I have taken the day off today to stay home and read through this blog, look at all the pictures, and watch the video of the funeral. This has been a bitter-sweet time, an avalanche of memories and their accompanying emotions indeed. Truly, one cannot live in the past, but this blog has provided me and others a vehicle to go back in time and visit, being able to stop at these precious viewpoints along the road and linger, the mind wandering off into other memories that the viewpoint brought to mind, and then get back in the car and go to the next of these many viewpoints. The great thing here, is that the Lord’s voice is still heard loud and clear in the scriptures quoted throughout, in some ways even clearer now. Christy’s silent testimony that she rendered by just living in sync with the Lord Jesus also still speaks, I am so thankful that others have captured by their comments here in this blog of what was silently so powerful in her life. As the apostle Paul put it in Colossians 1:27 “which is Christ in you the hope of glory.”
There is not a day that Christy does not come to my mind in some way, she has formed much of the fabric of the life that we now live. Her children and grandchildren have traces of her character, and are the fruit of her and our prayers. Even Priority Appliance Service bears the impress of her fingers behind the scenes, she was so involved in the setup of the company as far as moral principles, it was the persons that she cared about, not the business side as much. She prayed so intently for each one that worked with us. Those that have joined our ranks in the last 2 years are likely not aware of this woman of God that cared so much for the environment that they would eventually come to work in.
I the last eight months that I spent with Christy, I was amazed at how she cared so much for those that she was leaving behind. There are persons (that will not be named here), that she prayed for intensely on a daily basis, some at work, some neighbours, some friends, etc. Primarily these were persons that had not at that time come to know Jesus as Lord and Saviour. From her place of communion with God and the resulting security that she had, she seemed to have a profound sense of sorrow and pain for them, knowing that they may someday step out into eternal darkness and judgement, naked and alone. To one I heard her say, “if by means of my death you could know the fulfilment of knowing Jesus as Lord of your life, I would gladly die right now here before you.” I was deeply affected by those words at the time, and still turn them over in my mind.
Christy carried another care, it was for her husband, what would become of him as a widower. In the last 8 months of her life, and of our time together we talked about everything that we could possibly talk about before being separated. I did not realize what she was doing at the time, but in many of those conversations she was preparing me for the next leg of my journey with an uncanny, almost prophetic sense of what was coming. There were discussions about our children, grandchildren, my diet, exercise, service for the Lord, and many of the things of life as a widower. I admit to not liking those discussions much as I didn’t like the idea of borrowing from the future’s troubles, the ones I was dealing with at the time were about as painful as I could handle. Probably the most difficult were the discussions in which she insisted that I be open to being remarried, she could see it, she could see the kind of person, and told me all about her. It was impossible for me to comprehend that at the time. I realize now that the Lord in His awesome wisdom directed her/us into those discussions to prepare me for what was to come. As I see it now in retrospect, Christy in her unselfish love, so perfectly set me free. She was being set free of everything here and was moving on to be entirely His in His heavenly home. I think now that she was careful to not leave me with any outstanding obligations to her. She was commending me to another lover if it was the Lord’s will. Those of you that are close to me now, know that this has happened in a way that is impossible to comprehend without the word miracle written over it all. Whatever Christy saw or perceived, or hoped for, has been exceeded in a way that deepens the meaning of mercy and grace in our souls. The words from John 2:10 speak eloquently and capture the sense of awe. “ but THOU hast kept the good wine until now.” I have always known that God is love, that he is exceedingly good, even when He allows suffering. But His goodness and grace in bring Kasia and I together now as man and wife, and as fellow labourers in God’s house, it is just so like God to do such a thing!
Kasia and I had my dad, Stephen and Jeff and their families over this afternoon and for dinner, as a little commemoration of Christy. As we talked, we sure were conscious of the legacy that she has left us. It is everywhere, even in Nathan, he was wearing a little sweater that Christy bought for Jeff when he was a little tyke, I remember it so well.
The sweetest thought of all regarding Christy is that she is actually and really conscious in the immediate presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, that is heaven, anywhere that He is.
2 Corintians 5:6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say and willing rather to be absent from the body, and present with the Lord.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Memories from the girls of Gramma
Abigail's memories
Before she died she would always say "I cannot wait to see you in heaven, dancing and skipping with the Lord Jesus!"
When we went to Gramma's house, she would get out the playdoh and we would make play doh cakes and she would pretend to eat them. We pretended it was her birthday! We would even sing Happy Birthday.
She would read us lots and lots and lots of books every time we went to her house. Even when she was not feeling that well.
Whenever we had to leave to go home, we were always so disappointed. We wanted to stay there longer.
I remember Mitsy, Gramma's dog. She would run and around and chase her tail whenever we would come over. She was glad to see us, and Gramma would always laugh at Mitsy. Mitsy was Gramma's special friend, but she died.
Annie, the cat, was another good friend of Gramma's. Annie took good care of Gramma.
I used to have long talks with Gramma on the phone. Almost every time, Gramma would say "Annie's jumping up on my lap now" and Gramma would hold up the phone to Annie to say Hi. We would have good conversations together.
Bethany's Memories
We would always pick flowers from the yard before coming into Gramma's house. She would say "Oh thank you girls! Let's get a glass and put the flowers in some water." Her whole windowsill would be full of flowers.
And I remember she would always smile every time I saw her. She was never unhappy. I never saw her unhappy.
She would always tikkie our backs with her "tikkie" nails!
Gramma would always stand at the end of the driveway and blow kisses and wave and blow more kisses until we were out of her sight. We never saw her go back inside because she'd always wait.
She would always wear pink and purple and light blue and dark blue. She usually wore long skirts.
I remember we would always make cards for her at her house.
And she would make us boiled eggs and put them in special egg cups, a boy and a girl and a baby. She always did it, but we wanted them that way too.
She would take us for walks on the dike, as long as she was able to walk.
She always made blueberry smoothies every time we'd go to her house.
Melissa has no memories of Gramma, so she had nothing to add. :(
Before she died she would always say "I cannot wait to see you in heaven, dancing and skipping with the Lord Jesus!"
When we went to Gramma's house, she would get out the playdoh and we would make play doh cakes and she would pretend to eat them. We pretended it was her birthday! We would even sing Happy Birthday.
She would read us lots and lots and lots of books every time we went to her house. Even when she was not feeling that well.
Whenever we had to leave to go home, we were always so disappointed. We wanted to stay there longer.
I remember Mitsy, Gramma's dog. She would run and around and chase her tail whenever we would come over. She was glad to see us, and Gramma would always laugh at Mitsy. Mitsy was Gramma's special friend, but she died.
Annie, the cat, was another good friend of Gramma's. Annie took good care of Gramma.
I used to have long talks with Gramma on the phone. Almost every time, Gramma would say "Annie's jumping up on my lap now" and Gramma would hold up the phone to Annie to say Hi. We would have good conversations together.
Bethany's Memories
We would always pick flowers from the yard before coming into Gramma's house. She would say "Oh thank you girls! Let's get a glass and put the flowers in some water." Her whole windowsill would be full of flowers.
And I remember she would always smile every time I saw her. She was never unhappy. I never saw her unhappy.
She would always tikkie our backs with her "tikkie" nails!
Gramma would always stand at the end of the driveway and blow kisses and wave and blow more kisses until we were out of her sight. We never saw her go back inside because she'd always wait.
She would always wear pink and purple and light blue and dark blue. She usually wore long skirts.
I remember we would always make cards for her at her house.
And she would make us boiled eggs and put them in special egg cups, a boy and a girl and a baby. She always did it, but we wanted them that way too.
She would take us for walks on the dike, as long as she was able to walk.
She always made blueberry smoothies every time we'd go to her house.
Melissa has no memories of Gramma, so she had nothing to add. :(
A note to Wayne
To my son Wayne,
It has now been two years since Christy passed into the presence of her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is amazing how quickly time passes. However, there is hardly a day that goes by that I do not think of and remember dear Christy. Under her circumstances and suffering I would not wish her back. She is now with her Lord which is far better. I greatly miss her bright smile, her cheerful salutation of "Grampa!!", and her devotion to her sons and grandchildren, who in turn loved her immensely. I remember especially during Pearl's long and difficult trial, Christy bestowed love, care, understanding, help, and encouragement to us both.
Now much has happened since 2007. The Lord has lovingly given you a new love - Kasia, a newborn child of God. "God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform." It is wonderful to see how the grandchildren have accepted and loved their new "Gramma". She also has won my approval! May you both be greatly blessed and be a godly testimony to Kasia's family members and to those at Priority. The coming of the Lord draweth nigh - perhaps today!
