Remembrances
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posted by David at Tuesday, June 07, 2005
382 Entries:
You often go through life wondering why you made certain decisions or arrived at a particular destination. I never imagined I would ever end up to Texas - little did I know that decision would render one of the most rewarding and special periods in my life. I met and became friends with David and Kristen. They have had such an impact on me and have been some of the people I admire most. Their love, faith and courage will always be in my thoughts. My thoughts and prayers are with David, Sam, the Stones and the Hartlands.
I remember meeting up with Kristen and her mom, and my mom (being a breast cancer survivor) at Panera the summer of 2002. As we talked, Kristen's main concern and prayer request was that she and David would be able to have children one day. That was what we prayed tirelessly for. Kristen was there to watch my belly grow with my first baby and I just knew she and David were cut out to be parents! Yea God for Samuel. HE gives good gifts.
Kristen was a member of a group of young survivors called the BooBees. We cherished her and are all devastated. There are about 60 of us worldwide who she touched. Being in Texas, myself and another "Boobee" are fortunate enough to have had the privilege of meeting her. She made a great impact on me. She had a peace about her...and the coolest eyes. We will all miss her in our group, but are comforted knowing she will greet us in heaven one day....probabbly with a big boombox blaring U2 songs, next to a TV showing reruns of LOST (we used to talk about that show all the time.) WE LOVE YOU KRISTEN! All of us at the Boobees are inspired by her fight and will continue the fight for ourselves, and our other sisters who are stricken with this horrible disease. God bless David and Sam.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time. I am so very saddened at the loss of your wife and mother of your beautiful little boy. I am so thankful though to have heard that you all are believers and have such peace and rest through the Lord Jesus Christ.
I am a member of "The Boobees" and I had the honor of knowing Kristen, even if it was for a short while. Looking at her pictures it is obvious that she was a special girl who was loved. I will miss her.
Lisa Shipes
To look in on Kristen's world from the outside, she was a beautiful soul. My thoughts and prayers are with David, Sam, the Stones and the Hartlands. Kristen is with her Savior.
I can't think of anything to say right now. The only thing I know is that Kristen is with the Lord right now. He will be your strength and rock during this time. It saddens me because my husband and I have been trying so hard to make Kristen's wish come true. I'm dissapointed because we weren't able to help in time but, we've been praying that "not our will but, the Lord's will be done", everyday.
Thank You Kelly for all the work you did, I appreciate you letting me become a small part of it.
To Susan, I love you girlfriend.
To David and Sam, may God bless you both. Take comfort in the Lord right now.
And as I told Susan, "His Mercy Endures Forever".
We are all so sad at this horrible loss. All of us at the Young Survivors meetings were pulling for Kristen. She was so healthy and vibrant at the October Race for the Cure. It is impossible to believe this horrible disease has taken her so quickly. Kristin was very kind to correspond with me after I was dx to calm my fears. God Bless you and your beautiful baby boy. My heart goes out to you and to Kristin's mom who I had the pleasure to meet at the race. My thoughts are with you, Jenee Bobbora
At this particular time, there are no verses that would give me peace or comfort. I deeply saddened by Kristen's death and enraged at how unfair and treacherous cancer is. What an incredible loss and I will have to cry it out. I had a chance to communicate with Kristen via e-mail several times. She was my chemo bee. What amazed me about Kristen, is that at her lowest point, she was so incredibly thoughtful. She wanted to ensure I knew how much she appreciated flowers. She was one of the most selfless people I have had the privilege of communicating. Always down to earth, loving, and never bitter, never preachy. And she knew the secret, she remained Heartshine till the very end. I am sure she gave Sam so much love in her short time to equal that of a lifetime. Little Sam will be in my thoughts and prayers, he got the best start with the best mom.
I do belive Kristen is an angel. Yet, I will miss you so much heartshine....
Ella
I never know what to externally do or say when I lose a person dear to me. I know we cry and we get mad, we get lonely even in a crowd. It is because one of us is not here anymore. When I got the news it was all that, and it will be for too long a time.
Although Kristen is not physically here she is in my heart and my memories. God wanted her up in heaven for some reason, I feel it was because she was such a wonderful person and that would just make Heaven a better place with her there.
Kristen blessed me with her encouragement when I was first diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. She helped me achieve a sense of peace with my disease and I am devasted by her passing.
My prayers and thoughts are with David and Sam (who were the loves of her life) and all the Stones and Hartlands.
