To our dear friends, family and support team we are thankful to announce that Kole Joseph Keller is now at home with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! He left this earth with a smile and a tear around 10:00 PM on Monday night, and was welcomed into the arms of His Heavenly "Da-da". We desired to have him "tough it out" here on this weary world with us, but God knew best and knows best!!!
God always keeps His promises and even in death His promise is kept!We believe God had given Kole some extra time here on earth, from March 23rd until April 9th. It was only a few short weeks of extra time, but they were a gift! Kole was given time to get to see his new baby brother and more time to get hugged on and kissed on by his loving mom and dad! We had more time to get to be loved by Kole, love him, and learn from him. God gave Kole amazing comfort during that time! God allowed us to see this world has no hold on us, for it is all lost and dieing without God. We saw that death is a welcomed relief to those who love Him and know God. That is not the case with those who choose to not allow God to be their Father.
Kole's last few days became more difficult starting on his birthday, Saturday April 7th. However, I believe God was with him in a special way and that his discomfort was seen by us more than felt by him! He was able to have his hospital bed placed in his new room and yet his favorite decoration was of course his mom and dad! They prayed and stood beside Kole morning, noon, and night! They were tender beyond measure and full of love for their boy! They were also full of love for our God! They are still full of love for our God! Kole had hospice come to the house. They were so kind and comforting to Kole! One hospice worker told me that she has learned a lot about life and death through her job! I have to admit that hospice work was and is my one occupation that I am afraid of the most! This one hospice worker sees beauty in death all the time! As I pondered Kole's death and God's desire to take him home, I have thought of all that God was teaching us about heaven! Heaven should not be feared, but welcomed. Heaven is where the glory of God shines the brightest!Heaven contains the perfect love of our perfect Father! Heaven is a promise! Heaven should be welcomed! My pastor said once that this time on earth is like a dot at the end of a ray! Heaven is the ray! It goes on forever. We are to live this short time/dot on this fallen earth for our God and His eternal heavenly kingdom! Our fingers have been pride off of this world in way, and they have been placed around the ankles/feet of Jesus! We have learned to cling to Him! What more can we ask! It is a miracle! We have seen His Word deliver us time and time again! We have known that He has heard everyone of our prayers! We know He is a good God! Nothing brought us joy like God and His Word did! We have gained an intimacy with Him, that will carry us through this difficult world and give us the strength and courage to get through the Kingdom work left to do. One day we will be with our precious boy again! Oh boy, do we miss him! We know we will spend eternity together having a running , leaping, and praising God party all day long! Forever! I hope there will be twinkies!
Steve and Janni are truly believing God! Steve says the thing he is going to miss most is the empty arms and not being able to carry his son! They both are pleased and relieved that Kole is not limited but completely restored and with His true Father! Steve's mother puts it like this----Our children belong to God! He gives them to us as a blessing. We are to take care of them, but they are ultimately His. We need to be thankful that He gives them to us for any length of time.
He can ask for them back, and many times He does not ask for their earthly lives back so early! He does ask for us to raise our children for Him and give them to Him in a spiritual way. But, when He does call them home, He has a perfect plan! This was God's perfect plan for Kole. We believe it and trust it, even though we do not understand yet and do not see the whole picture yet! Until then, we get to know God in the "here and now" more and more. He is the only One who will never leave us or forsake us! We do not have to wait to know Him! There is never a parting with Our God. He follows us and is with us from conception into eternity and beyond. There is nothing like "the With of God" or like His presence! People pale in comparison.
He has wrapped Janni and Steve in His love and is pleased with them! They have believed Him, even at the risk of being wrong! In that, they were right! Believing God is the right way to live! We believe even though we cannot see all and know all, for we trust our God who sees all and knows all for us! We trust His Word and are not afraid to believe! We are afraid not to believe.
Death of King David's young son---2 Samuel 12:18-22
"On the seventh day the child died, David's servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, "While the child was still living, we spoke to David but he would not listen to us. How can we tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate." David noticed that his servants were whispering among themselves and he realized the child was dead. "Is the child dead ?" he asked.
"Yes", they replied, "he is dead"
Then David got up from the ground, After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped......His servants asked him, "Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!"
He answered, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought 'who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live'. But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me".
Kole's funeral is Friday at 11:00 A.M. at their large church called "The Chapel" in Sandusky, Ohio. There is a one hour visitation before hand at 10:00 A.M.
