FROM: Gracie
Sept 21 @ 6:21 AM

Everyone who writes you seems so intelligent as are you and they all write so well. I only have a High school diploma and very little education so my vocabulary is limited and the depths of my thoughts are not easily expressed or articulated. Yet they are not lessoned, far from it.

I went to the web site and read of Lea’s disease and I was astounded beyond belief that she would want to continue to fight this. I marvel at you both and realize you have to be exhausted both mentally and
physically and yet this journey towards her road to recovery has just begun.

From all indications Lea’s life has been one of servitude and caring about and for others. Yet I feel never in her wildest dreams could she ever have imagined the impact her journey now would have on countless
others. With you as her spokesman, (yes you are one), you both take us to the heart of our souls and what a journey it’s been. Whether she remains or travels on, our lives will not be the same. Now, more than ever I see her life as one of servitude and giving to others even though she’s unaware of this. Larry, you continue to grow into a deeper, more compassionate and spiritual man each day. You have no idea the impact you and Lea have had on untold lives. I love you both.

REPLY FROM: Larry Vaughn
Sept 21 @ 12:16 PM

Thank you, Gracie. And, thank you for the lovely poem you did for us. You’re too sweet! Can’t wait to meet you!

FROM: Teresa
Sept 21 @ 10:25 AM

Larry, I would like to be added to your e-mail list to receive your updates on Lea. I receive them periodically when someone forwards them on to me. You are a very strong person and have a very strong faith to keep you going. You are an inspiration to all of us. We will continue to keep you and Lea in our prayers. Thanks and God Bless You!

FROM: Angie
Sept 21 @ 11:28 AM

Hi Larry and Lea, This is Angie…your auntie Ro’s soap and lotion making partner here in Middlebury, IN. I just want you to know that I think about you both every day. Ro keeps me informed through your letters to her and Jack; and while we’ve never met, I really do feel like I know you. My heart and prayers go out to both of you through this terrible time of triblution…we all share in a small degree (compared to yours) your victories and defeats. I can’t begin to tell you both how much I admire your strength.

Ro and I have wracked our brains for a way for Lea to get some of her favorite lotion scents but with things the way they are, we felt like we’d better just wait. I even thought about sending one of my grandma’s handkerchiefs spritzed with Relaxing so she could at least have that good ole familiar scent. But then the thought struck me: “What if the smell nauseated her (due to the anesthetic or something) and she couldn’t tell anyone.” So I even vetoed that idea. We just really wanted her to have familiar things to make her feel better. We would be delighted to send *anything* of comfort if we knew what.

When the hurricane Katrina hit, many of the places up here were getting supplies together to send down so Ro and I packaged up all the soap I had on hand, except for a handful of personal bars and a couple of the old stand-bys, and I dropped them off. We also put a little note in the ziplock bag that we were thinking about them in their time of need. If it makes them even a little bit as happy to receive them as it did for us to do something good for them, then it was a win/win situation all the way around. I hope this day and tomorrow, and each day thereafter, brings improvement and strength to both of you. Just know we’re always thinking of you. Warm regards.

FROM: Stacy
Sept 21 @ 12:53 PM

Hello Larry & Lea, I have been reading and keeping up with Lea’s progress and it sounds like she’s making good steps to recovery! I’m so glad to hear that news. It’s been a long road for you both and we continue to pray for you both. Thank you for your communication with all of us, I hope and pray that everyone will do their best to keep the communications coming to you. I have read a few testimonies that you’ve shared, they are very uplifting. I can say that I have considered my life a little more closely because of Lea. The best I can do for you now is to keep praying for you and I will!!!

FROM: Barb S
Sept 21 @ 1:32 PM

Hi! Finally! I got my computer back! I now know what Lea’s going to feel like when she goes through withdrawal! LOL! What a time for the computer to go down. Just when you are trying to keep in
touch with family during a crisis! Lea is always on our minds. It is so hard to believe she is still
so sick. We make sure everyone we come in contact with knows so they to can pray for her recovery.

Mom is finally getting better. She gave us a scare over the weekend when she started running a temperature and vomiting. She was also delirious. She hasn’t known what was going on around her since the surgery. I guess Sat and Sun. was the turning point. After they took the morphine off, she started coming around. She was more like her old self last night. Now they just have to clear up the pneumonia and give her a little more therapy. (They took 1/2 her stomach, part of her esophagus, and her spleen. They think they got all the cancer. Sure hope so!) Well, just wanted to let you know I am back on line so if you need anything, let us know.

FROM: Carol
Sept 21 @ 9:35 AM

Larry, I have written to you several times hoping I am giving you support and love. I don’t have a story of witness to share, but I am glad that so many others are, they are so uplifting. I find several things throughout the day that remind me of you and Lea. I am sorry we have lost touch through the years … it seems that so many extended families do that these days. I have never lost my feelings for my cousins just regular contact.
I just finished a book that put me in constant thoughts and comparisons with you, and it is VERY uplifting. I hope you have read it, if not please let me know so I can send you a copy it is “90 Minutes In Heaven”.

As I was reading my Bible yesterday morning this scripture jumped out at me: And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5 3-5

I have had many tribulations in my life and God has brought me through them all. Sometimes I find it hard to leave my problems with Him even knowing that He will see me through all things, but I try to glorify Him even in those times. I ask today that God keeps you strong and healthy and Lea’s lungs will be healthy from today on. Sometimes we need to be specific. Love to you both.