Cheryl
My name is Lia and I met Kristen on our support group the boobees. I feel so blessed to have known her. She has been an inspirtation to me, and she never juged. I look at her pictures and know that she truly is an angle. My prayers are with David, Sam, and her family and friends. Kriten the impact you had on me will last a life time. I love you. lia
I had the extraordinary privilege of getting to know Kristen this past year in MOPS at Cypress Bible Church. She was a loving mother who never took her tiny one for granted. She was beautiful from the inside and out, and radiated her natural, wholesome beauty with, or without hair. Her enduring, unwaivering faith inspired so many of us who were blessed enough to know her...and she has impacted the lives of many in a powerful way. My only regret is not knowing her better, as there are so many wonderful things to know about Kristen. My heart wells up with a mixture of sadness at the loss of such a godly and loving young woman, and joy that she brought Christ's light to shine around her wherever she went. Our family's prayers are with David and little Sam, the loving and devoted parents, and all the friends and loved ones who covered Kristen in prayer during her fight. God bless you all.
My thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you and your family. After reading your webisite - i know that you have been a blessing to kristen and the rest of your family.
God bless you.
I didn't know Kristen and only stumbled across this site today, but I'm heartbroken for your family. She was obviously a very special person, and I know she'll be greatly missed. My prayers are with your family, with David and little Sam. May God comfort you all through this difficult time.
David and Samuel..and family
my heart goes out to all ofyou...You are in my thoughts and prayers..
I just recently came on to the "Boo-bees" site but have read about Kristen. Everything I read made me think that she was just such a strong person and it was so encouraging to see that kind of strength, to know that it exists.
I am really saddened by this situation, but I can tell that Kristen will live own in the hearts of those who loved her forever.
May God forever be with you and comfort your hearts with the memories of Kristen's life and love.
Johnny and I were praying and praying for a miracle right until the "end." It is not really the end for Kristen at all. Death still tears us apart here on earth but death has been conquered, the ripping of our hearts shall pass. Kristen is now in the glorious presence of our Lord Jesus and through my tears tonight I am in awe - she is Home. I remember the first time I met David and Kristen - they sat at my lunch table for the new members of St. John the Divine and they made me laugh - they told us how they met and their love was so evident, they balanced each other so well. Kristen was always consistently peaceful, kind, funny, and beautiful in every way the Bible describes beauty. Even at her most sick moments her beauty never, ever faded and she shined the Lord's light brilliantly.
David - Johnny and I will not cease to pray for you, Sam, and the whole family. We love you and ache with you - may God be right next to you and comfort you, bring you His peace, and soon bring you His joy. Tonight we thank God for Kristen's great life, all of her created to bring the Lord God GLORY.
I got to know Kristen through our online support group, the Boobees. She was a wonderful, strong, inspiring woman who was dear to everyone who came in contact with her. I can't imagine the loss that David and their families must feel right now, and that Sam will someday know. She will live on in our hearts forever, and I know she will watch over everyone who was dear to her. My thought are with you all,
Charlene
I am also an acquaintancee thru the Boo-Bees. I am also a stage 4 cancer survivor. Kristin reached out to me when I had no strength and encouraged me. She is a beautiful person inside and out and I am deeply saddened by her passing.You are better because you were touched by an angel. I will thank God for having braught her into my life. Do remember that He blesses those who mourn. Thank you for sharing her with me. You will be in my thoughts and prayers daily.
I met Kristen online in the BooBees group. She was always upbeat, supportive and had a great sense of fun. She inspired us, supported us, and laughed with us. All of her pictures show her goodness, she glowed. She will be desperately missed. My thoughts and prayers go out for David, Sam, and the rest of her family.
My heart goes out to David and little Sam. May the Lord give you a peace that passes all understanding. I can't wait to meet Kristen in heaven...she is a beautiful girl with such a vibrant smile!
I didn't know Kristen, and I only heard of your family this morning. I thought of and prayed for you all throughout the day. I was very sad to hear she'd passed. I know there is nothing I could say to bring comfort, but I will pray.
I remember when we met Kristen's parents in our Sunday School class at Cypress Bible Church. I couldn't get over her mom's big eyes and dimples. Then I met Kristen and there were those big eyes and dimples repeated!!! We have been praying for Kristen, David ,Sam and Kristen's family too. We will continue to pray for you all. May the Lord bless you, comfort you and give you peace.
