I found a new verse to claim for this year. It's Isaiah 45:2-3 ~ I will go before you and will level the mountains I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. As I have walked through these past few months, they have been very dark. But I'm learning that God still offers us great treasures in the darkness. I have found that maybe those are the best treasures, they're great riches stored in secret places. I've been praying that I won't miss what God is teaching me in the darkness. I never thought that God would use such great pain in my life to help me see his amazing riches, using my Dad's death and the terminal illnesses of my grand babies. It seems He's taking some of my most treasured possessions. But I know he gives back in riches stored in secret places and treasures in the darkness. That's an amazing promise.

I go back to Psalm 91 so often, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Thankfully as the weeks have passed, I find this verse more and more a companion to my heart. This was one of my Dad's favorite passages. What a perfect picture of restfulness. I miss my Dad!

Stef borrowed to me a book "The God of all Comfort" ~ In Psalm 42 the Psalmist says "in the roar of your waterfalls, all your waves and breakers have swept over me. But now I see evidence of "deep calling to deep". Maybe that's a picture of the deep voice of the Almighty reaching deep into our anguished souls. So no matter the intensity of our pain, instead of backing away from God move toward Him.

I've been trying to find time to sit and spill my heart. It's not been easy. So many things have been whirling around in my mind and heart these past few weeks. Where do I begin, first of all I am in awe of the body of Christ. We have received hundreds of well wishes and encouraging words. I can't begin to properly thank everyone. Thanks is hardly enough. I felt so overwhelmed at the visitation, as I walked in the church and looked around, it was so beautiful. What a wonderful tribute that was given to my Dad. Then as the church began to fill with people, hundreds of people came and gave a wonderful and loving tribute to him. I am sorry for the long wait, but we are so grateful for the love that was poured out that night. So many warm embraces, and loving memories were shared with us. TO say we were overwhelmed is putting it mildly. My Dad was a warm and funny man, he loved to laugh and joke. He had a way of making people feel loved. He was an encourager and a refresher. I know I can't hardly imagine life without him. But I know God has a purpose in this for all of us. I am only now beginning to learn from a faithful life well lived.

I want to thank so many people for ministering their gifts in such special ways these past few weeks. When we didn't know where to begin, someone would help guide us through. Special thanks go to Beach Bible Church for being the hands and feet of Jesus. People from other churches were so amazed at the way they could take a room and transform it so efficiently and quickly to serve so many people a lovely, delicious meal. Thank you Theresa for organizing and working with us on so many levels. You and all those who worked with you to prepare the funeral service were nothing short of amazing. I know the list was long of people who contributed to the dinner.

Thank you Kathy, for decorating the church so beautifully. The tables looked so amazing and so reflected my Dad and things he loved. They couldn't have been more perfect.

A big thank you to Jill for the lovely meal and snacks that you brought for the night of the visitation. What a wonderful spread! You thought of everything! We were so touched by your generous heart. You even shared your panty hose, i found out later! What a servant! Thanks to Kalie too for the lovely array of cookies you made for the visitation. That was a lot of cookies!

Thank you to Ellen, Debbie, Theresa, Von, Donna, Danae and Annemarie for the wonderful meals that were brought to the house. We ate so well, each meal was so delicious and we felt blessed by your generous heart.

Thanks to Gladys for all the delicious food you brought, the errands you ran and for hemming Mom's pants at the last minute. What a gift you gave!

Thank you to Stefanie for taking a chaotic picture search and finding a way to make it a fun and humorous game. How you were able to take our chaos and turn it into a wonderful presentation on power point is beyond me! It was amazing and wonderful. It was very therapeutic for us as we walked through those first dark moments.

As I think back, I know we have so many thank yous to give. For those who came and ministered to us in the hospital. Thank you to Pastor James for taking our thoughts and wishes and sharing it so beautifully at his service.

Dennis and Leah, thank you for your loving support and warm embraces, encouraging words.

Thanks to Dan and Annemarie for taking an old country song called "Supper Time" and turning it into a wonderful, beautiful tribute. We couldn't help but sing along. Dad would have loved that! Oh and thank you to those who had to direct traffic. You know who you are!

I'm sure that I have many more thank yous to make. I continue to be amazed at God's provisions for us. Keep us in your prayers, especially for Mom as she learns to navigate her life in a new way, in a new direction and that she would find new purpose.

Dad

What can I say about a man that I love so much and that I called Dad for 52 years. He meant the world to me. He was my rock and my prayer warrior, he was my confidant and my best friend. He was Jesus in the flesh to me. He was my Mr. Fix it. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for me and my brothers. And when I would ask him what I owed him. It was always the same answer, “it’s a labor of love.” I was so blessed. I will miss him coming over just about every day for coffee and just chatting about whatever was going on that week. We talked about everything. Many times we would end our visit by praying. Whenever I was troubled by something he always said we will pray right now. He meant that too. Growing up I woke up many a morning to the prayers of my Mom and Dad in the next room. He left an amazing legacy. He was a humble man and didn’t desire much of worldly treasures. He stored up his treasures in heaven. He was a fisher of men. He didn’t know a stranger. Sometimes when I was younger I found it embarrassing, but later I found it so endearing. That was my Dad and who he was. He was not afraid to be himself. He always told me that I was special. I was his only girl and the apple of his eye. He gave me the nickname Bell, Bell kona, I loved that. Although, later I found out that when I was born he was hoping for twin boys. My Dad was so proud of his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, his son in law, and his daughters in law. He loved us all. He had an uncanny way of making all his grandchildren feel that they were his favorite. He loved his church and he wanted nothing more than to serve in any way he could. He never wanted to miss a prayer time or bible study. His greatest love though was the Awana Club. I know he wasn’t a perfect man and he would be the first to admit that. God has used him in so many ways and I know He said “well done my good and faithful servant.” I know I leaned heavy on him these past few months, as they have been difficult for our family, but he kept pointing me to Jesus. What a gift that he has given to us all. You couldn’t have met a more devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend as my Dad. Dad, you have left a huge hole in our lives. But I know you would want us to carry on and continue to cultivate the soil that you have prepared so wonderfully for us. I will miss you, I love you Dad.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever! From Psalm 23 Thats us....we're following in the footsteps he left. Thanks Dad!