When Tony and Mary Beth told me that they were planning to do another Tommy’s Nite Out, I didn’t think anyone would want to do this again. It takes so much work and effort, and really people want to do this for us again? Not only did they have the first meeting, but the committee members actually showed up, and were excited about working together on another event. Upon reflection, this really is not about us. However, we are incredibly blessed to be the receiver of the Holy Spirit’s outpouring through you. It was evident at the first Tommy’s Nite Out, it went way beyond helping a family in need. The feeling was palpable and contagious. So, we want you to know that on those days when we feel overwhelmed with the changes in our life, it is your prayers and your support that keeps us lifted up. You have taught me so much about the value of giving, giving from the heart, a caring word or card, and certainly your prayers. Thank you for allowing us to share our life with you.
Robyn
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
the last 10 months
As you can see, my plan of updating everyone on a weekly basis or even a monthly basis was unfulfilled. I’m sorry for the lack of communication; it has been an eventful 10 months. I have had multiple hospital stays, surgeries and various medical issues which have slowed me down but I have continued to work at the office many days, spoken at an 8-5 workmatters (a work/faith organization based in Northwest Arkansas) event, gone bowling, spent a few weekends at the Savier’s cabin on the Little Red River. Robyn and I sent Ross to TCU for his freshman year of college and enjoyed a weekend along with some close friends on our annual camping trip (with me in a cabin).
We have had a few small hurdles to overcome, but together we continue to move forward with God’s grace and direction. Thank you again for all of your thoughts and prayers….I couldn’t do it without you.
"Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe." Mark 11:24
We have had a few small hurdles to overcome, but together we continue to move forward with God’s grace and direction. Thank you again for all of your thoughts and prayers….I couldn’t do it without you.
"Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe." Mark 11:24
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Tommy taking over the blog! :)
After several months of getting acclimated to being at home and back to work, I realized that its been several months since we have updated all of our friends on my current situation. I want to thank Trey and Jill Hollis for managing this blog over the past year. It is my plan to continue to update the blog with the "typing assistance" of my family, friends and caregivers. My intention is to update this blog on a weekly basis in hopes of continuing what I have been told has become a ministry of hope and encouragement.
First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for all of your notes, emails, texts, etc... You have lifted my spirits beyond imagination over the past year. While I have had the pleasure of visiting with many of you, I realize there are friends that I have not been able to re-connect with since my injury. For those of you that I have not been able to see, I wanted to give you an idea of my current condition. This wheel chair has become an extension of my life and I am very thankful for all that it enables me to do with my family, coworkers and friends. I feel great, and other than my obvious limitations, my spirits and day to day health are back to normal (as much as I was ever normal!). Posted above is a recent picture of me. I look forward to more contact with all of you as I continue on this journey of healing and rehabilitation.
Many thanks and may God bless you!
Tommy
Monday, November 9, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
A Message of Appreciation from the Van Zandt Family Trust
There is no adequate way to thank all of you who gave of yourselves, your time, your money, and your love to our family that has needed help so badly. But…thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Your contributions to the trust over these months, and including most recently the fabulous Tommy’s Nite Out event in Fayetteville, have literally been “manna from heaven” to Tommy, Robyn, Ross and Jack.
We are encouraged and over-whelmed with thankfulness to God and to all of you.
Your generosity is overwhelming, and the family will never forget what you have done for us. Tommy wants everyone to know that he is starting back to work part-time already, and that he is determined to build up income and add value once again to the Sage Partners team at the office.
The contributions to the Family Trust are enough at this time to last for several months to pay family expenses, including nursing care for Tommy. It is my understanding that another “Tommy’s Nite Out Benefit” is being discussed for next year. This is awesome news for the family. Right now we are asking for your prayers for Tommy’s on-going recovery. Please pray also for strength for Robyn, Ross, and Jack. Finally, please pray for Tommy’s care-givers to love and nurture him in his recovery.
If you have not seen or talked with Tommy recently, his attitude continues to be amazing! He is so focused on the good that God has planned for his life and all that he has the privilege to touch. Keep your cards and emails coming. He and Robyn will continue to need and appreciate your encouragement.