In Him
My heart goes out to David and the entire family. From the first time I saw Kristen and David together at their wedding I knew I was witnessing something special. True soulmates. Then came the "miracle baby" Sam. This was what the true definition of family was supposed to be. When David and Kristen traveled with "our Administaff" family to Atlantis in the Bahamas this past February one could never tell the physical,as well as mental pain and anguish Kristen and David had to be enduring. David, not only are you a role model for your son Sam, you are a role model for all of us in the workforce as well as in everyday life. Kristen may be physically absent but she will always be in our thoughts. Thru David and other family members Sam will in fact grow up with a mother that he will always be proud of. Sam had a mother that accomplished so much in so little time on this earth. On behalf of Kim, Kyle and my mom we pray for David, Sam and Kristen's family. Sincerely, Norm Rosenfield
After reading these tributes to your family, I thank my God and Saviour Jesus Christ for how you all have demonstrated His grace and love to many many people. Oh that the seeds planted with such suffering and sorrow would take root and grow!! May God's grace carry all of you through this in the days and years to come. I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep you until the day you meet again.
kristen made such an impression on me, i've felt a connection with her from the start. I know her online, but know her heart and soul as well. I don't know why, maybe because we are both teachers, or maybe it's because she was the first sign of hope I felt when dx a yr ago w breast cancer- I'll never forget that day when i saw the picture of her in the white tshirt that said "F*CK CANCER!" I thought, there's hope!
I hsve prayed and used the pager throughout the past month, and will continue to. I love the U2 picture, that's one wonderful way I'll remember her. I do believe she is an angel, and we are blessed to know her.
Love and peace to all
Nicole
from
Seattle
It is so clear that God used Kristen to reach out and touch so many peoples lives. I consider myself so blessed to have gotten to know her through David. My thoughts and prayers are with David and Sam at this time. Praise God we will be reunited with her in Heaven!!!!
1Cor2:9 says "Eye has not seen nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him". Kristen knows things we all long to see. I am grieving your loss with you yet praising God that He has conquered death and sin. Not a life cut short as the world might see it, but a life transplanted to high ground. May God now give you that peace that passes all understanding....the peace the world knows nothing about. The website and the photos and the glimpses into her life as a young woman were really amazing as I have not seen her since she was a teenager .... I can still see Kristen rollerblading down my driveway in Cypress with Alana...dimples and smiles and vibrant life and love...what a girl, what a joy to so many. Thank you for sharing her life with all of us...we are all changed. Still praying for David, Sam, the Stones and the Hartlands.
Kristen was always in my thoughts and prayers. I kept on praying for a miracle and her passing away was a very sad news for all of us at the YSC. I didn't know her, but I can tell she was a beauty inside and out.
She is now with Our Lord. I pray that Sam and David and all of Kristen's loved ones be blessed with the grace of strength and peace during this time.
Althought I just came "to know" this family through an email for a prayer request, I feel like I know you all through your story. For many years I was a mom of three little girls whose husband died at a very young age. My children kept my husband alive in my heart for many years to follow. God became my husband and my best friend until He saw fit to bring another. I pray you allow Him to do the same during this time. My prayers are with you, David. Kristen is not sick any more.
At their rehersal dinner four years ago, David and Kristen encouraged me to read the Bible daily by giving me a leather bound copy of The Daily Office. I could not have been more pleased. They somehow know what we who know them need. It is never about them. It is always about somebody else. When someone is with them, one realizes afresh that SOMEONE is with them. It was therefore with some anticipation, when I heard yesterday afternoon from a friend that Kristen had passed away, that I opened my lectionary to the scripture for last evening: It was Psalm 4.
I did not know Kristen but have read her posts through the YSC. It saddens my heart to know that such a inspiring young mother has passed but her spirit will live forever through her husband and beautiful son. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kristen was one of the most selfless people and truly an angel. Her strength and courage was so inspiring and will always continue to be. My son is so lucky to have two wonderful people with such strong faith serve as his Godparents. I will always cherish Kristen's friendship and especially our last visit. Our love, thoughts and prayers are with David, Sam and both families. Love always, Morlley
I didn't know Kristen personally, but I wish that I had. I've been praying for her for the past couple years as I've received updates from a friend of mine who knew the Hartlands from church. I have never been so blessed by the beautiful life of someone I've never met. My heart literally aches as I sit here and write this - and I know that's because of the bond we have in Christ with our fellow brothers and sisters. Reading the above entries, I can see that Kristen was a caring friend, loving mother and wife, but most of all, a daughter of Jesus Christ who showed us all what JOY through suffering really is. Kristen's life has humbled me and driven me to the feet of Jesus, and I can't wait to worship Him with her one day in Heaven. Thank you, Lord, for the life of a woman who was truly after Your own heart.
