Special Thoughts on my Grandaddy

June 22, 2016 my precious Grandaddy took his last breath on earth and woke up in the presence of Jesus whom he faithfully served all of his life. On December 20, 2015, Grandaddy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was given 3-6 months to live. We knew that day would come when he would no longer be with us, but no one can truly prepare you for the emotional journey of loosing a loved one. I have been so blessed to be able to have all of my Grandparents with us. The last death we had in my immediate family was 20+ years ago when my Great Grandmother passed away on my mom's side of the family. I do remember her very well and remember her passing but I was young at the time and did not truly understand what all was going on. So to say this has been a difficult journey is an understatement. My emotions are still very raw and fresh but I didn't want to let too much time slip away before I wrote on my feelings of his passing. I want to remember those days and what all the Lord taught me during that time. We got that call around 9:45 am that Grandaddy wasn't doing well and we needed to make arrangements to see get to Morehead City. We were at camp with our teens and a good 6-7 hours away. I knew in my heart this was it but I was thankful that it seemed we would all make it to tell him goodbye. We were busy trying to make arrangements to get a car and get to Morehead City when my Mama called me at 11:30. I knew when I answered that he was gone. She wasn't able to say much but those three words I heard will forever be with me. "He passed away." I was in shock. Yes we knew this time was coming and I had prepared myself for it...but never did we think it would happen that soon. I cried out and asked God why! Why didn't we get to tell him bye. Why couldn't we just hold his hand as he took his last breath. I was filled with so many emotions. The very day before we found out he had cancer I had told Jonathan that I felt the Lord was trying to prepare my heart that I would loose one of my grandparents. I told him I just pray that I can be there to tell them Goodbye and how much I love them. I didn't feel that was too much to ask so why did it happen this way?! On the way to Morehead City we heard a song that I had never heard before and these are the lyrics to the chorus..."so here while our hearts break we have to believe that God, He know what He's doing. Our God, he knows what He's doing." I broke down as I felt God speaking to my heart and telling me He knew exactly what He was doing when He took him so fast. God always has our best interest at heart and even though we don't always understand why things work out the way the do we can trust in the fact that God knows what He is doing!! I have so many precious memories of my Grandaddy!! He had the most contagious laugh!! Sometimes he would start to tell a joke and you couldn't understand anything he was saying because he was laughing so hard! Most of the time we were laughing at him laugh and not the actually joke! Haha! I will never forget that laugh! If you knew anything about him, you knew he loved his family. He had planned out his funeral service and it was all done by family (or those we consider family)! His funeral was the most precious service and it was everything he would have wanted and more! He was the most patient and humble man I've ever met. I see where my Daddy gets so many of his qualities from. If you asked him a question, you can expect there to be silence for a little while. He always took time to think about his answer before he gave it to you. One of the last times we spent with him I asked him to give young couples in ministry some advice..I will never forget what he said, "If you master the Word, you will be successful in life." So simple yet filled with so much wisdom. Another precious memory that I have of my Grandaddy was the last time I heard his voice. My grandparents started a tradition when we were young to always call and sing to us on our birthdays. That tradition has carried on through the years and not only would they call us but they would call the in-laws and the great grands! It was so precious to hear them sing. Grandaddy was so weak in the last few days of his life and on my birthday he didn't have the strength that day. That Thursday; however, Grandmama said he told her he felt like he could sing to me so she called me and they sang to me. It was the last time I would hear his voice and I will forever remember it! When I saw Grandmama after he passed that was the first thing she said...he was so glad he could sing to me! Oh how I miss him! Words can't describe the emptiness you feel when a loved one is no longer with you. Even if you had time to prepare for their passing and even if you know you will see them again, the emptiness will always be there. I am so thankful that I know exactly where Grandaddy is. I have thought so many times about what he may be doing in Heaven. I have no doubt he is spending time with his family that had already gone before him. He loved them so much and I know that are reunited. I also know that he is worshipping at the feet of Jesus. He faithfully served him in ministry for 60+ years...I can only imagine what a reunion that was!! I can't wait to see him again and worship along side of him! To be able to hug his neck and tell him how much we all love him! I've never been more homesick than now!

Remembering a special Friend....

On Thursday evening, January 14th, a very special lady went home to be with the Lord. Mrs. Laurie Horne was my pastor's wife for over 3 years while we worked along side of them at Union Chapel. She was a very special friend! Union Chapel was our 1st Ministry as a couple and we are forever grateful that the Lord placed us at Union Chapel! The Lord taught us so much through that ministry and used people like Mrs. Laurie to shape and mold us. Mrs. Laurie had a love for Children and Music...which is exactly what we did there! She helped us so much and we were able to get so many ideas from her! She was so special to Jonathan and I! We both shared a love for teaching and she was able to help me get a job in Greenville as a teacher assistant! I came across several emails we exchanged during our time there and they affirmed to me how wonderful of a person she was. She was constantly encouraging me and told me several times how much she appreciated us! She welcomed us into her home and treated us like family! She was also constantly making us laugh! Yesterday during her funeral her son Josh made reference to her car which she called white lighting...Jonathan and I both remembered she called our car Red Bull! Haha! We had so much fun with white lightening and red bull and may have raced them one time at a stop light! ;) She had the best laugh and found things so funny that you couldn't help but laugh with her! We only knew her a little over three years but she shared so many stories with us we felt like we knew her a lifetime! Her family was so special to her! There was no doubt she loved them very much!! Bro Henry and Mrs Laurie served together at Union Chapel for 28 years! What an accomplishment!! They have both been inspirational to us in our ministry! She will be missed so much by all those who knew her! My heart aches for her family and the church family! I have been so blessed watching them go through this journey because they continue to give glory to God even when the pain seem unimaginable. That kind of faith only comes from knowing Christ and trusting Him!! Its one thing to praise God when things are going well...but they have shown the world how to praise Him when life is tough!! I can't imagine how tough this has been and will continue to be...but I find comfort in knowing we all know exactly where Ms. Laurie is! Her funeral ended with the congregation singing "How can I keep from singing?" I received such a blessing as we sang the words "I will sing with my last breath sing for I know that I will sing with the angels and the saints around the throne!" I know that is exactly what Mrs. Laurie has done since being in Heaven!! She has been singing with the angels! I always loved to hear her sing and how she would light up when she talked about her favorite songs!! I know her voice is just as beautiful as ever!! And I can't wait to be able to sing with her again in that Heavenly Choir!! Truly she will be missed!! Please be in prayer for her family and friends!! They will need His strength and comfort now more than ever!!! <3