I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7
The past two weeks have been very busy with a host of opportunities and a huge number of ups and downs that life brings our way. Recent days have contained three funerals, one wedding and great revival services at our church. We have lost two wonderful gentlemen in our church to cancer. Their memorial services have been a little over two weeks apart. Both left a wife and grown children. The services for each of them were truly a great testimony of a life well lived and a strong faith in their Heavenly Father. We heard words such as mentor, friend, encourager, love of my life, etc. What a blessing to be able to attend a memorial service where the words that were spoken were very fitting for the one who had "fought the good fight".
Last Thursday we attended the funeral of Peggy Trinka's father in North Branch. We never met Dr. O'Dell, but we certainly learned a lot about him from the gentleman who gave the eulogy. Dr. O'Dell served the North Branch community for over 60 years as their veterinarian for the many farm animals in that community. He was the longest practicing veterinarian in the State of Michigan. Another aspect of the funeral was the procession to the cemetery. Dr. O'Dell had asked to have his casket placed on a wagon and drawn by horses to the cemetery. He indicated that life was always rushing by so he wanted his last ride to be slow and easy, which was aptly done by a team of black horses.
The horses and wagon led the funeral procession to the cemetery
Last Saturday the granddaughter of some good friends of ours was married in an outdoor wedding near Hudson. It was a cool, but beautiful, afternoon for the wedding. The grandfather of the groom performed the ceremony, and served communion to the couple after they had said their vows. They were married under a trellis in the bride's grandparent's yard,. The reception was also at the grandparent's home. Of course, what is a reception without food. There was a wonderful array of
hors d'oeuvre followed by an huge display of homemade pies made by the grooms mother. She made enough pies to feed two pieces to 200 people. It was a delightful event with many special extras.
The wedding of Morgan and Michael at Jim and Carole Darr's home
Pies of every flavor and description for the reception. YUM!!
A real highlight for us over the past week and a half was the opportunity to host Dr. James Diehl in our home for five days. Dr. Diehl spoke at the revival services at our church from Sunday, September 7th to Wednesday, September 10th. He is an outstanding speaker and a very special person to host in your home. He is definitely a man who has lived his faith through some very challenging situations. When he speaks you can sense the spirit of God moving. The attendance and response at the revival services were very encouraging and life changing for many.
Dr. Diehl just before he left our home early last Thursday morning.
Even when life gets busy and there are great difficulties, God is there and God is good.
Blessings and Encouragement,
Paul, Gail, Patsy and Penny
No comments:
Post a Comment