On Thursday (At the Chapel church) visitation will be (I believe) from 5:00-8:00. If I am wrong I will send an update!
Jodi
Have fun with Jesus, Kole! Your mommy and daddy glow their love for you! Your life has impacted us forever! God has imprinted His love, faith, and truth way down deep in our soul through your life!
posted by Kole's family @ 10:51 PM
34 comments
34 Comments:
Keller Family,
You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Lisa welker
To the Keller family,
You all are in our HToughts and prayers, If you need anything contact us.
Jodi and Jess Sehlmeyer
God be with the Keller family for he is good. Our thoughts and prayers are with you
We have prayed for your family through this difficult time and will continue to lift your family up in prayer! You have been an inspiration to many by remaining faithful. You guys are awesome! Can't wait to meet Kole some day. I feel like I know him already!
Your pain right now is probably beyond words; as a fellow parent I praise God that if there is going to be pain that you are the ones bearing that pain and your child is now freed from any pain.
We will be here with you, holding you up as you continue along your journey. We hope you will continue to share your journey with us so we can help in any way we can; we love you Keller family.
Words cannot express the sadness we feel for your loss of Kole. We are Tracie McVeigh's parents and she has kept us informed about Kole's journey. Even though we know that Kole is in a better place, your hearts will always feel a avoid. That void will only be filled when you are all united again in heaven. Our thoughts, love, and prayers are with all of you as you go through this most difficult time. Clarence & Sara Follmer
I cannot find the words to express my sorrow. The Keller family will continue to be in our prayers.
Dan Bordona
Keller Family,
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
From Sarah Jordan mother of Marissa Joy who is now playing with her new friend Kole in Heaven!
Dear Steve and Janni,
I am so very sorry to hear about Kole. He is truly in the arms of Jesus and running with strong legs with friends and family that have gone before him. I understand the sense of relief that comes after seeing your child suffer so much but the pain and hole left indescribable. I will keep you in my prayers.
Juli Dalene
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of Kole. The whole Keller family is in our thougths and prayers. Kole was blessed to be a son and grandson to such a loving family. May God be with you all through this time of need.
Kevin-Amy-Bayleigh Lower
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Thank you for sharing Kole with us. I have wonderful memories of him and how much fun we had during PT. He has taught me so much about life and living each day to its fullest. Thank you also for the video tape of PT. I will always have something to remember and will carry those memories with me.
Kristin
Dear Keller Family:
On March 23rd, I closed my eyes to sleep for the evening, but the night was spent in a revealing dream.
I did not share the dream with you previously, as I did not feel the time was right to do so.
I share it with you today, hoping that you find some peace and comfort in what was revealed to me. I am not asking you to substitute your belief's or what has perhaps already been revealed to you for mine, but I believe...what was revealed to me in the dream to be "true."
March 23, 2007
Kole was called home. He was reluctant to go, but God appeared to him accompanied by a young, beautiful woman. Kole knew God, and he went.
Kole arrived at a beautiful, grassy meadow. Sunlit yellow flowers were scattered among the tall grass. As Kole stood in the meadow, he ran his hands along the top of the "silky" blades of grass.
Kole skipped through the meadow. As he skipped, he was quite proud of his "long" strides. He wished that his father could see him.
In the meadow, Kole came upon a pond, a crystal clear pond. Kole lay down on his tummy and kicked his feet in the air. As he gazed into the pond, and the clear water reflected his face.
Kole saw his thinning face and body. As he looked as his reflection, he saw his body being restored. It was if in slow motion so Kole could take it all in. He watched as his face filled, his eyes brightened and watched wtih amazement as each hair on his head grew to it's perfect length. Kole was able to witness this tranformation and as each hair grew individually...Kole would touch them with his finger and laugh!
Just beyond the meadow rested a gate and for lack of better words - a "piece of heaven". The gate was simple and not elegant in any way. Actually, it was "off it's hinges". I questioned in my dream, how or why an obvious entry to a part of heaven would be in such disrepair. I was told that there was no need for the gate to work. Those who entered into this place, entered by choice. They were not "held" there.
Kole rose from where he lay on the water's edge and skipped to the gate's entrance. He could see beyond the opened gate. On the other side of the gate, there were children, many children.. The children were playing.
