"When he had said this, he breathed his last."

 Luke 23:⁴⁴ It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, ⁴⁵ for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. ⁴⁶ Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

At 11:35 this morning, our dear, sweet Dad went home to be with the Savior who laid down His life for him.  It was a very peaceful moment, as Mom, Melissa, Lura, Aunt Nancy, Uncle Bobby, Doug and I sat around him singing Be Thou My Vision while Melissa played her violin.  We know full well that because Jesus breathed his last on our behalf, we can be with Him for eternity.  This seperation from Dad is painful...he took a piece of each of our hearts with him, but it is not permanent.  We have a promised eternity together, worshipping at the throne of the Creator of the Universe. 


Our hearts are broken, our bodies are tired, our eyes are dry from crying.  This is a bittersweet time for us as we rejoice in knowing that Dad is with Jesus and yet mourn his departure from this world. 

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,

naught be all else to me, save that thou art;

Thou my best thought by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, thou my true word,

I ever with thee and thou with me Lord;

Thou my great Father, I thy true son;

Thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.

Be thou my battle shield, sword for the fight;

Be thou my dignity, thou my delight;

Thou my soul's shelter, thou my high tower:

Raise thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise:

Thou mine inheritance now and always;

Thou and thou only first in my heart;

High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won,

May I reach heaven's joys, O Bright Heaven's sun!;

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

I will update again once arrangements have been made.  In the meantime, please continue to pray for our family as you have faithfully been.  We would have not been able to walk this road with the peace we've had without our dear brothers and sisters interceeding on our behalf.