With love,
Dad (Walter)
It has now been two years since Christy passed into the presence of her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is amazing how quickly time passes. However, there is hardly a day that goes by that I do not think of and remember dear Christy. Under her circumstances and suffering I would not wish her back. She is now with her Lord which is far better. I greatly miss her bright smile, her cheerful salutation of "Grampa!!", and her devotion to her sons and grandchildren, who in turn loved her immensely. I remember especially during Pearl's long and difficult trial, Christy bestowed love, care, understanding, help, and encouragement to us both.
Now much has happened since 2007. The Lord has lovingly given you a new love - Kasia, a newborn child of God. "God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform." It is wonderful to see how the grandchildren have accepted and loved their new "Gramma". She also has won my approval! May you both be greatly blessed and be a godly testimony to Kasia's family members and to those at Priority. The coming of the Lord draweth nigh - perhaps today!
With love,
Dad (Walter)
Has it really been two years?
Mom, we miss you so much! We still remember your sweet, cheerful voice and bright smile. We will never forget them...or you! You've been with the Lord two earth years now, but the Word of God says that a day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as a day. (2 Peter 3:8) So time has ceased to exist for you. You dwell in the peaceful and joyous presence of our Lord and Savior, probably unaware of the passing of time on this planet here.
"When this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" I Corinthian 15
Oh, we really cannot wait for the moment when we'll see Christy clothed immortal! The girls and I were talking at breakfast about what "Gramma" will be like in heaven when we see her! So gloriously beautiful, no earthly words will be able to express! Her body will be made absolutely perfect, and her soul...oh, she will be completely and utterly happy and satisfied. The joy and love she expressed for her Savior on earth will be exponentially greater in heaven, for she will be with her Beloved whom she longed soooo badly to see. And her spirit no longer hindered by any mortal or earthly thing will display the character and nature of God as only a saint of God in heaven will be able to do. She will sing and speak His praises, she will be completely enraptured with her Savior's face. She will be a direct reflection of her Maker! I know for a fact that God has a very special place in heaven just for her. And it will be very near to Himself.
We talked about how we will no longer have the same relationships we have had on earth, as those served their purpose on earth but will not be needed in heaven. Instead, it will be a thousand times better! We will recognize each other and we will remember the relationship we had on earth. But I'm fairly certain we will be preoccupied with our Lord and Savior. He will be the center and focus of our existence. Come, Lord Jesus!
"When this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" I Corinthian 15
Oh, we really cannot wait for the moment when we'll see Christy clothed immortal! The girls and I were talking at breakfast about what "Gramma" will be like in heaven when we see her! So gloriously beautiful, no earthly words will be able to express! Her body will be made absolutely perfect, and her soul...oh, she will be completely and utterly happy and satisfied. The joy and love she expressed for her Savior on earth will be exponentially greater in heaven, for she will be with her Beloved whom she longed soooo badly to see. And her spirit no longer hindered by any mortal or earthly thing will display the character and nature of God as only a saint of God in heaven will be able to do. She will sing and speak His praises, she will be completely enraptured with her Savior's face. She will be a direct reflection of her Maker! I know for a fact that God has a very special place in heaven just for her. And it will be very near to Himself.
We talked about how we will no longer have the same relationships we have had on earth, as those served their purpose on earth but will not be needed in heaven. Instead, it will be a thousand times better! We will recognize each other and we will remember the relationship we had on earth. But I'm fairly certain we will be preoccupied with our Lord and Savior. He will be the center and focus of our existence. Come, Lord Jesus!
-Susan
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Memories
One year ago today Christy passed into the presence of her Lord. It's a bittersweet time for her family...sorrow that she is not with us and at the memory of her sufferings and death, but also sweet memories of her and the ways she touched our lives. It is ironic that she passed away in October, which is breast cancer awareness month. Christy is one of the many hundreds of thousands whose lives have been claimed by this disease. Even now it seems a bit unreal that she actually had cancer. She always seemed so healthy with a spring in her step and color in her cheeks from a walk in the fresh air or gardening. Two things stand out in my mind upon reflecting Christy. One was her love for her Lord, never dull or boring but exuberating passion and vibrant joy in the One she talked about constantly. He was as real to her as life, and she lived in very obvious enjoyment of Him. The second thing was her adoration and affection for her "grandbabies". She was completely taken with them, and she often said how she wished she could stay here for their sakes, and felt so badly about having to leave them. I have never, and probably will never again, see a grandma who was so attached and loved her grandchildren so dearly. Certainly she was almost that way to a fault, but nevertheless her delight in each of them was unparalleled except by the Lord Himself. I miss her as "Grandma" too, for my children's sake, but realize and accept that God had His purposes in taking Christy home.
One of the fondest memories I have of Christy was during my first year after moving to Richmond. I would go over to her house sometimes if I was lonely or bored. She would greet me bundled up in several layers of clothes and the windows open because she loved the fresh air, even in wintertime! Then we'd have frozen blueberries and afterwards drink peppermint licorice tea because we were cold! But she always had bright smiles and would make me feel very welcome. Sometimes we'd get into her van and go to the mall or the health food store or the Christian book store. Other times we'd sit around and talk. I remember one time I was using their computer in the office and had to stop because my fingers were so numb from the cold that I couldn't type! Believe it or not, we didn't have a computer at our house yet, so I'd often go and use theirs. One day Jeff came in (he was still at home then) while I was typing something and gallantly presented me a ring box with a ribbon around it. Being gullible, I opened it and inside was a HUGE brown spider (one of those wolf spiders I think)! Well, he got great pleasure out of my reaction. I threw that little box with the spider in it across the room, and to this day I don't know where that spider went! That was the end of my computer time that day...for all I knew that horrid creature was hiding under some papers on the desk waiting till I was unprepared before he crept out again! I mention that because I went to Christy for sympathy and got absolutely none! She laughed and laughed, and I daresay she set him up to it for all I know! She loved to play tricks on people, especially in the earlier years. Steve remembers sitting in the hot tub in the back of the house, and suddenly a bucket of cold water would splash down on them (probably followed by gleeful laughter!). She often played tricks on a neighbour friend (Susan Parenteau) as well as others.
In later years, Christy became less "fun" as she experienced difficulties and increasing poor health, but our relationship deepened and we became close friends. The thing I miss the most is our phone chats when we would talk for sometimes over an hour and share what was on our hearts. In the first few months after her death I sorely missed this. Now, it is possible to look over this blog and remember her as she was...standing at the kitchen sink preparing fruit salad on Sunday afternoons, seeing her delight when the grandchildren came over, her happiness while tending her garden or talking to a friend about the Lord, and her sunny smiles across the meeting room which seemed to brighten the whole place up! But we'll have to wait until we reach heaven to see her radiant beaming face! Can't wait to see her amazing joy and perfect happiness as we are reunited in the presence of our Lord! :)
One of the fondest memories I have of Christy was during my first year after moving to Richmond. I would go over to her house sometimes if I was lonely or bored. She would greet me bundled up in several layers of clothes and the windows open because she loved the fresh air, even in wintertime! Then we'd have frozen blueberries and afterwards drink peppermint licorice tea because we were cold! But she always had bright smiles and would make me feel very welcome. Sometimes we'd get into her van and go to the mall or the health food store or the Christian book store. Other times we'd sit around and talk. I remember one time I was using their computer in the office and had to stop because my fingers were so numb from the cold that I couldn't type! Believe it or not, we didn't have a computer at our house yet, so I'd often go and use theirs. One day Jeff came in (he was still at home then) while I was typing something and gallantly presented me a ring box with a ribbon around it. Being gullible, I opened it and inside was a HUGE brown spider (one of those wolf spiders I think)! Well, he got great pleasure out of my reaction. I threw that little box with the spider in it across the room, and to this day I don't know where that spider went! That was the end of my computer time that day...for all I knew that horrid creature was hiding under some papers on the desk waiting till I was unprepared before he crept out again! I mention that because I went to Christy for sympathy and got absolutely none! She laughed and laughed, and I daresay she set him up to it for all I know! She loved to play tricks on people, especially in the earlier years. Steve remembers sitting in the hot tub in the back of the house, and suddenly a bucket of cold water would splash down on them (probably followed by gleeful laughter!). She often played tricks on a neighbour friend (Susan Parenteau) as well as others.
