Yesterday we had our monthly hymnsing at America's KESWICK with 560 attendees. I had the opportunity to share Lindsay's story with them at the end of the session, and afterwards 12 senior citizens prayed to receive Christ as their Savior.
I cannot even remember how many people came up to me to share how they had been praying for Lindsay and the kids.
Robert and Joyce Hayes are a vital part of our ministry. Robert recorded a lullaby CD that all of our grands use when they go to bed. One of the precious songs they have recorded and share in their concerts is a poem written by Patty Fischer:
This Side of Heaven
This side of heaven there are some things I simply will not know
When I will ask the question, "why?" and no answer can be found.
When dreams are dashed and plans are spoiled,
And I don't understand, I'll trust in His unchanging grace
And rest within His hand.
One day I'll stand before His throne,
And worship at His feet.
That day He'll make his purpose known,
and I will be complete.
For in that moment I will know,
His plan for me was given.
Not for my brief stay here on earth,
but for my home in heaven.
For even as I'm struggling through,
Life's brutal dessert heat,
He floods me with amazing grace,
and fills my heart with peace.
This darkened side of heaven's doors
He'll fill with glorious light,
Revealing His great master plan
and there'll be no more night.
Until that day, I'll walk by faith
His purposes are best,
His love and grace have planned my life
And in that truth I'll rest.
Patty Fischer
Lindsay, we love you and miss you so much!
6 comments:
I'm sitting at my desk listening to the song "Amazing Love".
How can it be that He died for us?
Jesus our King died for us and we know it's true because even in our deepest grief, our deepest sorrows there is a comfort we have that no one can touch.
In this love, we are free to shed all our tears...as many times as there is need to shed them.
Laura, Jon, it is in this love that I encourage you to remember, it is safe in Daddy's arms. There you can express all your feelings..
...the good ones and the yucky ones, knowing that He who died for you in obedience to His Father, expressing such amazing love to you-to us is able to see you through today.
If it's a tough day, don't be afraid to say so. If it's a happy day, rejoice in it and be glad for the joy that you have (HIS JOY) in you to be open, honest and real about missing your precious Lindsay.
We still stand with you in prayer, as often as we think of you.
As do so many others, we share (though from a distance) in your pain.
Please know that you are never, ever, never, never, ever, no never alone.
The Lord your God, the Mighty One, the Beloved is with you to comfort you.
Be well and at peace in Jesus.
Stephanie P.
Tanner, Jon, & Laura, I just got back from "Seniors Week" at Keswick; what a time of great blessings. Those are indeed Holy grounds. Of course the Colong men always amaze me with their stories of being delivered from the horribleness of their addictions. As I listened to "most" of them tell of the "dysfunctional" (to say the least) childhoods/family life, I praised God for Christian homes & parents who love the Lord. It always amazes me how the Lord leads the men to Keswick. I am always soooo sad when my time comes to leave there, and head home. I, well actually, several of us told him this morning @ breakfast time that we were just going to move in with him until the August Seniors Week. Can you believe he was not at all thrilled about our idea.. Anyway, of course we all shared about Lindsay throughout the week; tears and prayers with times of rejoicing in the majesty of our patient, kind, loving God, even in times of deepest sorrows. There is a part of a hymn that goes: ..WE shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves"..but it is the time it takes to "come rejoicing" that is often hard to reach, but I know the Lord will continue to surround you with His perfect love day-by-day. Of course, one of the highlights of any trip to Keswick is a trip to the Thrift Shop. Tons of "stuff", but lots of great bargains, and, of course, the $$ all goes to the Colony. As I approached the "treasure trove" of goodies, my eye caught a tan stuffed bear, wearing a hand-crocheted pink & yellow sweater. It truly seemed to whisper to me; "I want to go home with you." Well, not really...So, I paid the whopping price of $2 for this very new looking teddy, and took her back to my room. "Granny Apple" had some of the pink Lindsay bracelets in the meeting, so I purchased one, took it back to my room and put it on the wrist of that sweet stuffed bear. Please don't be upset, but I named her Lindsay, and she will be a constant, sweet reminder to pray for all of you in the days ahead.
