Quick Update
Simon is comfortable and quite alert in his hospital room. He is still only accepting family to visit but has enjoyed hearing your many messages read to him. He has smiled and laughed. I have not seen him shed a single tear. It may be a physical impossibility or it may be that he truly has a peace that passes all understanding.
Reminiscing while Simon is still present is a gift. I don’t know why our culture waits until the person dies to say what they want to say or tell them the impact they have had. It’s so backwards. Simon is surrounded in love literally and knows he is loved by those who can not be here. Whether romantic or platonic – call it cheesy, necessary, or brave – tell the people you love that YOU LOVE THEM.
Here is one of Simon’s tattoos. Have you picked up a Bible, gone to church, or tried praying yet? Do it. For Simon, for you, for Jesus.
1 Peter 4:16 (NIV)
However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
Lifting up your family in prayer. Read this the other day from Jesus Calling. “Someday you will be with Me in heaven, and there you will see My Light in all its Glory. Darkness will be a thing of the past, and you will see everything clearly. There will be no more night. You will not need the light of a lamp or of the sun, for I will give you Light – beyond anything you can imagine!” Love you guys!!!
Xoxo!
There is so much going on in my head its crazy. The Gunderson love you guys so much its insane. Thank you for the update. Its so awesome to hear how he is doing. Hugs to you all and may the peace of God continue to reign over you!
I pray & I Love God! I love you too, Simon & Kristy!
I agree, tell the people you love, THAT YOU LOVE THEM!!!
Love,
“Miss Grace”
Amen. Sending love to Simon from The Hogan family and still sending prayers multiple times a day.
We were reminiscing how grateful we were that we went on the trip to the museum, though Simon was the only other person who showed up.
Though, I’m sure for your sakes he would prefer to stay, I also feel he may understand this Lewis quote:
“The sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing — to reach the Mountain, to find the place where all the beauty came from — my country, the place where I ought to have been born. Do you think it all meant nothing, all the longing? The longing for home? For indeed it now feels not like going, but like going back.”
See you when we get home.
We love you guys very much.
I LOVE this quote!
When I first told Cory the news about Simon’s diagnosis, I recall one of the things he told me was, “I told him I loved him the last time I saw him… ” We love you all! 4C’s
You two have impacted so many lives! Your message of Gods hope, love and understanding has inspired me and many others. We love you, pray for you and your family daily. We also pray for your witness to those who reads this blog. I wish I could have been closer to visit.
Simon and Kristy, you are in my heart! My prayers, tears and hope follow your journey each step. Simon, I am so grateful to have you in my life (even from afar these last few years). I remember the moment we met…. when I thought Kristy had found an awesome guy.
Love you both.
Simon,
I appreciate how you are so generous with your time and resources, whether it’s showing me how to brew beer, offering me some kombucha starter, or allowing our son to spend the night or come over and play with your kids. I’ve never seen you be not welcoming or helpful towards me, or my family. Angela remembers when she was stressed about getting Jacob’s birthday party ready, and you offered to make the pigs in a blanket. Those small things add up.
You’re also learning and growing and sharing what God’s teaching you from books, sermons, or just conversations with God in prayer. You are a great man, but you want to be a better man. Your grace in this difficult battle has shown me God’s spirit alive in you.
Thank you, Simon.
Greetings Simon. Hey bro, just want to say that I and the rest of the Beckham clan love you, Kristy, and your family. We are praying for y’all.
Dude, I love your tattoo. I just recently got inked with a Chi Rho symbol. It was my first tat. I always wanted to get a tattoo, even in middle school. I wanted to be like the guys in my fave bands. MxPx, Stavesacre, and so on. All of those Tooth and Nail records bands. The 90s had some of the best indie Christian music. Or maybe it was actually terrible, and I am just nostalgic. 😉 Haha
Anyway bro, again, we love ya.
We are keeping up with everything on here.
Thank you Kristy for doing this blog.
Thanks for the nudge; I’ve been thinking so much but saying nothing.