In later years, Christy became less "fun" as she experienced difficulties and increasing poor health, but our relationship deepened and we became close friends. The thing I miss the most is our phone chats when we would talk for sometimes over an hour and share what was on our hearts. In the first few months after her death I sorely missed this. Now, it is possible to look over this blog and remember her as she was...standing at the kitchen sink preparing fruit salad on Sunday afternoons, seeing her delight when the grandchildren came over, her happiness while tending her garden or talking to a friend about the Lord, and her sunny smiles across the meeting room which seemed to brighten the whole place up! But we'll have to wait until we reach heaven to see her radiant beaming face! Can't wait to see her amazing joy and perfect happiness as we are reunited in the presence of our Lord! :)
If I could ask Christy this!
Mom,
"What will it be to dwell above,
And with the Lord of glory reign,
Since the blest knowledge of His love
So brightens all this dreary plain?"
She would probably say something like this:
"No heart can think, no tongue can tell,
What joy [it is] with Christ to dwell!"
But we can speculate what it will be like:
When sin no more obstructs the sight,
And flesh and sense deceive no more,
When we shall see the Prince of light,
And all His works of grace explore,
What heights and depths of love divine
Will there through endless ages shine!
When God has fixed the happy day,
When the last tear shall dim our eyes;
When He will wipe these tears away,
And fill our hearts with glad surprise;
To hear His voice, and see His face,
And know the fulness of His grace!
(words by Joseph Swain)
Ah, words do not do it justice, I believe. For there are no earthly words that can describe the pleasure we will experience of seeing our Lord and Savior face to face and to behold His beauty and His glory. Right now we are just waiting for the "Rapture"....when our eyes at last shall see Whom our hearts have loved so long!
"What will it be to dwell above,
And with the Lord of glory reign,
Since the blest knowledge of His love
So brightens all this dreary plain?"
She would probably say something like this:
"No heart can think, no tongue can tell,
What joy [it is] with Christ to dwell!"
But we can speculate what it will be like:
When sin no more obstructs the sight,
And flesh and sense deceive no more,
When we shall see the Prince of light,
And all His works of grace explore,
What heights and depths of love divine
Will there through endless ages shine!
When God has fixed the happy day,
When the last tear shall dim our eyes;
When He will wipe these tears away,
And fill our hearts with glad surprise;
To hear His voice, and see His face,
And know the fulness of His grace!
(words by Joseph Swain)
Ah, words do not do it justice, I believe. For there are no earthly words that can describe the pleasure we will experience of seeing our Lord and Savior face to face and to behold His beauty and His glory. Right now we are just waiting for the "Rapture"....when our eyes at last shall see Whom our hearts have loved so long!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Sincere thanks to all from Wayne
I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all of you that sent such appropriate and comforting cards, letters, scripture verses, email messages, posts to the blog, and phone calls. I am sorry that I have been unable to respond individually to each one. My daughter-in-love, Susie has arranged the cards in a huge scrap book for me. You have been used by God to bring tremendous comfort to my heart. With certainty I can say that I have experienced the answers to your prayers. I offer my thanks, praise and worship to God the Father, and His Son Jesus Christ for the way in which I have been carried through the storm. “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them that are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3+4
The journey is not over yet, so please continue to pray for contentedness and quietness of heart, I need to be in the good of Psalm 131:2 “Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.” It is good for us all to participate with our Father is His wise ways of weaning us from what His wisdom and love sees fit to remove or deny in our lives down here.
in Christ,
Wayne
The journey is not over yet, so please continue to pray for contentedness and quietness of heart, I need to be in the good of Psalm 131:2 “Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.” It is good for us all to participate with our Father is His wise ways of weaning us from what His wisdom and love sees fit to remove or deny in our lives down here.
in Christ,
Wayne
Links to audio of funeral service
Direct links to a voice recording of the funeral service in addition to the video are available in the following formats on the recorded ministry website:
Listen live now using Real Audio http://www.recordedministry.com/christy/christy.ram
High quality MP3 file download http://www.recordedministry.com/christy/christy.mp3
Low quality MP3 file download http://www.recordedministry.com/christy/christy-low.mp3
Wayne
Listen live now using Real Audio http://www.recordedministry.com/christy/christy.ram
High quality MP3 file download http://www.recordedministry.com/christy/christy.mp3
Low quality MP3 file download http://www.recordedministry.com/christy/christy-low.mp3
Wayne
Monday, December 31, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
1 Month now without Christy...
It was a tearful morning today as so many memories came rushing back, especially when I heard the song I posted yesterday. The song takes me back to the very moment that the Lord Jesus released Christy from her body and took her into His immediate awesome presence. It was so clearly Jesus that was calling His dear Christy away, she was at that moment all for Him, she ceased to be mine. Believe it or not, this is still ok with me. I am so glad that they are both enjoying each other right now. As I reflect today on how she travelled through the valley of the shadow of death with all of it's suffering, it still amazes me how she did it so beautifully, so gracefully. As hard as it was for me, I am overcome with gratefulness to God for leading her/us so gently, resulting in her participating with Him in her very own death as a willing partner to His victorious plan.
Many are asking "how is Wayne doing? he needs to keep posting on this blog a bit longer." I will give a short answer here, but in days to come will post more. I will be travelling to Manitoba with Marlin Schmidt this Friday returning next Thursday, so may write some on the road.
I am doing very well, my heart and mind have been filled with praise and thanksgiving to God for all the way that He has led Christy and I in the last 30 years. It is just so awesome to reflect on the privilege of Christy's company and her spiritual companionship through the years, I have so many beautiful memories. I have pictures of her everywhere, and the casket lid is here in my living room, that may seem weird to some of you, but it is a comfort to me. It has a scripture painted in gold, "in thy presence is fullness of joy, at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore" Psalm 16:11, along with many other precious verses are slowly healing me.
I am enjoying the quiet here in this house by the ocean, it is very peaceful. I do not have any problems sleeping or being lonely at night, except when I read Christy's journals before sleeping. For about 10 days I was reading one journal a night and crying myself to sleep, but have quit now, there will be another time when I can do that.
I am cooking very healthy as Christy taught me (all organic of course :) not eating at restaurants hardly at all. But I do need to get back to Pilades and more importantly back on my bike soon, as I am a backslidden cyclist, I put my bikes away for the last couple of years while nursing Christy. She was always after to me to go out and ride to blow off steam, but my time with her was more important to me. It was a very small sacrifice. Will aim for ~30km a day to start, by summer I need to be able to do 130 km once a week without hurting. I am praying about spending a week cycling through the Okanagen valley with a light pack, a bible, and a credit card in the late summer.
I am keeping busy with lots of things around the house that have been neglected. I also need to spend one-on-one time with our technicians at Priority, it has been a long time that I have been away from them. Everyone at Priority has been so incredibly supportive. We also have some new techs lined up as possibile candidates to start working with us, this is a large undertaking.
It is late, must quit now and hit the bed.
Many are asking "how is Wayne doing? he needs to keep posting on this blog a bit longer." I will give a short answer here, but in days to come will post more. I will be travelling to Manitoba with Marlin Schmidt this Friday returning next Thursday, so may write some on the road.
I am doing very well, my heart and mind have been filled with praise and thanksgiving to God for all the way that He has led Christy and I in the last 30 years. It is just so awesome to reflect on the privilege of Christy's company and her spiritual companionship through the years, I have so many beautiful memories. I have pictures of her everywhere, and the casket lid is here in my living room, that may seem weird to some of you, but it is a comfort to me. It has a scripture painted in gold, "in thy presence is fullness of joy, at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore" Psalm 16:11, along with many other precious verses are slowly healing me.
I am enjoying the quiet here in this house by the ocean, it is very peaceful. I do not have any problems sleeping or being lonely at night, except when I read Christy's journals before sleeping. For about 10 days I was reading one journal a night and crying myself to sleep, but have quit now, there will be another time when I can do that.
I am cooking very healthy as Christy taught me (all organic of course :) not eating at restaurants hardly at all. But I do need to get back to Pilades and more importantly back on my bike soon, as I am a backslidden cyclist, I put my bikes away for the last couple of years while nursing Christy. She was always after to me to go out and ride to blow off steam, but my time with her was more important to me. It was a very small sacrifice. Will aim for ~30km a day to start, by summer I need to be able to do 130 km once a week without hurting. I am praying about spending a week cycling through the Okanagen valley with a light pack, a bible, and a credit card in the late summer.
I am keeping busy with lots of things around the house that have been neglected. I also need to spend one-on-one time with our technicians at Priority, it has been a long time that I have been away from them. Everyone at Priority has been so incredibly supportive. We also have some new techs lined up as possibile candidates to start working with us, this is a large undertaking.
It is late, must quit now and hit the bed.