Kole was given a choice to enter. He was reluctant, not unwilling, but reluctant. He seemed to understand that once he entered, he may not want not return to his earthly home. He yearned to play with the children beyond the gate. They delighted in each other's company. They were all doing sommersaults. Kole wanted desperately to join them. He was however, still reluctant.
The beautiful young woman appeared again. Kole expressed to her his reluctance to enter beyond the gate. In the next moment, Jesus came to Kole and Kole was familiar with this Man before him. Kole spoke to Jesus and told him of his reluctance as well. Jesus told Kole that he could return to his parents, but that his body was not how he had seen it in the pond's water. Once past the gate, the restoration would come to pass. If Kole chose to return to his parents, he would have to return "as is".
Kole's concern was for his family. He asked Jesus if they would be okay. Jesus allowed Kole a look into the future and Kole saw his mother and father a few years from the present, and their hearts held happiness.
Kole's conversation with Jesus continued. Kole asked if he chose to enter past the gate, would he be able to return to "see" once in a while. Jesus told him that it would be permitted, but only at His discretion. Kole stated that if he would be entering "heaven" he wanted a very important job to do!!! Jesus told him that he would be given the most important job of all. His job would be to play! Jesus went on to tell him that he would play at this spot beyond the meadow, with his completely healed body until the day a loved one would come to meet him and then they would travel the remainder of the journey together. Kole was concerned about the length of time he would spend beyond the gate without a loved one. Jesus showed Kole that the time would be like "the blinking of an eye".
Kole asked again, if I enter, can I choose to go back? Jesus told him...you will not be held here against your will. This is your choice.
Knowing what Jesus had told him to be the truth, Kole passed through the gate. A host of heavenly angels began to sing and the children turned somersaults in delight...and Kole saw his relfection in the sunlight of an angels face. He was as God intended him to be, healed, whole and perfect.
And God said...You will see your child healed and retored. You will see him again, when you meet him in this place. You will see him as he is now and you will see him as he will be. You will not miss a second of his years, as they will be shown to you when you arrive, and when you enter the place in eternity I have prepared for you, you will enter together. Until that time, Kole plays here.
And I awoke....
I immediately went to Kole's bog, for I was certain that he had stayed with his Heavenly Father...to my suprise, he was still with us.
I believe that on March 23rd, Kole was taken on a journey. He saw and was given a choice. He chose to return to his family for a brief period, but knowing what God had shown him, his time here was to be short.
On Monday night, Kole made the choice to enter the heavenly place knowing that he would receive God's promise, the promise that his parents wanted for him...after all "in the blinking of an eye"...he would be reunited with his family...and together they would live in eternity....until then....he was given THE most important job that a child can be given in heaven....he would play!!!!!!!!
Dear Kellers,
As you know, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord! It is a praise that Kole is with the Lord but the earthly sadness and loss is difficult I am sure. Thank you for sharing this journey and I hope you will continue to share your faith and wisdom. You have been wonderful servants of God!!
Love in Christ,
Brenda Lucius
Once you take time to care for yourselves, please continue to share your faith and your journey with us!
Our deepest sympathy is extended to you and those who loved Kole at this time.
To the Keller Family,
Please know that you are in so many peoples hearts and prayers. Your strength and your AWESOME Faith has not only helped Kole when he was on this earth but has inspired many who have prayed for your family. I am so thankful that Kole was able to see his baby brother before he went to be with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I know you will always have great memories to share with Judah and Jaelle, so they will have a glimpse of how strong and courageous their big brother was, and how God showed all of us how GREAT HE IS.
Janni & Steve,
I pray you have a sense of peace and feel the overwhelming LOVE of everyone who has been praying for you. God is faithful and His Love Endures forever. I pray Lord please lift up the Keller Family and through them show all that do not know you, how Great You Are. I pray that because of Janni and Steve's faith that others come to know you and have a personal relationship with you Lord. That you Lord sent your only son Jesus to die for our sins.
Amen.
In Christ's Love
Nicole Laughlin
Your family is in our prayers at this difficult time.
To all the Kellers and Sprungers,
We will continue to pray for you. It is difficult to know what to say. We were all praying that Kole would be allowed to remain for many years. We'll probably never know why He had to be taken so young, but we are thankful he was in a family that passed their faith on to him. May God give you a peace that passes all understanding as you work your way through the pain and grief. Thank you for sharing the journey with us. We came to love Kole too, and look forward to seeing him again.
