The Blog
I don’t like to think about maintaining this blog without Steve. For three years, he and I have been the main authors to this blog and have tried to use it as a means to share our sufferings and wrestlings with truth. But I would rather maintain it myself than have someone else write- no one else will be Steve. So consider this my vow to the blogger world to continue to write, Lord willing, with the ultimate desire of reflecting Christ in all that we share with our readers.
And to honor Steve’s desires, this blog won’t mainly be about Steve. Just a few weeks ago he clearly expressed to me the fact that this blog is pray for Ian, not pray for Steve. Even in his cancer, he was more concerned about his son than himself. I’m sure that we will post pictures and share this new journey of deepened suffering, but will continue to mainly communicate Ian’s story. Although, without Steve there would be no Ian, so untangling the two may be difficult:)
Thank you, all, for praying.
anonymous
November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am
our hearts are broken.
we are praying.
-phil, amanda, and the boys.
anonymous
October 11, 2009 at 10:12 pm
From a human point of view, it breaks my heart that little Lydia's Daddy is no longer with her. Yet, she will learn of his love for her from her brothers, her mama and the rest of her family. And when she accepts Jesus as her Savior, then she will see her Daddy again someday AND her Savior and be with both of them FOREVER!
Still praying!
Mary Ann K.
Audra
October 12, 2009 at 1:20 am
I love looking back and seeing that to know Steve was to know his Savior. Steve was never ashamed of the gospel – he radiated God's love. His kind and gentle manner led people to the Truth. I do not recall a single conversation that at some point did not point to Christ. He walked out the verse – To live is Christ, to die is gain.
May God give you peace in this hard time.
Vicki
October 12, 2009 at 2:03 am
Thanka you for sharing this picture… please keep sharing more.
anonymous
October 12, 2009 at 3:50 am
I have never left a message on this blog before but know that my family and I have been praying regularly for Ian for years and for Steve since the news only weeks ago. There's so much to say and then so much that doesn't need to be said. Our prayers are with you as we continue to trust in the goodness and often mysterious purposes of God.
We are so sad for your loss but rejoicing that Steve is in glory now ahead of us.
God's richest blessings and mountains of grace upon all of you.
~Chris McCrea
anonymous
October 12, 2009 at 3:52 am
MaryAnn K & Vicky ~
I SO agree with you.
Mary, Boys, Lydia & Larissa ~
You continue (probably, hopefully, for a LONG time) to be in our heartfelt prayers…
hoping in Christ,
HveHope
All 8 of Us
October 12, 2009 at 11:29 am
I am blessed by your heart to glorify Him in all you do. Our family will continue praying for all of you~
Blessings,
kathi Baillie (SGC~ NJ)
Joy Z
October 12, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Thank-you! It has been a complete privledge to travel this journey with your family via this blog. There have been so many posts that have brought such encouragement to my soul. And I will keep on praying for Ian and will look forward to many more milestones in his life as our wonderful Savior continues to work. To God be all the Glory!
anonymous
October 12, 2009 at 1:27 pm
We will journey with you. We send our love and prayers each day to Ian and his family. Thank you for continuing the Blog in honor of God and his presence in our lives. It brings strength and hope to all of us.
~M.
anonymous
October 12, 2009 at 2:36 pm
I pray Lydia will remember the little moments with her daddy, just like this, forever.
Praying for all of you.
anonymous
October 12, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Although I would love to share much more about how I feel about Steve and what he meant to me and to my family, I would tend to agree that this blog is about Ian. I love Steve very much, I miss him every minute of the day and I long very much to sharing his memories, writing his stories and watching his pictures.
I love Steve very much and I shall love him for the rest of my life. I shall long to see my very dear brother Steve in the life after and share with him more. However, it is the entire Murphy family (I include Larissa, Jan and Paladin when I say the Murphy family) that taught us so many lessons about faith, about life and about the caring family that I dearly love. It is ironic that no matter where I open this web site and start reading notes and responses from the blog, that my eyes start to flood with tears. I often feel that I need to quit reading this blog in my office or in public in fear that others may notice this strange man (crazy Kurd) weeping so strongly. But what could I say, Steve meant a lot to me, I love him dearly and love all his family as much. To all the Murphy family, you are very dear to our hearts, we would love to continue this journey with you and we will continue to pray for Ian and for the entire Murphy family. If I ever cross my boundaries in the future and talk too long about Steve, for that I ask all your forgiveness. I love you very much, God bless you.