We miss her
As I go through the day now, my mind often goes to Christy and how much we miss her. And I am once again impressed by the frailty of life. Our life and breath is a daily gift from our Maker - Christy was well aware of that. But knowing we will never see her again on earth, never hear her loving voice, never be able to enjoy the friendship and kind compassion of dear Christy brings tears to my eyes and I marvel at how death is as real as life. Some days I look at the photo of her on my fridge and almost can't believe she's really gone. I wish she was still here, though healthy. I wish I could still call her on the phone and talk like we used to so often. I wish I could ask her to pray knowing that she truly cared and would definitely pray. But then I think about how much she longed for this, how MUCH she wanted to be with her Lord, whom having not seen she loved! And I think of the untold wonder and unspeakable joy she is experiencing now, uninterupted bliss, completely at peace and rest. And I cannot but be happy for her. Life here goes on for us, and we are the ones who must carry on living, carrying her memories with us, until the moment we are caught up together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air!
Here are some lines from a poem at my Grandma (Vivienne's) funeral.
Grieve not because the eyes that looked upon you
Shall never see your face on earth again,
Rejoice because they look upon the Saviour
Who gave His life to ransom sinful men.
Weep not because I walk no longer with you,
Remember I am walking streets of gold,
Weep for yourselves that you awhile must tarry
Before the blessed Lord you may behold.
Here are some lines from a poem at my Grandma (Vivienne's) funeral.
Grieve not because the eyes that looked upon you
Shall never see your face on earth again,
Rejoice because they look upon the Saviour
Who gave His life to ransom sinful men.
Weep not because I walk no longer with you,
Remember I am walking streets of gold,
Weep for yourselves that you awhile must tarry
Before the blessed Lord you may behold.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
New Song Added
We have changed the background music to 'Hear The Voice of My Beloved' by Cynthia Clawson. The control for it is on the left side bar. [note: this has since been removed]
This song was sent to me by a dear sister in the Lord, I have enjoyed it so much and wanted to share it with you here. It seems to be a scriptural expression of the heart of our Lord Jesus in His desire to have us with Himself, it also reflects on Christy's desire to be with him.
It was a long journey through the dark valley for us, but as we learned to participate with the Lord in what he was doing with us, there formed a sweetness that was, well, almost romantic, this song adds the music to our experience. I feel the loss of my sweet companion in the journey keenly, but have been filled with joy truly unspeakable. I can now say that I know with Peter what it is to walk on water (walking on water has only one purpose, that is, to get to Jesus). Christy heard the call of her Beloved to come away into His awesome presence, I now hear the same call to walk the rest of the journey leaning on Him more intimately. 'In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul' Psalm 94:19.
This song was sent to me by a dear sister in the Lord, I have enjoyed it so much and wanted to share it with you here. It seems to be a scriptural expression of the heart of our Lord Jesus in His desire to have us with Himself, it also reflects on Christy's desire to be with him.
It was a long journey through the dark valley for us, but as we learned to participate with the Lord in what he was doing with us, there formed a sweetness that was, well, almost romantic, this song adds the music to our experience. I feel the loss of my sweet companion in the journey keenly, but have been filled with joy truly unspeakable. I can now say that I know with Peter what it is to walk on water (walking on water has only one purpose, that is, to get to Jesus). Christy heard the call of her Beloved to come away into His awesome presence, I now hear the same call to walk the rest of the journey leaning on Him more intimately. 'In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul' Psalm 94:19.
Monday, November 12, 2007
In memory of a very kind and lovely Lady
Hi, My only encounter with Christy was a brief visit to Vancouver in September 2003 whilst searching for Technician positions in the Vancouver Area. Wayne had more than kindly offered me a room at his house in the basement for the duration of my stay in Vancouver. Priority had recently relocated to their new offices and Wayne and Christy were in the process of wrapping up their house prior to moving on. I always remember my first meeting Christy when I arrived, I wondered how these nice people would invite a complete and utter stranger into their house. They welcomed me with open arms and a very friendly smile. They gave me a key and invited me to come and go as I liked. So later in the day I sloped off to find something for dinner, on return I found that they had prepared a place at their table for me. I don't remember if I ate with them that night but I did enjoy their after dinner treat. They had a slab of very good chocolate which they liked to chip small chunks off.I must admit that over the few days I spent with Wayne and Christy I was made to feel very at ease and we spent long hours talking into the new day to come. Christy was a very good and kind Lady, the family she has left behind are most certainly a tribute to both her and Wayne's influence in both spirit and manner. I am sure that she touched many peoples lives and continues still to do so in all our memories.
My heart felt sympathy and love goes to all her nearest and dearest
Kindest regards
Kevin Capper
London UK
My heart felt sympathy and love goes to all her nearest and dearest
Kindest regards
Kevin Capper
London UK
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
The funeral service
The funeral and burial service for Christy was a memorable occasion, though it was a very emotional and sad time. There was a large turnout and all the chairs were filled with standing room only. Wayne spoke a bittersweet message and there were few dry eyes in the room. It was a tender, sweet, and touching ceremony. Rachel Zaharik beautifully sang "Here Is Love" accompanied by Jeremy and Peter on the cello and guitar. There were many emotional moments: Christy's last words ("I'm going to see Jesus") were played; further on, Wayne picked up his granddaughter Melissa who had fallen asleep on her chair and read the letter that Christy had written to her; and at the end of his speaking, Wayne removed his ring and laid it on Christy's still hands in the casket. There were many tears running down a great number of faces, but it was still more sweet than sad, and especially for those who have hope of seeing this beautiful woman again in glory!
The entire Coleman family wishes to thank all who came, sent flowers, made donations to the SA Rotary Hospice, took part in the funeral or graveside, helped, contributed, volunteered, or otherwise participated to make the event special and memorable and a true tribute to Christy's life. Nearly all who came loved and appreciated Christy, and she loved them sincerely. She would have been overwhelmed, overjoyed, and amazed at the outpouring of love everyone showed. A very clear message went out at the service demonstrating Christy's great desire that there would be those who would come to know her Lord Jesus as a result of her death. If she knew there would be just one soul who came to Christ because of her death, she would have willingly died just for that one person! May her wish come true, if it has not already.
The entire Coleman family wishes to thank all who came, sent flowers, made donations to the SA Rotary Hospice, took part in the funeral or graveside, helped, contributed, volunteered, or otherwise participated to make the event special and memorable and a true tribute to Christy's life. Nearly all who came loved and appreciated Christy, and she loved them sincerely. She would have been overwhelmed, overjoyed, and amazed at the outpouring of love everyone showed. A very clear message went out at the service demonstrating Christy's great desire that there would be those who would come to know her Lord Jesus as a result of her death. If she knew there would be just one soul who came to Christ because of her death, she would have willingly died just for that one person! May her wish come true, if it has not already.
Heart of flowers and photo of Christy as a bride - this is, after all, what she is going to be, part of the bride of Christ!
David and kids remembering Christy
Wayne chose to leave his ring with his beloved Christy. Notice she is wearing (it was her desire)
a little bracelet that her granddaughter Abbie made for her some time ago.
The last earthly goodbyes
The Men in Blue - the Priority team - had the honour of being the
pallbearers.
Click on any of the above photos to view the entire web album from Christy's funeral and also at the cemetery.
Monday, November 5, 2007
From the BC 8's
November 05, 2007
I met Wayne only a short time ago when he was on the hunt for a car, perhaps an inanimate object to take his mind off of the tragedy in his life, even for a moment or two. We talked frequently on the phone and about Christy's illness.
I never got the opportunity to meet Christy but I could tell that she was always there in Wayne's mind and thoughts. Our meetings were brief as he needed to be with her as much as possible to make her final days here as comfortable as possible.
Celebrate her life with you Wayne, and do not dwell on what you do not have the power to change. Be strong for your sons and their families. She is no longer suffering and has gone to a better place.
Fly with the eagles Christy....
Tom Carter, on behalf of the BC 8's www.wuffer.net
I met Wayne only a short time ago when he was on the hunt for a car, perhaps an inanimate object to take his mind off of the tragedy in his life, even for a moment or two. We talked frequently on the phone and about Christy's illness.
I never got the opportunity to meet Christy but I could tell that she was always there in Wayne's mind and thoughts. Our meetings were brief as he needed to be with her as much as possible to make her final days here as comfortable as possible.
Celebrate her life with you Wayne, and do not dwell on what you do not have the power to change. Be strong for your sons and their families. She is no longer suffering and has gone to a better place.
Fly with the eagles Christy....
