The doctors had told us Josh may not make it through the night. So I stayed up all night in his ICU room (very uncomfortable small rooms) and tried to comfort him. It was very sad and stressful to see him having a harder and harder time breathing… My heart began to race to the roof and get so anxious I feared having a panic attack. I hadn’t slept all night. It was 5a.m. The doctor took me outside and asked if I was taking care of myself: he was concerned. My mom had just flown into town and was at home with the boys sleeping; yet I haven’t seen her. So I ended up deciding to make a it back home briefly to pick up my mom and try to nap for an hour or so, then return with my mom before the doctors got there at 7a.m. Before I left the hospital I prayed with Josh knowing it may be the last time. On my way home I called a friend who’s gone through a BMT transplant with her husband and we prayed for God’s will to be made clear because I didn’t know what to do. I was in agony watching Josh suffer and his whole body begin to shut down. When I got home, the hospital called and asked me how long it would take me to get back. Then, a minute later, they said Josh had went home with the Lord for full healing at about 5:20am just as the sun was rising.
My mom and I drove back to the hospital where Josh’s body looked so different, but in a good way! He had a little smile on his face and glow about him that just looked so peaceful. The nurse said that right after I prayed with him and left, his heart rate and blood pressure got worst until his heart stopped beating. I was actually glad to see him free from his frail body and knowing he is now with the Lord! Yet, my heart still aches and can’t stop beating fast. I have not been able to really rest or eat at all. I feel sick to my stomach. Please pray for the peace that surpasses all understanding in Christ for our family. Pray for the boys to not doubt God’s love and be filled with comfort. May we all be comforted with the promises in Scripture of eternal life that is free to all who believe in in the Son. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Yesterday one of our elders Larry “happen” to be in town. He had wanted to drop off a banner the church signed for Josh. When I asked him to come ASAP last night, he dropped everything and rushed over and spent four hours with Josh reading Scripture and encouraging him. Since Larry stayed serval hours, I got to go home and tuck the boys in at night. We still need all your prayers for help lifting the weight of our grief through prayer. I will post more updates regarding memorial services. Josh wanted two–one in our church in Merlin and one in CA with family and friends there. Thank you!
This Thorny Rose 
Dear Erika, our hearts are broken by the news. Be assured of our continued prayers for you, the boys and the rest of the family. May God grant you peace and rest🙏
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Heartbroken for all who love dear
Josh.🙏🏻 for you all.😥
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Absolutely heartbroken. He is in heaven and I will continue to pray ❤️
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Bless your heart, Erika! I just feel so sorry for your loss, and will definitely keep you and your family in my prayers. We certainly know that Josh is in a far better place!
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Love & prayer continues for your family. 🙏🏼 We, too, are heartbroken. Erika, you are a saint & the Lord has (& will continue) to use you & Josh as a witness to so many. 🙏🏼 ❤️
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Dear Erika our hearts are crying with you and your family. Josh will be missed so much. What a wonderful servant of the Lord. He was witnessing right up to the end. Erika this has been a hard journey for you being by Josh’s side and trying to keep your family going at the same time. Your lights were shining through it all. Praying for God’s comfort, peace, understanding and rest during this difficult time. Sending our love to you and our family love Gerry and Kathy Hawkins
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Heartbroken for you all, but happy that Josh is no longer suffering & with his beloved Savior. Love you. Mike and Nancy
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My heart just sunk as I was almost afraid to read your next post. I prayed for a miracle or if he was going home to make it quick so he wouldn’t suffer anymore. My heart goes out to you, Erika, and Noah and Nathan … and for the task of helping the boys through this heartbreaking time. I’m so thankful your family is there with you all. Praying for you now will h such sorrow and love. Rest In Peace with our Savior, Josh. You are home.
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Joshill live ousic, artics you wrote, the ouls you brought in and the taped messagNot toories of your service to God and the family you headed
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Could not imagine the pain you are feeling. I am so so sorry for the heartbreak that you are going through! Our prayers and thoughts are with you and yours 💜
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Our family is praying for you and your boys.
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Dear Erika and boys,
Our hearts are heavy and saddened at your loss. We rejoice knowing that Josh is in the presence of the One to whom he surrendered his life. I enjoyed doing ministry with Josh in Kingman. I was thrilled when he received his call to preach in Oregon and the possibilities that lay before you all. I know that God still has many great things planned for you and the boys. May His peace rest mightily upon you all in this hour of loss. May we all be encouraged at the thought that Josh is waiting with our Savior to welcome us all home with him someday.