Azad and family
Elizabeth
October 12, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Dear Larissa, my heart aches for you, even though I don't know any of you. What a loving family, and gentle witness. May the Lord sustain all of you as you grieve.
anonymous
October 12, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Larissa, the way that you, Steve, and Ian have shared your grief, pain, and joys so publicly for the last three years have been one of the most amazing demonstrations of true humility I have ever seen. Thank you for giving us all a glimpse into that life and allowing us in a tiny amount to share in your sufferings and to be inspired by the work God continues to do in and through your family.
– Jenn Grover
anonymous
October 12, 2009 at 4:51 pm
You bring so much glory to God, Murphys. We will continue to pray with and for you as you grieve and heal.
Ian & Larissa (et al.)-we will always walk with you through these trials. And we look forward to rejoicing over the power of our Savior with you-now and in the future.
We are so proud to know you all. Love you guys.
-Matthieu and Amber
Shulamit
October 12, 2009 at 5:51 pm
I have not posted in a long time, but I posted somewhat early after Ian's accident and shared with you regarding my brother's accident and journey through being in a coma. I have been encouraged by you, Larissa, and your faithfulness to Ian through this difficult path the Lord has chosen for you to walk. I know it would not be what you would have chosen, but life never really is what any of us would have chosen. My heart was broken when I read of Steve's brain tumor and I asked the Lord what He was doing. His death came so suddenly. I could not say anything. I didn't want to write simple contrived thoughts or cliches trying to put band-aids over gaping wounds.
Yesterday, however, in the gathering of believers in which my family meets(we meet in a homechurch) we were discussing the goodness of God. I had to remember back to that time when my brother was in that car accident as it was a time when I had to draw a line in the sand, so to speak, in my faith. I did not have any guarantees from God that my brother would recover or that he would even live. But, I made a decision then and there that the Scripture states that God is good and that He does what is good. He does what is good despite what the circumstances look like to me. His Word is more true than my reality. Though my life may not turn out the way I would have wanted God is good and He does what is good. I was even able to come to the place of seeing how my brother's accident was a good thing, though this is very difficult to do.
I am so sorry for the suffering that you and the rest of Ian's family is going through at this time. I pray that you can take courage and joy in the fact that God is a Rock, a sure foundation in our world of shifting sand and He does not change. I pray that He will walk with you and the other members of Steve's family during this difficult time and that you would know the comfort of His love and grace.
For His Name's Sake,
jenny
anonymous
October 13, 2009 at 6:46 am
I share your tears.
Thankfully, I also turn to the same perfectly loving and faithful God who is there with you.
anonymous
October 13, 2009 at 1:59 pm
I am praying for all of you often, with love and tears. I think of that song with the ideas from Job, where Job says he will still bless the Lord's name, though he gives and takes away. The song says "You give and take away, you give and take away. My heart will choose to say, Lord, blessed be your name." He is always good.
Ellen T
October 13, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Yes, I do appreciate so many dear thoughts towards Steve and Ian. It is always good to come here and read all the stories and such love!
It was a great service on Sat to honor Steve and our Lord Jesus.
It was also so good to hear the Crazy Kurd(the neighbor) share his heart towards Steve and the family. If you are reading this…thanks. I am the one that shared about Scotland connections.
It is good to know that Steve's life here counted in so many ways.
Praying for everyone.
Ellen
anonymous
October 13, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Thank you for posting.
Wendy in MD
anonymous
October 14, 2009 at 7:52 am
Larissa, I was so encouraged when Ian was talking to me at the memorial service. Please tell him how much it meant to Wayne, the children and myself. We love you all and continue to share tears as we miss Steve together. I'm so glad you will continue writing the blog, we all are so encouraged by the truths that are shared. Tell Mary we are still reading "dangerous journey". Love you, Eileen