I’ve long admired how you two seemed to know how to buckle down and get things done, even when it was hard, even when it meant long stretches of time apart. It’s hard to know what life is preparing us for, but it is beautiful to see you approach this with the same courage and conviction.
I’m honored to pray for you, to be a witness to your journey. I wish you continued confidence in your love, and in His.
Simon, you are a blessing. You and Kristy are such an inspiration and witness to others. Love and prayers from Kathy, Adam & Amanda, Aaron & Joni, Andrew & Cortney O’Kelley
Josh, my bro, got the same tattoo a few months back, the Chi-Rho. Couldn’t be more fitting for battle, Simon. The Beckhams are praying for you. Will always remember looking up to you. You were different. Not of this world.
Kristy, what a strongtower you are for your husband. Admirable to us all. Many of us wish we could say we would be half as tough, half as fun, half as brave. You are one cool Wife and Mommy. Your children are so lucky for God to have given them you two as parents.
Simon,
I am married to Jeff Blackwood. All the Blackwoods here in Texas are praying for you and your family. To this day, Rhonda still tells a story about how you use to go to crawfish boils with them and eat all those spicy crawfish without ever ordering a drink. 😉
I just wanted you to know we have been keeping up with you and praying. Thank you, Kristy, for being so open and sharing so much with us.
Hello, Kristy and Simon! Grace and peace to you both! We have never met and yet I feel as though I know you as, after seeing your story on Facebook yesterday, I came here to your blog and spent hours reading your story from the beginning! I want you to know that this stranger (also a believer in our mighty God and His Son, Yeshua) is praying for you and your precious family. I pray you stay strong and hold onto the wonderful faith you so obviously have! I will continue to pray and to follow your inspirational messages! Blessings! Barb Wallace
This is the fasting teams 3rd day of fasting and prayer and standing on Gods word for Simon. We are asking God for a miracle!
Sending prayers like crazy! Love you Simon!
What a witness. Our hope is in HIM
You have no idea how badly I wish I was there with Mawmaw & Pawpaw today. I’m glad they will get to see him alert. I love y’all dearly and both if you and the kids as well as Donna Ann & Tom, Callie, & Sam are in my every thought and constant prayer. All my love to you all.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I knew Simon in high school briefly but after seeing y’alls story posted on fb, I’ve been keeping up with this journey of his. I pray that the peace of God covers your family & friends.
Dear Simon and Kristy,
When my mother, Christine, (aunt to Leigh Stanley) passed away in 2008, she saw Angels and Cherubs in her room at Atlanta Memorial Hospital on her last earthly day. She told us the Angels were the most beautiful beings she had ever seen and that the Cherubs were so cute that she couldn’t describe them without laughing. She was not “out of her head” and was speaking most sensibly about everything else. I always believed in Angels but have never doubted Angels or Cherubs since.
Simon, when it is your Heaventime, I pray that you will feel our Heavenly Father’s presence and will travel on the wings of Angels to be with Jesus.
Kristy, I have been very blessed to read the Blog as you and Simon have made this journey. You and your children are in my prayers.
God bless,
Susan
Simon I pray for you and your family. I watched you while you were just a baby , you are such an inspiration. I can remember when you were in dippers, Stand at the top of the hill and holler for Harold to come get you , come to our house and watch tv, eat and play with Paul and Brent. Who would of ever thought things would of turned out this was. I love reading all of Kristys post. She is a rock. I will continue to pray for you and your family.
Simon you have touched to many people, thank you for being yourself. Y
Simon~ I don’t even have the words to convey how you and Kristy have stirred my heart these past few weeks..have shed many tears.. I have spoken to Kristy a few times and she’s a pretty amazing girl. I know I’m not tellin you anything you don’t know. My husband also fought the brave battle you are fighting now…The Lord took him home along with a giant piece of my heart…..I don’t know if fighting is the right word either though because that would imply you being at odds with this…I am in awe of you…and can truly say that I love you and Kristy ( as does everyone else who has been a part of your life up to this point, past or present). We may not have many ties from childhood but you know what I do remember? That anytime I saw you, you had a giant smile on your face…I think THAT pretty much sums it up…even now, we all see you smiling. You are a brave soul and have taught us all a thing or two about living this life. The thing that got me in the last post was that you had achieved everything in this life you had hoped to achieve..what an amazing testament ..and you have achieved so much in your 34 years… All of this…you have an amazing legacy here….blown away….
