Every single time that a baby or child that we have loved enters their rest, it breaks our hearts. Last week we said goodbye to a little boy whose family has had a significant impact on our family and on how we continue to do ministry. Westin Dietz was a little fireball of energy – there was no stopping him! He had a will of iron, and most often used it to bend hearts around his little finger. He was all sunshine and showers, all the time, and quite often within moments! He knew how to stand his ground and make his feelings known, and in the very next breath express his deep love for those around him. Thanksgiving of 2008 found the Dietzes staying with us, and we so enjoyed that time of fellowship. It was then that Westin announced that he was “living with his brothers in the woods” (ie Sam and Izaiah) and the boys had an absolute blast with Mario Kart, trains, and especially the Wall-E toy that his mother diligently drove all over Memphis to locate.
Westin’s big sister Emma has been a dear friend of Bella’s for years – and Westin’s spirit surely lives on through Miss Emma. Equal amounts of sugar and spice, she never takes no for an answer when it involves her baby brother. She knew how to love him and protect him well, and also how to love on her parents and help them as they cared for Westin. She is wise beyond her years, and although we wish this road on no sibling, we know the Lord will use the time Emma and Westin spent loving each other mightily in her future.
Hailee and Alli are Westin’s older sisters, and the brilliant Alli wants to study medicine on behalf of her brother’s battle with cancer. She is a precious, beautiful girl that has a deeply compassionate heart. Hailee is equally bright and beautiful, but also shares her mother’s strong will and spirit. She loved Westin with abandon, and although angry at times over Westin’s disease, it never trumped her love and desire to protect Westin.
Paw-paw (Chuck) and MiMi (Betty) Miller are Julie’s mom and dad, and never have there been two more dedicated grandparents. Betty and Chuck were alongside Julie and Joel every step of the way with Westin, and did everything in their power to love and care for their children and grandchildren. As we drew close to the Dietz’s we grew equally close to Chuck and Betty – always admiring their ability to continue the parenting journey into adulthood, and yet respect Joel and Julie’s role within the life of the family. Chuck’s relationship with Christ is truly unparalleled; his love for God is infectious.
And Joel’s mom Jan Adams is equally precious, and well known as the family’s own Paula Deen. An amazing chef and a great need-meeter, she bustles around making sure everyone is fed and comfortable. Jan has raised her two boys, Joel and Brock, to be men who care deeply for their families and serve God fervently.
Westin’s mom Julie has relied fully on God’s grace for her life, and has prayed her heart out to Jesus over the past 4 years on behalf of Westin and her family. She encourages all of us by saying, “I have not changed my focus and I know that God answered our prayers just not in the manner in which we had hoped. I have heard people say that Westin is an angel now, but I don’t believe that way at all. You see angels can’t know the redemptive power of Jesus, but Westin knew Jesus. Westin knew Jesus as his personal savior and he loved him with all his heart. For that reason I don’t believe he is an angel……he is worshipping with the angels, but he is worshipping because he KNOWS who HE is and what HE has done for him. Jesus took his hand on Friday and led him into eternity………His ultimate gift to my son. I can say that I was there when he took his first breaths and stole my heart and I was there when he took his last breaths and entered into eternity. At that moment (as a friend reminded me) I was very close to Jesus!!! Though the loss is overwhelming and heart wrenching…..knowing that the Creator who gave him to me is the one who came to take him home-home gives me comfort.”
Joel and Julie, our hearts continue to break for the fact that we won’t see your sweet boy again till we reach heaven – but we grieve with you not as the world grieves, but as those who hope in God. We love you.
Recent Comments