(Update: On June 5, 2024 Lucy passed away and is in the arms of Jesus)
Click here for Day 1 , Day 3, Day 4, One Month Update
June 2
TDLR Version: If you don’t want to read the emotional ramblings of a guy who is working off 1 hour of sleep, Lucy’s prognosis hasn’t changed much. They removed the drain from her brain because the swelling was just too severe it rendered the drain useless. Our main battle is getting the swelling down to reduce brain tissue death, regulating vitals, and waiting. There was a few infinitesimal glimmers of hope with possible brain activity, but much has been explained away by spinal cord activity. It is hard to hope, but we know we’re not alone. We were visited by both our parents at 2am, both pastors and wives this afternoon, and Bethany’s brother and sister. Later Sunday night we had a scare where her heart rate spiked and we’re still keeping an eye on that. She’s being sedated now to help with tachycardia.
Long version: Last night we never slept. We dozed here and there holding each other in a hospital recliner. We knew what the morning brought. We needed to tell our other three children about the severity of the situation. Walking into the hospital room that the staff generously gave us were three little humans sleeping soundly. It hit us so hard at that moment that there were only three not four, and the incompleteness felt so profound as we watched them sleep. We broke the news as gently as we could, but that is a conversation you never want to have with a 4 year old, 8 year old, and 10 year old. Shiloh broke down immediately. She and Lucy are best friends being the middle girls. She couldn’t imagine sleeping alone in her room. AJ was slow to comprehend and just wanted to be held, then got into his typical 4 year old machine gun questioning style. Silas tried to hold it in as the tough guy, but then burst out crying “I don’t want to be a family of five”.
The pain this morning felt so deeply embodied. We woke up with chest pain. I felt grief grip my solar plexus as I groaned at her bedside. I truly felt like the Spirit was interceding for me changing my groaning to words before the throne of God. But my pitiful prayers were just one utterance among many thousands because today is Resurrection Day. The day the church of God gathers to corporately war against sin and the devil, and to proclaim that Jesus is not dead anymore but dealt death a death blow. We started today in such anguish, asking, “What about this ‘peace’ people talk about in suffering? Are we not spiritual enough? What in the world could peace be besides just the physical collapse that we feel?” But as Lucy’s story traveled among God’s people we noticed a shift in our hearts as well. Although the circumstances barely changed, we felt a bit of hope.
Hope is edgy. You have to open your heart to the possibility of something that’s often unachievable within your own power and control. You have to risk hoping that your will is aligned with God’s and faithfully ask for and hope for a desired result. Bethany often lovingly confronts me for my chronic hopelessness. Although I’m a pastor and counselor, on my best days I’m an honest realist, at worst I’m a hopeless skeptic.
It’s far easier to shut hope down than to be hurt in opening your heart (according to the enemy). However the gospel allows us, enables us, and calls us to hope. Our ultimate hope is the resurrection of Lucy’s body, but currently it is experienced in the grounding and embodied love of the church at large. As we stagger around in grief, we’re in the light being supported as we stagger. This has helped us more open handedly ask God for a miracle. Putting hope in brain and heart monitors is maddening. I see the squiggles on the back of my eyelids when I close my eyes. But at day’s end, after we finally got showers and I washed the beach sand and Lucy’s blood off of me I felt different. We have been bathed in your Christ-like love for us, and we were ready to go to war with all of you by raging against the darkness and not letting it overcome our fragile hearts by tapping into the Spirit’s strength we all share.
Thank you all for helping us hope. Thank you to our beautiful Green Pond church family and my co-laborers in the gospel who drove up here. Standing as one among millions is one of the many things helping us get through this calamity. 90% of the messages I get I have no idea who they are from. My first blog post has 50k hits, and no, that’s not normal for me because I’m not that cool! I will keep trying to update in the evening every day I can. Thank you all. You are amazing people used by God to bring comfort.
2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that as you share in the sufferings, so you will also share in the comfort.
New Creation Living 
Jesse –
This is Katie Andersen’s dad. My wife Susan and I are praying for precious Lucy, as well as for you and Bethany and your children, as are our other daughter, Jennifer, and her family. Your circumstances have also been passed on to our church’s eprayer ministry. Words fail me, but as you said, the Spirit is interceding on your behalf. May you sense our Savior’s presence with you moment by moment..