Kristy will be alright..I know you know this though. She’s going to love you always with every beat of her heart from now on, forever. Your son and those beautiful girls are gonna be okay too. Kristy will see to that as well as your family and all of the people who love you…Your 3 kiddos will think of you and know you gave them your heart and all that you had, in the time you have had, with them. The Lord works it all out…he did for me and my boys…it still hurts but we can breathe now… and that is a gift. Love is always worth it…my boys are thriving, happy, and ok…and that makes it all okay. It is well within my soul…and it’s beautiful that it is also well in yours….
Love to you, friend and to your family…
How very considerate of you to post an update for us all. We are all so with you two in spirit. One could make the case that Proverbs 27:5 ‘Better is open rebuke than hidden love’ is my chosen life verse. I came across that early in my walk with the Lord and, because I already had open rebuke down pat, what hit me most was what a shame to have hidden love. Tell one another why you love each other now when it can be a source of encouragement when it is needed most – in this life. I’m so happy to have gotten to know you, Kristy, through bible study. I regret not having time to get to know the man who chose you for his spouse. I would have enjoyed hearing his side of the stories. Dennis lead us in prayer for you first thing this morning.
I love you all dearly! I remember the first time I met and talked to Simon I was quite intrigued by that charming accent. It took me forever to try and figure out where he was from. I felt so stupid when you told me it was Texas as I though it was something much more exotic! Lol!! He has a way with people that you can’t help but enjoy being around him (accent or not). You got yourself a real cowboy there! So happy to hear he is surrounded by Gods peace. I’m pretty sure I’ve used up my daily allotment of exclamation points. Love you all so very much!
You leave me speechless , your faith and acceptance is far beyond my comprehension . I admire your strength and your family around you. I only wish I could fully understand why someone like you can be put through such an ordeal when others who should are not .
I hope Dr. Stanley and Donna made it while Simon was alert. You are so precious to share this journey with those of us who love Simon so much and would gladly take his pain. You are correct about people not sharing their feelings and I hope this is a lesson learned for some or all of us. So, Simon, thanks for being such a good friend to Dylan (and Lynlee) and my life is a little better and certainly brighter because I can call you friend. I love you….continued prayers for all.
kristy, we lived across the street from Simon when he was born and for five yrs. our kids are close in age. You have been so brave to share your family’s journey. I cannot imagine how hard this is. I pray for Simon and his family every day. I know God is your strength and that you draw from it. Yes he needs to be with his family now. We will continue to pray for strength and comfort.
It is official then, we are party if the same family. When Shane and I first starting coming to the Expozure Simon was a big part of it. My oldest daughter even had a teenage crush on him. He would play late night capture the flag with the teams in full Ninja Simon style, hanging in the trees, or army crawling in the tall grass. Teaching the youth a love for Christ and a live for nature. A true blessing. Most of us that committed to Expozure has the same chi ro logo on us somewhere – Sammy, James, Shawn, Shane, and I -as well as a few that came later…. Proof we are family. Love you Simon.
We love you guys and appreciate your honesty and openness. We understand pain and death but can’t say we know what you’re going through. The best thing we can do is lift you up in prayer. And we have many people, here in Australia, praying for you.
Thank you guys, again, for housing Paul this Christmas. The time and talks you had with he & Marilyn were a big part of their courting time. Who would have thought they would be getting married so soon….or yeah, Kristy, you probably had it all planned out?!?! Again we love you and are praying.
Praying for Simon and the Caver family daily.