Their contact information is:
Email – tvanzandt@sagepartners.us
Home address – 2044 Winchester Place, Fayetteville, AR 72701
Thank you and God bless you and your family,
Mark Saviers, Co-Trustee, Van Zandt Family Trust
"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
There is no adequate way to thank all of you who gave of yourselves, your time, your money, and your love to our family that has needed help so badly. But…thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Your contributions to the trust over these months, and including most recently the fabulous Tommy’s Nite Out event in Fayetteville, have literally been “manna from heaven” to Tommy, Robyn, Ross and Jack.
We are encouraged and over-whelmed with thankfulness to God and to all of you.
Your generosity is overwhelming, and the family will never forget what you have done for us. Tommy wants everyone to know that he is starting back to work part-time already, and that he is determined to build up income and add value once again to the Sage Partners team at the office.
The contributions to the Family Trust are enough at this time to last for several months to pay family expenses, including nursing care for Tommy. It is my understanding that another “Tommy’s Nite Out Benefit” is being discussed for next year. This is awesome news for the family. Right now we are asking for your prayers for Tommy’s on-going recovery. Please pray also for strength for Robyn, Ross, and Jack. Finally, please pray for Tommy’s care-givers to love and nurture him in his recovery.
If you have not seen or talked with Tommy recently, his attitude continues to be amazing! He is so focused on the good that God has planned for his life and all that he has the privilege to touch. Keep your cards and emails coming. He and Robyn will continue to need and appreciate your encouragement.
Their contact information is:
Email – tvanzandt@sagepartners.us
Home address – 2044 Winchester Place, Fayetteville, AR 72701
Thank you and God bless you and your family,
Mark Saviers, Co-Trustee, Van Zandt Family Trust
"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Words of reflection and thanks from Robyn...
I wanted to take this opportunity on behalf of our entire family to thank all of you for supporting us over the last 8 months. As you can imagine, our entire world has been turned upside down. In a matter of seconds my healthy husband was paralyzed from the neck down. Earth shaking, mind blowing, heart pumping, yet spiritually invigorating. There is no possible way I can explain my experience of the last eight months in a few short minutes, but it has been harder than and more blessed than you can possibly imagine. From the moment Tommy fell he began praying, the moment I got in the ambulance I began praying, when our neighbors saw the ambulance they began praying and the praying hasn’t stopped. It has not stopped and it is what sustains us to this day. Not only have your prayers sustained us, but your willingness to step forward and help us in very real and meaningful ways has been invaluable.
As most of you know, Tommy grew up in Arkansas and from the day I met him he did not stop bragging about Arkansas. Being from Mississippi, I thought what in the world is the big deal. But then I met his family and fell in love with them. Soon after I began meeting his Arkansas friends in Dallas. Great people. Then we began visiting Northwest Arkansas. I too fell in love with Arkansas’ beauty and the people. We made the big leap of faith and moved here in the summer of 2000. We have not looked back since. We still love our friends in Dallas, and thoroughly enjoy visiting, but Arkansas is home. This community has turned out tremendously for us during this difficult time. The spirit of love, friendship, concern and support is real and it sustains our hope for the future. We will never be able to properly thank you for the impact you have had on us. We just hope to pay it forward some day. I have always considered Tommy a gift and a special man. It occurred to me one day, he is not just meant for me and our family. A gift this good is meant to be shared. Thank you for sharing our lives with us. May God bless you as you have blessed us.
We love you and believe it or not this Longhorn is proud to say Go Hogs!!!!!
And a thank you for "Tommy's Nite Out"...
Tommy and I also want to thank everyone who worked so hard to make "Tommy's Nite Out" an overwhelming success. We are blown away by the generosity of people's time, talent and treasure. The Spirit was palpable at the gathering and we continue to be uplifted by the love of our friends and even of people who do not know us personally but who have reached out to us financially, and with their encouragement and prayers. This has been quite the journey so far with many ups and downs. Our Spirits hold steadfast in the belief that we will overcome this tragedy with hope and blessing. We ask that you continue to support us especially with your prayers as this has been called by many a marathon and not a sprint. Tommy and I continue to pray that anyone who has even read the blog or thought a kind thought towards us let alone reached out to us will be blessed. We would also like to specifically thank Neal and Gina Pendergraft for opening their home for the event, to Tony and Mary Beth Sherman for presenting the idea and then making it happen through their tireless and passionate work, to the steering committee for persevering from a loose band of friends to a dynamite event organizing team, to all of you who volunteered countless hours of your time to make the party so fun and successful and to all of those who came out on that cold night to celebrate friendship and life. We truly wish we could personally thank you, but we hope this will suffice for now and maybe some day we can thank you personally for making a real difference in our lives.
