FAQ's get some answers

So many of you have showed such great and generous concern over these last few days and weeks regarding my family. I do appreciate your interest and questions, however, sometimes I am overwhelmed at the process of answering them. It is a very emotional story to tell, over and over again. You are certainly welcome to ask these questions and I hope you will continue to understand that sometimes I have the energy to answer them - and sometimes I do not.

I thought I would take a moment to answer the questions I am asked most frequently:
1) How is Dawn doing?
She is a solid and strong woman of faith. She is amazing. Of course, there are very hard days in the mix. The plane crash was August 1 and Ryan died August 7. August 7 their oldest son also turned 8. Can you imagine what it will be like for the rest of Caleb's life knowing that his Dad died on his birthday? On August 23 Ryan would have been 34. October 1, their youngest will be 3. October 14 would have been their 9 year anniversary. A few weeks ago we heard that Caleb found Ryan's deodorant and he smeared it all over his neck because he wanted to smell like his Dad. Last weekend some guys from the Airport Hangar came by with Ryan's toolbox and put it in storage at Dawn's house. This was a particularly hard day for her. She is strong, but she is also a young widow with 4 babies.

2) Is she going to stay in Kenya?
Yes. Dawn has known since she was a little girl that she wanted to be a missionary in Africa. She graduated with her Nursing degree in 1991 and moved to Tanzania in 1993, site unseen. She has lived there the majority of the last 16 years. Two of her babies were born there and the other two were born in the USA but moved to Kenya while infants. Living in Kenya is her normal life and her home, but she "visits" the States. The day of the plane crash her best friend, Tiffany, lost her husband who was the pilot. Tiffany also has 4 children. Currently Dawn and Tiffany are thinking about what type of work they could do in Kenya together. Dawn is praying about what to do next but does feel led to stay in Africa.

3) When is Dawn coming back?
Dawn and Tiffany and the 8 children will fly to the States tonight and they land tomorrow. Dawn is from Holland, MI while Ryan is from Florida. Tiffany is also from Florida. On Sept 19 there will be a Memorial service for Tiffany's husband. On Sept 26 there will be a Memorial service for Ryan - and my entire nuclear family is flying down for the weekend. On Oct 10 there will be another Memorial service for Ryan in Holland, MI. Dawn and Tiffany are planning a retreat on how to grieve well and will return with their children to Kenya by mid-November. Dawn and Ryan were scheduled to spend a year in the States starting March 2010 and she will follow through with those plans.

4) How can I help?
There are a million ways you can help - please see me! :)

Personally, I knew Ryan quite well. During their 3 month engagement Ryan, Dawn, and myself all lived with my parents. A year later (after 9/11 there was no work for an airplane mechanic) they moved back into our house with baby Caleb and we all lived together for about 6 more months. In 2003 I went to Kenya for 5 weeks and in 2007 I went for 8 weeks and during both trips I lived with them. Ryan was more than a brother-in-law to me, he was such a good friend and he took care of me like a sister. 

I still cannot believe he is gone and I am in tears at least once a day.