I was a part of this year’s new hire class in L.A. and on the last day of class Simon gave me his old Kindle case. He noticed I brought in my Kindle to every class and it was the same one that he had previously owned. He said he knew that it was hard to find cases for them, as they don’t make this model anymore and he gave me his old case. It may not sound like much, but that day, that case meant a lot to me. Mostly because it’s a reminder of a good man who wanted to give to someone else. I know Simon as that man and I’m honored to have gotten to know him. May peace come to you and your family.
I am Steve Chavez’s girlfriend, and he was fortunate to have you (Simon) as a trainer. I have never met you, but when Steve would come home from training classes, he would talk about you so much. When Steve found out about the cancer within, it broke his heart because he really looks up to you. I figured that a man that can put such a great impression on others in such a short amount of time surely must be great. In turn, that saddens me that the world must lose such a great man. However, if the world is going to lose a great person, it is only fitting that they should go to join their Father. My name is Whitney, and you have never met me, but your legacy has left an impression on yet another person.
I hate US Maps because of you! Nope I’m not doing that again any time soon. Thank you for teaching us all how to make our way in our new Amtrak careers here in Seattle. Your open nature and abrupt reality of what the jobs would be like was not an understatement. I’m am so glad to know you. My prayers are with you as well as your wife and children. I’ve read these beautiful blogs today. Your Christianity is a testament to us other born-again Christians who should be as strong in faith as you and your wife are. I know you are tremendously blessed. I am blessed to know you.
Simon you are my brother. You walked with me through some of my darkest times of my life. You have always been a safe place for me. A safe place to be mad at God. A safe place to cry and a strong shoulder to help carry my burden. You have been a joy to me, a guide, a friend, a dork and an amazing blessing in my life and in my Christian walk.
I am so happy you married Kristy, this crazy hot girl that absolutely adored you and accepted all the crazy people you loved as her own (which would include me). Yay! I am blessed to call her friend. I am blessed to have been granted nearly a week with you guys last fall, which we still talk about.
You are incredible parents. Simon you do balance Kristy’s crazy, which gives me much hope for finding my own “Simon” one day. You are a spiritual rock, no nonsense and real, authentic and raw with a watching world about what it means to belong to Christ. Kristy you are a perfect wife to his “one flesh”, and you will continue to be.
You are a beautiful mother. You are loving and kind and love your children fiercely even when they’re driving you insane (been there, lost it!) I love doing life with you, considering you family, being accepted as family.
Your children are resilient and surrounded by an amaing cloud if witnesses that will testify to The Lord in their lives and remind them of this present journey they may be too young to remember down the road. You guys have planted a seed in them for chasing hard after Christ and have modeled the journey ahead of them with humility and grace.
Hugs and kisses to you, if I were there I would do it myself. Simon my life has been and forever will be touched by yours. I am not who I was because of you in my life! I love you!
You are on our minds. The amount of train folks that have come up to me about Simon has been overwhelming. I’ve had worriers, criers, etc. But most of all, it’s been people telling me of the good times. Laughing with Simon, lunches with Simon, music with Simon, football pools with Simon…the list goes on. If those aren’t prayers, I don’t know what is. Love you guys.
Simon, it’s a little late, but I should probably apologize for pushing you off the monkey bars in primary school about 28 years ago. You didn’t seem too upset then, so it makes sense you can roll with the real punches of the last several weeks. You and your family are in my prayers.
I tried this last night but it didn’t go through so I hope I’m not repeating myself. Simon. We are distant cousins. Billie Sue and my mom were 1st cousins. My papaw, Nobel Beck was A brother to Isaac Beck. Anyway now that we know who we are just wanted you to know how sorry we are for you to go through this. Oh and I am Linsey & Eric’s mom. We are all praying for your comfort and strength for your family.
I truly believe that people come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Simon and his beautiful family have touched my heart.
Simon-
We spent what was a life changing summer for me serving together in Houston on a summer mission project.
I remember your humor and how much joy you brought to the team. I remember your love for Texas and my great love for Califonia and I find it funny that I live in the lone star state and you in the golden. I remember being told we were going to the beach and going to Galveston which I’m sure you would agree is no beach… I remember you getting stung repeatly by jelly fish and you kept going back for more. I remember your love and kindness towards me and the rest of the team and how you show Gods love to the low income families of Houston. So thankful that you gave of your summer and that we got to serve together. I am praying for you friend and for your family!