Fred Klock
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Jesse & Bethany
We are with you in steadfast prayer for your precious little Lucy.
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Jesse and Bethany, We are praying for complete healing for Lucy and for you to feel His presence as you walk through this trial. We love you!!
Melodee and Ray
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Jesse & Bethany,
I would be one of the 30k that you do not know. Yesterday’s post was shared by one of your family members living in Maryland asking for prayers. My family did, and will absolutely continue to do so.
We are also in the unfortunately unique position that we can empathize with ICU life a little too well. 6 months in the NICU and we almost lost our son more times that we could count. Came home expecting to be right back. Then about a year ago covid hit him hard, and we almost lost him again and spent 2 weeks in the PICU. Your sobering strength, perspective, and reliance on God is astounding. Im not in your situation, but I know what so much of it feels like, and such a perspective was one I constantly struggled with.
This moves me to tears, but I wanted to share and hopefully provide some glimmer of comfort. No parent ever anticipates being in the situation you are in currently. It is so hard. Lean on those around you, and try to take care of yourself enough to be able to care for your family. I pray God will strengthen you, hold you, lead you, and comfort you. I pray he will work a miracle in Lucy., and that he will provide the comfort only he can to your other 3 children.
If there is anything I can do, now or ever, let me know. The Pynes can reach me.
-Trenton
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I saw this blog by chance and my heart broke for you. As a child of God I’m standing with you in prayer for your beautiful Lucy that our Almightly God will hear and answer our cry for help; that He will heal and restore Lucy to you and that she will live to declare His goodness and that you will know His immense peace like never before.
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You don’t know me but I am praying for the miracle and for the gift of hope. Lord God comfort the whole family. – Wanda
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🙏🏻
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praying that through this you will feel the love and prayers of your many friends and God upholding you and guiding you. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers through out the day and when we wake at night. Praying 🙏
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Jesse and family, just praying, praying night and day. with heavy heart. No words but knowing God loves you all so much, knowing in Christ alone is our hope.
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Continued prayers from Pennsylvania. I am also sending this to a prayer tribe in California. Praying for peace beyond reason so you can open your heart to the possibility of something that’s may feel unachievable within your own power and control. I don’t know you personally but I genuinely care about you all and pray for Lucy’s healing and peace for the family. And immense comfort for her siblings.
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Praying that the will of our Almighty God, the miracle worker, will heal your little one.
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Thank you for sharing. Church of the Holy Spirit (Roanoke, VA) prayed for you Sunday, and I continue to pray.
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Praying for miraculous healing now for Lucy and supernatural peace for all of you. Lucy was prayed for at Cornerstone Church in Wyckoff NJ yesterday. Please know the Body is hurting and praying with and for you.
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You don’t know me, but a friend shared your post. I am praying for sweet Lucy, for her healing, and for all of your family. He is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine!
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I don’t know your beautiful family…I’m just a friend of a friend. But I DO know the “peace” people speak of during traumatic life events…..peace that was greatly increased by knowing that people all over the world…literally!….people who previously had never heard of us before, were praying for God to be with us and uphold us and to work his best will in and through us. I am praying this for you all right now through tears. 🙏🏻💔🙏🏻
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Dear Jesse, Bethany and your dear children. We don’t know each other but do know, you are in our hearts and we love you. We are weeping with you and praying for you and will continue to do so constantly. We know the Lord is with you!
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hi, I know your sweet mother Sue from MOPS. My heart is broken for your family and what you’re enduring. I’m praying for you all, multiple times a day. It’s my honor to stand in the gap as a fellow believer goes through heartache. We are covering you in prayer to our good Father.
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We are praying continuously for your family and Lucy. You have given eloquent expression to suffering worse than physical pain without meaning to. We know that the suffering Savior is interceding perfectly for you. Praying that you sense his presence.
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Jesse and Bethany,
Our hearts go out to you as we lift up Lucy and you all to our great God and loving Heavenly Father, asking for grace, mercy, peace, strength, and healing. Hugs to you all.
