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Stephanie Howell

reading, organizing, shopping, momming too close to the sun. Home is wherever the Army sends us.

With Great Sadness

Higgins

*note* this is an updated post. the previous post had an incorrect link. 🙂

With great sadness and a heavy heart…I introduce you to Tanner Higgins. Tanner was 23 and he was a Ranger. He was one of Jimmy’s brothers in arms.He was killed Saturday.

This is a link to the story. The previous link went to a random video, do not go to that link unless you feel like listening to Tupac. 🙂

This is my friend Shelby. She was married to Tanner for six months. I can tell you that she is one of the sweetest, kindest, most innocent,most faithful women I’ve ever met.

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I believe in the power of prayer. Will you please pray? Pray for Shelby. Pray for Tanner’s mother Patti and his brothers Dillon and Noah.

Please pray for all of the men still overseas who still have a job to do. Please pray for all of the wives,girlfriends,and families who are home waiting and praying.

Thank you-

S

Comments

  1. I’m sorry for the loss you are experiencing in your military community.
    This always breaks my heart and I am further away from the ‘impact’ than you.
    I will keep his family in my thoughts.

  2. it’s always so hard to loose one of our own. i am an army vet and know all too well the sadness of losing a brother in arms. my heart goes out to your friend shelby and to his family. may they be wrapped in the love of their family and the military community during this tough time! xo

  3. This is heartbreaking. I just heard on the news a soldier from nearby was also killed. I’m praying for our soldiers & their families. I really don’t know how you deal with all of this. Hugs to you all.

  8. As a former military wife during the Vietnam era, I understand your fears and your pain a little bit. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

  10. My heart is aching for this poor family!!! I will be praying for strength for the whole family and all of his military brothers and sisters!!!

  13. This is so heartbreaking.
    We don’t have army in the country I live, but I understand how painful this can be.
    My thoughts and prayers are for his family and all military families.
    I am truly sorry.

  14. Praying for you all. Our God will see you through these difficult days. Romans 8:38-39, Psalm 13

  15. My heart breaks for the life cut short, for the family who grieves, for all who knew and loved him. Many prayers, and wishing I could add hugs.

  16. What a devastating loss for all those who knew him. My heart goes out to his family!

  17. I have tears. I am so very sorry. Thank you for allowing us to come alongside in prayer. My husband is home now but my heart never leaves that place of gratefulness for his return. Because I know that there are families who are grieving instead of rejoicing.

  19. So sorry to hear this. I will be praying for strength for his wife, friends and family.

  23. Stephanie–this is so incredibly sad. My prayers are for this family but also with you as you shoulder the intensified worry about Jimmy and the others in his company.

  24. Most definitely praying. Thank you for sharing so that others have the opportunity to support this family with prayer.

  25. My heart goes out to all of Tanner’s family, especially Shelby. I’m praying for their peace and comfort. Prayers for all those who so bravely serve our country and defend our liberties.
    Godspeed Tanner.

  26. oh my heart just sank.
    i’m so sorry for his family, for your family and how close to home this must feel. my prayers go out the all of you.

  28. Six months … I just lost it.
    Praying for the families.
    Psalm 46 … it’s the first thing I think of in times of trouble. It’s the only thing that keeps me going.

  29. Prayer is powerful. Cannot imagine Shelby’s life right now but am so thankful for the service that these men and women AND THEIR FAMILIES provide for us. I can also imagine that there is little peace in your mind right now. Prayers headed your way too. Thank you for sharing Tanner’s story.

  30. this is so very sad, my heart is breaking, I can’t imagine being a widow so very young, yes I will pray for all of you…Life is so very unfair sometimes, why do bad things happen to good people….?

