228 people...and counting...

I've been assembling all of the text messages, blog comments, emails, tweets, Facebook messages/posts/comments, and other forms of communication we've received from people over the past 13 days.

These communications include simple statements like, "Praying for you," as well as lengthy emails detailing others' personal stories.

I'm sure I'm missing people here and there, but by my count, 228 people have reached out so far.

This number is rather mind-blowing to me. I don't know a number of these people. Even with those I know, many are people I don't know very well.

Thank you.

I can't adequately express how much it means to us to have your support. Some of the most meaningful statements to us are short, simple notes of encouragement, as simple as, "We're wearing purple for Kaylee Hope today!" I've received at least 8 notes from people letting me know they're wearing purple...most of them brought me to tears -- good tears -- with those simple words. Such an intentional gesture is so meaningful.

If you're reading this and have wanted to say something but haven't because you don't know what to say, just know that there is no right thing to say. Nobody really knows what to say. I don't know what to say. Many people have started emails with, "I don't know what to say, but..." There are no right words to say. Yet the words so many of you have said have kept us going on so many days.

Thank you all so much. We owe more to you than we could ever hope to repay.