Heaven. Love and peace, Tamara
I am so sorry for your loss. I didn't know Ava or your family but a mutual friend asked me to pray for Ava. I read your blog everyday. There wasn't a day that went by that I didn't think of Ava. My heart broke last night when I read your update. We know she isn't suffering anymore but that doesn't make it any easier to handle. I pray for your family.
ReplyDeleteI, too, have a child in heaven and know the complex emotions involved in giving that child back to the Lord, while grieving for the loss of future expectations. While it is wonderful to think that Ava is no longer suffering and is fully healed, I know that you now have to let go of all of the "firsts" with her that you so looked forward to. What makes the grief process so difficult is balancing the joy you feel in knowing that your precious baby is fully healed and with the Lord with the loss you feel because you can't hold her or watch her grow into a beautiful young woman. I will continue to pray for you, Allan and the girls as you walk this road that you have been set upon.
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful for your willingness to let us share in the journey as you walked through the valley of the shadow of death with Ava. May you continue to lean on the Lord for strenghth and comfort in the days ahead, as you trust in the precious promise of being with Eric and Ava again one day. Heven becomes so much more special when we have loved ones awaiting us there! You have been an inspirtation to all of us reading your blog as you bravely faced each day, faithfully trusting the Lord to see you through it. Your honesty was refreshing as you struggled with your anger and pain as well as your desire to be in two places at once.
I will be praying that you will walk without fainting in the days ahead and the day will soon come when you can again fly on wings of eagles!
I have learned much from your journey, thank you greatly for sharing your joy, your pain, your grief so openly. I will continue to pray for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteDear Benton family...my prayres are with you. I am truly saddened for your loss. Praying God's peace for you. I am so sorry for all of you. There must be some purpose for this extreme grief to come again. Only God himself knows. Much love to you all.
ReplyDeleteMarion Howell
Been praying for your entire family and will continue to do so. My lil' one was born at 23-1/2 weeks and I endured a lot during that time. I cannot imagine what you are going through but I know I am praying and God will take the best care of Lil' Ava.
ReplyDeleteDear Benton Family,
ReplyDeleteYou have been and will remain in our prayers. May you have peace at this difficult time.
God bless you all. The Sultzbach family
Our prayers are with you - we've been praying for baby Ava every night- including my 5 year old daughter. She said Ava would be a beautiful "baby angel"
ReplyDeleteAmy,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry, your family are in my prayers.
Laura H.
We are so sorry for the aching emptiness in your arms and hearts. You are assured of our prayers, esp. for Ava's sweet sisters.
ReplyDeleteI have no words that can fully express my feelings. I feel honored that I was able to see Ava a few times before her passing. They are memories that I will cherish. Please know that my thoughts are with you both and your entire family as well.
ReplyDeleteJen Stevenson
Dear Benton's,
ReplyDeleteI have written a comment about ten times in the last 24 hours only to erase it. I too have no words or find myself tripping over the words I do have. I wonder where you are tonight. If the snow is helping you huddle up with your precious bugs. Amy, I hope people are hugging you. I can not imagine how you feel. But I do know there is a plan in all this. Her story is not over. Today your blog had over 1200 hits. Her short life carried a long message. Many are listening and learning and drawing closer to Him. Thank you for sharing her voice with us. Thank you for sharing this journey and your incredible faith.
We Love You All So Very Much!
Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you today and many days to come. I sat here for quite awhile with tears in my eyes trying to think of something to say. Your beautiful Ava was a blessing to so many. Her life will continue to speak a stunning testimony for Jesus. I am also in prayer for your daughters. May God bless them all with comfort and peace.
ReplyDeleteDear Bentons,
ReplyDeleteWe were so sad to hear of your loss. We are grieving with you and will continue to pray for you. We are glad to know that she is healed now but that doesn't make the pain any less real. Thank you for your courage to share your journey in this blog.
Much love,
Rob & Dawn M
I just began reading your blog in the last week and I already feel as though I know your family. I am heartbroken at this news. My prayers are with you in this most difficult time. Ava is at peace with our Lord, never again to suffer and that is a relief to know. Your constant faith and courage is to be admired. Bless you and your family.
ReplyDeleteDear Amy, Allan and girls,
ReplyDeleteI am so sad to hear of little Ava's passing. I have been cheering from the sidelines for her these months, and amazed at your strength and faith. Please let me know if I can help in any way. My heart and love go to all of you at this difficult time.
God bless,
K.Leach
Dear Amy and Family,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your heartbreaking story. Your faith is so inspiring! I believe, as you do that God has made a plan for each soul and Ava has touched my heart and my family in ways you will never know. Continue to find strength in your faith, girls and family. God Bless, Kerry Gerich
I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. I don't know you but have been following your blog and baby Ava certainly had an effect on me. My heart breaks for you & your family. I pray that Ava is at peace now.
ReplyDeleteDear Amy, Allen and the girls,
ReplyDeleteWe are so sorry for your loss. You and your family's strength and faith is an inspiration to us all. Thank you for taking us on this journey with you. May God's peace be with you in this time of sorrow. Our prayers are with you.
The McCarty Family
Dear Amy and Family,
ReplyDeleteFirst, please know that my prayers are with you. I heard about your story from a friend and cannot imagine what you must be feeling. The Lord is so good and you're right....His plan is always perfect. I praise God for your strength as a mother and wife. May you continue to find strength through Him. Also, (as I'm sure you are aware) continue to be a witness to so many through your blogs. Our God gives us so many avenues to show others who he is through us. Ava is in the most perfect place! <3
Dear Amy, Alan and children,
ReplyDeleteI have followed your journey from afar thanks in large part to a fellow gamma sig who called this website to my attention. I am so sorry to read that Ava's time on earth has ended but surely rejoice in knowing she is fully restored in Christ. Along with her big brother Eric she waits while the rest complete their journeys here on earth.
Life is precious. Prayers for your family as you walk this journey surrounded by His power and faithfulness.
In His love,
Michelle J Betts (GCC 1992)
Dear Amy Allen and family,My thoughts and prayers are with you now in these difficult times and always.I only wish I could have met your little angel Ava who has joined her older brother in heaven.
ReplyDeleteDear Amy ~ I am so sorry for your loss. I know that your beautiful daughter Ava and your son Eric are in the arms of our Lord. My heart is heavy with your sorrow. I admire your strength, your deep love of God and the promises He has given to us. I have only read a few of your posts so far and plan to read more. You express yourself beautifully. I would love to send you a handkerchief from my ministry called For Your Tears. When you have time could you please send me your full name & address: dpucci9972@gmail.com I will pray for your continued comfort and strength. Please know that I care. You have a beautiful family. God Bless.
ReplyDeleteI was reading some of your postings from the new yr. so far and it was so hard. I am certain it must be very difficult to try to cope with your own grief while trying to help your older childrem
ReplyDeleten. It broke my heart to read of the daughter that aches to hold her baby sister. what a precious soul she is. Lookinf foward to seeing you all on Sunday night. Praying for you and the girls as well. As Pastor Betters says this is a "club" no one wants to be in but it is required of some chosen few. I like to think that Ava is not only with her brother Eric but that Ashley Vanwingerden is also playing with them and showinf them around.
Marion :o)