I know these are extremely difficult days, and they won't be much better for a very long time, but please know my heart is heavy with pain for all of you, and I am truly praying, often not sure how to, but the Lord knows my heart, and my silent , unutterable prayers are being heard by Him. I am so glad I got to share this week with fellow-seniors, and Jan and Bill and the great Keswick staff. What a magnificent group the Lord has given to manage all of the "stuff" @ Keswick. It was great to watch Zach zoom around the grounds on his skate board>>>
Well dear ones, just want you all to know you are in my heart, thoughts, & prayers. Diane Nichols
opps, just re-read my blog notes, and realized that the "him" I said that I and several others would be moving in with was your Dad, Laura. I thot I put in a line about seeing him at breakfast this a.m., but somehow I guess I didn't..NO, it is not a "senior moment"...I am wayyyyyyyyy past those as I now have "senior hours"..so, it it seemed confusing about that statement about "moving in with him".....sorry...I am still quite a dinosaur when it comes to this computer stuff, so please excuse my errors (such as saying "colong" instead of "colony". See what I mean...oh well, guess we can laugh at our own mistakes (or is it misteaks..hee hee)... Diane Nichols
Hi y'all (hanging too long with a guy with a Southern accent at Sr. Week!!) :) Bill P.
First thing I hit when I came in the door was computer--missed the blog all week...actually not quite true-but I think you know my first stop!
Sr. Week was fantastic. Broke through the clouds and came home
flying high! But you were never far from my mind and my prayers.
Hope you guys are doing OK. You all or y'all are loved and being prayed for.
I read Diane's message and we did have such a good time--I can't understand why we couldn't stay on until Aug!! Laura, your Mom & Dad are such a blessing and their sharing Lindsay stories and your needs helped ease the pain I feel for you.
Now that I'm home and newly blessed
I will be saying Hi again
Love, hugs and prayers
Miriam
God of My Yesterdays
By Matt Redman
When we were in the darkest night
And wondered if our eyes would ever see the light
You were there, Lord
When we were in the stormy gale
And wondered if we’d ever live in peace again
You were there, Lord
You were there in the struggle
You were there in the fight
You were there all the time
We praise you, the God of our yesterdays
We praise you, the God who is here today
We praise you, our God as tomorrow comes
So whatever lies ahead
Whatever roads our grateful hearts will come to tread
You’ll be there, Lord
We will fix our eyes on you
And know that there is grace enough to see us through
You’ll be there, Lord
You’ll be there in the struggle
You’ll be there in the fight
You’ll be there all the time
We praise you, the God of our yesterdays
We praise you, the God who is here today
We praise you, our God as tomorrow comes
We thank you, for grace in our yesterdays
We thank you, for peace in our hearts today
We thank you, our joy as tomorrow comes
We will trust you God
You’re always closer than we know
Always more involved and in control
We will trust our lives to you
The One who was and is and is to come
We praise you, the God of our yesterdays
We praise you, the God who is here today
We praise you, our God as tomorrow comes
We thank you, for grace in our yesterdays
We thank you, for peace in our hearts today
We thank you, our joy as tomorrow comes
We will trust You God
(Spoken)
So we say “ We trust You Lord,
We trust You with our lives, you are so trustworthy.
Your Word says “ Those who know Your Name trust in You”
And we know Your Name ,
We know that You are good, You are gracious,
You are kind , You are wise , You are in control,
You never let go , Thank you Lord.
Yesterday, today forever you’re the same
You never change, you never fail, you never faint.
We can trust you, we can trust you.
Above written by Matt Redman
Our God never changes. Through the trials in our lives, through our yesterdays, our todays, and our tomorrows. May you Jon, Laura, and Tanner and the rest of your family know that through your grief you know that God is there helping you get through each day. May the Lord Jesus Christ be your light in the darkness of grief. Gods grace will see us all through. May we use this time to shine like stars in the universe as testimonies for God and his grace. We miss you Lindsay Bear but God's grace will see us through till we get to Heaven. You are all in my prayers.
Susie
Jon, Laura & Tanner: As time goes on so hard to believe we are now into June. I just returned from vacation and am just catching up on the blog. So good to read that you were able to get away. I can not begin to imagine just how different things are in your household now. But, but, we are so blessed to know that our Heavenly Father is lingering ever so near.
Bill & Jan, I could not make the June Hymn Sing. Had to work. Which I guess is a good thing. I heard from the "girls" that I missed a special time.
Thank you again for maintaining the blog. It is such a comfort for me as I continue to keep the family in my thoughts and prayers.
Take Care
Norma
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