Tag Archive - charles gardner

House of Mourning

October 24, 2009 in Ministry with 6 Comments

Ecclesiastes 7:2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

I am sure that if you have looked at this blog that you know that my dad is dying. I am also pretty sure that you are about tired of hearing all of this.

It will soon be over and we will move on to other things. But as I thought about where I was sitting yesterday this verse came into my mind.

We all prefer the house of feasting and partying. The wisest man said that the house of mourning was more important.

The reason that it is so important is that we will lay death to heart. This life is coming to an end for all of us. It is obvious when you are sitting in a house listening to the breathing, the beginning of the death rattle, etc but it is just as true for everyone of us.

Most of us live like there is no tomorrow and if there is a tomorrow it will be just like today and fun is all that matters. We live for self and selfish things. Those things may be good things, like family, friends, fun, our future but we seldom consider what we are doing that has eternal value.

As I sit and watch or look at the shell of dad lying there waiting to die it causes me to go deep within myself and consider what my life has counted for and what will be done that is of value.

It will soon be over. The toys, the comforts, the possessions mean nothing now.

He doesn’t even know what is happening. It is all over down here though he still lies there.

I sit here and count my own days. I count my mortality. I think of the fact that I have only a limited number of days to live.

I know that he is my dad but I hope through these days those that are very special friends will take to heart the house of mourning.




Friday evening update

October 23, 2009 in Prayer Requests with 0 Comments

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I want to thank all of you that have written or called. Thank you for praying. Thank you for your visits and your kindness.

Dad is basically unconscious. He arouses to look and has even kissed Mom and a smile every now and then back to sleep. He is now on pain medication to just keep him comfortable until God takes him home.

I put the following out on twitter this afternoon.

Watching someone die makes you think about your life, its value, eternity and what u r doing of eternal value.

I have no idea when this will be over down here for my dad but I am assured of where he will spend eternity. I am also reminded of how important it is for me to take the gospel to the world.

Dad on way home for hospice care

October 22, 2009 in Uncategorized with 1 Comment

This morning we have been busy getting all the paperwork etc done to get my dad out of the hospital and to the house. He will have comfort care until he goes home to Heaven. I thank you for all that you have done as far as praying, sending emails, etc.

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Joy to Papaw

Physicians Assistant




Just spoke with the Physician’s Assistant

October 21, 2009 in Prayer Requests with 22 Comments

I am at the hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Physician’s Assistant just came out and talked to us. He is the first one of the medical staff that has talked with us.

We gave them Dad’s Living Will. The PA said that Dad had responded to him and was following some commands. We will be seeing Dad in about 5 minutes and I will give further updates in the comment section below here.

The blood clot is approximately 4 inches by 1 inch in his brain.

The PA talked about taking him upstairs to another room and giving him therapy and then later on to a nursing home. As usual the comment was made that we never know what might happen.

We really do not know much more now than we did a few minutes ago.

The PA said that he will get the doctor to talk to us sometime today via the phone or in person.

Earlier updates

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Joy to Papaw




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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