from Leigh Anne …
I wish that I could write each one of you personally, but as you can see, there are just too many of you. My kids and I are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from all over the world. We combed the e-cards and personal letters to place the stars. I’m sure this isn’t exhaustive. My favorite comment was from Jacob when he said, “Nathan, someone is praying for us in Singapore! That’s all the way around the world.” This journey that we are on seems unclear at times and I find that I really only have enough strength /courage for one step at a time. I’m thankful when the end of the day comes and I realize that yet again God has sustained me.
Hearing from “old” friends has been encouraging.I have also made a few new ones. God’s mercy to me right now is that the kids are doing remarkably well. They are excited about Christmas and being out of school.
This verse has brought me much comfort:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13
In Christ,
Leigh Anne
December 27th, 2006 at 1:20 pm
i love you, leigh anne! what an amazing thing to do… and what an incredible demonstration of the body of Christ joining together in love.
i hope you had a merry christmas with the kids, and i’m praying for blessings and miracles for you and the kids in the New Year.
take care, and hold onto hope
love
~m
December 27th, 2006 at 2:29 pm
How funny…that’s just the verse I’ve been praying for you! God is awesome! with love and continued prayers from Monument, CO (friends of the Ferguson’s), Holly and Chris Smith
December 27th, 2006 at 2:35 pm
Leigh Anne,
Just so you know their are Missionaries in Indonesia praying for your family. Merry Christmas.
Christopher Schaum
December 27th, 2006 at 3:34 pm
Leigh Anne, I took a little while to read all the comments on the website. I was sincerely moved by all that was said about you and Dustin. You and he have truly made a great impact on this world and in the lives of so many people. It is truly amazing to realize how much each life affects so many others, even those that they will never meet. I noticed that one of the people who had posted a comment was a federal judge in Birmingham who had a son who attended Furham, I believe. It truly is a small world. I also listened to Dustin’s sermon on Providence. It was wonderful. What an amazing God we serve! You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Shana
December 27th, 2006 at 3:34 pm
Merry Christmas Salter Family!!!
I pray every day that you will see improvements in Dustin and be encouraged.
May God hold you all very close to Him….
Leigh Anne, what a great example of faith you are setting for your children -and all of us who visit this site daily.
With love,
Jamie Corona
Marietta, GA
December 27th, 2006 at 4:40 pm
Hi, Leigh Anne!
From Upper Darby, Pa., all I can say is WOW!!! I honestly thought from reading this blog, that most of your responses were from the south and southwest, iow, the places you’d lived. Nice to know that the Sun Belt didn’t have a monopoly on prayers for you and your beautiful family. When I checked this, I wondered why I had to scroll down two maps before I reached any text. Again–WOW!!! I’m trying to maximize it on the screen, to see more detail.
It’s like throwing a pebble into the ocean. No telling how much it will ripple. Dustin certainly has.
Thank God for children. They certainly keep your feet on the ground and give you a reason to get up in the morning when you’d otherwise lie in bed and brood. I think it was C.S. Lewis who said that the birth of every child is God’s way of saying that He wants the world to continue.
Wish I could know Dustin personally. He must be quite a guy to have had an impact all the way to *Singapore*! How priveleged are they who have known him!
Love, Fran Froelich
December 27th, 2006 at 5:47 pm
Dear Leigh Anne,
What a wonderful way to show Jacob, Nathan, Meredith and all of us how the Body of Christ is united in prayer on behalf of the Salters. I know your first thought was to encourage the kids, but you’ve encouraged me as well, Leigh Anne. Thank you!! We continue to pray for peace, endurance, patience, and comfort for you and the kids. I’m so glad they are enjoying their time off with you at Christmas, and that you know at the end of the day, that the Lord has carried you through to a time of rest and will strengthen you again for tomorrow’s challenges. And I know that He is with Dustin, and so we always ask for his healing and restoration. We’re waiting and praying for and with you everyday so that …”according to the riches of his glory, he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in you hearts through faith-that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Eph.3:16-19.
Love to the Salters,
Tony and Cindy
December 28th, 2006 at 11:00 am
Leigh Anne, the other day I was praying for you, Dustin, and the kids and for some reason the Lord just led me to type Dustin’s name into Google. Mitzi walked up behind me as tears were streaming down my face. The Body of Christ around the world truly is coming together for you. It’s been a while since I wrote — just wanted you to know we are still out here praying.
Love to all,
Richie Davis
December 28th, 2006 at 3:17 pm
Leigh Anne,
I was an RUF minister in Asheville, NC for a couple of years and spent some time with Dustin during some staff trainings. I didn’t know him well, but always appreciated and admired his warmth and his affection for God and for the people around him. We wanted you to know that we and many of the saints here in Lakeland, FL are praying for y’all.
