Praying Divas

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Comment by Barb on June 12, 2009 at 7:59am

I just got an email from a friend back home. Her sister went to the visitation and said if each person that came to pay their respects he would have been a millionaire. It was a year ago at a family wedding we last seen him. Another friend said they drove past his place just a week ago. He was out by the road mowing the lawn. Now, he wishes he would have stopped for a visit.

We'll be going home in a few months. My husband will be out of work and we'll have plenty of time to get around and visit family. I don't think we would have gotten a chance to visit with family this week. Too many people around. I'm doing ok with that. Still would have liked to have been there and been with family.

Comment by Darlene G. Snyder on June 11, 2009 at 6:51pm

Hey Barb, just saw all of this tonight. We had Bible school this week and so I'm a little behind on checking in. I'm sorry you and your family are hurting from the loss of Johnny. One little girl at Bible school last night told me she wanted God to come down and give us all a hug. Tonight I'll be praying that our God of comfort will wrap His arms around you, your husband and all who are affected by this loss and that He will give you a big hug just like the one the little girl desired. Take care.

Darlene

Comment by Barb on June 11, 2009 at 6:39pm

As an update, my MIL said there were about 900 people that came to visitation last night. The church today was full. Ran out of chairs, people were standing in the foyer. We knew it would be a large funeral. She didn't even get a chance to speak to her nephew's wife. Probably for the best we didn't go home.

Comment by Barb on June 11, 2009 at 4:16pm

Thanks Kathryn. I'm wondering what you prayed. He came in the door from work this morning and was more than willing to help me get my day going. Asking "what can I do for you?". I overslept. My daughter on her way out the door to work. Had to stop for gas. Forgot the blankie for the little one I had with. (She's three and drags her blankie everywhere) My son-in-law called. I called him back. He said not to worry; he'd work from home today. I stopped by to get some things I forgot to bring home with me when I left last evening. Parts of their home flooded from the heavy rains today. So, all worked out. He was glad to be home to take care of his home.

I think my husband didn't want to go home more because he knows there would be so many people there that he wouldn't have a chance to spend uninterupted time with any of his cousins. I spoke to one of our cousins yesterday. They understood we wanted to be there. We'll see them on our next trip up and then he can have the time he needs to talk with them.

During the time of the funeral services it just poured here. There were sheets of rain coming down, then it would let up and then it would just pour again. At about the time I figure the funeral and burial service were coming to an end the sun came out and dried up the roads. To me, it was like heaven was crying with us and when the sun came out to dry up all the tears. Time to get with the living and back to normal.

Thanks for your prayers Kathryn. And, anyone else out there that prayed for us.

Comment by Kathryn on June 11, 2009 at 2:46am

Dear Barb:
Grief can be so hard and everyone handles it in a different way. You are doing the right thing giving him some space. Just pray him through girl and the two of you will be fine I am sure of it....Men are such creatures of habit and sadly our society has taught them to be "strong/silent" while on the other hand we women want to nurture and talk things through. I am here for you my friend and my prayers are going up even now. It is almost 5am here and God woke me to pray and now I know why. I am sending leaques of angels to guide and protect you and your family. Praying a healing hedge of protection around your husband as he comes to terms with the grief.

Love, Kathy

Comment by Barb on June 10, 2009 at 7:47pm

Thanks Kathryn. I finally made contact with his brother's wife today. They decided to have the visitation at the church tonight because the funeral home was probably to small to hold our family, much less the people of the community and the surrounding communities that knew him. She also said the car dealership that he worked at closed for the entire day tomorrow.

Mentally, I don't think my husband could have made the drive. He's been extremely quiet. He looked into plane tickets, but decided not to go. I talked to his brother's wife. She said the same about his brother. It's eerily quiet. I'm reminded of 9-11. It's hard for me to have it this quiet. Right now, there isn't a subject that I can bring up that he will engage in conversation. Last night I spent the night at our daughter's so I'd be there with the little ones. Thought if I gave him some space that would help. But, tonight, still no conversation. Finally I took the phone and went back to a bedroom and called my Mom and talked to her until he left for work. I don't know what to do. I just sit and cry.

