From Bethany, Joel's oldest sister, to her father...

I just wanted to write a tribute to my dear Father, who fought and journeyed right alongside our precious Joel. He was there constantly by his side only leaving on a few short occasions. He read the scriptures to him, prayed over him and served him in every way he could.
The nurses found in him a willing learner, quickly mastering each lesson to be able to more efficiently serve and take care of his precious son.
I know from the times I stayed up at the hospital how emotionally taxing it was, the constant tension of watching his heart rate, keeping tabs on his blood pressure and doing as he called it his “hourly check” where he kept track of all Joel’s vital signs and temperature.
He fought for Joel all the way into the courtroom, at the same time encouraging us that we must love and pray for our enemies.
All the way up until that very last day when the ventilator could no longer keep his heart rate up my Dad was by his side manually bagging air into Joel’s lungs. We were all around his bed, I was holding his little hand and Mr. Burnett was praying as his heart rate dropped to zero. We were all witnesses to the fact that when Joel truly died no machine in the world could keep him alive.
Thank you also Dad for diligently teaching us the Sovereignty of God. That nothing happens outside of his plan. That “every joy or trial cometh from above, traced upon our dial by the Son of Love.”
Thank you Dad for your dedication to our precious Joel, and to your whole family.

I love you, your daughter Bethany