Love to all and God Bless You,
Tommy, Robyn, Ross and Jack Van Zandt
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
I wanted to take this opportunity on behalf of our entire family to thank all of you for supporting us over the last 8 months. As you can imagine, our entire world has been turned upside down. In a matter of seconds my healthy husband was paralyzed from the neck down. Earth shaking, mind blowing, heart pumping, yet spiritually invigorating. There is no possible way I can explain my experience of the last eight months in a few short minutes, but it has been harder than and more blessed than you can possibly imagine. From the moment Tommy fell he began praying, the moment I got in the ambulance I began praying, when our neighbors saw the ambulance they began praying and the praying hasn’t stopped. It has not stopped and it is what sustains us to this day. Not only have your prayers sustained us, but your willingness to step forward and help us in very real and meaningful ways has been invaluable.
As most of you know, Tommy grew up in Arkansas and from the day I met him he did not stop bragging about Arkansas. Being from Mississippi, I thought what in the world is the big deal. But then I met his family and fell in love with them. Soon after I began meeting his Arkansas friends in Dallas. Great people. Then we began visiting Northwest Arkansas. I too fell in love with Arkansas’ beauty and the people. We made the big leap of faith and moved here in the summer of 2000. We have not looked back since. We still love our friends in Dallas, and thoroughly enjoy visiting, but Arkansas is home. This community has turned out tremendously for us during this difficult time. The spirit of love, friendship, concern and support is real and it sustains our hope for the future. We will never be able to properly thank you for the impact you have had on us. We just hope to pay it forward some day. I have always considered Tommy a gift and a special man. It occurred to me one day, he is not just meant for me and our family. A gift this good is meant to be shared. Thank you for sharing our lives with us. May God bless you as you have blessed us.
We love you and believe it or not this Longhorn is proud to say Go Hogs!!!!!
And a thank you for "Tommy's Nite Out"...
Tommy and I also want to thank everyone who worked so hard to make "Tommy's Nite Out" an overwhelming success. We are blown away by the generosity of people's time, talent and treasure. The Spirit was palpable at the gathering and we continue to be uplifted by the love of our friends and even of people who do not know us personally but who have reached out to us financially, and with their encouragement and prayers. This has been quite the journey so far with many ups and downs. Our Spirits hold steadfast in the belief that we will overcome this tragedy with hope and blessing. We ask that you continue to support us especially with your prayers as this has been called by many a marathon and not a sprint. Tommy and I continue to pray that anyone who has even read the blog or thought a kind thought towards us let alone reached out to us will be blessed. We would also like to specifically thank Neal and Gina Pendergraft for opening their home for the event, to Tony and Mary Beth Sherman for presenting the idea and then making it happen through their tireless and passionate work, to the steering committee for persevering from a loose band of friends to a dynamite event organizing team, to all of you who volunteered countless hours of your time to make the party so fun and successful and to all of those who came out on that cold night to celebrate friendship and life. We truly wish we could personally thank you, but we hope this will suffice for now and maybe some day we can thank you personally for making a real difference in our lives.
Love to all and God Bless You,
Tommy, Robyn, Ross and Jack Van Zandt
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Good News! Tommy made a trip to his office yesterday. T.J. shared, “Tommy came to work today for the first time, it was awesome! He wheeled in on his own and we talked for almost 2 hours about office stuff and deals. He got to go back in his office too!”
Praise God, because in the midst of difficulty, He is so good to bring encouragement and hope!
"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." Jeremiah 29:11
Praise God, because in the midst of difficulty, He is so good to bring encouragement and hope!
"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." Jeremiah 29:11
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
