Timothy Richard Herzog
June 8, 2000 - March 29, 2011

"Stacie Hiett"

"Carrie Wang with love"

"My apologies for the delay in writing back to you - my heart was broken at the updates and news of your loss. Honestly, I'm not sure what to say that can bring comfort, except that to know I prayed and thought of Tim and your family throughout and have passed on this request to any church family I know here in St. Augustine. Lisa Averill Jeremiah 29:11"

"My apologies for the delay in writing back to you - my heart was broken at the updates and news of your loss. Honestly, I'm not sure what to say that can bring comfort, except that to know I prayed and thought of Tim and your family throughout and have passed on this request to any church family I know here in St. Augustine. Lisa Averill Jeremiah 29:11"

"Janey with love"

"Theresa Sun"

"Donghai"

"Linda with love"

"We were having an ISC head principal's meeting here in Tianjin when we first heard about Tim. Each time Dave Pattison received an update, we would stop and pray. I don't think I'll ever forget that day. Having a young son of my own, I cannot begin to comprehend the weight of this loss. The light of God's glorious gospel is shining brightly out of your clay jars (II Cor. 4), and it's clear that the power is from Him. We prayed for you at our ISC admin retreat this fall, and will continue to do so. I am praying that your faith will continue to be strengthened, and that his comforting presence would continue to be tangible, both directly and through his Body. Scott"

"rebecca with love"

"Wayne & Jessica with love"

"I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get here. I think about you guys every day. And often think about Tim as I teach- did I ever tell you part of the reason I wanted to teach this year was so I could teach him? I enjoyed Josh's stories about him and wanted to get to know him. His absence is felt. And we won't forget him."

"Kaiji and Xiaolei with love"

"We are with LDI in Tianjin. Thank you for your update. I can't imagine how how hard it was to write, but it is good to know how to pray for each one of you. My family grieved with you last year,and prayed specifically for your daughter as she was at the adventure site where my husband works while you were in Hong Kong with Timothy. "

"Dear Herzogs, We have been very involved with WYIS in Wuhan and so when the email came through about Timothy we were all praying for him. It breaks my heart to think about the suddenness of his departure and the agony of the decisions you had to make at that time. I continue to lift you up whenever something brings Timothy's story to my memory. I do not want to try to push you out of grieving into victory, but I do want to share one thing. I often see the shadow of pain, the touch of death, the hint of shattered dreams in the people I most respect - it seems to happen to very precious people - your whole family is very precious."

"We were visiting Tianjin and our children when the accident occured. Our hearts broke for you then and continue to now. Please know that we will continue to lift you all up as you face each day and the challenges they bring. Remember the Father knows the pain you are experiencing as He too lost a son. May His grace sustain you. Our love and prayers from Wyoming........"

"Dear Herzogs, When we heard of the news, we grieved with you and along with our family and church in Wyoming, we lifted our requests to the throne of grace. We shed tears even now as we read the most recent update. May He give you a strength, peace, and love for another that surpasses all understanding! In Christ, Adam and Mandy Metcalf"

"Although I have never met you, I heard about the accident because we had just come to join the staff in the Chengdu school. I was very moved for you all and started to join in the prayer for Tim and your family immediately. I cannot imagine the grief that you must be going through and how anyone can make sense of something so tragic and sudden. I pray that you will continue to know His everlasting arms beneath you as you ride that roller coaster and face life without Tim around. May you be secure in the knowledge of His amazing everlasting love for you all in the midst of your different reactions to what has happened. With love, Denise Wang."

"Dear Herzog Family, I am the mother of Jenni Budensiek. We heard about Tim's accident and began praying for him and for you, as well as the school family. Our hearts go out to you - then - as well as now as you continue to sort through the complexity of grief and emotions. I know that you do not grieve as those who have no hope, yet there is still grief, loss and pain. May you be comforted by "the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 May you find comfort as you press into the God of all comfort! With a loving and prayerful heart, Becky "

"Barb Ekins Gulick"

"Dear Rick and Stephanie, You don't know us, but my dear cousin is Cindy Post and she had forwarded the information about your son when he first fell and was being life-flighted to Hong Kong. We prayed and shared with our church family and they were praying as well. How our hearts hurt with you when we heard of his passing. Our oldest son is the exact same age, so I think it hits home with us in an esp. poignant way. We are so sorry for your loss. What a blessing and a joy to know that He knew the Savior and will be with Him for all eternity. I wish I really had words to express all that is in our hearts, I don't. You are in our prayers and we just pray that God will continue to wrap you all in His loving arms and hold you close to His heart. 13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thes. 4:13-18 With much love in Christ, Dave and Diane Mateer"