In Christ,
Hugh Schwartz
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So deeply sorry for your loss Erica, he is not suffering anymore, I know he is with Jesus, but we are crying too. I pray hard for your children, and you know I’m willing to help you in any way ❤
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Dear Seibert family,
Nadine and I are so sorry to hear of Josh’s passing. We had been praying along with the Koneckos and Minyards for all of you during this hard time. Josh was a true man of God, a son, brother, husband, redeemer, father, and my good friend. God speaks about men of whom the world was not worthy; I believe that Josh is one of those and am very thankful for every moment he was here. We love you,
Brad and Nadine Brock
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Erika, WE (Meridian church family) are lifting you and your boys up in prayer. Josh is free now and we praise God with you for that freedom. Our prayer is the our Lord will give you all the peace you saw on Josh’s face. Blessings, Pastor Rolland
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Oh Erika, my heart is breaking for you.
Christy C.
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My heart aches for your loss. I praise God for His promises and know Josh is in his new restored body.
You and the family will remain in my prayers. There are going to be so many wonderful reunions as we each go home and are welcomed by loved ones. Your boys will remember a faithful loving father in Josh, he is a good example of their faithful loving Heavenly Father. God bless you all. Nancy
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Oh, Erika. What you have been called to bear. We have been reading your blog and have ached with you every step of the way. Our hearts go out to you and your sweet boys. May you find peace in knowing Josh is with Jesus and out of his pain. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
-Clark and Robin Pomeroy (Don Seibert’s cousin)
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I will continue praying for you guys. I remember Josh well during our time in seminary. He always had a smile and I saw the beaming joy of Christ in his life. This husband, father, and brother will be missed. At the same time, this faithful soldier is now resting in the arms of Christ. I know there is also pain and grief at the moment and I can’t fully comprehend the unimaginable grief you are going through. May Christ bring about strength and consolation during this difficult time.
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Oh Erika–I am so sad with this news–praying for you and family
Love you,
Gertrude
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Dearest Ericka,
I will keep on praying, THAT the Lord supply Strength for you and your sweet boys. Josh is now with our LORD and you will see him again. GOD is so good to have given you time with Josh. We love you and will hold you up in our prayers.
Irma
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so very sorry Little sister! so very sorry. I was so happy When the Lord brought him into you and your Son’s life! and even happier when the Lord bless you with another child. Weeping with you and hugging you in my heart
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Erika, We are weeping with you over your great loss and pray for you and your precious family as you adjust to it all. Josh was a valiant warrior and faithful ambassador of our Lord Jesus Christ. It brings me great comfort, too, to know that he is at rest with our Lord now — but the hole left in the hearts and lives of loved ones is very real, too. We will pray that the Lord will fill that as only He can. You are in our prayers and thoughts. Norm and Armida Snyder
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We are praying for you and your boys, Erika. Our hearts go out to you. May you know the continued love of Christ for you and your boys, as you grieve and hope (Romans 8:35-39).
-A fellow TMS Grad
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My dear sister and friend, my deepest condolences goes out to you and your family. I am so sorry for your lost. I am weeping, my heart breaks for I cannot begin to imagine the pain you and your family are bearing. I am praying that the God of all comfort, comfort you and your family.
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I am so heart broken & sorry to hear about Josh. My thoughts & prayers are with you and the boys. Love Joanne Nix
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My family is praying for you and your children. Josh left the fragrance of Christ behind him in everyplace he went. He will be greatly missed, and yet we rejoice for his sake.
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Thanks for your prayers and encouragement Joe!
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Dear Seibert family: Our heart goes out to your family on the loss of your loved one, Josh. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. Kim and Don were our small group leader years ago when we were at Church of the Canyons and Josh was the same age as Christopher.
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Thanks so much for your continued prayers!!
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Erika and Boys, It’s now October and language still can’t express the depth that the loss of Josh still attends our hearts. Our consolation continues to be our faith in God and the knowledge that He holds the 3 of you in His loving arms. With love and prayers, Nance and David
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Thanks Nance & David! God holds us in His big and omnipotent arms! …just wish I️ could feel them wrap me in flesh. Looking forward to the day when we will see Him face to face! Xoxo
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