It's late Friday evening and the day has been full with friends and family. Our long time friends from the Seattle area got in yesterday and my sister and nieces got in this afternoon from the Chicago area. We had them all over to the house this evening and had a real nice, relaxing time with them. My 4 yearold granddaughter, Kaylee, made instant friends with her Kenney relatives - and of course, was the life of the party. At one point, as a bunch of us were sitting around the patio table, Kaylee says she misses Grama Joyce - then very matter of factly says to all of us that Grama Joyce is in heaven with God and the angels and that she has a white robe on and has wings and can fly....it was just a sweet moment.
Tomorrow is Joyce's memorial service. I think I'm a little sick to my stomach just thinking about the emotions we'll all be feeling. Again, so many people are helping with the entire event!
I know it will be a hard but beautiful day of thanksgiving and rememberance.
Love to all of you!
Pat
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Proverbs 13:12
ReplyDelete"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."
This verse reminded me of you and Joyce and what you are going thorugh.
--Christian
God bless you so much. We love you.
ReplyDeleteRick and Judy
Pat, I just heard about Joyce's death and wanted to attend the memorial, but it was on such short notice. I read through the blogs and my heart was so touched. We started with Calvery Chapel at the beginning (at the donut shop on Valley Parkway.) I remember the wonderful hikes the woman's group had. It is such a testimony to see that even though God brings us through so many different things he is always faithful and you Pat are such a testimony as that. I had my son read your blogs as lately he has seen so many christians just waivering and you are like the scripture (Psalm 1-3)
ReplyDeleteBlessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
Ps 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.Ps 1:3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
May God bless you and confort you today and may you dwell in his secret place. Hugs...Cindy Bernotas
Dear Pat,
ReplyDeleteWe so wish that we could be there, but our love and prayers for you and your family are always there!
Love,
John, Jen, Chris and Charlie Cleveland
What a beautiful day of remembrance and rejoicing in the Lord. Pastor Jeff was God directed and focused our eyes on the eternal. What a glorious way to thank the Lord for sharing Joyce with us. The church was packed but that was only a drop in an ocean compared with the reception that Joyce recieved as she entered her heavenly home.
ReplyDeleteRejoice in the Lord always, again I say reJOYCE.
Dear Pat,
ReplyDeleteJoyce's service was very inspiring and very convicting. It made many of us want to be more like Jesus like Joyce.
Your sorrow turned to everyone's blessing as we enjoyed such wonderful fellowship with old-timers and current friends alike. It was a great gathering of so many wonderful friends. Someone said that Joyce would have loved to see all that mingling. I hope you felt the love and joy we did.
Love,
Rick and Judy
IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL MEMORIAL SERVICE. SO MANY KIND AND LOVING THINGS SAID ABOUT YOUR JOYCE. THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF THE SERVICE WAS SEEING YOU AND KNOWING HOW EMPTY AND LOST YOU MUST HAVE BEEN FEELING.
ReplyDeleteJOYCE WILL LIVE ON NOT ONLY IN YOUR HEART AND MEMORIES OF HER, BUT IN YOUR CHILDREN AND BEAUTIFUL GRANDCHILDREN. I KNOW THE DAYS AHEAD OF YOU WILL BE CHALLENGING,AND I PRAY THE 'SPIRIT OF COMFORT' WILL BE YOUR CONSTANT COMPANION.
YOUR STRENGTH AND FAITH HAS HELPED ME TO KEEP STRONG, STILL I CONTINUE TO GRIEVE ALONG WITH YOU. YOU ARE A WALKING TESTIMONY OF YOUR FAITH IN GOD. LIKE YOU, MY HEART IS HEAVY. I REJOICE WITH YOU THAT JOYCE IS NOW IN THE PRESENCE OF HER HEAVENLY FATHER, BUT I GRIEVE WITH YOU FOR THE STRUGGLE YOU WILL BE HAVING TO ENDURE FOR THE NEXT YEAR. AS TIME GOES ON THE REALITY SETS IN. RIGHT NOW YOU WILL REMAIN IN A STATE OF LIMBO. ALONG WITH THE SPIRIT OF COMFORT, IT IS GOD'S WAY OF HELPING YOU TO COPE WITH THE DAYS AND MONTHS AHEAD OF YOU.
'HE IS FAITHFUL.' EVEN THROUGH ALL YOUR TEARS AND SLEEPLESS NIGHTS, (AND THERE WILL BE MANY) HE WILL SEE YOU THROUGH. GRIEVING AND CRYING WILL PLAY A GREAT PART IN YOUR HEALING. REMEMBER, "JESUS WEPT.'
GOD BLESS AND COMFORT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.