"Dear Herzog Family, Though we never met you, we, along with many others we know, were shocked and grief stricken when the news reached us of Tim's fall and eventually of his passing. Our family was part of the ISC-Wuhan team until this past June, when we returned home to the States. It was with that team and community that we heard the news and with that team and community we prayed for Tim and your family. Your family is never far from our mind and hearts. How we wish there was some balm, some words, something we could offer. We can offer only our love, tears and so many of our continued prayers. May you find Him holding you ever closer. And may He grant strength to each of you, each day, as you continue loving one another and learn to somehow walk on. "

"Hello. We just wanted to let you know that we were praying for you and we felt the loss of your child even though we've never met you or your family. The ISC schools is a "small" family and when a part of our body hurts, we all hurt. I also want you to know my students prayed for you and your family in our class and my students were challenged by the life and death of Tim. How he gave life to others... I pray that you would continue to experience His peace and His comfort in the midst of your suffering. P.S. We prayed for you today as well during our day of prayer."

"Hello Herzogs, I saw the news of your son's accident in an LDi e-mail that went out last spring. Carolyn (from your ECC) was visiting our school at the time. (I am the ECC principal here in TJ.) Shortly after that, we had a principal's meeting, and we all stopped to pray for Tim and for your family. I asked my family in Michigan to remember your family as well. So many prayers were lifted up for you during those first few days. We continue to pray for you as I know that the pain never goes away."

"We met for such a short time in Houghton and shared an apartment there in 2008. Only He knew what the future would bring. I cannot imagine your pain, but I have and will continue to lift you up. "

"I do not remember if we have met or not. I never met Tim. I started receiving your emails via Shelley Verbeck Alexander. She once told me how we are all related, but I cannot remember. I do not even pretend to understand your pain, but your words touch me. I have felt loss, nothing of this magnitude, and I have so much respect and admiration for your family through your emails. There is always room in my life for friends and family, extended family alike. My husband, Tim, sends his thoughts and prayers too. When we were informed of your loss, we both prayed for the hearts and feelings of your entire family. May you find the counseling you need. Thoughts to you whilst dealing with your chronic pain. Perhaps next time you send an email, you can include the name of that book. Hugs and cheers from Guam. Although we do not know each other, I have never forgotten your loss."

"Stephanie, Rick and family, Mike and Karen told us about Tim's accident and death. We started praying for you as soon as we heard about Tim's accident. When I, Cyndy, was grieving 2 untimely deaths of relatives within 2 months of each other a grief book was given me entitled "When Going to Pieces Holds You Together". The title alone was like a life line to me when it felt like the world was crashing in. I learned from that experience that to walk through the flood of emtions of grieving,to allow myself to feel like I was going to pieces and simply trust I was going to come out to see the other side, is by far the best way to heal. From reading your update it sounds like your family are all doing the hard work of grieving. Good for you. You will come through this. The darkness won't last forever. Let God cling to you now as you have little energy to cling to Him. God the sustainer is with you. Lean on Him as hard as you need to. He can handle all of your emotions as your hearts cry out to HIm. We're continuing to pray for you."

"Dear Stephanie and family, Stephanie, I have only met you briefly through Karen F., and spent a bit of time with you years ago at a women's retreat. Since then, I've noticed your beautiful family at church. I remember you all lighting an advent candle not that long ago. I was so very sorry to hear about the loss of your precious Tim. Your family has been on our hearts these last months. Please know that even those of us who don't know you well surround you with our love and prayers. Lisa and family- Pete, Jacob and Emma"

"Dear Stephanie and family, We are connected to you through Jennifer Labile and the international adoption community here in Seattle. Years ago when we were waiting for our daughter, Ani, who was adopted from Russia in the spring of 2004 and who is almost 8 now, we met you in person over here at our house at a party for those of us with adoption in common. I was so sad to hear about your son's death last April through the Laibles and have gotten some updates, and have been praying for you all ever since. We are so sorry that you have to journey through all this pain. We do appreciate your courage and grace as you share the blessings and brokenness of your grief with us. You are not carrying this alone! We journey with you from afar and send our prayers for peace and healing. With full hearts, Jen, Dave and Ani Janssen "

"Dear Herzog family, You have been in my frequent thoughts and prayers since the time of Timothy's tragic death. Our son, Casey, attended Fairview's preschool with Danny. Words cannot express the depth of our sadness for your loss. You continue to be in our prayers as you navigate through life with this "new normal", and we pray that Jesus remains your strength in the midst of it all. Love, Heather and Jason Needham"

"Dear Herzog's, We have never met. I have never met Tim. I heard about your tragic loss from some folks at Fairview Chrisian School in Seattle, Wa. God has been bringing you to mind. He is faithful to do that for some of us when those in our body need prayer. I read your update letter and will continue to pray for your family as you walk through the emotional roller coaster that is grief. In Christ, Joy Hilliker"

"We have prayed for your family often during these last few months and we continue to do so. Our earthly hearts and minds have struggled understanding all the outcome of this situation, but we have been so encouraged in our faith as we have watched and listened to how God has ministered and worked in and through all this. We will continue to love each of you through our prayer life, may God richly bless and love you each of the days ahead."