REPLY FROM: Larry Vaughn
Sept 21 @ 9:10 PM

You have, you did, and you do. Thank you. Thank you, very much. I appreciate your notes, but hope you understand why I don’t write more frequently. I have not yet read “90 Minutes In Heaven,” but I just did buy the Douglas Wilson trilogy of biblical tomes, and have a few other books stacked up, in anticipation of spending lots of time in Lea’s room when she wakes up. I haven’t heard from Scott for a while. How is he doing? Where is he? Wuz UP?

REPLY FROM: Carol
Sept 21 @ 11:27 PM

I do not expect you to answer me…you have a very full plate in front of you. I understand and appreciate the fact that there are many more important things going on. I will continue to send you occaisional notes of encouragement, because it makes me feel as if I am doing something, and hopefully it gives you encouragement. Things have been tough for us finanacially since my wreck , but God sees us through. When I have a little extra I will procure and send you the book. Yes you have reading material, but I feel led to send this to you. Larry, I believe in God and have for most of my life…I am not always as strong in faith as I should be (would like to be) and the love you share daily has really helped me become stronger in my daily faith, more thankful for all He has given me, and my desire to share His word grows daily.

Scott is back home from Qatar. He got stateside Sept 3 and is back home with his children. He does not have a computer at home and has not gone back on base to work yet. He calls me daily for the reading of the “Lea Report” so he knows how to guide his prayers. My other son got married last Saturday so we were all together for the weekend. I hope things work out for him (Darin) as he has had some very serious demons the past few years. Right now things are better than they have been and I continue thanking God for keeping him from further harm.

I will continue to share your love letters and be content in knowing that you are aware that there is a big group of daily prayers coming from my list for you and Lea and Joe and Pat. You might update your list on Joe’s condition if you have any news from there. I have been sending Pat an email here and there, hopefully it will help give her courage in her daily strife.

FROM: Lance
Sept 21 @ 11:36 PM

So wonderful, Dad. So wonderful…

FROM: Dallas
Sept 21 @ 11:41 PM

Oh Larry, Your song touched my heart. Not a poet,you say? I wholeheartedly disagree, as a poet of sorts, I can tell when I’ve read a heartfelt and moving poem/song. My heart for Christ has opened to depths previously unknown. I have gained insight into the faith of a matured believer (you). While following along with the daily struggles, triumphs, baby-steps, and the emotional rollercoaster… (I’m in a seat somewhere behind you) I have seen God’s gift of daily strength and hope through your e-mails. I have come to a cross-roads of sorts, I’ll tell you about it some day. I choose to take the path that leads me closer to Jesus . Your struggles, trials and hardship have put a new perspective on life and the things we choose to fill that life with , for me personally, it has opened my eyes to the fact that our human frailties are ours to remind us just how much WE DO NEED HIM.

God bless you and Lea ,my friends, In Jesus name, I look forward to sharing something with the two of you. The town is in the heat of preparation for this weekend, although, the weather sounds as though it’s not going to be a fun weekend, but we gotta do what we gotta do. I have to move soon, probably to Tipton, I’ve been looking into buying a house on Sweetland Ave. It is suitable for home and office, so I’ll be letting the office go, probably after October. Changes …..I don’t usually do well with it but that was before I was shown, Just how much change can come, unexpectedly, and it serves to remind me that life IS a journey, not a destination.
In HIS SERVICE, Your brother in Christ.

FROM: Lance
Sept 21 @ 11:42 PM

I don’t know how you do it. You’re awesome. Love you, Dad! My October Hartford Trip Details are attached.

FROM: Martin
Sept 21 @ 11:54 PM

Larry, Friends in need and support are never a burden and you know that! Enough of a sermon, please let Lea know that she and you and your family are in our prayers and thoughts! If there is ANYTHING we can do, just say the word and will do it!

Things here are busy. Lisa is busy with the kids. Evan, our oldest is 9 and in the fourth grade. He goes to a magnet school focusing on math and science. He is also in a fall baseball league and it’s fun to watch him develop in to a much better athlete than I was at that age. He also got his dad’s poor eyesight. It was so bad at his annual check up the doctor advised we put him into contact lenses.

Morgan Rose, is 5 and just started Kindergarten this year. She’s smarter than a whip and sometimes makes me feel as though she’s ready to be a teenager! Lord help us! Lisa started a small cottage industry business selling custom purses. They have been spending a lot of time this year in exploration mode and have two larger, non-retail, clients. They do a lot of home parties (like pampered chef or tupperware style) and that seems do help them break even but they are going to be hosted on a Christian show in a month so hopefully that will get them some good press.

And me, well I just returned from a week in India followed by a week in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Work is going okay and AOL is doing fine, despite what you may read in the papers! It’s all business hype and stock holder angst. We are about to launch some very aggressive business initiatives that should help us regain some of our former glory. Either that or we’ll be going for broke! Take care of that lovely bride of yours, nurse back to health so you too can retire in style. And keep yourself healthy and upbeat my friend. We can’t have you taking ill over any stress this situation may cause! Best and Warmest Regards and my God Bless You!