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Sender: Anthony (BTMS 6th grader)

Soldiers Name: PFC Kristine Timmons

Message: kristine

hi I am one of the students that has been writing to you. I just want you to know that you are a
HERO to alot of students at Bethel Tate. I am one that looks up to you as a hero because when I grow up and am 18 I am going to the Marines. I know how hard it must be for your parent's because I have a cousin over in Iraq and I have another cousin that is leaving in June.

Your friend,

Anthony

Sender: Gloria Vickers, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Soldiers Name: Matt Maupin

Message: Dear Carolyn: On this Memorial Day, we take time out to remember those who, as Abraham Lincoln said, "...gave the last full measure of devotion." We also take time out to remember both our Veterans, and those serving in our Armed Forces today.

And, most importantly, I, and many, many others continue to remember, and lift up in prayer, your son, Matt. We must have faith that God hears both our prayers, and Matt's prayers, and in His time, He will bring Matt home.

Last year, singer Rebecca St. James, put out a version of her song "I Thank You", which intermixed prayers and messages from both regular Americans and our leaders, with her song.

The message to our Troops was "thank you for what you do." The words of her song seem to be our Troops responding, "Thank you for supporting us."

One of the verses states:

I thank you for believing in me

You've given me your all

Now I'll never be alone.

I thank you

You never stopped loving me

You've held onto my soul

and I'm never letting go.

(To see this heartwarming video, go to rsjames.com/video.html, and click on the appropriate connection to her song, "I Thank You (Remix) Video")

I can just hear Matt addressing a huge crowd there in Ohio one day, saying, "Thank you for believing in me, for loving me, for praying for me."

Please keep believing, Carolyn. Americans, and many more around the world, are standing with you and your family, and praying for Matt's safety, and release.

"Trust in the Lord. Have faith, do not despair. Trust in the Lord." (Psalm 27:14)

God be continually with you, Carolyn, your entire family, and, especially, Matt.

Sender: Jessiga4

Soldiers Name: all our troops

Message: thank you for all u r doing for our country

Sender: Gloria Vickers, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Soldiers Name: PFC Matt Maupin

Message: Dear Carolyn: As we commemorate the D-Day invasion this weekend, we remember the courage of the Soldiers involved. And, we remember the faith and trust in God that many of those men had to have had to face what they were about to endure.

And, just like those men, Matt is having to reach inside himself, and find the courage, and the faith and trust in God that he needs to endure what he is going through.

When there is no one else to turn to but God, a peace comes over us, and we realize that He is all we need.

I just know that Matt is trusting that the Lord will deliver him. "I am the Lord; I will rescue you, and set you free..." (Exodus 6:6)

A song by Rich Mullins illustrates, in a beautiful way, the hope Matt must be feeling that God will indeed deliver him. It's entitled

"My Deliverer". In part, it states:

My Deliverer is coming, my Deliverer is standing by.

He will never break His promise - He has written it upon the sky.

My Deliverer is coming, My Deliverer is standing by.

I will never doubt His promise - though I doubt my heart, I doubt my eyes.

My Deliverer is coming, My Deliverer is standing by.

(To hear the entire song, go to:

www.gotpetsonline.com/music/mydelivereriscomingbyrichmullins.mp3 -- Click on 'Open the file'.

The song ends with quiet music - take time to agree in prayer with Matt that his Deliverer is indeed coming.)

God continue to grant His perfect peace to you, your family, and, especially, to Matt.

Sender: Linda Love

Soldiers Name: Keith Mauphin

Message: I pray for you and your family several times every day. I pray that God will sustain you, keep you safe, encourage you, keep you strong. I pray God will keep your family strong, encourage them and give them comfort. America loves you and appreciates your sacrifice.

Sender: Gloria Vickers, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Soldiers Name: PFC Matt Maupin

Message: Dear Carolyn and family: The news that U.S. led forces rescued one Polish and three Italian hostages today gives us all renewed hope for Matt's rescue or release. And, it gives us all the assurance that our military is indeed looking for Matt, and are doing everything they can to find him.

Hold on, Matt. Help is on the way. You're on the "Verge of a Miracle":

You're on the verge of a miracle

Standing there

Oh, you're on the verge of a miracle

Just waiting to be believed in

Open your eyes and see

You're on the verge of a miracle.

(from a song by Rich Mullins)

Trust in God. Keep the faith. Keep believing. Keep praying. God will make a way.

Sender: Gloria Vickers, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Soldiers Name: PFC Matt Maupin

Message: Dear Carolyn and family: It has been two months since Matt was taken hostage. As we reflect back on these most trying of days, we must continue to keep looking up to the One who holds tomorrow. We must continue to have faith that God will answer all of our prayers on behalf of Matt to bring him home.

Matt is completely trusting God - we can do no less. God has promised Matt, "I will never leave you; I will never abandon you" (Hebrews 13:5).

God, alone, will bring Matt home. He may use others to accomplish this - but it is He who will guide them. Ultimately, we must put it all in God's Hands - as Matt has assuredly done.