Love, Jim and Gladys
To the person who shared her dream: Thank you! Gladys
Steve and Janni,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I've had you all in my prayers for such a long time and will continue. Can't wait till one day when we all meet up in Heaven
Coach Leber
Steve and Janni-
We will continue to pray for you for years to come.
Toby and Jill Gibson
Janni, Steve, Jodi, Janice and Phil,
You are all in our thoughts and prayers!!! We will continue to pray for the entire family in this time of sorrow. GOD has the ultimate plan for all of us. Sometimes, it is a very difficult plan to follow! The boys and I have " extra special prayers" every night. We take turns with this prayer. Last night, our son Dakota, who is 8, prayed for Kole, not yet knowing he had been called home. This morning, I was telling our oldest son Austin, Kole had passed away. He was asking why so young? I told him GOD needed Kole, and even though he was only six it was his time to be with the LORD. We will all get that chance!! Untill then, we live each day trying to do our best. You are all a wonderful and spiritial family. I have prayed that GOD place his Hands around you! I know He will comfort you. It is wonderful to see so many caring words and comments in Kole's Blog. People all over have been touched by Kole's strong will and the faithfullness he and his family share. My family, gives your entire family a GIANT HUG!! GOD BLESS YOU!!
The Bricker Family (Tracie, Chris, Austin & Dakota)
My sincerest condolences to you and your family. I can only imagine that losing a child must be the most difficult, but you as parents, have handled Kole's journey with utmost hope and inspiration. I admire you both. As you journey through life on earth without Kole and now with baby Jude, may you find the peace God has bestowed upon you.
Much love...Angie Pitre
Okay, I am going to ask the hard question...
How do you reconcile this???
How do faithful believers who ask believing in Christ for a miracle, not get it???
If any family deserved the complete healing of their son, this family did.
What happened???
Someone please tell me???
The Keller Family,
Our hearts are filled with sadness. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We wish we had words that could ease your pain. We hope in time that your memories will turn tears to smiles. Kole was very lucky to be a part of such a wonderful family.
Our Sympathy
Paul, Kim, Brad,
Kyle And Kay
Elfring
Janni, Steve, & families,
You will all continue to be in our prayers daily. God will get you through this most difficult time, and Kole will be right there by His side as He comforts you! Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help you. Love, the Wasiniak's (Burch's/Spettles)
To the Keller Family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers. My wife and I have a terminally ill child, and hate to hear that any child and their family has to go through this.
Tim Halko
To the Keller family and the Halko's...
We pray for all of you ....
I too, lost a family member - at age 6 - she was diagnosed with cancer.
My heart goes out to the Halco's and their child..to the Keller's and their family.
To those of us whose children are healthy...love them and cherish them.
The Keller Family~
You are in our thoughts and prayers. What a journey you all have traveled.
Jeff, Jaime (Koogler), Logan, and Faith Combs
Steve and Janni. No words can ever tell you how sorry I'm for you loss. Kole was such a wonderful little boy. From the first time you brought him to the church. To know that he is walking with Jesus and in no more pain or suffering. What a blessing he has been to know. I will continue to pray for your family. You have been such a inspiration to me. Such faith through all the pain.
I am so sorry for your lose, I hope that knowing Kole is in Heaven now can help heal your pain. He is most definatley in a better, happier, and more peacful place now.
Steve and Janni,
I feel blessed to have known Kole and your family. I have such wonderful memories of him and will certainly never forget him. My family will continue to keep you in our prayers!
Amanda Coffey, OT
Steve and Janni,
Our hearts and prayers go out to you. Kole will be forever missed and forever loved.
God gives us the gift of life(and what a gift it is) and what we do with that life is our gift back to God. You have given so many of us a wonderful gift of faith, courage and love.
God's Blessings and Prayers,
Karen Chaffin
To the Keller Family,
I am so sorry for your loss of your dear child! I could only imagine the pain you are all dealing with right now and want you all to know you are in my thoughts and prayers. He is with the lord now and no longer suffering. You will have your own angel to watch over you now. I am deeply saddened by your loss and praise your little man for the strength he had to go on as long as he did. Many people would've given up. Be proud of your son for as strong as he is and you will soon be together. God bless you all and just have faith.
My heart goes out to you all on the loss of your son. You all have been in my prayers for a long time and, yes, God knows best but it is very difficult for us mortals to understand why such a beautiful boy would be called back to Him.
Sincerely,
Kathy
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