It is hard to find the right words to say at this time, simply because God's Word is the only true comfort in times of struggle and loss. I prayed continuously for God to "beat" the cancer through a miracle, and He has. In the most miraculous way...holding Kris in His's arms, taking away all her pain, and sharing with her the Kingdom of Heaven. My prayer for Sam is that he comes to know what an amazing, godly woman Kristen was...and that he grows to be a strong man both spiritually and mentally. Blessings to you all.
I have never met Kristen but learned about her through the YSC. I feel that she was a kindred spirit, as I also am a young mom diagnosed with this terrible disease. Reading about her on this website has touched me deeply. It is obvious that she was a strong, vibrant, courageous person. My heart aches for David and Sam and the rest of her family. This website is a beautiful tribute to Kristen's life. God bless.
I remember when Kristen first made contact with the Young Survivors, of which I am a member. I am deeply sorry for your loss and know that G-d is with all you.
David,
May God give you strength and peace! Please know we are thinking of you, your family, and the Stones.
I didn't get the pleasure of meeting David or Kristen; however I did get to meet David's sister Hannah. From knowing her, I can only imagine what wonderful families come out of the Hartland's and the Stone's. I have prayed for your families for a few months now and having been through something like this with a family member, I know how much it hurts. All we can be thankful for now is that Kristen is not hurting anymore and she is in a much better place than ALL of us. May God be with you all during this time of sorrow and give you strength to bare this loss. And I look forward to uniting with this beautiful young lady that EVERYONE speaks so highly of. God Bless you ALL.
Gracy, your friend and sister in Christ,
I am certainly saddened about the news. I still can not believe it is true, even though ,I had good picture of her condition from the card she had given to me.
Kristen, I thank you for allowing me to be with you , in prayers.Many times, we may not see our purpose in life on earth ,but God knows it all with out spot or wrinkle.
You are a special girl in my heart and eyes. God loves you. I miss you.
David and Sam ,may our good Lord comfort you and richly bless you with better and deeper things in life,it may be certainly different.He is the creator, we are just the creation of His.
Kristen's mother and father,
No word is there to comfort you.My thoughts and prayers are with you now and forever, because, I will be rememering Kristen rest of my life.
All things are with Him, Through Him, and by Him.Love in Christ.
Your wonderful website was sent to me by a coworker. What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful person. God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. Celebrate the wonderful times you had together, teach Sam to respect life as his Mom did. God be you.
Kristen was such a beautiful, solid soul. And she was this way BEFORE she had to fight the cancer. I so admired her for her extreme strength of character and her wonderful and natural ability to mother. Her spirit will stay with me forever.
David, our prayers are with you and little Sam, we love you!!
Jen
I too met Kristen through the BooBees site. Her login there was Hart Shine, and never was there a more appropriate name. What a beautiful spirit. She inspired us, made us laugh, she supported us, and she gave us the greatest honor and gift - she shared her journey with us and allowed us to be there for her. The strength and heart it must have taken to do that is something that will be with me forever. She has touched all of us in a deep and profound way. She will be desperately missed and is very much loved by so very many people.
Though my heart aches for David, Sam, the Stones, the Hartlands, and all of the family and friends who love and will miss her, I know she lives on, and she lights the way for the rest of us.
With much love,
Suzanne Murphy
New York City
I remember meeting Kristen on our first Missions Trip to Mexico...she became a great friend from the start. She is a beautiful person inside and out, and I will always cherish the times that we had together. Through our high school years and going back to Mexico 2 more times....we had a blast...from the building of a fort out of bricks around us, to the paint war in the church we were supposed to be painting, to finding a gym to go workout at with David and John....
all my memories are wonderful of her.
She once wrote her favorite verse(the version of her bible) in my Bible and signed it with a heart, Krissy Stone....
it is Romans 8:18..."For I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that is to be revealed to us"
That verse speaks volumes to me, and I will always love that verse because of her!!
Sam....you mother is a wonderful beautiful person and I hope you will always remember her and how special she has been to everyone.