Let us remain resolute in our belief that God will bring Matt home. Let us believe Him at His Word, when He says, "Leave it to Me":

So afraid that you will not be found

It won't be long before your sun goes down

Leave it to me

I'll lead you home

So let it go and turn it over to

The one who chose to give His life for you

Leave it to me

I'll lead you home

Hear me calling

Hear me calling

You're lost and alone

Leave it to me

I'll lead you home

(Hear the entire song, "Leave it to Me" by Michael W. Smith at: www.freedwings.com/lead.html)

Let us agree with Matt when he prays, "even so, Lord Jesus, come" (Rev.22:20b).

God continue to give your whole family, and, especially, Matt, strength, perseverance, comfort and peace.

Sender: SHARON WHITLOCK

Soldiers Name: ALL SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN

Message: WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE ON OUR BEHALF, YOU HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB AND WE HOPE YOU COME HOME SOON. LOVE & HUGS

Sender: Charla

Soldiers Name: Cale Baudendistel

Message: Cale,

I Love and Miss you, I can't wait until you come home!!!! Praying for you and every other soldier out there.....................

Sender: John -n- Vickie Schaub (e-mail shebear45895@yahoo.com)

Soldiers Name: Matt Maupin

Message: I am not sure if you remember but we met at the columbus air port when Matt and our son Johnny came home from their training in Ill. Johnny and Matt served there 2 weeks at Fort Perry together and that is how they met. I am telling you this cuz our son just left back to Iraq from leave and he wanted me to tell you that not a day goes by that he does not think of Matt and keeps his head up for him. You are truly in our prayers and will be for ever. Thank you and God be with you and your family.

Sender: christy holcombe

Soldiers Name: to all the troops

Message: thank you so much for fighting for our country and for our freedomw.you are always in my thoughts and prayers.god bless yous.christy

Sender: wildfl425

Soldiers Name: john linville and to all

Message: we are all praying for a safe return to all of you serving in the fight for freedom. please be safe. we hope it will be over soon for all of you and you can come home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sender: M. Thompson

Soldiers Name: Maupin Family

Message: I am praying for you and yours. I keep Matt's picture in my Bible as a reminder to call on the heavenly for his protection and freedom. May you be renewed each day with hope and strength.

Sender: Fran

Soldiers Name: Matt Maupin

Message: I pray for your safe return home. Thank you Matt for your service and sacrifice and thank you to all the men and women serving our country. Thank you for defending my freedom.

Carolyn and Keith you and your family will be in my prayers. God Bless you all.

Fran

Sender: Don & Wanda Pangallo

Soldiers Name: SSG DION PANGALLO

Message: Dion, we love and miss you! We hope you come home safely. Counting down!

Sender: Don Collins, Knoxville

Soldiers Name: Matt Maupin's Family

Message: Dear Friends:

The computer can be a cold and unemotional method of communication. I’m not sure it can succeed in conveying the depth of our concern for Matt and your anguish. My family and I continue to pray for Matt’s safety and speedy return to your loving arms. We also pray that almighty God wraps in you His great love and gives you strength in this stressful time.

--The Collins Family

Sender: The Nuyttens Family

Soldiers Name: Matt Maupin

Message: Dear Matt Maupin's Family,

We just wanted to let you know that are entire family is behind you 100%. But the person that wants Matt home the most is my 4 year old daughter Marissa Nuyttens. Every night before we eat we say grace but she always makes a special timeout for Matt. "Please Jesus bring Matt home safe. Take care of him" Everynight. We attended the vigil held in Batavia and I peeked over at her and she was scretly bowing her head and praying for Matt. Her and my 2 year old son Liam were proudly waving their flags and feeling the love and support all around. Marissa isn't old enough to type something to you but she wanted to tell you that she loves Matt and and has a picture of him (from the vigil) in her purse. My mother works at Batelle's in Eastgate and Matt's aunt has put yellow ribbons all around the place. She has heard lots of Marissa's undying support for Matt. Hopefully when he is home and well rested she could later on tell Matt how glad she is he's home. Our candles are lit and waiting on his safe return.

Thank you for your time and God bless you!

Denni Nuyttens

Mt. Washington

Sender: Dolly Cruz

Soldiers Name: PFC Matt Maupin

Message: I would like to take this time and let the Maupin family know I will not stop praying for Matt until God brings him home. I pray for strenght and peace for Matt, but most of all for his safe return. God will bring him home.

Sender: Doug & Brenda Koehler

Soldiers Name: Matt Maupin

Message: Just wanted to let you know we haven't forgotten. We continue to pray for you (and your family). May God keep you safe and give you courage and strength. Thank you to all of our servicemen and women--we are proud of you, and pray for your safe return.

Sender: Gloria Vickers, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Soldiers Name: Specialist Matt Maupin

Message: Dear Carolyn and family: I feel we must all be reminded right now to be constant in our prayers for Matt. "The prayer of a good person has a powerful effect" (James 5:16b). God will honor our prayers. He will surround Matt with His angels, and protect him from the evil that man may try to do to him. He will guide the steps of those who are searching diligently to find Matt and bring him home. He will continue to not only comfort Matt, but give him the strength to carry on. He will bring Matt home to bring others unto Himself. He will because He has said, "I Am Who I Am" (Exodus 3:14).