Tom Carter, on behalf of the BC 8's www.wuffer.net
Saturday, November 3, 2007
From a neighbour back on Heather street
Dear Wayne and family,
Like most men, I find it hard to say or write anything of substance when it comes to expressing feelings about the loss of a friend or loved one. Society seems to frown upon men showing any sign of "weakness", as it were. But after sitting and listening to you at the service and seeing the outpouring of love from you and the reciprocation from all that attended, I feel better equipped to express how I feel about you, your family and Christy.
We met probably ten years ago Wayne; two skinny, middle aged cyclists riding down the road, eyeing each other like dogs circling each other on a street corner, each looking for a sign of weakness in the other. After a suitable test of each others strengths we became casual, but good friends, especially when we discovered we lived not two blocks from one another. About the same time we met, I had been noticing a very lovely woman walking our neighbourhood streets on a daily basis; always with a long flowing dress and a kerchief on her head, walking square shouldered with a grace and lightness of step I had seldom seen before. She was quick with a smile and unafraid to make eye contact with me, a total stranger on the street. I had no idea who she was and was pleasantly surprised to discover she was your wife after one of our rides one day. Our rides morphed into walks with our dogs, Chloe and Mitsy, and exchanges of knowledge and labour (you were always there to help with any and all of my technical problems; I, not so much for you). I was so amazed at how insightful Christy was. She could read the pain on my face as I went through a bad patch with my then teen-aged daughter and offered advice and support which helped me through that period. That was her mission in life and she fulfilled it well. Her smile and countenance were enough to disarm the entire military of any war-mongering nation. It is such a shame we could not have broadcast the serenity of her soul to the whole world and perhaps brought about ever lasting peace. She touched all that met her and left an everlasting impression on people, something that very few in this world are capable of doing.
We lost touch when you moved from our neighbourhood in 2004, partly because we were both so absorbed in our businesses and partly because we were separated by a greater physical distance. When I frist heard the Christy had been diagnosed with cancer, I felt that no mortal disease could ever conquer that woman. She had the strength to overcome anything. And even when I received the news from sources over the past few months, advising me she was slipping nearer to death, I could not help but think that this was impossible. Christy would pull through because she was the miracle woman! No need to worry. Alas, when I received your e-mail last Monday, I freely admit I wept in my office, as I am sure many others did. You were so very lucky to have spent many years next to her Wayne, for she was an angel.
I am pleased you created this blog as it has given many, like myself, the opportunity to express our love for you in a way that is at once contemplative and comfortable. Not all of us can make our feelings known face to face.
with best wishes,
your friend,
Al Clark
Like most men, I find it hard to say or write anything of substance when it comes to expressing feelings about the loss of a friend or loved one. Society seems to frown upon men showing any sign of "weakness", as it were. But after sitting and listening to you at the service and seeing the outpouring of love from you and the reciprocation from all that attended, I feel better equipped to express how I feel about you, your family and Christy.
We met probably ten years ago Wayne; two skinny, middle aged cyclists riding down the road, eyeing each other like dogs circling each other on a street corner, each looking for a sign of weakness in the other. After a suitable test of each others strengths we became casual, but good friends, especially when we discovered we lived not two blocks from one another. About the same time we met, I had been noticing a very lovely woman walking our neighbourhood streets on a daily basis; always with a long flowing dress and a kerchief on her head, walking square shouldered with a grace and lightness of step I had seldom seen before. She was quick with a smile and unafraid to make eye contact with me, a total stranger on the street. I had no idea who she was and was pleasantly surprised to discover she was your wife after one of our rides one day. Our rides morphed into walks with our dogs, Chloe and Mitsy, and exchanges of knowledge and labour (you were always there to help with any and all of my technical problems; I, not so much for you). I was so amazed at how insightful Christy was. She could read the pain on my face as I went through a bad patch with my then teen-aged daughter and offered advice and support which helped me through that period. That was her mission in life and she fulfilled it well. Her smile and countenance were enough to disarm the entire military of any war-mongering nation. It is such a shame we could not have broadcast the serenity of her soul to the whole world and perhaps brought about ever lasting peace. She touched all that met her and left an everlasting impression on people, something that very few in this world are capable of doing.
We lost touch when you moved from our neighbourhood in 2004, partly because we were both so absorbed in our businesses and partly because we were separated by a greater physical distance. When I frist heard the Christy had been diagnosed with cancer, I felt that no mortal disease could ever conquer that woman. She had the strength to overcome anything. And even when I received the news from sources over the past few months, advising me she was slipping nearer to death, I could not help but think that this was impossible. Christy would pull through because she was the miracle woman! No need to worry. Alas, when I received your e-mail last Monday, I freely admit I wept in my office, as I am sure many others did. You were so very lucky to have spent many years next to her Wayne, for she was an angel.
I am pleased you created this blog as it has given many, like myself, the opportunity to express our love for you in a way that is at once contemplative and comfortable. Not all of us can make our feelings known face to face.
with best wishes,
your friend,
Al Clark
From Christy's cousin Calvin Haws
Dear Wayne and Boy's:
I was truly sorry to hear about my cousins Christy's death, but in saying that I know that she has gone to a much better place. Jill and my prayers will be with your family today, although you are joyus that she is with the Lord, it will be a very large loss for you and your family's.
I remember many fine holidays in Whiterock in which we spent with Mary, Christy and Paul. Although I was the youngest, I was always made to feel special by my cousins. Christy always had a warm, caring, fun loving personality and a deep love for our Lord Jesus, and although I have only seen her a couple times since my childhood this did not seem to change. I can see by the pictures on her blog that she was a wonderful wife, mother and grand-mother. Is their a charity that a donation could be given to in memory of her? My family would love to contribute something in memory of her.
Sincerely,
Calvin, Jill, David, Emily and Grace Haws
I was truly sorry to hear about my cousins Christy's death, but in saying that I know that she has gone to a much better place. Jill and my prayers will be with your family today, although you are joyus that she is with the Lord, it will be a very large loss for you and your family's.
I remember many fine holidays in Whiterock in which we spent with Mary, Christy and Paul. Although I was the youngest, I was always made to feel special by my cousins. Christy always had a warm, caring, fun loving personality and a deep love for our Lord Jesus, and although I have only seen her a couple times since my childhood this did not seem to change. I can see by the pictures on her blog that she was a wonderful wife, mother and grand-mother. Is their a charity that a donation could be given to in memory of her? My family would love to contribute something in memory of her.
Sincerely,
Calvin, Jill, David, Emily and Grace Haws
from Bolivia
Dear Wayne and family,
We certainly will be praying for you and yours that remain behind for a few brief moments here until that grand day when we will all enter the Father's house. May the Lord stand by you and strengthen you.
Our love from Cochabamba, Bolivia,
Bob and Barb Thonney
We certainly will be praying for you and yours that remain behind for a few brief moments here until that grand day when we will all enter the Father's house. May the Lord stand by you and strengthen you.
Our love from Cochabamba, Bolivia,
Bob and Barb Thonney
Friday, November 2, 2007
From Dad (Walter) With Love
November 1, 2007
My son Wayne
I have many thoughts coursing through my head, and sleep does seem to escape me.
My thoughts go back to last Lord’s day evening, I was driving home after the Gospel Meeting, and when I got to #4 Road, I had to make a right turn and join you at Christies bedside. It was an amazing time, you holding her left hand and I her right. I recall saying to Christy, “If you can hear my voice, squeeze my hand.” There was no response. It was so difficult to hear and watch her struggled and off and on breathing. I was so relieved to hear that her breathing calmed as she left this scene, to be forever with her Lord the Saviour. I recall on leaving her bedside, leaning close to her ear and saying, “Christy, this is Grampa, I am going to say Goodbye, Goodnight, I will see you in the morning.”
About an hour after leaving, my grandson Jeff, called me to say that “Mom had gone home to be with Jesus.”
Wayne, I pray most fervently, that on Saturday, that the Lord will give you the spiritual strength, to deliver a suitable and compelling message to those whom you know will attend, and have a great lifesaving need.
Dad
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Memories from Shannon Walker
Dear Wayne,
Here I sit having just read your blog regarding 'thy beloved' ... and the photo gallery, WOW, Sue Parenteau, Aunt Helen and the 5 generations, your wedding - that must have been in the 'old' meeting room - what memories! You so prove that there is true JOY in the Journey ...