David, Sam, and Families- my heart goes out to all of you and you are all in my prayers.
Although I did know Kristen personally as a member of the Administaff family we all have a sense of family connection and I am sad to hear of your loose. May HIS strength and peace see you through. What an awesome testimony of faith, strength and love is shown by this website. She was truely a blessing to all those who she encountered!
I only knew Kristen through YSC discussion boards, but I can tell you that she touched me and so many others in such a way that she will live in our hearts forever. I know that this time is so very hard for her family, but know that she if free of pain now and that she loved you all so much. Hug Sam one extra time each day and let him know it is from the most special person in the world!
Praying for you always, Jenn
My June 8th Daily Inspiration read:
"I have tried and I cannot find, either in Scripture or in history, a strong-willed individual who GOD USED GREATLY...until He allowed them to be hurt deeply."
Charles Swindol
It is so evident that Kristen's life was used greatly by God in such a short time. Her place now is in the arms of Jesus, she so richly deserve it!
Our thoughts and prayers are with your families. May God use you greatly too as you hurt so deeply.
I never knew Kristen.... my best friend who is a breast cancer survivor sent me the link to her site Monday. I have prayed for her and she has been on my mind ever since. I am a mother of three small boys so Little Sam will be in my prayers as will her husband and all of her loving family. May God bless and be with you all.
In Christ,
Leigh Ann Adcock
North Carolina
Our thoughts and prayers are with Kristen,her family, and all those who knew and loved her. God Bless Kristen, and each of you.
The Daleo Family
June 8,2005
Thoughts for today come at a loss. Waking with thoughts of the loss the family must now endure. Thoughts that Kristen is no longer having to wake to her shattered life, fears, and pain ~ but is now partaking of Paradise as promised to her by her God of hope and peace.
Throughout Kristen's battle with cancer God gave me a love for her that I would not otherwise have had through three years of constant prayer. And by His Spirit this cup of burden now overflows with prayers for the loss and sorrow of David and Sam, and for the Stone and Hartland families. May the emptiness of your hearts experience the abudant filling of God's mercy and love promised to you in Psalm 23.
These words and thoughts are weightless in the overwhelming heaviness of Kristen's life which goes on without us now. We are created to live eternally and Kristen has faced her final enemy unto victory. She would not have chosen God's way nor God's time anymore that any of us; especially for those she loved and cherished with all of her heart. But, eternally we thank God that she loved Him more than life so that she would never lose her life and so spend it forever with all those she loves who are in Christ Jesus.
We too weep and mourn as ones who share in the love of Kristen with you. To pray, and in whatever other way we can, our family reaches out to you in the embrace of our Father's everlasting arms and in His everlasting love.
For the Beaty Family,
Bonnie Beaty
I never had the please of meeting Kristen or her family. A friend told me of her plight and I started praying for her immediately. That was a long time ago and I have prayed for her everyday. Tonight I will no longer need to pray for Kristen and that makes me very sad.
God bless the loved ones she left behind. May he give them the strength to carry on.
I am so sorry for your loss. Kristen will always be with you and Sam. Hopefully through the years, it will bring you comfort to know that you and Sam will always have a guardian Angel right next to you. My prayers are with David, Sam and the families. God Bless you all and may peace and comfort be in your hearts during this most difficult time.
I met Kristen through friends that knew the both of us. Unfortunately we had been mis-diagnosed by the same radiologist at Cy-Fair Hospital. It was January 2003. I was 28 & had just started my first round of chemo & Kristen was about to start radiation. I cannot tell you how much she helped me through those sickening, painful days. If I ever had any ?'s about what was happening to my body or what to expect next, Kristen had an answer that calmed me. I'm forever greatful that she came into my life. My prayers are with little Sam, David, the Stones & Hartlands. God Bless.
Christ proclaimed that the LORD is a GOD of the living and not the dead. I rejoice that Kristen has eternal life. I feel very sad in that we will all miss her beauty and grace. David, we were all blessed to have known Kristen. Our prayers are with you and Sam.
I am a 30 year old member of the Young Survivor Coalition. I never met Kristen but I have heard her about her from our other members. I also knew about Kristen on the BooBees web postings that I post on. I have been thinking non stop about Kristen and her family the past few days. The one thing that comforts me at a time like this is that I know Kristen is with the Lord and she is in an awesome place right now. This is such an incredible loss and I am sad I never got to meet her. I read about how strong she was during her entire battle, and that helps me as I battle this diease myself. God bless David, Sam and your family during this time.