Though we see evil happening all around us, God reminds us to "Look up...for your redemption draws near" (Luke 21:28). Matt is not looking around - he is looking up. He knows from where his help will come - "My help comes from the Lord, who made Heaven and earth" (Ps.121:2).

Remember, Matt is developing a relationship with God that all of us can only hope and pray to one day achieve - complete faith in God, complete trust in God, complete hope in God. And, Matt knows:

When I call on Jesus

All things are possible

I can mount on wings like eagles and soar

When I call on Jesus

Mountains are gonna fall

'Cause He'll move Heaven and earth

To come rescue me when I call.

(to hear "Call on Jesus" by Cincinatti native Nicole C. Mullen, go to: www.gospel.nl/video.php, and click on "Call on Jesus" next to 'Mullen, N.c.')

Let's join with Matt in 'Looking Up'. Let's continue to believe that all things are possible.

Sender: Melissa Parnes

Soldiers Name: Matt Maupin

Message: Matt... I can't wait for your safe return home! I pray for it each night before i lay down to sleep. I miss seeing you! I keep a candle burning at night just to light your and all the other soldiers way home to us. God is protecting you and holding you close to his side. We all love and miss you so much. Don't give up hope! Soon you will b sitting at home... and it'll all be in the past. We all have faith that God is going to bring you home. He knows how it is to lose a son... and i have a feeling he is not going to let that happen again to someone. Bless all of the troops and Matt. COME HOME SOON MATT

Love,

**Melissa Parnes**

Sender: The Wyatt's

Soldiers Name: Matt Maupin and all soldiers!

Message: Dear Matt, I saw your name from a friend on Mediboard,Diane, and want you to know that we are praying for your safe return.

We also pray for all the soldiers going through such hard times in Irag and other places. God Bless!

We also have a son, and our heart goes out to Matt's mother and the rest of his family, as well as everyone else's families.

Love and may God protect you! Mark and Lori

Sender: LTC Eliza P.Ricks (great aunt of Matt Maupin)

Soldiers Name: Matt Maupin and all other service men and women

Message: Next month I will be retired from USAF Reserves and I want all of you to know just how much I care and respect all of you. You have my total admiration to be so brave in times like these. Many of you are just 1/3 my age and you have already accomplished so much! You have enhanced everyone's faith in young people and you have given up so much to make a difference in the world. Just to let you know, I have always believed in taking a stand against evil and oppression; often I was promoted in spite of such a stand and not of because of it. The best advice I can give all of you is to stay true to what you believe and to God, who is the source of all good. "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21. Stay close to God and when you need reassurance read the 91st Psalm.

Sender: Gloria Vickers, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Soldiers Name: Specialist Matt Maupin

Message: Dear Keith: On this Fathers' Day, I want you to remember that I and others, across America and the world, are lifting your son, Matt, up in continual prayer - petitioning God, our Father, to protect Matt, comfort Matt, rescue Matt, and to bring him home.

Matt knows His Heavenly Father is with him -

"You are my Father and my God; You are my Protector and Savior" (Psalm 89:26).

I want to thank you for raising such a wonderful son. From what I've read about Matt, I can tell he has a father, and a mother, who have instilled in him the values and faith he is now relying on to bring him through - and bring him home. (And, I know your daughter and younger son exhibit them as well).

Matt has looked to you to be his example of what it means to be a man. And, you have succeeded.

Matt looks now to his Heavenly Father. Every day is 'Father's Day' for Matt.

"...you, Lord, are our Father, the One who has always rescued us" (Isaiah 63:16b).

May God bless you Keith, and Carolyn, and your whole family - and may God continue to watch over Matt.

Sender: Connie and Rosalee from Md.

Soldiers Name: Matt Maupin

Message: I just want to let his family know we are thinking of their son. And I keep a picture of him with a yellow ribbon . So that everyday I see it I will pray for his safe return to his family.

Sender: Kristin

Soldiers Name: PFC Noel C. Robinson, Matt Mauphin

Message: To my husband, i love you more than life itself,and miss you so much. I am so proud of you! Come home to me soon and safely. To Matt, i may not know you personally but i pray for you everyday, and I know that you'll be in your familys arms soon. May God be with you.

Sender: HEATHER BROCKMAN

Soldiers Name: MATT MAUPIN

Message: KEEP HOPE AND FAITH AND ONE DAY OUR LOVED ONES WILL RETUN... THANK YOU

Sender: bonnie

Soldiers Name: all our servicemen and woman

Message: you are in my prayers. positive thought along with my yellow ribbon on my house in NY.

godspeed

Sender: Alex Wolfe

Soldiers Name: Specialist Fred Wolfe

Message: I would like to dedicate this to my brother, who is currently serving in Korea. A lot of his buddies are being sent to Iraq and he wants to go where the action is. He is a great person and we love him very much.