Memories were so flowing as I read ... I remember the day Jeff was born, Karen (Harman) and I came to the hospital to see Christy, (and I believe that was New Years day!) and yes, her Bible was open then too, at Psalms 139, to which she told us -then single- girls, how she now has experienced in a new and awesome way the verse "for I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (she enjoyed the verses starting with 'thou hast covered me in my mother's womb' to verse 18) ... many years later (1995) when it was my turn, at the birth of my first born in that hospital room I thought of Christy and turned to Psalms 139 also and wrote that in her baby book : ) In my daughter's room hangs the text you gave us for a wedding gift with Christy's hand writing on the back with her message; you 2 so magnify Christ's love together ... then to find out in your photo gallery that she too is a 'cat' person, the text is a picture of a kitten : ) And now at the end of her life this truly is her verse, for she is and was so 'wonderfully made' even in her bodily weakness. Beautiful.
When I first heard of Christy's cancer, I thought, 'she's a young wife, mother and grandmother, she has a husband, children and grandchildren that adore her, she has soooo much to live for!' To see in this blog, how she, as her life was drawing to a close so willingly surrendered it back to the One who had so blessed her in her life, why? She saw that One at the entrance to glory, her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! "Sir, we would see Jesus". What a living testimony, what an example for us. Beautiful again!
I think I have to go and cry a little now, but reading Christy's life and death I'm not sure if they are tears of joy or sorrow, I think both. I pray for you on Saturday Wayne, I thought of closing this note with "because He lives, I can face tomorrow", then thinking of what lies ahead for you both tomorrow and Sat. I can't help but cry again and bear you up before the throne of grace. As my mother has faced this day more than once, she has proved and testified that He does give strength for the day, He does give songs in the night.
Because He lives, I CAN face tomorrow,
In His everlasting Arms
Shannon (Clark : ) Walker
A letter from Phil Brown, who made Christy's casket
(written Sept. 30/07)
Christy, I’m sorry I missed your call on my birthday, but I’m so thankful that you were able to take my call in the hospital after your fall. Nancy and I pray for you, and dear Wayne. We will all be Home soon, together in the presence of the Lord Jesus who gave all to redeem us.
It was a privilege and an honour to build your casket. Every inch of this project was done with love for the Lord Jesus, for you and your family and the saints, and for lost souls – with blood, sweat and tears. I built everything myself and did the upholstery as well. I felt very much dependent on the Lord to design and carry out this work. As the painting unfolded under my hands I had a great sense of the Lord’s guidance. I’m so glad yours was my first casket. There was just enough material on the particular roll to cover the interior. I believe the Lord chose that fabric just for you. I was a little discouraged that the work had a handmade, homemade look to it but now I’m thankful that it does, because it was made by me, just for you, from the Lord, in weakness and dependence.
It’s interesting that the casket idea was given to me a year before by a Christian brother who owns a high-end antiques business, but I never got around to actually starting one, as I was greatly discouraged from this vocation by various factors. The idea was still in my heart, and prompted by a Christian football movie Facing The Giants, I told my wife I wouldn’t waste any more time starting an art casket for sale as the Lord seemed to indicate that the door was still open to pursue this vocation of handmade caskets embellished with artwork (Rev, 3:7-8 I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it). Wayne called the next day to order yours. It was an incredible experience to see the Lord’s hand at work in our lives, fitting all the pieces together for His honour and glory.
So many people in my area have been affected by your going Home, seeing the casket in various stages. People would hear about it and call to ask if they could come over and see it. I met a Christian brother on the Internet who had built a casket for a Christian friend and he encouraged me to put it on a woodworking website. Thousands of people have seen it and heard your story, and of your faith in the Lord Jesus. Christian brothers on the woodworking website have also been praying for you.
My neighbours and family members have heard the gospel by seeing the lid with the verse that you chose, Psalm 16:11 In Thy presence is fullness of joy… and the verse I chose, John 14:6 I am the way, the truth and the life… and by hearing your story.
Your going Home is a very precious occasion to the Lord and He is using it mightily and faithfully. I am humbled and thankful that He chose me as His instrument to be a part of His taking you to be with Himself. I sorrow with many tears but I joy in the Lord that you will be with Him, and free from your pain.
Christy, you have been a tremendous blessing to me, as has been your dear husband and family. Great are your rewards. Perhaps I will not get to talk to you again on this side of Heaven, but I will see you up there as God has promised to those that love Him.
Until then, your brother in the Lord Jesus Christ,
Phil Brown
Christy, I’m sorry I missed your call on my birthday, but I’m so thankful that you were able to take my call in the hospital after your fall. Nancy and I pray for you, and dear Wayne. We will all be Home soon, together in the presence of the Lord Jesus who gave all to redeem us.
It was a privilege and an honour to build your casket. Every inch of this project was done with love for the Lord Jesus, for you and your family and the saints, and for lost souls – with blood, sweat and tears. I built everything myself and did the upholstery as well. I felt very much dependent on the Lord to design and carry out this work. As the painting unfolded under my hands I had a great sense of the Lord’s guidance. I’m so glad yours was my first casket. There was just enough material on the particular roll to cover the interior. I believe the Lord chose that fabric just for you. I was a little discouraged that the work had a handmade, homemade look to it but now I’m thankful that it does, because it was made by me, just for you, from the Lord, in weakness and dependence.
It’s interesting that the casket idea was given to me a year before by a Christian brother who owns a high-end antiques business, but I never got around to actually starting one, as I was greatly discouraged from this vocation by various factors. The idea was still in my heart, and prompted by a Christian football movie Facing The Giants, I told my wife I wouldn’t waste any more time starting an art casket for sale as the Lord seemed to indicate that the door was still open to pursue this vocation of handmade caskets embellished with artwork (Rev, 3:7-8 I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it). Wayne called the next day to order yours. It was an incredible experience to see the Lord’s hand at work in our lives, fitting all the pieces together for His honour and glory.
So many people in my area have been affected by your going Home, seeing the casket in various stages. People would hear about it and call to ask if they could come over and see it. I met a Christian brother on the Internet who had built a casket for a Christian friend and he encouraged me to put it on a woodworking website. Thousands of people have seen it and heard your story, and of your faith in the Lord Jesus. Christian brothers on the woodworking website have also been praying for you.
My neighbours and family members have heard the gospel by seeing the lid with the verse that you chose, Psalm 16:11 In Thy presence is fullness of joy… and the verse I chose, John 14:6 I am the way, the truth and the life… and by hearing your story.
Your going Home is a very precious occasion to the Lord and He is using it mightily and faithfully. I am humbled and thankful that He chose me as His instrument to be a part of His taking you to be with Himself. I sorrow with many tears but I joy in the Lord that you will be with Him, and free from your pain.
Christy, you have been a tremendous blessing to me, as has been your dear husband and family. Great are your rewards. Perhaps I will not get to talk to you again on this side of Heaven, but I will see you up there as God has promised to those that love Him.
Until then, your brother in the Lord Jesus Christ,
Phil Brown
A very touching letter
My Dear Sweet Sister in Christ, Christy;
You do not know me much just yet. I am the sister of your precious daughter-in-law, Susie. I am so glad that you are now in Heaven with our Lord Jesus! I am so glad you are forever released from your pain and suffering that you endured so patiently here on earth.
Yet, as you already know, I am SO sad and I hurt SO much for Susie, Steve, Abby, Bethany and Melissa as well as ALL of the many, many people who loved you so much and will so miss your presence here! Yet, your absence is just another reminder of how MUCH JOY we all have in store for us in Heaven!
I am so happy for you now that you are in the presence of Our precious Jesus!!! And, you by now have met and I'm sure are spending time with my most Sweet Mom! That fills my heart with joy! Please give my precious Shear a HUGE hug too! I cannot wait until we are all "caught up together".
I cannot wait to reunite with Susie, Steve and family! I love you so much Christy, and it gives me much happiness to know that you are waiting along side my Mom for when Jesus calls us all up to meet together and forever.
Tons of Love,
Joanna
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Words of encouragement from the Wilsons
Dear Wayne and Family:
"When pressed with burdens and trouble too complicated to put into words and too mysterious to tell or understand, how sweet it is to fall back into His blessed arms, and just sob out the sorrow that we cannot speak!" selected
"Likewise also the Spirit helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what to pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:26,27.
It is a groan whose undertone is praise and unutterable joy because we know our Lord does all things well.
"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." John 14:18
Thinking of, praying for, and trusting you to Him at this time of joy and sorrow mingling,
Ed and Cathie Wilson
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Notice of Funeral
The funeral/memorial service for Christy Coleman will be held at the meeting room at 8020 No. 5 Road in Richmond, BC on Saturday, November 3rd at 11:00 am.
If any wish to view her body it will be available for viewing at the above address anytime after 9:30 am on Saturday prior to the service.
All are welcome to stay for visiting and a lunch following the ceremony. At 2:30 there will be a procession leaving the meeting room for the interment at Sunnyside Lawn Cemetery:
14850 28th Ave.