Karissa Ma-
David
Phil and I wish you the utmost strenght in your time of mourning...Please know that you and your family are in our praayers....Kristin was an amazing person...
praying for you all
David and family,
I became aware of Kristen's battle with cancer 2 years ago, and it has been my joy to pray for you these last 2 years. David, I will continue to pray for you and Sam and your families. My heart pains at the thought of all you have gone through. You are loved!!
I have had the privilege to get to know Kristen, David and Sam these past couple of years. Kristen is my hero because she showed me that life is so precious. Every day for kristen was one of Joy and she never took that day for granted. She would always have a smile on her face and would invite anyone into her life. Even thru all of her hardships with cancer Kristen remained strong. She has taught me so many times that friendships are not to be taken for granted and that life is meant to be lived to the fullest as God desires us to live. Every time we would hang out she could not hold back her smile and some of my greatest memories of her will be when we would laugh so hard at ourselves Kristen would snort through her nose.
I first met Kristen and David in early 2003 at Church youth group. I really got to know Kristen while attending the youth group beach retreat that summer. I remember sitting on the boat talking with kristen about her life. I was drawn to know who she was and the life she had lead - I learned about her battle with cancer and how she was cancer free at the time. I wanted to ask her all these questions about her life... I wanted to know about how her and david met, about her growing baby in her womb, and her beautiful spirit. I knew then that I would become very close to Kristen and David. God had blessed me with news friend that summer.
I will miss her presence on this earth but her spirit will always remain close to my heart. I am also blessed to have captured her sprit in Photographs through these past couple of years. The memories that her entire family will cherish. The memories of Kristen that we all knew dearly. I love you Kristen and hope that you know how much you have touched all our live. David and Sam...I love you!
Brooke
I feel saddened by Kristen's leaving, yet I am rejoicing in where she is with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Kristen is in a place we all long for no pain, no sorrow, no hurt. What a beautiful testamony Sam will be able to read about his mother for years to come. He will be able to see how many lives she has touched and how special she was to so many people. I have prayed for her many times. I have enjoyed getting to know her mom over the years. I will continue to pray for her little one, husband and family during this difficult time. That there will be many years of fruit and blessings from this beautiful women who know is in Glory. May God richly bless you with strength and love long after the immediate time when all is done.
Love
Heather
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. You have friends and family who love you and you have faith to get you through this. I can tell it's been a hard couple of years and the future will be hard too. It's a blessing to have your faith and your family and friends, they are priceless. Lean on them, don't try to be brave alone.
I give my best to the family, David and Sam, for i know in the time i have know the Hartland family, that the bond this family has is very special and would be damn near impossible to match. I am pleasured to have had the opportunity to meet your amazing family through my friendship with Hannah. I i extend my reguards over the next few months or years of which will see the best of times and worst and will keep you guys in my prayers. If there is ever anything i can do Hannah can reach me. You are extraordinary people, David, Sam, the Hartlands, and Kristen's Family, God bless you all.
I had the pleasure of meeting Kristen last year. She was the first woman I had met who was diagnosed at my age......and she inspired me with her grace and gentle humor. She touched the lives of many people with her beautiful spirit. Kristen was taken from us much too soon, but she will not be soon forgotten.
Love to her and her family,
-Katie
David,
We are so sorry to hear about Kristen. You have both battled this tremendously over the last 2 1/2 years. You and Samuel are in our prayers. We pray God's blessings over you both in the time ahead.
I first met you and Kristen through the Hemati's. Your arm around her waist and hers around your neck. Love at it's finest. My thoughts and prayers at this time.
I was blessed to witness her beautiful heart during a thanksgiving dinner at the Hartlands. It was her first Thanksgiving as a mother in 03’. As everyone sat at the table, we individually gave thanks as a testimony to God’s goodness. With tears, Kristen thanked God that He had allowed her to live long enough to be a mother. I will never forget the fruit of her lips on that day because I have kept it as a conviction upon my heart. Glory to God for the beauty of her heart and soul!
I met you and Kristen just once between Christmas and New Year's in 2002, when I was visiting Susanna and Scott. You might not remember me, but I remember you and the kindness and hospitality you extended to me in that brief encounter. I pray that our Father will give you strength in this difficult time...