Blessings in Christ,
John Larson
December 28th, 2006 at 5:29 pm
You can add a pin to Boise, Idaho.
We’re remembering you in prayer as well.
December 28th, 2006 at 6:53 pm
I am a camper @ Camp Greystone & I have noticed Dustin’s name on the camp’s website, requesting that people pray for him. Although I do not know you, I am praying for you and I believe God led me to discover his name on the website.
December 28th, 2006 at 6:54 pm
also, you can add a pin to Hickory, NC
December 28th, 2006 at 7:07 pm
Leigh Anne,
What a testimony. You are an incredible mother. I know that God’s grace is upholding the kids but it is also a testimony to what a wonderful mother you are. I will pray your special verse for you.
In Him,
Amy
December 28th, 2006 at 7:09 pm
Wait a minute Leigh Anne! I don’t see a pin in Americus Georgia. I think it’s on the map… could be too small. But make sure you put a big pin there!
December 28th, 2006 at 8:58 pm
that is beautiful, leigh anne…
love, casey and colton
December 28th, 2006 at 9:55 pm
My best friend from college, Lauren Pefferle (Walkup), and her husband, Jeff, are in Dumaguete City, Philippines. They are praying for you, too! Make sure to put a pin there. What a BEAUTIFUL way to demonstrate the joy in being a part of the Body of Christ. Our love and prayers are with you daily.
Love, Grace and Kent Mitchell (Ellis)
December 29th, 2006 at 11:23 am
Dear Leigh Anne -
God brought you all to my mind today - it’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve checked updates. My heart aches for you.
I’m sure the holidays were tough. As a Czech pastor-friend of mine once said, sometimes life is “sweet and sour.” No doubt you’ve encountered some of that yourself. I know firsthand how hard it is to understand the ways of God. This Christmas wasn’t ideal for our family either - my husband and I mourned the loss of our first child this Christmas, instead of holding a beautiful 3-month old bundle. Somehow, in all His mysteries, He gets you through.
I’m praying that you will feel God’s arms enfold you - you are not alone. I know you don’t feel that way sometimes…that’s okay too.
Praying for His Peace -
S
December 29th, 2006 at 1:33 pm
Me again. Along with the range of support you’re getting from literally the world over, this is the best possible geography lesson your kids could have! It’s hard to tell from the map, since I couldn’t enlarge this, but just how many countries are represented?
What a teaching moment in more ways than one!
Can anyone who has been able to enlarge help me out? Inquiring minds want to know!
Cheers!
Love, Fran
December 29th, 2006 at 4:15 pm
Salter Family,
The Eells family is thinking of you and praying for you. Let me know if there is any other way I can help:do a load of laundry:) or take the kids. Even though we don’t really know one another I feel a connection to you since we both moved to Greenville at the same time and have sons with the same name. Silly, yes?
Pslam 68:19 “Praise the Lord;praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms.”
Your family in Christ,
Jill Eells
December 29th, 2006 at 6:05 pm
You can add Gig Harbor, Washington to your list…we are praying for your family nearly every day. We heard about your situation through our church’s prayer chain and Wednesday night prayer meeting, so you can add Tacoma, WA to your list, too, for no doubt many of Faith Presbyterian’s members other than ourselves are also praying.
Our boys are 7 and 6, and we have girls aged 4 and 2. Being such similar ages to your kids, they feel a special kinship for them and are lifting them up in prayer. They wanted you all to be sure to know that prayers are coming to you from Washington state! We will not stop petitioning our Mighty God.
love from the Tamminga family
December 30th, 2006 at 11:28 pm
Leigh Anne,
I pray that this does not bring you pain. The other night, I dreamed that Dustin was awake and doing well, walking around, although still recovering. I wish I could one of the many prophets of the Bible interpret this dream! Regardless - it gave me hope and reminded me that the Lord is more powerful than we can imagine, and is capable of accomplishing more than we could ever…dream.
He did save us, after all. Glory to Him!
You and your family are lovingly in so many thoughts and prayers.
Stephanie Bertran
December 31st, 2006 at 5:50 pm
Leigh Anne,
Just wanted you to know that ya’ll are constantly in our thoughts and prayers. We missed you and the kids at Christmas. Hoping this New Year brings miracles. We love you all!!
December 31st, 2006 at 9:13 pm
LeighAnne,
We continue to pray for Dustin and for you and the kids. The other morning in the car on the way to school/work/sitter Ellie(3yo)said, “are we still praying for Mr. Dustin?” When I said yes, she said, “let’s pray right now, Mommy”….so in the car we prayed for Mr. Dustin. She has also asked if we will go to visit mr. Dustin when he gets better. I told her we most definitely would! Oh for the faith of a child!
