Dear Family,

"For we KNOW that if the earthly tent which is our house is
torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made
with hands, eternal in the heavens." - II Corinthians 5:1

This morning (Monday, August 28th) at about 1:30 AM, Skylar
left behind his old, worn out, torn down earthly tent and
entered the substantial and permanent dwelling, lovingly
prepared for him without hands by God Himself, in the heavens.

"For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with
our dwelling from heaven;" v. 2

We rejoice in knowing that Skylar's groaning is OVER, praise
and glory be to our gracious God!

"Now He Who prepared us for this very purpose is God" v. 5

Father, we thank you for preparing Skylar for this very purpose
and we thank you that you have completed the days of his suffering.

Family, we are thankful to God that we were able to be there
with Skylar and the rest of the family during the last hours of
his mortal life. We visited Jeff today in prison, and we were
able to deliver back to Skylar a gift of hugs and kisses from his
Daddy whom he loved and longed to see again. We also were able
to bring a message of love and comfort from Daddy to Skye.

Suzanne was at Skylar's side, as she has been throughout his
trials. Christopher, Skylar's big brother, was there. Also
present were Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Teri, and of course
we were there - Skylar's Nana and Papa and Uncle Chris.

We alternately sat or lay beside Skylar, stroking him and showering
him with kisses as we told him from our heart of our love for him
and the hope the Lord has given us for a wonderful future together.
Although he was unconscious, it was good to be there with him and
to offer words of reassurance and hope and love.

At about 11:30 PM, his breathing was becoming very raspy. For two
very trying hours we prayed fervently that the Lord would send His
angels to take Skylar home and away from this place of sorrow and
pain. I know that the Lord's idea of good timing and my idea of
good timing are two very different things; I also know that His
idea is precisely right, yet I continued to plead with Him.

Skylar has been such a fighter all along; he is the most courageous
boy I know, and he fought a good fight long after I would have
gladly given up.

At last, when I thought we could not stand it any longer, the Lord
relieved Skylar of his struggle and pain. Knowing that Skylar is
no longer suffering, but rather in the personal Presence of the
Lord, is a great comfort. We have entrusted Skylar to Him.

"For I know Whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is
able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day."
- II Timothy 1:12

Thank you for your love, your prayers, your care for us all during
this time of immeasurable pain. Your support as our loving family
of God has been inestimably helpful to us all.

With love,

Dann (for us all)