I am so sorry about Kirsten. I did not know her, but I read some of her posts. My prayers and thoughts are with your family, david and sam. Lauren
What is there to say when someone who was loved so much is lost so soon. David, may all her memories that fill your heart help to bring you comfort and peace. Know that no matter what, her love is eternal. Kristen lived life as a true example. She was a loving mother, wife, daughter, and friend. Her amazing strength and faith will always be a true aspiration for she left her hand print on every soul she touched. She will be missed but NEVER forgotten.
I got to know Kristen thru the MOPS program at Cypress Bible. I was the mentor mom in her group. Her faith and peace just amazed me, she truly was a strong testimoney to us all.....Lord bless you David, Sam , Stones and Hartlands....
Donna Huffman
Hello. First off let me say that I am so very sorry for your family's loss. You don't know me and I didn't know Kristen. I came across the link to this website from a friend and was touched to read about such a lovely, lovely woman. I wish I would have gotten the chance to meet her. She was a beautiful soul, truly an angel. God be with you during this time. I know Kristen will be watching down on her family now. That said, I love the front page website picture. It's almost as if she is standing outside of regular world we live in now, smiling in approval of your gorgeous son and being with you always.
--California.
I met Kristen a couple of years ago. She came back to teaching and I was blessed to be her partner for a short while. She radiated life and love, especially carrying Sam. She was so excited to have him.
I am so blessed to have known her, even if for just a short while. Her strength, courage and faith is inspiration to all.
Dear David and Sam,
I am at a loss for words, please accept my sincerest condolences.
I truly believe that your beautiful, caring wife and mother will always be with you both.
Laura
Dearest Darla, John, David, Erica and Sam,
I have been praying for you all continuously in the last several months. I have nothing to add to what is already written in the Remembrances.
Something that came to me today was that nothing can ever hurt Kristen again. She is in the best place of all, where no cancer, sadness, pain, illness, death or tears exist. The curse that is on the world will not affect her in any way. Now her pain is over and it is our time to grieve, to cry, to mourn her death and remember her extraordinary life. She will live on in her son and in the precious memories of David, John and Darla, Erica, and the many people who loved her and in whose lives she made a difference.
Please accept these inadequate words of sympathy. I wish there was some way to help you get through the grieving process a little sooner, but I guess to do that would cheat you out of a necessary part of recovering from these last few unbelievable years.
Please know that Bill and I love you so much and will continue to pray for all of you.
May God bless you all, strengthen and comfort you and hold you close to Him during this very sad time.
Love,
Karen Bores
As a Christian, I am comforted that Kristen resides with our Father in heaven now. I know she will watch over all of us. As a mother, my heart aches for Sam. As a wife, my heart aches for David. And so I make this promise to Kristen...."I will thank God every day for the health of myself, husband and child. I will take great joy, even when she tests me, in my child. I will do my best to live a life that honors my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." And I pray when I die that people remember me with at least half the grace, dignity, spirit, and selflessness of Kristen Hartland.
David, I pray my unborn son grows to be a man of your faith and character. Kristen and Sam are blessed to have you. Remain strong in HIM, we will all continue to pray for you.
I never knew Kristen and had never heard of her until a friend on a message board posted this website.
My life has changed in one day! I will never take life for granted. My heart goes out to your family and I am praying for you all.
God Bless.
The photo of Kristen and Sam shares the Komen Calendar fold with my daughter Alison Evers and my granddaughter Sarina. I often thought as I looked at those two pages, which is where I keep my calendar open all the time, that Kristen and Sam look so much alike and so full of joy and life. Alison shared the sad news with me today, and I am so sorry to know this awful disease took Kristen from those she loves. God bless you, her family, as you grieve. This web site is such a wonderful tribute to her.
David, Sam...
Words can't describe the heartbreak you must feel right now.. Kristen is a beautiful, brave, mother and wife. She fought the most couragious of fights at such a young age. My wish now is that Sam will someday grow up and understand just how much strength and love his parents possessed when they brought him into the world. Kristen will always be in our hearts, and we will always be reminded of her Spirit.. everytime we see Sam.....
Miya
i just learned of your loss and although I have not ever met Kristen, I am deeply moved. May you find comfort in your many happy memories together. My prayers are with you and your family.
May you feel God's embrace on you and your precious Sam. So sorry for your loss.
What a legacy of Love, Faith, and Hope Kristen gifts to you, David and Sam. We know she is dancing with the Angels as now we mourn her passing. May God's arms surround you as our thoughts and prayers are with all of you David, Sam, the Stones and the Hartlands.