Please know you are being lifted up and loved. Also, Martha Gamblin from APC in Arlington, TX says many there are praying for you as well.
Much love,
Amy and Steve
January 1st, 2007 at 1:23 pm
Hey Leigh Anne, put a star on Phenix City, Al b/c my husband and I are praying for you here along with our entire group of students at our church. We check for updates daily and pray that the Lord will be so evident to you and your kids and wrap his huge arms around you during this time!
January 1st, 2007 at 10:41 pm
Still praying in Charlottesville. Praying that this new year will be a year of restoration. God keep you close. GT
January 2nd, 2007 at 4:05 am
Hey Leigh Anne,
It’s 2:40 a.m., and you are on my heart. This past Sunday, I heard a former RUF pastor speak on providence. It made me think of you. I have been praying for you joy and peace, and believing for you that there is a plan and hope for you.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.
In times of dark providence in my own life, I hang my hat, heart, and hope on how faithful, sovereign, and loving God has been not just to me in past times, but to all generations. He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until Christ Jesus. You are an inspiration to us all. I too, have been blessed (but not surprised)by the prayers and comments concerning your family. I am praying for your rest tonight. love Sandi
January 2nd, 2007 at 6:49 pm
Just letting you know that we are still praying. I am praying for your endurance, strength, wisdom and peace in all the different areas and roles of your life.
January 3rd, 2007 at 2:54 am
Leigh Anne -
add a pin in Paris, France - Young Life staff there is praying for Dustin who had such a strong impact on my calling while at TCU to join this ministry! I will continue praying and be sure to lift Dustin up as YoungLife staff from all over gather in Colorado next week for training - dustin showed me how to do fantastic relationship driven ministry where every person he came in contact with felt loved and important - i am honored to try to carry on that gift through my ministry with high school kids.
January 3rd, 2007 at 6:53 am
Dear Leigh Anne-
God bless you for sharing this incredible blessing with all of us who surround you and your beautiful family with prayer and love. We are here, we continue to pray and we continue to be blessed by you and Dustin.
With love,
The Schaums
Hanover, PA
January 3rd, 2007 at 11:34 am
Dear Leigh Anne & children,
We are friends of the Shivers family. Patti told us about your husband’s accident just before she flew up to be with you. We have been praying for your family ever since. We will continue to do so.
David, Jayne, Anna, Katherine, Rebecca Henderson
Altamonte Springs, FL
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:14 pm
Add Noblesville Indiana (just north of Indianapolis) to your map. The Giddings family is continuing to pray for ya’ll. We are praying that God will give you what you need for each day and you will feel his presence with you. You may never know exactly why He has put ya’ll through this trial, but I know it is going to impact the rest of your lives. We are also praying for Dustin’s full recovery because all things are possible with God.
Just to let you know how we are connected. I was involved with RUF at Clemson Univ. when it first started. We were praying even then that RUF would be started on many other campuses which included Furman Univ. Thank you for the impact that you make on those students’ lives.
January 3rd, 2007 at 8:32 pm
Dear Leigh Anne,
You continue to be my hero in bodily flesh. How courageous of you to edify not only your children but the whole Body of Christ by your continued steadfastness and longsuffering. Besides the fact that God has placed Dustin and your family on all of hearts, the map is a perfect example of your precious heart.
May God abundantly bless you, Dustin and the children this year,
Love,
Cheryl Babington
January 3rd, 2007 at 11:09 pm
Thinking of you this night and praying that you abound in hope as you wait.
And for you, I hope: that you’ll get to watch “24.” It’s a small thing and has and I know you like the diversion. I remember how I watched it for the first (and nearly last) time with you and Dustin last spring.
Grace and peace,
Jacquelyn
January 4th, 2007 at 1:10 am
Hey Leigh Anne,
Minnesota is still praying. We think about you guys all the time!
Love,
Eric and Jenny Levenhagen
January 4th, 2007 at 6:33 am
Leigh,
Just wanted to add some more towns/cities to your map: Bogalusa, LA, New Orleans, LA, Lisman, AL, Columbia, SC, West Berlin, NJ, Mobile, AL, Macon, MS, Houston, MS, Batesville, MS, Waynesboro, MS, Memphis, TN, Seattle, Washington, Livingston, AL, Montgomery, AL, Meridian, MS, and especially right here at home. David and I are trying to pinpoint when he’ll have more than 1 day off in a row so that we can visit. We can stay with my sister Sherry if your house is full, which I’m sure it is. We love you, miss you, and Christmas was just not the same (really quiet-HA). We will continue to pray every day. Michael’s friends from college ask often about updates. Dawson wants Uncle Dustin better so that Christmas next year will be “twice as good” - he’s planning a huge celebration. You, yourself are a testimony of faith and a fine example of a Christian mother and wife. Keep God close and we’ll talk to you soon, Sis!!!
