Archive - October 20, 2009

A letter from Joy to her Papaw

October 20, 2009 in Uncategorized with 6 Comments

I just wanted to take the time to write a little letter to my Papaw.  I don’t know if he will be able to hear or understand it but I wanted to express what was on my heart.

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Papaw

Words can not express how much I love you and look up to you.  You are a mighty man.  I have been thinking about you soo much and have realized how much God has used you.

I want to thank you for being such a wonderful dad and granddad.  If it weren’t for you giving your life to the Lord and taking a stand for Him we would not be the family we are today.

Because of your life and testimony and letting God work through you, you raised kids that love and fear the Lord and that are serving Him.

I love hearing your testimony how the Gardner name was not a name to look up to or one you wanted to be like, but when you gave your life to the Lord, you changed the GARDNER name into a honorable name that people could respect and look up to that loves the Lord.

Thanks for raising the best son in the word, my dad, he learned from a wonderful man how to raise children to love the Lord and stand for Him.  If it weren’t for you that started the change in the Gardner family you wouldn’t have grandkids on the mission field and in the States serving the Lord and trying to reach the world with the wonderful gospel that changed your life.

We are such a blessed family to have had such a wonderful man to start off the best of the Gardner family.  We are richer than anyone else because we have the privilege to serve the Lord and have such a close family.

I am sorry I have not always been the granddaughter I should have been and following what you taught so much to honor the Lord, but I am thankful that even though I have failed, I have had such a strong background and right heritage that I have always come back to what is right thanks to all the teachings you started through my dad and then on to me

And I hope I will be able to carry on all the wonderful things you have taught and shown to us, to my kids so that they may also grow up to love the Lord and do great things for Him and then you will have sons, grandkids and great grandkids following what you taught.

I have so many memories with you and love them.  I remember me giving you manicures and pounding your hand on the table.  I remember always sitting on your lap and you acting all tough that you were going to beat me but you never would you were always sweet. There are so many things I remember and am thankful for the memories you left behind.

Well I am sorry if I could not express everything that I feel.  It is hard to get it all out and on to paper and especially with 2 languages going through my head.

I love you and thank you so much.  The only thing that comforts me is that I will get to see you and be with you again one day.

Love

JOY

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The latest on Dad

October 20, 2009 in Uncategorized with 2 Comments

John's wedding 053

Well Betty and I started to leave to return for Georgia. I called Mom to see what she had to say about Dad and what the doctors had said. So far no one but my mother has spoken to the doctors. Not because we haven’t tried but I am learning what it is like to be part of the family of a patient.

From mother we understand that the doctor wanted to talk to her about a nursing home and therapy. He even asked how many steps it would take to get him into the house which is ridiculous. He doesn’t respond to any thing, can’t talk, can’t eat or drink.

Betty and I are staying longer to find out what is going on. I really have no new information. We have called the doctor’s office. We are asking for an opportunity to talk with the doctor.

Family 12

Update on Dad!

October 20, 2009 in Prayer Requests with 9 Comments

All of us want to thank you for your kind words, prayers, emails, phone calls, etc. You have been so kind. There have been many comments. Pastor Wayne Cofield has called and been so super kind.

April Baker came up yesterday and brought a goody basket, gift cards for my parents, bought the family a meal and was super kind.

John and Donna’s pastor has come by for a visit as well as Mom and Dad’s pastor.

Thank you all very much.

Dad is really about the same. I do not see any real improvement. Betty and I will be returning home later today and coming back next week.

The doctor said 7 to 10 days before any real news. Dad cannot move his right side at all. Has only on a very few occasions shown any recognition of something that might have been said. I am not sure how much of that was just hopeful thinking on part of the family.

They have inserted a feeding tube. His blood pressure medicine etc goes in through an IV.

I would ask you to pray for Mom. Saturday was their 56th wedding anniversary. They had a good day. That evening is when things fell apart.

Mom needs God’s grace and strength right now. John and Donna need prayer because living here they carry the biggest load. Vicki is sick and unable to be here.

Again thank you to all of you that have asked. We are so blessed to have friends like you.

Earlier updates

First one

Second one




Awkward

October 20, 2009 in Reading Notes with 1 Comment

The following just came through on a blog. I thought I would post it as a good example and something that I will want to adapt and use in the future. I give credit where due and think this would really help. I have lots of things I do in marriage counseling but love the thought of this letter and will use some form of it!

The following is from Sam Rainer
Perhaps nothing is both joyous and awkward like being asked to perform the wedding ceremony of a couple you do not know well. If you’re a pastor and like me, you want to rejoice with the couple, but you can’t commit on the spot without asking personal questions. In order to prevent the inevitable uncomfortable questions, I’ve written a form letter to give to every couple that asks me to perform the ceremony. The purpose of the letter is to provide a filter for me and also to keep me consistent with which ceremonies I will perform. I’ve provided a modified version of the letter below – I also require the couple to sign a statement of agreement with it. Feel free to modify and use it if you like.

First let me congratulate you on your upcoming marriage. The family unit is the foundational institution of human society. The ties between a husband and wife are strong as they mirror the union between Christ and the church. As a pastor who takes seriously the covenant commitment between a man and a woman, I am honored that you have asked me to perform the ceremony.

Before I commit to performing the ceremony, I ask that you affirm the following details about yourselves:

In this marriage, you are both affirming that you have accepted Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, you have made a confession of this faith to a local church body, and you have been baptized as a public announcement of your faith. If you have any doubts or questions about a relationship with Christ, I will be happy to discuss this with you.

In this marriage, you are affirming the covenant commitment to each other for a lifetime. Breaking this promise to each other means you are also breaking your promise to God.

In this marriage, you affirm that you will model the way in which God relates to His people. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church, sacrificing everything for her. A wife is to submit herself graciously to her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ.

If blessed with children, you will both teach your children spiritual and moral values founded upon biblical Truth.

In order to help the marriage start well, you both commit to marriage counseling with me or someone approved by me.

In order to keep the sanctity of marriage complete, you affirm that you are not currently nor will participate in sexual immorality with each other or someone else. If you have been sexually active with each other, you commit from this point forward to repent of this sin, and to refrain from sexual activity and living together until you are married.

In order to keep the marriage biblical, you are both affirming that neither of you have been previously divorced, with the exception of a few limited cases. If needed, I will be happy to discuss with you the biblical details of these exceptions.

I will be praying for you. The gift of marriage is an amazing blessing from our Lord. It is an incredible joy for which we should be eternally grateful to God. Once you sign and return the attached sheet, we can discuss the details of your wedding ceremony.

Revolutionized life plans

October 20, 2009 in Quotes with 0 Comments

“It is true that He does sometimes require of us things that to others seem hard. But when the will is once surrendered, the revolutionized life plans become just the plans that are most pleasant, and the things that to others seem hard, are just the things that are easiest and most delightful. Do not let Satan deceive you into being afraid of God’s plans for your life.”
- R. A. Torrey