Chanelle Laitinen and her two sons, Cole, 5, and Roman, 7. Chanelle, her husband Jim, their three children and two relatives suffered a devastating car wreck two weeks ago near Hermiston. The two boys walked away from the wreck Ñ Cole is playing with his mom's neck brace Ð but Chanelle, Jim, and Arraya, 9, were injured, Jim most of all. He is still at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland.

Two weeks ago, a wreck on Interstate 82 near Hermiston left the Laitinen family devastated. But even with years of recovery ahead, Chanelle Laitinen is grateful.

The outpouring of support is incredible, she said. All the faithful people (God) has put in our life have carried us and supported us.

The Laitinens Jim, Chanelle and their three children along with two of their relatives, were on their way to Brush Prairie, Wash., from their home in Minnesota when the wreck happened.

Chanelles sister, Ciarra, was driving the van when she was distracted and lost control. The van rolled three times, throwing Jim Laitinen and his niece, Saydee Lanes, from the vehicle.

Jim and Chanelle ended up at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland with serious injuries.  Their 9-year-old daughter, Arraya, initially went to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, but eventually joined her parents in the Portland hospital.

Lanes, Ciarra Kinnunen and the Laitinens two young sons, Cole, 5, and Roman, 7, suffered minor injuries.

Even before the elder Laitinens had arrived in Portland, their extended families jumped into action. Relatives drove to Richland and Hermiston to be with the children, and about 40 people met Jim and Chanelle at OHSU.

Chanelle, who turned 30 the day before the wreck, had just started a job as a nurse. Jim worked at a paper plant near their home in Esko, Minn.

Deanna Blue, one of Chanelles close friends, said the Laitinens inspire so much compassion because they so often have help others in need.

I think its just because of the type of people they are, she said. Everyone has been really touched by this family, and they have that way where you never forget them.

Hundreds of people are praying for the family around the country, Blue said, particularly in the Laitinens home church, the Cloquet Gospel Tabernacle in Cloquet, Minn.

Almost an equal number are following the Laitinens story and posting on the blog. Theyre also helping in more tangible ways, for example by donating to the Laitinens recovery fund to help pay the familys skyrocketing medical bills. 

Jim was the most seriously injured. He suffered fractures of his pelvis, back and clavicle, plus internal injuries. Doctors have performed a number of surgeries on Jim, and he is still in very fragile condition at the hospital.

Chanelle also underwent surgery and  was released from the hospital Sunday. Arraya is recovering after having more than 100 stitches on her face and head. Chanelle and the children are living with her parents in Brush Prairie and the children have started school there.

Chanelle said she feels blessed.

It just feels like God is just holding me in his arms, and carrying me like a mother would carry her baby, she said.

Jim, who only recently began to speak, also feels the support, Chanelle said. Relatives pray over him almost 24 hours a day, and Bible recordings or worship music often plays from an iPod in his room.

Chanelle said she knows of people who have devoted their lives to God after reading blog postings and seeing the response of a Christian family to one of their own in crisis.

I wouldnt change anything because Gods hand is just so evident in it all, she said. If this wouldnt have happened, theres so many people who I believe would have missed out on a lot.