Comment by Kathryn on June 10, 2009 at 4:14pm

Hey Barb:
My prayers are with you both during this time. What ever you decide just know that even if your there in spirit his spirt will know and be blessed! I really believe that. I had to endure missing my beloved step dad's funeral because his children took over and made it impossible for Mom and me to be there (they were married15 years) because they insisted he be buried by his first wife though they had been divorced over 20 years by then....We just had our own memorial service and honored his memory and our love for him with our side of the family and many of their friends....That was how we made peace with everything.....Hope this idea helps you and maybe later you and hubby can do something in his name to honor the love you had for him and him memory...I know he was touched that you chose to name a child after him.

Comment by Barb on June 8, 2009 at 2:18pm

Please pray for our family. I was at my daughter's taking care of grandchildren this morning waiting for my husband to get there when I received a phone call from his Mom. When I saw her number come up on my mobile phone I knew she wasn't calling with good news. She never calls my phone unless it's something important. My mind was racing thinking she was calling about one of our aunts or uncles that had passed away. No, she was calling to let us know Johnny had died. I said "Johnny as in John Johnny?" She affirmed I had the correct Johnny. He collapsed in the shower this morning. His wife found him. I figure he was 48 or 49.

My husband used to ride his bike out to his house during the summer. He lived there. He grew up with Johnny and his older brothers and sisters. I thought for sure I needed to get home and start packing to drive home. He says "no." The funeral will be too large. Half the state will probably be there. True, He worked in the community so there will be a lot of people that will come. His age is another factor that will draw in the crowds. Maybe, I'm the one that needs the closure and needs to be with family right now. When our first born was born I named him first after his paternal grandpa and after John. Our son's middle name came from Johnny.

Maybe my husband will change his mind and drive home this week. If not, I know I can call into our hometown church and listen to the funeral service live. But, it won't be the same.

Thanks for your prayers.

Comment by Kathryn on April 30, 2009 at 1:03pm

! Heart is sad, I lost "My Mom " of the heart today....Her name was Louise Forrest and she was the "birth mom" to my lst love Gary....We went steady from 5th grade until I broke his heart when in my senior year I met and married my lst hubby J.D. he did okay though lol he married, has a family, and is an Awesome Pastor....Mama Louise saw me through many a dark day even after I left Gary behind so I will miss her dearly...Pray for her hubby R.C. they had been married 55 years since he was 18 and she was 15 so her going will be hard....Good Christian's Praise God so she will be waiting when it is his time.....

I love you "Mama" and just ask that you and Jesus leave a light on! I will see you when it is my time! (your Kitten)

XOXO
Kathy

Comment by Kathryn on April 3, 2009 at 6:59am

Thought we could all use a message of FAITH today!

A Daily Word from Pastor Graham

April 3, 2009


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He [Jesus] said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.

-- Matthew 14:29


There’s nothing quite as scary as taking that first step of faith. Yet at the same time, there’s nothing quite as exhilarating as actually taking that first step of faith!



So often in life, we’re averse to any kind of risk… anything that might take us out of our comfort zone. Remember Moses? There he was, minding his business as a shepherd when God spoke to him from the burning bush, and called him to deliver the children of Israel. What was Moses’ response? “I can’t do it, Lord. I don’t speak very well, and no one will believe me.”



Then God asked Moses, “What’s in your hand?” Moses looked down at his shepherd’s rod and said, “A stick.” God eventually used that stick… that ordinary shepherd’s crook… to bring water from a rock, to split the Red Sea, and to deliver an entire nation from the hands of Pharaoh! God used what Moses was already doing to do what only God could do.



So what about you? What’s in your hand today?



If you sense that God is urging you to take that first step of faith today, I urge you… once and for all… just do it! It may feel risky, but through Christ Jesus, your future is secure. Your course is set. God may be just waiting on you so you can start the rest of your life!



So look at what’s in your hand, trust in God’s care and provision for you, and take that first step of faith. Will it be scary? Yeah, maybe. Will it be exhilarating? Absolutely! Jesus said all it takes is the faith of a mustard seed to move a mountain. It’s my prayer that God will give you the courage to take that first step to see the mountains move in your life today.



WITH ANY STEP OF FAITH, YOUR HOPE IS IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO WILL NOT LET YOUR FOOT SLIP.

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