Lee & Linda Goddard
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My heart goes out to you both and pray as only God. Can supply the needed strength ,but know we are all praying and trusting our great God
Ruthie Brown
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Praying constantly……Elaine and Mike Ruel (Pastor Mike Ruel’s parents.)
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Another stranger here, my husband and I prayed for your little Lucy this morning. Your comment on “hope” jumped out at me (I even took a screenshot) as I constantly argue with God on hope. I am not currently in your situation but am trying to give God my trials and with a “thy will be done” attitude. My fraught relationship with “hope” did start, however, with a child’s pediatric cancer (neuroblastoma) journey where there was no healing in this life. But I know she is now with Jesus. I pray God’s will is to bless your family with an earthly healing. Your few blog entries have really touched me.
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jesse, maria and i are praying for you guys. we love you and bethany.
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I’m a PICU nurse and I just want to let you know to keep hope. I’ve seen some horrific brain injuries where we all thought the child was doomed but the child surprised us all and turned around. Praying for you and your family.
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My dear brother and sister in Christ, my heart breaks for you and the family as I pray fervently. As a mere creature, I do not understand Gods ways as they are far above my understanding, but I do know that he will never leave us or forsake us. I know that He is abundantly merciful and able to do all things. I pray that He grants you His Peace to be able to pass through these waters and that we will be able to praise His name for providing such. In Christ love, Penny
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Wisconsin prayer warriors here for you and your precious family. (Friends of Alligood)
Siewert family
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Brother Jesse, Sister Bethany and Lucy’s precious brothers and sister,
My heart aches with yours. Tears streaming down my face like yours. Alongside you, I’m pleading with our Father for a miracle. Know that you are not alone. We (in the hundreds now and growing) are joined in one plea to God. God is with you, of that I am sure. May you keep an open line of communication with God, even in this confusing hurting time. Even if it’s a groan. The Lord knows. Sometimes, it’s in these times that we experience Him more fully and know Him more personally. May God’s perfect peace totally encompass and envelope you and your beautiful family today. May you be immersed in God’s love like never before. And may the promises of Sacred Scripture come alive to you. We send you our love from NJ.
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Your X post randomly appeared in my feed yesterday. I have been in your situation and know the pain and helplessness. You and your children are in my heart and prayers.
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Sister of Paula and Ray Morris here. We are praying fervently for a miracle for Lucy🙏❤️🙏
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We are standing with you in prayer! May the Lord grant hope and strength to every heart in that hospital room. May the Lord grant mercy. May His glory shine brightly. There is mercy for every doubt and every weakness. The Lord is full, indeed full, of compassion.
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As another sister in Christ whom you’ve not yet met, I wanted to tell you that I am praying fervently for sweet Lucy and for you, Bethany, Silas, Aj and Shiloh and the rest of your family.(I am reeling from two beloved immediate family losses in the past 3 months – both now in Jesus presence, praise the Lord!)
When I awoke this morning, your Lucy immediately came to mind and I lifted her and your family to our Lord in prayer. My mind, just as it did with my own losses, again wandered to the “but why, God?” question. I walked to the window and looked out to see that our sweet Comforter had placed a rainbow in the sky and at the same time a verse from His word in my heart. (I posted a picture of the rainbow on your X post).
Isa 57:1 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for what you are doing today, knowing that this entire situation is in your loving hands. You have invited us to make our wishes known to you and so I humbly come before you asking that you touch little Lucy and bring her complete and total healing and that the news of Your miracle spread with lightning speed throughout the earth – so that nonbelievers can witness you in action and come to a saving belief in You. Should you, in your perfect knowledge and wisdom, have even higher plans for Lucy, than we could EVER even begin to imagine, we shout “To God be the glory!” As your children, we know we ARE going to witness a miracle for precious Lucy either in her healing on this earth or her healing in and graduation to heaven. Father, I pray that You surround this beloved family with Your peace that passes all understanding. I ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
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From Alabama –
I came upon your post on Twitter. As a sister in Christ and mother of two, I weep and pray with you. Your words are vehicles of God’s truth — thank you for sharing and updating about Lucy as we continue to have HOPE along with you! NOTHING is greater than our God! Oh how He loves her, and oh how He loves you, your wife and your other children. Praying the Word of God over your family, and knowing that our Father is sovereign over all things!