Surrey, BC
Our sincere thanks to all for their support and prayers,
The Coleman Family
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Christy’s memory to the Salvation Army Rotary Hospice House at:
If any wish to view her body it will be available for viewing at the above address anytime after 9:30 am on Saturday prior to the service.
All are welcome to stay for visiting and a lunch following the ceremony. At 2:30 there will be a procession leaving the meeting room for the interment at Sunnyside Lawn Cemetery:
14850 28th Ave.
Surrey, BC
Our sincere thanks to all for their support and prayers,
The Coleman Family
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Christy’s memory to the Salvation Army Rotary Hospice House at:
6460 Number 4 Road,
Richmond, BC, V6Y 2S9
604-207-1212 http://sarotaryhospice.ca
Wayne and Christy felt that this Hospice where Christy spent her last days was like a quiet refuge in the storm.
Desolation and Comfort
“Good Mourning My Love”
I Thessalonians 4:13 …that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope…
I drive a transport at night to help support my woodworking business until it can become profitable. My load delivers across the street from a large facility for city buses from the region. When I leave the industrial park I meet dozens of oncoming buses finishing their runs. They display a French and English sign to indicate their status. The English sign says Out of Service. The French sign has only one word, Désolé.
As the empty buses roar by, I almost shiver. The word désolé brings English words to my mind such as desolate, barren, waste – and from the dictionary, bleak, stark, blasted. I’m not much for listening to the radio when I’m driving so I do a lot of thinking, praying – and feeling. This French word can also be linked to feeling forlorn, black, afraid, sorry(be regretful).
Susie talked about the hole in her heart, an unfillable hole, and that Christy is irreplaceable – there is none like her. I understand and feel that emptiness, that almost barren, waste place in the heart, the loss of the earthly presence of our dear sister Christy, one who mothered me in the Lord for so many years over the three thousand miles that separated us. A hole in the heart that only the Lord can fill. A space that needn’t be filled with grief and despair.
I am presently completing a casket for a local man whose wife belongs to the Lord, but he has waited his whole life to make the decision to accept the Lord. He has brain cancer and with the disease and the treatment has a profound loss of his faculties. His wife stays by his hospital bed faithfully trying to pray and encourage him into the Kingdom. I am easily reminded of the condition of the lost before the Lord when those empty buses pass by and the word d̩sol̩ flashes before my eyes time after time Рd̩sol̩ Рdesolate, without Christ. What emptiness.
My dear wife Nancy has only met Christy in person once, when she was visiting in our area, but has talked to her on the phone and has grown to love her. Of late when I come into the house from the shop, Nancy will be sitting at the computer reading Christy’s blog, crying, copying the articles and photos onto cd for keeping. Last night before I left in the transport she said that she hadn’t found 1 Thess. 4:13 in the blog so I suggested that maybe we should contribute.
When I came downstairs this morning my wife’s dictionary was on the computer desk, open to the words desolate and despair, highlighted in magic marker. Under desolate she had highlighted the description, wretched because broken-hearted, without hope, and unable to be consoled or comforted. Under despair were underlined, a feeling that nothing good can happen, and the word discouragement. Don’t these descriptions characterize the world’s sorrow in death? They can also be ours without the encouragement and promises from God’s Word.
On top of the dictionary were notes she had made from her morning devotions. At the bottom of the note she had written a “good morning” salutation to me, which had been misspelled Good Mourning My Love.
Nancy is slightly dyslexic when it comes to backing vehicles up and putting letters together, but as I wrote my thoughts down and looked at her notes I realized that I was to have good mourning about Christy’s passing, as in
I Thessalonians 4:
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
I had the privilege of talking to Christy one last time in the hospital and was delighted that she recognized my voice right away. The nurses were bathing her and we weren’t able to talk long. It was to be our last goodbye down here. I shared Hymn 109 from the Little Flock Hymnbook because earlier I’d heard churchbells in our little town playing the tune, and the words Thou Lord our all must be came to my heart as I got closer to the sound and recognized the tune. Jesus was and is Christy’s all.
Jesus! That name is love,
Jesus, our Lord!
Jesus, all names above,
Jesus, the Lord!
Thou, Lord our all must be;
Nothing that's good have we,
Nothing apart from Thee,
Jesus, our Lord!
As Son of man it was,
Jesus, the Lord!
Thou gav'st Thy life for us,
Jesus, our Lord!
Great was indeed Thy love,
All other loves above,
Love Thou didst dearly prove,
Jesus, our Lord!
Righteous alone in Thee,
Jesus, the Lord!
Thou wilt a refuge be,
Jesus, our Lord!
Whom then have we to fear,
What trouble, grief, or care,
Since Thou art ever near,
Jesus, our Lord!
Soon Thou wilt come again,
Jesus, the Lord!
We shall be happy then,
Jesus, our Lord!
When Thine own face we see,
Then shall we like Thee be,
Then evermore with Thee,
Jesus, our Lord.
Phil Brown
Monday, October 29, 2007
A poem for Christy from Deborah (at Priority)
Christy,
Christy has been a huge encouragement in my life – a beautiful picture of Christ. When we spent time together, we loved to talk about the Lord we share and, especially towards the end, she would ask me to read Scripture to her while she lay in her bed. In the hospice, as I read she wrote in her journal the Scriptures she liked, so she could review them later. As I read the Bible to her, I could hear her lovingly repeat some of the passages, so I knew when the Word was speaking to her heart. I don't think she realized how much these times we shared blessed me. Sometimes, I loved to whisper Truth in her ear – the Truth of God's love for her. Sometimes it seemed like she couldn't grasp that God would love her so much. She had a real humility about her. The first time she went into the hospital, I went to see her with the hopes of being an encouragement to her. What a surprise for me, since I was the one that left uplifted and encouraged! After that, it was never a surprise to me that I came away filled with the promises of God, and assured of His greatness. During our last visit, when she was still able to communicate, she was failing but encouraged me to keep up my Mandarin classes and kept asking me to practice on her, the words I'd learned so far! So sweet - she always thought of others first. I never once heard her complain about her condition. She downplayed it and made the burdens of others seem more important.
I will really miss her, she's taught me so much. Wayne, Steve and Susie, Jeff and Heidi, Walter – my prayers are with you. Be encouraged. I know you are. Thank you for this beautiful blog so we can share in her memories.
Love always, in Christ,
Deb
Because of the Blood, dear Christy,
It's because of the Blood we're saved.
Because of His Blood, sweet sister,
It's because of His Blood you're now free.
Your name graced His lips as He hung there.
My name on His lips as He took on my stains.
He stood in your place, He paid my debts.
He knew what He needed to do.
What was it like for Him, Christy,
To leave His throne room in Heaven,
Humbling Himself to a death on a cross,
Full of suffering, pain and shame?
It was His Love, my friend, that drove Him there,
A Love so profound, I cannot grasp.
To take this death, my death, upon Himself
As I spat in His Face and mocked His Name.
He waited, He's patient. He never gives up.
His Grace, through Faith I'm forgiven.
Now, He holds me close and hems me in,
Forever before, behind and beside.
This is the God you have loved, my Christy.
The same God whose Love He's made real
Through His Daughter, beautiful Christy,
Made just like her Glorious Dad!
I love you, my dearest Christy,
Because of His blood we're Sisters.
And though you've gone Home to be with our Friend,
Some brilliant, astonishing, magnificent day, together again we'll be .
by Deborah Brebner
It's because of the Blood we're saved.
Because of His Blood, sweet sister,
It's because of His Blood you're now free.
Your name graced His lips as He hung there.
My name on His lips as He took on my stains.
He stood in your place, He paid my debts.
He knew what He needed to do.
What was it like for Him, Christy,
To leave His throne room in Heaven,
Humbling Himself to a death on a cross,
Full of suffering, pain and shame?
It was His Love, my friend, that drove Him there,
A Love so profound, I cannot grasp.
To take this death, my death, upon Himself
As I spat in His Face and mocked His Name.
He waited, He's patient. He never gives up.
His Grace, through Faith I'm forgiven.
Now, He holds me close and hems me in,
Forever before, behind and beside.
This is the God you have loved, my Christy.
The same God whose Love He's made real
Through His Daughter, beautiful Christy,
Made just like her Glorious Dad!
I love you, my dearest Christy,
Because of His blood we're Sisters.