Emma Boli (formally Emma Sahebekhtiari-Pulcifer)
I lived with Simon for the summer of 2001 at the Baptist Mission Centers of Houston. That summer was amazing and changed my life. I grew up in church but never truly worshipped God until that summer.
One cd that Simon always played was the Passion: One Day cd. Those songs were the first songs I ever genuinely worshipped too! That is still one of my favorite albums because of Simon 🙂
You’ve always been genuine, super witty and pretty laid back…except for the time we all thought it’d be smart to let the inner city kids spend the night at my parents house and then while he was asleep on the couch they popped him right in the face with a ball. We might have seen another side of Simon that night. 🙂
Thank you for living out your faith with authenticity. There are very few of us that do and I highly respect you for that.
Thank you for your vulnerability at this time. I pray God will continue to receive glory during your present suffering.
God Bless!
Noe G. Ortiz
Peace and comfort for you all during such a difficult time! Big time prayers from Texas!!!
Sending you guys a big hug and much love…wish I could be there to give you a hug in person.
Simon,
Praying for you and your sweet family. May God wrap you in His perfect love and give you peace.
In His Love,
Stuart and Lori Smith
You and your family are in our constant prayers. Sending long-distance hugs of comfort and peace!
I remember Simon from youth group back in the day – he always had THAT look that made you wonder what he had been up to…hmm, imagine that!
thank you, sweet kristy, for sharing this journey with all of us. you are beautiful and strong beyond measure. the taylor house continues to hold your family close to our hearts and always in our prayers. much love to all.
Simon,
You are a person I can say that I have never heard one negative thing about. My memories are always of you smiling from church. Yours and Kristy’s unwaivering faith is such a powerful testimony. Continued prayers from Atlanta, TX. Thanks for sharing your lives , and having such an impact on so many people.
Simon,
I remember having you being in the first grade class I student taught in many years ago…you were such a sweet little boy and I am sending prayers your way for you and your family. God’s peace and blessings on you all.
I sent a message yesterday, but “lost” it. Maybe an angel wanted to proofread it first. Simon, I don’t know you well, but I have not only enjoyed our chats at various celebrations, but bits and pieces are in my mind, where I can pull them up and renew my pleasures. You have all been in my prayers, and will continue to be; I pray that God will give you the strength of a warrior when you need it, and that, when you are curled up in a little ball of sorrow, He will reach down with His everlasting arms and hold you all close in that love that knows no beginning and no ending. In reading all the notes and tributes to you both, I have become aware once again how our awesome God knows just how to take ordinary people and turn them into examples of faith for all of us to copy. May our Lord hold you in the hollow of His Hand. I am sure you have been given many “claim verses”, this is one that was given to me sixteen and a half years ago, and that I have passed on, and now to you ” weep through the night, but joy comes in the morning” ( psalm 30, vs. 5 ) Alison
We were unbelievably blessed to have a week to get everyone “home” to say good-bye and “I love you” when Mom died. She too, was beyond peaceful. It made everything so much easier for me. I drew strength and peace from her. We reminisced and laughed. She took particular delight in letting me know there were bits of her life story she was taking to her grave. “You’ll never know,” she’d say and get a silly grin on her face. She had no fear and it made me fearless. May the peace that passes understanding be with you and Simon and the rest of the family as well. Love you all.
The thing that amazes me about praying for people is that God never fails to give His heart to us on behalf of the person being lifted to Him. It’s A beautiful circle. I want you to know there’s a team of warriors praying everyday at 8pm…Texas time, just for you Simon and Kristy, and kids. We love you. We really love you.
Love the verse! In my deployments to the Middle East and Afghanistan, my favorite verse to help me get through some tough times was 2 Timothy 4:7:
“I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith and I have finished the race.” I think Simon is the embodiment of this verse.
Love you Brother!