  33. Dear Heavenly Father,
    Please watch over Tanner’s family as they go through this time of loss. Please be with all of those men and women who continue to serve overseas for the protection of us all. They are willing to give the ultimate sacrifice. Finally, watch over the families of all those that serve and let us not forget the price that they are willing to pay as well. Provide a hedge of protection around them all. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen

  34. I’m so sorry for your friend and all their family. Praying for all those men and their families.
    Xoxo, Bea

  35. My brother in law just got back from Afghanistan. Not a day went by that we weren’t worried about him. My heart breaks for Shelby and I will pray for her and all of Tanner’s friends and family. God bless all of our Military, especially those who have paid the ultimate price for freedom.

  37. With tears in my eyes and prayer in my heart. May Tanner’s family find peace in knowing he is a hero to all of us. I’m so very sorry for your loss. Thank you for sacrificing everything for our country and it’s freedoms.

  39. Heartbreaking.
    My thoughts and prayers are with Tanner’s family, friends and loved ones.

  43. Praying for Shelby, Tanner and Shelby’s families, and the entire Ranger Family in your time of sorrow.
    I think of your recent post about how you, your children, and spouses become family, and how you must all come together in love and support of one another. May God wrap each of you in love, and grant you strength and peace as only He can.
    {hugs}

  46. I want to pray for his wife, family and friends as God gives strength. Tears roll down my face as I remember our own dear friend killed in action in Afghanistan. Many hard days ahead for her, his mother, you and Jimmy and all who knew him. It is such a tragedy. May God strengthen you all. Wishing I could be there to give you each a hug.

  47. Prayers sent up and will continue to pray for comfort for his family. Thank you to Tanner and every Ranger and armed forces man/woman for the daily sacrifices they and their families endure for our freedom.

  49. My thoughts and prayers for Tanner’s family and friends. God Bless and Godspeed.

  53. This is so heartbreaking. I will be praying for Tanner’s family and for the rest of the Ranger family as you deal with this loss.

  54. There really arent words to express. Prayers from the heart for each family member and the many ways we are all connected in grief.

  55. I’m so sorry to hear of this for the whole family, I pray for the safe return of all the men and women in the service. I’m so sad that your dh has to go through this.
    Our grandson is serving in Afghanistan now and I can’t wait for him to return.

  56. My thoughts are with you all Stephanie!! I will pray for his family. And please thank J for all he does for this country!

  57. It´s amazing that already happend this things and we aren´t informed internationally. It seems that everything is controlled and nobody died in the conflict. My prayers for all the people who is working there. My prayers for all the families that suffer this situation. God bless Tanner and all the support for his family.

  60. So very sorry for the loss of such a fine young man. Many prayers and good thoughts coming your way and their way. Thank you for your service Tanner.

  62. RIP Tanner..we thank you for your ultimate sacrifice and know that we will never forget. Prayers for comfort and healing to Shelby and to all who are hurting by his tragic death!
    God Bless

  64. i’m brokenhearted for this family. i will be praying for them as they grieve. and for you, steph, that you would be a blessing & encouragement to them now…and as you continue to wait from afar for jimmy and the others. hugs, friend.

  65. That is heartbreaking! My heart goes out to his new wife. She and his family and friends are in my prayers. Becca

  67. How heartbreaking. I am so sorry and will be praying for his family and all military families.

  70. Oh sweet girl, you have made me cry, this is just so sad, i will have everyone in my prayers at this awful times, praying for Jimmy to stay strong while out there and for you too for staying strong in all your worry

  78. I am so very sorry for the loss of a friend, a brother, a son, a husband!! I will add Shelby to my prayers for sure!!!!

  79. Sending prayers and hugs! I can’t even imagine the stress and worry that you and your families go through! Praying for his family and your family for a safe return! xoxo

  80. I am so sorry!! What a beautiful couple. Prayers being said all the way around.
    Take Care,
    Natalie

  81. Stephanie, this post was devastating to read. I’m so sorry. My heart aches for his his, family, and his military family and friends. Such a tragic loss. Praying for all involved.

