helping friends like we were helped

It was just this time last year when the world as we knew it fell apart. we didn't know if we were coming or going, or even what to do next. One of the things that was the hardest for us, as people whose job it usually was to take care of others, was to allow and even welcome help from others. it would have been in my nature to say, "oh, no thank you, we'll be just fine..." but somehow i knew deep down that i was sure i was going to be fine and that, frankly, i could barely move let alone think straight about bills and deadlines and plans.

our friends, the knauerts, have suddenly found the life as they knew it blown apart by the very sudden death of david, their beloved husband and father. david (who was a ncaa swimmer at harvard and long distance runner always) had what is believed to be a massive heart attack while jogging in atlanta on saturday morning and died. He was 38 years old. He leaves behind his wife, Leigh, and his four children, Peter, Lily, Harrison and David.

David was our classmate and good friend in seminary. He actually did the same internship at Central the year before me and then stayed on as a youth advisor. We spent alot of time together. I spent alot of time with his children and wife. We hadn't seen each other in a while, but i have always held them in my heart as dear friends. This is simply heartbreaking. As i wrote last night, I still don't really have words for how heartbreaking it is.

Even harder still--wondering what will happen with his sweet family? They were in Atlanta getting ready to leave for Brazil, where David would teach at a university as they served as Presbyterian mission workers. David just finished his ph.d. at duke last May. He has been in grad school for 10 years, and they were just embarking on this next part of their journey together as a family--serving God (see the post directly below to learn more). Because of all of these factors, I have come to understand that they are now in a really tough spot financially. They were waiting to go to Brazil, and had just sold their house here in durham as they were getting ready to leave for brazil. So not only do they have to figure out how to cope with losing their father, but they will have to worry about where to live, and how they will live.

When we were met last year with Heath's diagnosis and heart transplant, people dropped everything and helped us--some knew us, some did not. One of the reasons we got to where we are in the emotional and physical state we are now is because we didnt' have to worry about the huge bills that were piling up. Thanks to that Good Samaritan Fund at Cary pres and the generous long list of folks who gave to it (we've never actually seen a list of who gave, but I know it was many of you...thanks).

First Presbyterian Church here in Durham is doing something similar for the Knauerts. I just learned the details, and I thought I would pass it on to you:
Donations to the Knauert Children's Well-being Fund can be sent to First Presbyterian Church, 305 E. Main St, Durham, NC 27701. Make check to First Pres but put this fund in memo.

Donations are tax deductible. No pressure, but I thought you might like to know of a family who was giving of themselves who now needs help.

The service to celebrate David's life will be at First Presbyterian on Friday at 4pm. I ask you all to hold his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.

love and blessings to you all. carrie