Esther’s Mom

A couple of years ago I met a new friend through the blog world.
Her name:
Jenny Groothuis
Jenny had watched the video I had posted advocating for a
home for 
{do you remember Esther?
Many of you prayed for a family for Esther!}
and Jenny and her husband Brad wanted Esther to be their daughter!
Jenny and I emailed back and forth
and before long Esther was in their arms
forever.
The thing that was so profound about Jenny and Brad
opening their hearts and home to Esther
was that they already had 14 children!!
So many people were sympathetic to the need for a home
for fragile Esther, with all her severe medical needs,
but only one family pursued her and made her their own –
a family who already had 14 children!
After bringing Esther home, 
Jenny and I emailed from time to time,
both of us raising medically fragile little ones…
her Facebook updates often made me giggle
{so spunky},
her passionate love for the orphan
and her dedication to advocate for the weak and fatherless,
and
her love of the Almighty God of the Universe 
apparent through all she said….

and although I never met her in person,
I hoped for the day!
*****
Then this morning,
Emma sent me a text, 

“Call me as soon as you are up.”

I called her immediately and heard her say,
“Mom, I didn’t want you to find out on Facebook,
{choking back sobs} 
but Jenny Groothuis died yesterday.” 

Emma and I sobbed together for a long while…
Oh friends, how can we begin to understand
the sudden and tragic loss of a mom of 15?
Jenny’s legacy unmatched.
I have no words.
I know God knew ahead of time.
I know He loves each of their 15 treasures more 
than everyone put together.
I know He is completely faithful,
even when we can’t understand.
I know, too, that Brad and the entire family need 
our prayers, our love and our support.
I know that at times like this I long for heaven even more.

Hug your loved ones.

Tell them how much they mean to you.

Bless those around you.

Encourage all.

Advocate for the weak, vulnerable and fatherless.

And remember that we are all here 
for only a short time – 
make your days count!!

Jenny Groothuis did.

34 thoughts on “Esther’s Mom

  1. Oh oh oh, heartbreaking. Oh her poor babies. I am praying so hard right now that God wraps them up in comfort and displays to them tangible signs of His presence.

  2. I cannot even begin to imagine how much this dear mother, wife, friend, etc will be missed! So greatly missed…. no words can even begin to express my sympathy…

  3. This is utterly heartbreaking. Where is this family located? & What are their needs right now? I can barely wrap my mind around such a tragedy. 🙁

  4. I cannot imagine. Even though nothing takes our heavenly father by surprise he still weeps with us. Prayers for her family, her friends and those who feel the gap of her life in theirs.

  5. Oh my goodness I just came here to ask for prayer for this family. I am a part of a team of people teaching a class called REFIT they had met this dear family a few years back and became close. They sent out this info this morning…I was devastated. I kept thinking I know her and now I know why. I remember this story well. I am praying and told them the knee team would be praying as well. There are just no words.

  6. I just tried to send a comment and didn't seem to go through. I just came here to ask for prayer for this family. I am part of a group that teaches something called REFIT. They met this dear family a few years ago and became close. They sent this news this morning to us. I was devastated and told them I would get the knee team to pray. Then I kept thinking I know this lady and now I know why. I remember the Esther story well. No words, it is so very sad. I will be praying and our group is coming together to do something for this family.

  7. I loved Jenny so! She was a lovely, godly woman who showed us how to live – passionately, unselfishly, obediently, joyously! Grieving for her wonderful family, but trusting our good and wise Heavenly Father, who loves them more than we can imagine!

  8. I didn't know this precious woman. I saw the post on facebook through a mutual friend. I am heavily burdened to pray for her family and husband. May the God who sees all things, El Roi and knows our beginning from our end be every bit of comfort that is desperately needed right now and forever. Lord bless you all. – Julie

  9. I do not know Jenny. A friend of mine knows her from church. I am moved by her story. Thinking of you, your family and all of those impacted by the loss of this woman who I can only believe was wonderful, loving, caring, and sent from God.

  10. I was so saddened to hear about this mom of 15, but when I scrolled down to her picture it took my breath away! I followed her blog while she adopted Esther. It's heartbreaking as her words were so true, honest and life giving as she wrote about her journey. I lost my dearest friend 2 yrs ago as she gave birth to her eighth child. My heart still aches for her voice and wisdom. I try and love on her kids as much as I can. It hurts to see another family having to go thru this sadness. But I'm forever thankful for the saving grace and mercy of our God. And I will see her again someday! Praying!!

  11. Thank you for being such a friend to this family. Brad was a student of mine in high school, and we remain close to his wonderful parents and siblings these twenty-some years later. They have been on our minds all week. Our dear sister is with her Heavenly Father. "…you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father," (Romans 8:15b) but what heartache we bear while bound by earth.

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