Dear friends and prayer warriors-

Last evening, our sweet angel Stephanie Krider Vest returned home to be with the Lord. She fought a long and courageous battle. Our hearts are heavy with sadness, but we rejoice that she is no longer suffering.

We will keep you posted with pending arrangements.

Eric is currently on the way home from Rochester. We ask that you respect this grieving period, and give him space and time to process these events. The children do not yet know the news - Eric wants to be with them when they find out.  Again, the family asks that you please give Eric "elbow room" during the next week, as he returns to Kansas City.

As always, thank you for your love and support.

Comments

[Janel]

I am so sorry for your loss. I will be praying for comfort during this very sad time.

[Wendel fam.]

Eric,
My heart just breaks for you today. Please know that even though I don't know you, I weep with you. I am so very sorry. Your journey on here has touched me so much. May Jesus comfort you at this time as only He can.

[Christine Foster]

Eric, our deepest sympathy and prayers go out to you and your children. Stephanie was truly a light of the Lord, and was an inspiration to so many of us. May God give you peace and strength. Your beautiful wife has changed so many lives!

[Sarah Putney]

I only came across Stephanies story yesterday. I cant even express how sorry I am for the loss of Stephanie. Even though I came to know of her yesterday, my heart is broken for both you Eric and your kids. I am so truly sorry.

[Rachel Dominuguez]

My thoughts and prayers are with you Eric and your children during this difficult time. I'm so so sorry for your loss and if there is anything I can do...I'm just a couple blocks away!

[Matt Ferguson]

Not too long ago Stephanie asked us to sing. So here's one of my favorites for Stephanie by Ben Harper...

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1pmf1_ben-harperin-the-lords-arms-carnac9_music

In the Lord's Arms
("she" for "he") - Ben Harper

Like the wings stolen from an angel
Like the petals gone from a rose
Like a dove caught in a storm

Tonight she is in the Lord's Arms

The wind it blew straight through us
And whispered to me in tongues
I was told, I was warned

Tonight she would be in the Lord's Arms
Tonight she is in the Lord's Arms

Now I drink this wine to her
With each glass a memory
She left me with her crown of thorns
Tonight she is in the Lord's Arms

Tonight she is in the Lord's Arms
Tonight she is in the Lord's Arms
Tonight she is in the Lord's Arms

Eric,
Tonight you are in the Lord's Arms

Your Cousin, Brother, and Best Friend,
Matt

[carena weih]

Eric,
I am sad beyond words for you and your beautiful children. Stephanie has taught me so many lessons-she will be forever in my heart.
All of my love and deepest sympathy,
Carena

[Jeremy]

John 16:33 - "I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world." There's no suffering Christ hasn't suffered. God's will is far beyond my understanding. Don't loose faith.

[Paulette]

Eric and children,
I am so very sorry for the loss of your wife, best friend and Mommy. I cannot even imagine what you are dealing with so I will just say how sorry I am to you and your family.
I have been coming here since Stephanie was admitted and I have prayed many prayers on her behalf, even when I did not comment. I am saddened deeply for you today and please know you are not alone, I will continue to pray for you and your precious babies.
Blessings

[leann]

Stephanie has touched the lives of people she didn't even know, including mine. Praise God that she is no longer suffering! You are all in my thoughts and prayers during this time. God bless.

[Tanya (Taggart)-Hubbard]

Eric,
I have known Stephanie since high school, and although I never got to meet you or your beautiful children I can tell you were a perfect fit for her. She has always been a wonderful, beautiful person! I cannot picture a memory in my mind when she wasn't smiling or laughing! I am very sorry for your loss and May God bless you and your children when you share the news with them and as you begin the grieving/healing process. You will be in our prayers.

[Megan Hickey]

My thoughts and prayers are with you Eric and your three beautiful children. Continued prayers for you and your family will be coming from St Louis.

[Angie]

Stephanie has touched us all through her beautiful life and her death. Her example will make so many of us better mothers, wives and friends! Bless you Vest family and know that you are in our prayers!

[Heather Flood]

Eric, I am so thankful to you and your family for sharing Stephanie's fight with all of us. You and the kids will be in my prayers for a very long time to come. You are truly an amazing husband and father and warrior in Christ. I can't wait to meet her in Heaven some day!
In Christ's love!!

[Laura Mentgen]

I don't know what to say, except thank you for sharing your story! You and Steph have changed my life. I feel for you so much and can't even imagine the pain you must be feeling. You are such a wonderful husband and the love you have for Steph just radiates from every word you have written. If there is ever anything I can do for you, and I do mean this please call me.

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, "Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God's handwriting-a wayside sacrament." Eric, Stephanie is the embodiment of beautiful. Her spirit, soul, heart, love, body and everything she touched became beauty! Her beauty will live on in God's world through you and the kids, all the family and every person's heart she touched. I am so glad that she touched my heart and I will never forget her. Every time I see something beautiful I will think of Stephanie. I am sad I did not meet her in this life, but I know I will when I go home and we will all be wearing pink and zebra print, with blingy beautiful accessories, with exquisite chandeliers hanging above our heads. God BLess you and all of your family,
Laura

[Heather Buckner]

I know that there are no words to ease your loss, but just want for you to know that your beautiful Stephanie has touched my life so very deeply. Your faith has been so amazingly powerful to witness. I pray that you feel our heavenly father's arms around you in comfort and know that there are warriors everywhere still praying for your family.

[TGES]

Last evening on my drive home, a miracle did occur. Lee's Summit was blanketed in pink clouds!!

My prayers are with the family during this difficult time.

[Amy Hurley]

Eric,
I'll be going to church today and praying for you, Stephanie, and the kids. She fought like no other person I have known. She is truly an inspiration and we will always remember Stephanie and her grace when our own time is coming. AMY Hurley

[Rachel Breen & Michael Breen]

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all..Stephanie was a beautiful person both inside and out...We feel so blessed to have known her.... I shared her story yesterday with all her BUNCO friends from Bethlehem....they all remembered her with such love and admiration

[Bridget Reber]

I never knew Stephanie but prayed for her and followed all the miracles that she encountered. I am so sorry for Eric, family and all that were blessed by her presence. Stephanie is probably up there working on her new pink laundry room as we speak. God bless you!

[David Lea]

My friend, Eric...I love you! I am so sorry...and yet I rejoice at the thought that I got to share a slice of Stephanie's life...what an amazing woman and inspiration to us all.

You have my undying support and love my friend...whatever you need, whenever you need...

[Adriana H.]

I am so very sorry.
I'll be praying for the family.

[Amy in Kansas]

My heart breaks for you and your family. I am at a loss for words but know that you are all being thought of and prayed for daily by so many people who did not even know your family. Stephanie has made such an impact on so many lives and has made so many more better wives, husbands, mommy's, daddy's, sisters and brothers. I will keep you and your little ones in my prayers! May you see Stephanie through the eyes of your little ones.

[Jeanne Fisher]

Eric & Family,

Please know that you and your family are in my prayers and have been for the journey. I wish I could absorb some of the pain for you.....continue to be strong and have the faith that you and Stephanie shared.

[The Waite Family]

Words cannot even begin to express how very sorry we are. We are sad beyond belief. Please let us know if there is absolutely anything we can do for you and your family, Eric. We love you.
The Waites