A Celebration of Life

". . .ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour. . .James 4:14"

On December 8, when we said goodbye to our niece, Leslie, the thought that this was our last time to get one of her fantastic hugs in this life never occurred to any of us.  Leslie was struck by a speeding driver on December 20 and was fatally injured. She died a few hours after the accident while being airlifted to Greenville, NC.

At Leslie's memorial service,  several friends responded to the invitation after the message by Pastor Randy Martin. The next day at the grave, her friend Ashley shared with me that she is trusting in Christ alone..

 

Leslie's death has caused all who knew and loved her to mourn deeply.  While she is greatly missed, we believe her death is a message to all to embrace life and live each day to the fullest for Christ. Her vibrant smile and personality touched many lives.  What provides us comfort is the hope that we will see her again. Following a period of struggles, there was evident change in the past 2 years that was consistent with the growth that should follow her profession of faith in Christ made at a Christian camp about 10 years ago.

The funeral brought loved ones and friends together to share the sorrow and remember the love. Clare and Jesse came for the day from Chesapeake and Amy and Rob with the children from Tampa.

Clare, Amber and Amy posed together at the meal after to graveside service . . .

. . . and Granddaddy caught a moment with two very special second cousins---Granddaughter Noelle and Grandniece Ava.

All of my mom's great-grandchildren, shown above (except unborn Alex,), pretty much fill up the couch!

No one gives my mom a brighter smile than Amber and Justin's three oldest children.  To be able to smile through our tears is a blessing.  We can celebrate the loss of a loved one in Christ. In Christ it is not death to die; it is the continuation of the eternal life that began at the moment of salvation.  We sorrow not as those who have no hope.

God's Work is Still Going Forward

". . . establish thou the work of our hands. . . Psalm 90:17" 

On December 5-7 we were able to be in our hometown for the 50th anniversary of Lake Park BaptistChurch.

My mother and I were charter members and Tony was saved there in 1973.  The Lord allowed us to be married there in 1979 and have been their missionaries to South Africa since 1988.  A few years ago, Lake View Park Baptist Church merged with Victory Baptist Church, another supporting church. This merger has been blessed of the Lord.  They are very blessed to have Pastor Jeremy Kobernat leading God's work forward.

Tony taught the combined adult Sunday School. The charter members received a lovely framing to commemorate the work began under Pastor Rudolph Evans.

The charter members received a lovely framing to commemorate the work began under Pastor Rudolph Evans. His widow, Mrs. Ruth Evans, shared a wonderful testimony.

Also Bro. Perry Dickens  and  . . .

Bro. Johnie Lassiter shared testimonies as charter members.

During the weekend we enjoyed time with dear ones, including our niece, Leslie (right). . .

and with my brother, Dave, . . .

and Amber, our other niece (and her children pictured above).

The day we left we had breakfast with Leslie, her mom, Pat, and Mrs. Evans. We thank the Lord for all the memories from this weekend, but especially this one.

Released Time Christmas Role Playing

". . . call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.  Matthew 1:21"

 Our Released Time students enjoyed role playing the story of the nativity at their last class of 2014.

 The shepherds keeping watch over the sheep . . .

. . . were told by the angels of Christ's birth in Bethlehem.

 

After meeting the Christ-child, they made haste to share the good news of His birth.

Each week we stress the importance of believing in the Savior for forgiveness of sins.

 A few days before Christmas,  we visited the homes of our students and left plates of Christmas cookies.

 Sophia helped sign their Christmas cards stuffed with Christmas tracts in English and Spanish.