  83. I read you blog faithfully. I smile at your ever ending love and support of our miltary men and women and their families. I love to hear how proud you are of your military man. It saddens me to read posts about men and women like Tanner who put our freedom in their hands every day. My prayers go out to you all….

  84. I will include Tanner and his family in my prayers…so sorry. My friend is in Afghanistan right now for about the next 340 days. His name is Billy. Thank God for the brave men and women who serve this country.

  85. So sad, so young…my heart breaks for his wife, family & friends. All are in my prayers to find the strength to deal with what’s ahead.

  86. That breaks my heart. I’ll be praying for his family and all military families.

  87. just wanted to post to say that my heart goes out to his wife and family! they will be in my prayers!!

  88. So sad when this happen, breaks my heart. Of course prayers and hugs are being sent to everyone.

  89. Praying for this sweet family and all of those who bravely put their lives on the line everyday so that we can live in this wonderful country. Thanks for posting and will continue to lift you and yours up in prayer as well!!

  91. Prayers for Tanner’s family and Shelby. I know you’ve been busy caring for the Ranger Family as well. Thank you for sharing this in such a sweet tribute to them.

  92. This is just heartbreaking. I pray each night for the men and women serving in our armed forces. I pray for their families. I pray for protection and safety for those serving in Afganistan and other places where they are in harms’ way. God be with this young man and his family. Bless you and J and the girls. We are all so proud of you. Thank you, mary k

  93. Oh the pit in my stomach…..there are no words or reasons. I will be praying for his wife and family. And military family too.
    I have a son named Tanner…..not the same but in a way all the soldiers are “our” sons and daughters.

  95. Prayers to his family, wife, loved ones, friends, and comrades. It might bring a bit of comfort to print all these comments off for Shelby–maybe made into a little book or something. She might feel how she is supported and loved from strangers near and far.

  96. Stephanie,
    I am so sorry for your loss. I will be praying for this brave man’s young wife, and family. My heart hurts.

  97. I just had to write a little more. I continue to pray for you, the girls, and J. on a daily basis; especially while he is gone. I pray for warrior angels to watch over him, and protect him.

  98. Too sad, too young, too heartbreaking. There are no words… So tragic for his young wife and family! Truly heartfelt!

  100. Sending up prayers, for Shelby, for his parents, for all military families…Everyone who serves is so brave…We cannot thank them enough.
    (I have a 12 year old named Tanner….)

  101. Oh Stephanie, my heart is breaking for Shelby and the rest of Tanner’s family. My thoughts are with them and you. I hope the ranger family provides you all the strength and support you need to get through this.

  102. Oh Stephanie, I am so sorry! Following blogs of several women who have husbands or other loved ones in the service, I have known that the day would come when one would have bad news. It breaks my heart to see this story. Tanner was so young and poor Shelby. I am praying for comfort and healing for Tanner’s family and for yours too.

  111. Steph, I am so sorry. My thoughts and prayers for Tanner, Shelby and all his family and friends.

  113. No words can ever express the sadness this has made me feel and no word’s will ever be enough to comfort someone in times like these. Praying and sending love and thought your way and Tanner’s family’s way. Especially for that beautiful wife of his. So sorry for your loss.

  114. Thank you for sharing this sad news Stephanie. It makes me so sad for Shelby, and all of Tanner’s family and for you. We owe so much to Tanner and your husband and all the others who fight for us every day. I will definitely be praying for all of you.

  116. Oh no! That is heartbreaking~ Praying for Shelby and his family and that all the rest come home safely. Hang in there.

  117. Such sad news. I’m thinking of his kith & kin & all the brave millitary people in this seemingly unwinable war. Keep strong Stephanie & concentrate on your beautiful children & your reunion.

  118. Special prayers going up for Tanner’s family and friends, and his military brothers and sisters. As always I will continue to pray for the military soldiers and families…and be grateful for the gifts they allow here in the U.S.A. for my family and me.
    God Bless you all!
    Rhonda