We love you, Kiss the “babies” for us,
Michelle and David
January 4th, 2007 at 10:22 am
Dear Leigh Anne, We are holding you all close in our hearts and praying for the miracle in Jesus’ name. Our prayer warriors in Lamplight are praying for you, in India, Africa, the Philippines and other parts of the world. We are all brought together in Christ Jesus through Dustin.
I am sending you our most recent book, RECEIVNG HEALING FROM THE LORD, and the Scripture cards and cassette that accompany it. You could have written it. You are living it. Having all of the verses together will, I trust, be a blessing.
We love you.
Your family in Christ Jesus,
Jack and Judy Hartman
January 4th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
Leigh Anne,
I love you and miss you. I just got into Colorado and am working on my RUF application - I can’t help but think of you and Dustin as I go through every question - the Lord used you greatly in my life
I love you… Hope you’re finding rest - tell the kids hi for me and tell Dustin there’s feet of snow on the ground in Colorado,
Lauren
January 5th, 2007 at 2:08 am
Leigh Anne,
Our entire congregation and others around the community in Chula Vista, California (on the U.S./Mexico border) have been praying for Dustin and your family. We will continue to do so. It’s clear that you all have touched many lives over the years with Christ’s love and are continuing to do so.
In Our Savior,
Russ Kapusinski
January 6th, 2007 at 7:28 am
Westminster in Johnson City, TN is praying for you, too.
January 6th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Dear Leigh Anne,
Please know how heartbroken we are to hear the news. We have been praying for Dustin and your family during the Sunday morning prayer for several weeks now. I know Dustin from the Presbytery, our Associate Pastor Patrick Poteet knows him as well, and several in our church knew him from FWPC. We all think the world of Dustin. May the Lord minister His grace to your hearts.
In Christ’s love,
John & Mindy McCracken
Trinity Presbyterian Church, Plano, TX
January 7th, 2007 at 1:03 am
Mrs. Salter, I graduated from Furman last year and attended RUF. I now teach with a group of Christian teachers in Wuxi, China and I want you to know that we have been praying and will continue to pray for you, your husband and your children.
January 8th, 2007 at 11:52 am
Hi LeAnn, I teach with a friend of yours, Jana. I know first hand the great impact that prayers can have even when the doctors are not so sure. My husband had a brain aneurism back in August and the doctors gave him almost no hope. Many, many people prayed for us and thankfully he is doing fine today, had a miraculous recovery as a matter of fact. I also held onto many scriptures for dear life. Mostly I prayed over Psalms 61. I read through the book of Psalms more than once for encouragement. My church and I, in Andalusia, Alabama, continue to pray for Dustin and your family. Hold fast to the Lord and He will sustain you. Love, Cindy Pettie
January 8th, 2007 at 11:00 pm
Leigh Anne-
I thought I would drop a note and let your kids know that there are more people on the otherside of the world praying for them. My Husband and I are stationed in Guam with the US AirForce. Our Family, as well as our small group bible study, have been praying daily for Dustin and your family since the accident. I pulled out one of our wedding photos that includes Dustin. It reminds us to continue to pray. Much Love, Teresa Sage
January 9th, 2007 at 11:08 pm
Dear Leigh Anne, Jacob, Nathan and Meredith,
It’s great to hear from you over this blog. So heartened that remember we are praying for you in Singapore! We will continue praying for you, and though I’ve only heard about your family’s prayer needs through Clay Daniel another RUF minister, praying and journeying with you reinforces the truth that we are one borderless body of Christ.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Much Love,
Lyndis, Singapore
March 21st, 2007 at 7:08 pm
Dear Leigh Anne, Jacob, Nathan and Meredith,
my wife and I just received the news from John Knorr (who works with RUF in Tulsa, OK, who I got to know when I was living in Tulsa) that Dustin went to be with the Lord. John included the link to this blog, as well as the link to Dustin’s last sermon on God’s providence, which is very encouraging - I was challenged by his words, “how do we respond to suffering?”
Just wanted to let you know that we are praying for you in this difficult time,
in His Precious Grace,
Lars (for the four Peschkes in Bogotá, Colombia - South-America)
December 13th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Кртуо!:) Но есть и минус ! У меня скорость инета 56 кбит в секунду. Страница грузилась около 30 секунд.