Thank You

I have said it before, and I will say it again....there are not enough words to completely express the magnitude of what I feel towards my church family and to my friends. The utter selflessness and generosity given to my family over the last few weeks has been breathtaking. We are truly blessed to know each and every person that has stepped in to help us. I pray God's blessings on each person and their families. People have babysat, cooked, run errands, provided meals, cleaned our homes, washed clothes, sat with us, cried with us, talked with us, prayed with us and most importantly loved us. After the funeral and burial so many people brought food for our family to the church and then several people were there to help serve us. What we witnessed then and throughout is God's love through His people. I wish there was more I could do or say, but for now all I know to do is say THANK YOU!!!!!!

I am completely humbled!

Laura

Dad's Funeral Arrangements

Dad's visitation will be Monday 2/9/09 at Grissom Funeral Home from 2-4pm and 6-9pm. The funeral will be at First Baptist Church of Cleveland at 11 am on Tuesday the 10th. Dad will lie instate at the church from 10-11 for viewing. The burial will be at Sunset. All Dad's family is invited back to my church (The Church at Grace Point) following the burial.

After the burial we will all drive back to First Baptist and then then drive together over to my church.

If you have questions email or call me.

Laura

Dad and Arrangements

My dear sweet dad went home to be with the Lord at 9:45 p.m. Thursdsay night (2/5/09). He went calmly and peacefully. We thank you for the prayers, cards, phone calls, food, etc. We are truly blessed to have so many friends and family!!

We do not know times, but the visitation will be Monday and the funeral will be on Tuesday.

Praise Jesus for not giving up on my dad!!!

Love,
Laura

Go Ahead and Prepare....

If you live out of town and are planning on coming to Dad's funeral, go ahead and start packing...this way you aren't rushing around when we call you. Hospice said today Dad could go at any minute. Dad looks very peaceful and is resting. Continue praying for his comfort and quick trip home :)

God Bless!

Love,
Laura

Childcare Situation

To Family Members:

I wanted to let everyone know that I am working on the childcare situation for the funeral. If you are a family member who is planning on coming in town for the funeral and you have kids, please let me know. My church has graciously agreed to let us use their facilities for not only our central meeting place (because our family is so large) but also their childcare rooms during the funeral. I have people (who I trust dearly) who have agreed to stay and watch our children along with our children's pastor..He said he would be glad to stay and oversee the care. We need a guess on about how many children will be staying. Here's what will happen...we will drop the kids off at the church before the funeral and then we will pick them back up after the burial. My church is approximately 2 miles from mine and Holly's house. Please know that my children and Holly's children will be there and we trust them with all our hearts. Email me at mountainmom721@hotmail.com and let me know if you want to leave your children at the church. As far as the visitation goes, the funeral home will have a room where the kids can play and I will have babysitters there to watch them.

I stated above that we will also use the church as the central meeting place. Because we have such a large family and none of our houses will accomodate everyone, the church has said we can meet there when we want everyone to get together...i.e. after the burial, etc. My church has a nice cafe with lots of seating and a kitchen, so I think we will be comfortable there.

Email me if you want/need directions to the church and my house....email Holly if you need directions to her house....

No one will be staying with Mom once Dad passes, so let me know if you have questions regarding hotels or if you need a place to stay.

We love everyone very much and even though it will be under rough circumstances, we do look forward to seeing our family.

Let us know what we can do to help you!

Love,
Laura

Let Thy Will Be Done.....

Dear Family and Friends,



As much as we hoped that this time would never come, I'm afraid we are nearing the end. Dad has now been asleep for a solid 24 hours. Before this run he was asleep for 18 hours. As much as I would love for my sweet Dad to wake up and look at me or squeeze my hand or say I love you, I know if he's asleep he's not hurting. I know there are many of you who read Holly's and my blog for updates...all I can give you is his status, I choose not to share with you what I see everyday. Remember what he looks like in your mind and treasure that, because if you haven't seen him, trust me you don't want too. With that said, I will tell you this...His breathing is more labored and he is making horrible noises. The noises are apparently from all the secretions he's trying to clear from his throat. Mom is going to put a patch behind his ear tonight or tomorrow that will help dry up the fluid which should calm the noises. Mom, Holly, and I will be going to the funeral home tomorrow to make arrangments. We feel now that we cannot wait any longer. Continue praying for Dad's comfort and Mom's strength and of course as always remember to praise the Lord through this!



We will be seeing you all soon.



Love,

Laura

Family and Friends

There is good in everything. Sometimes you have to look a little harder to find it, but it's always there. One good thing we have seen so far is the abundance of friends that we have. It has been truly amazing and humbling to watch the outpour of love and support that we have received. We have people showing up to help sit with dad, bringing food, or just calling to see what we need. Two very special ladies sat with my grandmother on numerous occasions when my mom, sister, and I weren't able to do so. I have had several people from my church email and call to see what they could do. I have a long list of people I can call anytime I need babysitters. I could go on and on...but the point is my family feels truly blessed in knowing we are prayed for and loved.

Another thing I am so thankful for is that I feel closer to my sister, Holly, than I ever have. She's a pretty amazing woman and I'm so glad that the Lord has given us this time to really grow close.

We thank you for loving us and for praying for us. We definitely feel them!
On a side note...
We have a thankyou card list growing at an alarmingly fast rate...be patient, they will come :)

12:42

12:42 p.m. was the time the phone rang. I answered it and my sister was on the other end. She said the hospital had just called and Mom-o, our dear sweet grandmother, was gone.

I had been outside playing in the snow with Emma. Ten minutes earlier Eric had arrived home and we were running around in the snow and having a snowball fight when I stopped with a feeling...a feeling I now know was God speaking to me. I felt Him say, "The time has come." I knew it was about my grandmother. I quickly thought, do I leave now or do I keep playing with Emma and Eric? I desperately wanted to be with my grandmother when the time came and she entered into Heaven's doors. I quickly made a decision....I decided to stay and play with my daughter, who was having the time of her life. Ten minutes later the phone rang. The time had come and she was gone. I am at complete peace at knowing the Lord works everything out the way He wants it done. Eric arrived home a few minutes before the phone call because school had been called off due to snow. My sister actually took the phone call at my parent's house regarding my grandmother. She was there because she is a teacher as well and was off work. Neither of us would have been able to hurry over to the nursing home if it had not snowed. I believe we were where we were supposed to be and I have no regrets!

Thank you Lord for keeping your promises!