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I am praying fervently for your precious daughter and for all who love her so dearly!
With aching heart I pray for peace for you as you navigate this.
I pray for God’s healing through a miracle for Lucy 💞
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Jesse and Bethany,
We are praying and praying and praying for Lucy and all of you.
God is more than able and will sustain you all in this. This is also on a prayer chain of our multi-site church.
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Having just experienced the death of a precious 7-year-old grandchild of a dear friend, I can clearly understand the back and forth struggle between faith and fear. I am praying for your family as you navigate this heartache. Lucy is God’s child. While Satan can certainly work on our minds to try to destroy us, he has no power over her little body.
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Jesse and Bethany and children,
Prayer is a powerful strength that we give to you to let you know you have support and love surrounding you in such a difficult circumstance. We are steadfastly praying for God’s will and his comfort. We love Pastor Chuck and Peggy and know their love for you. May you find hope and comfort through Christ our Savior!🙏❤️
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Praying for dear Lucy.
Also consider asking the new Catholic Saints to be to pray for her – Blessed Pier Giogio Frassati & Blessed Carlo Acutis. These two latest saints to be helped people with serious brain injuries recovered well enough to be considered as miracles.
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Precious, faithful, admirable Christ followers I am interceding alongside you for Lucy. Your sweet sister in law, Kristin, if my dear friend and asked me immediately to begin praying. Just this week, I ran across this verse and have prayed it over Lucy and your family.“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,”
Nahum 1:7
I am crying out for the miracle we trust and hope He will provide. Thank you for your example in the fire. I imagine you there with “another One” alongside you. So much love to you. ~Katy Langley (Trussville, Alabama)
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Praying constantly for your sweet Lucy and your entire family. May God use his mighty power to heal and uphold you all.
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First Baptist Church of Branford, CT is praying for Lucy.
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Jesse and Bethany,
We are praying for you. We have heard your story from family in the area. There are no words, and even though we have never met, I’m praying for you and for sweet Lucy. Our Heavenly Father knows, and He’s good, and that’s so hard right now. We will continue to pray for healing, and for God’s Glory to be shown above all.
Jennifer Kirby
North Carolina
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Praying for Lucy and your family. May the presence of God be palpable today everywhere you go. Isaiah 41:10.
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Lucy is His Beloved. His arms are around you all. 🙏🏻🤗💜
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crying and clinging with you all.
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praying for Lucy and your entire family. When my mom had brain swelling one nurse decided to put a ice cap on her head to help reduce swelling. I’m convinced that helped reduce brain death. Try anything you can, I’m hoping your kid is one that surprises them. My prayers are with you
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In 2020 I contracted Covid19 and was in the hospital for 36 days in a coma on a ventilator for 24 days. They tried every medicine that was given to others but to no avail. Then someone donated blood plasma that match my blood type. They decided to try it on me as I was not responding to the medicines. They gave it to me on Good Friday and Easter I was awake and off the ventilator breathing on my own. I survived that ordeal because I had thousands of people praying for me. God can do wonders and miracles and I am praying that for Lucy!
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Praying with you brother. May God strengthen you and your family as you walk through this valley of uncertainties.
H.
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Praying for you and your family each day. What a dark providence God has called you to. May you see new mercies morning by morning, and may Lucy rise up from her bed with a shout of joy. A myriad of saints, too many to number, are boldly entering the Throne room, speaking Lucy’s name to her loving Father and precious Savior. May the prayers offered on your behalf hold you up. Grace and peace, beloved ones.
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https://youtu.be/S8JDSrfQzZQ?si=hf4xxcSsHvMg2o1b
Pastor Jesse, Bethany, and family,
Praying earnestly for God’s healing mercy as is his will. My cousin Pastor Shawn from Texas is praying and shared this song with me. Coincidentally, he heard it today for the first time, may the words minister to us all in this time of pain and hope. 🩷
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We do not know you, but we are praying with you.
Jason and Amber Alligood
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