"Dear Stephanie, Rick and family, You are so often on my mind and in my prayers. I cannot imagine bearing your loss and can only pray for comfort and grace for all of you in the midst of this. Thank you so much for sharing so openly in your update. You are an amazing couple. I will pray daily for all of you individually, and for your marriage, as you work through the differences in the ways you experience and deal with this loss. I'm so glad you've found a counselor who is helpful, and that Naomi can bring pure and innocent joy into your lives and home. You will continue to be in my prayers, and I'll ask again for the continued prayers of Seattle Mennonite Church. I overlooked the guest book at Tim's service, but appreciated so much all the stories about him. As someone else already has written, it was clear that God was holding Rick up, giving him the strength to speak about Tim as he did. Thank you for those stories! Wishing you God's peace that passeth all understanding; for comfort, hope and strength for each day; and for restful sleep in the night, Sarah"

"Sarah Oyer with prayers for comfort and peace"

"I have two connections to your family. One through Fairview Christian School. My son, Samuel, is in Mrs. Lehman's class. The Fairview community was heartbroken by the loss of Tim and all praying for your family. The second connection is through Anna-Karin Roo, whom I believe knows you through her own time in China. I will continue to pray for you all as you grieve and heal from this deep and painful loss. God is faithful and you are in good hands in His love. Hang on to Him for he is able to meet you where you are. much love to you all. "

"We are friend with Kurt, and Charlotte. In our small group we prayed for your family and the loss of your son. Your annalogy of loosing a limb is so right. Praying for your healing, ministry, and family. "

"Dearest Herzog Family, Your family is close to my heart and so often on my mind. Praying for you all. Love, Tori"

"We are continuing to pray! Thank you for the opportunity. "

"Rick and Stephanie: You and your family are in our prayers. "

"Rick, Stephanie Although I did not know Tim, I know how special he was. I want you both to know that you are in both Diane and my prayers. I cannot help but believe that God is going to use this (although tragic) situation to better your lives and the people you are associted with. You have an amazing support group of family and friends combined with your faith and belief in God. We collectively will not let you down. Consider our arms wrapped around you and your family today and everyday with a huge hug from all of us who love you dearly. "

"We did not know Tim or his family but when we were told about what had happened to Tim, through our daughters Debbie-Sue and Jenny-Lea, our Lord put such a heavy burden on us that only prayer for him and his family helped relieve this heaviness. Our Lord is so caring and loves us so much that when we are hurting and struggle to pray he has others lift us up. praise His Holy Name."

"Dear Friends, Thanks so much for the update . You have been heavy on my mind and in my prayers these last two weeks. By all accounts Tim was a special little boy and he will always be with you.I pray god will continue to hold you all together and give you peace. Nu.6:24-26. Geri H."

"It was Tim and Danny's job each Sunday to wait at the fellowship door with the offering bags and find people to take up the offering. I remember Tim looking at me with his big brown eyes and raising the offering bag up to me. He never had to say a word, and never once did I have the heart to refuse those beautiful playful eyes. "

"It has been more than 5 months now but I wanted to write and share our family's memories of Tim when we viewed his service. Brandon, Hannah and I had a quiet evening at home and watched Tim's service. Brandon said, "he was a bit mischievious...I remember when were at Haunschild's with Tim and we were raking up leaves into a red wagon. Every once in a while he would look around mischievously and then he would JUMP into the leaves and laugh. Lydia would say, 'TIMMY!' because we had to rake them all up again. I always recall seeing a smile on Tim's face whenever I saw him." For me (Michelle) I immediately see Timmy at his desk in Ms. Daley's room or in chapel or the lunchroom or lining up for recess since that was when I was around him the most at the school in Fairview. We saw him a summer ago and I knew he was TIM not Timmy but the picture in my mind and heart is TIMMY at Fairview. It was very clear to Brandon and I that the Lord ws carrying Rick for him to be able to speak on Tim's behalf. We are grateful for what you shared. Brandon laughed when the teacher wrote about how Tim would sign his name with clues on his paper and he said, "It sounds like Tim to me!" "

"It's still hard to believe that Tim is not here. It hurts. It's painful. We just don't understand. My prayer for you is for comfort when it's hardest, for light when it's darkest. I love you guys."

"I miss seeing Tim at the bus stop everyday, carrying his saxophone case, or running with Naomi's stroller. I remember the day he came over to do his magic show for us. He had every line and trick well rehearsed. I always think of him wearing the red Alvin the Chipmunks sweatshirt that he'd created. We all miss him. Herzogs, I pray for you every day."

"Maggie with love"

"Elaine Liu with love"

"justanana"

"Evergreen Washelli, with heartfelt sympathy"