Dave, Sam and family,
Please know we are thinking of you at this time. We thought the world of Kristen and are so sorry for your loss. She was a wonderful wife, mother and friend. She will be greatly missed.
God bless you,
Courtney and John
I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my mom when I was three and my heart breaks for little Sam.
Your story is so heartbreaking, but so beautiful. I just found your site yesterday and you have been on my mind and heart every minute.
Kristen was so beautiful and I know I will learn from her how to be a better mom.
You are in my prayers.
I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Kristen as a school teacher.She really loved her students and did whatever it took to help them in their learning and lives. She became very close to her students and they loved her!!
I am very glad that she and David were able to have a child of their own. I know that she gave all of her love to Sam and David. Sam was very lucky to have such a wonderful mother.
Even when she was at her lowest point, she never failed to send thank you cards to everyone who showed love and prayers to her and her family.
It was an honor to be her friend. I know that Kristen is now with our savior. May God bless her and the family. I love you Kristen with all my heart. You'll always be in my daily thoughts. Thank you for being my friend.
I did not know Kristen or her family. I only heard about her story through a friend. As I sit here reading her story on this website, I am weeping. She must have been one amzing young woman and I admire her perserverance. My heartfelt sympathies go out to her family but especially her husband and baby boy. It seems as though she loved both of you with all her heart.
You are mourning now, but Christ has gone before Kristen and has prepared a place in heaven for her. Her body is now perfect and cancer free. She has served whatever purpose God has for her here on Earth and now she is resting in the arms of her loving Heavenly Father. She will forever be smiling down on the ones that she loved. Thank you for sharing her amazing story.
Be still
And you will hear me
Whispering windy messages
Blowing butterfly kisses
Raising rainbows to light your way.
Be still
and I shall shine on in you.
~Peace be with you all at this time~
Brooke Cheeseman
I became aware of Kristen and her story through the YSC. I'm newly diagnosed and comb the site constantly for information and reassurance. Kristen's was a voice of compassion and intelligence. I have been thinking constantly of your family through the last few days and am saddened beyond words. May her memory bring you strength and comfort throughout the rest of your life.
Kristen was one of the original Boobees an extraordinary group of young women supporting each other and living through cancer She was always so funny and I also will never forget the F*CK CANCER shirt that she wore in a picture she posted The saying gave me hope and strength to fight She gave me inspiration and made me feel alright I am amazed at how quickly things went poor Just a few days ago she posted that it would be several weeks not just a few days I cry for Kristen for I loved her so much and for David and Sam you should know she always gave her best She loved you two more than anything I know she will be watching down on you from heavan and loving you so much May you remember how great she was in life and let it lead your heart through the rest of your lives For David and Sam you surely have an awesome angel looking over you God Bless Love Always Nadine
Wow--to read all of the stories and see the number of lives that Kristen touched is amazing. Kristen is truly an inspiration and blessing to everyone because of her unwavering faith in Christ. Never once did we hear her say a discouraging word or a complaint about her incredibly difficult situation. She always had a smile on her face, and to watch her with little Sam was breathtaking. She loved God so much and truly was an example of a young, godly wife and mother. We are so saddened by this loss, but also know that she is no longer suffering and has a perfect body free from any disease. We look forward to the day when we can reunite with her in heaven. To David, Sam, and the rest of the family...may the mercy and strength of our Lord Jesus carry you through this incredibly difficult time. May God bless all of you. Sincerest regards, Kasey and Wes Mathew
Although I never had the opportunity to meet Kristen, I felt like I knew her through the many wonderful stories I have heard through David's sisters. My heart goes out to you David, as well as to Sam and both families. Your faith will keep you strong, David. I will certainly keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
David and Sam,
Kristen is with our Lord God and free of any more pain. She is watching over you. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dearest David, Sam, Darla, John, and Rebecca,
I weep with you. I love you. You are in my prayers for peace and for the kind of mourning that yields to joy in the proper time. Most of all, I pray that you will be HELD tightly by Christ himself and by your brothers and sisters in Christ in these impossible moments. Nothing is impossible with God. Friends are friends forever, when the Lord is Lord of them. Peace be with you.
We didn't know Kristen, but know John and Darla--precious people. We're so sorry for the loss of your beautiful daughter but just praise and thank our Saviour for the reunion that awaits! That's the one thing that makes these times bearable. All praise to Him who reigns above!