And though you've gone Home to be with our Friend,
Some brilliant, astonishing, magnificent day, together again we'll be .
by Deborah Brebner
Christy has been a huge encouragement in my life – a beautiful picture of Christ. When we spent time together, we loved to talk about the Lord we share and, especially towards the end, she would ask me to read Scripture to her while she lay in her bed. In the hospice, as I read she wrote in her journal the Scriptures she liked, so she could review them later. As I read the Bible to her, I could hear her lovingly repeat some of the passages, so I knew when the Word was speaking to her heart. I don't think she realized how much these times we shared blessed me. Sometimes, I loved to whisper Truth in her ear – the Truth of God's love for her. Sometimes it seemed like she couldn't grasp that God would love her so much. She had a real humility about her. The first time she went into the hospital, I went to see her with the hopes of being an encouragement to her. What a surprise for me, since I was the one that left uplifted and encouraged! After that, it was never a surprise to me that I came away filled with the promises of God, and assured of His greatness. During our last visit, when she was still able to communicate, she was failing but encouraged me to keep up my Mandarin classes and kept asking me to practice on her, the words I'd learned so far! So sweet - she always thought of others first. I never once heard her complain about her condition. She downplayed it and made the burdens of others seem more important.
I will really miss her, she's taught me so much. Wayne, Steve and Susie, Jeff and Heidi, Walter – my prayers are with you. Be encouraged. I know you are. Thank you for this beautiful blog so we can share in her memories.
Love always, in Christ,
Deb
A tribute
A beautiful flower was taken up to heaven last night. Her body had grown frail and ravaged by disease, but her spirit - her sweet and lovely spirit - escaped the prison that it had been held back by and rose to be with the One who gave it. She is free, unhindered by pain or sickness or suffering or sin or things that distract, and she is altogether at peace and unimaginable joy in the presence of her Lord. We cannot, do not, wish her back. But she has left a very large, un-fillable hole in the hearts of those whom she touched and loved. She will never be replaced. Our hearts are filled with sadness and we will greatly miss this dear woman who smiled at everyone she met. It is hard to imagine not being able to see or talk to her, or to hear her sweet voice and smiling face. She has left us a legacy, however, that will never grow dim. Her legacy is passed on to her husband, children, and grandchildren, and that is her passion and love and enjoyment of her Lord Jesus Christ and what He did in her life. She often told me that she wasn't a sweet person at all naturally, but that it was the Lord's influence in her life...she gave Him the glory for who and what she was. Christy has been an example to me of true fellowship with her God through His Son, and her favorite subject was His love for her. It seems that He loved her so much He wanted to have her with Him. His work in her and through her on earth was done, and He gathered her spirit to be with Himself. Think of the enjoyment and satisfaction they are having together right now! This is such a comfort to me, for she has so often talked of and longed for, almost pined for, the day that this would come to pass. Can we truly wish that she was back on earth to be with us when she is in Divine company?
Christy was one of my very best friends on earth. Yes, and she was my mother-in-law! But she seemed almost more friend than mother-in-law. I loved her dearly and will very much miss her friendship, but even more so her prayers and petitions that she constantly sent up on our behalf. She was a woman of prayer, always praying for each one that she loved and cared for. I remember so many times asking her to pray about a certain thing and most times I saw very positive answers to those prayers. I really believe the reason was because she prayed with true love and earnestness, and believed that the Lord heard and would answer. Christy was one who loved much, and lived her love in word and in deed. She loved her grandchildren as few grandmas love their grandchildren...to the point of doting, adoring, and spoiling! She was one of the extremely rare people that I have known that have manifested the love of God in her life in such a way that it was evident to all who knew her (unless they were blind). She had the character of Jesus Christ shining through her. And that is what she wanted. She wanted to give glory to God through her life and be a witness and testimony to all around her. Through the grace of God, she has.
This verse came to mind quite a bit in the last days/weeks before her death and also after. I shared it with her on one of my last visits, and she really enjoyed it.
"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." Isaiah 60:1
Finally Christy has heard the voice of her Beloved saying "Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away." Song of Solomon 2:13. And she went gladly!
We will see you soon, Christy! Anytime now we may hear the Lord's great shout and the beckoning voice of the archangel, and the triumphant trumpet from God Himself, and we will be "caught up together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord!" I Thessalonians 4:16-17. Doesn't that just thrill you? I can almost hear the great shout now! Victory is coming, when death will not hold any more threat or sting for us who believe in Jesus. Come, Lord Jesus! We've waited so long...
By Susie, her daughter-in-love
Christy was one of my very best friends on earth. Yes, and she was my mother-in-law! But she seemed almost more friend than mother-in-law. I loved her dearly and will very much miss her friendship, but even more so her prayers and petitions that she constantly sent up on our behalf. She was a woman of prayer, always praying for each one that she loved and cared for. I remember so many times asking her to pray about a certain thing and most times I saw very positive answers to those prayers. I really believe the reason was because she prayed with true love and earnestness, and believed that the Lord heard and would answer. Christy was one who loved much, and lived her love in word and in deed. She loved her grandchildren as few grandmas love their grandchildren...to the point of doting, adoring, and spoiling! She was one of the extremely rare people that I have known that have manifested the love of God in her life in such a way that it was evident to all who knew her (unless they were blind). She had the character of Jesus Christ shining through her. And that is what she wanted. She wanted to give glory to God through her life and be a witness and testimony to all around her. Through the grace of God, she has.
This verse came to mind quite a bit in the last days/weeks before her death and also after. I shared it with her on one of my last visits, and she really enjoyed it.
"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." Isaiah 60:1
Finally Christy has heard the voice of her Beloved saying "Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away." Song of Solomon 2:13. And she went gladly!
We will see you soon, Christy! Anytime now we may hear the Lord's great shout and the beckoning voice of the archangel, and the triumphant trumpet from God Himself, and we will be "caught up together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord!" I Thessalonians 4:16-17. Doesn't that just thrill you? I can almost hear the great shout now! Victory is coming, when death will not hold any more threat or sting for us who believe in Jesus. Come, Lord Jesus! We've waited so long...
By Susie, her daughter-in-love
From Sam Ludvicek
(Dear Brother Sam, we took your comment and posted it because we thought it beautiful and worth putting up as a post! Thanks!)
Dear brother Coleman,
We sorrow with you and lift you up to the Lord in prayer. We are sorry for you and your family’s loss but rejoice at her gain.
Dear brother go forth and give the gospel in the power of the Spirit of God. I have had the privilege of preaching the gospel at the funerals of members of my family. It was difficult, but non-the less moments I will treasure forever. I consider it a great honor to have had the privilege of preaching the gospel at the funerals of my grandmother, my grandfather, my mother, my father and my brother Lyle. The Lord helped me and He will help you dear brother. I experienced great freedom in telling those who came to the funerals, about the shared blessed hope I had with my loved ones and rejoiced to tell the Old, Old Story one more time.
There was a strange mixture of joy and sorrow, I’m sure you will experience it as well. Joy at knowing where my loved ones were and sorrow at the tearing away. Joy at knowing I will see them again, sorrow because I missed them.
As you stand next to the precious dust in that coffin point your loved ones and the saints up to where she is, with Christ and point those lost sinners in the crowd to the cross. We will be praying!
Soon and very soon we will meet our Saviour face to face and then we will be reunited around the throne of God with our loved ones. Glory be to God in the highest!
I was comforted as the Lord brought to mind these and other familiar verses.
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3
“…underneath are the everlasting arms…”Deuteronomy 33:27
“For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Isaiah 41:13
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
Be encouraged in the Lord, He is faithful who promised.
“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;” Ephesians 3:16
“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 1:7
The lord knows…he really, really knows!
“For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” Psalm 103:14
May the Lord bless you and keep you, may He send peace into your heart.
Your brother & sister by such great grace,
Sam & Zebo Ludvicek
Dear brother Coleman,
We sorrow with you and lift you up to the Lord in prayer. We are sorry for you and your family’s loss but rejoice at her gain.
Dear brother go forth and give the gospel in the power of the Spirit of God. I have had the privilege of preaching the gospel at the funerals of members of my family. It was difficult, but non-the less moments I will treasure forever. I consider it a great honor to have had the privilege of preaching the gospel at the funerals of my grandmother, my grandfather, my mother, my father and my brother Lyle. The Lord helped me and He will help you dear brother. I experienced great freedom in telling those who came to the funerals, about the shared blessed hope I had with my loved ones and rejoiced to tell the Old, Old Story one more time.
There was a strange mixture of joy and sorrow, I’m sure you will experience it as well. Joy at knowing where my loved ones were and sorrow at the tearing away. Joy at knowing I will see them again, sorrow because I missed them.
As you stand next to the precious dust in that coffin point your loved ones and the saints up to where she is, with Christ and point those lost sinners in the crowd to the cross. We will be praying!
Soon and very soon we will meet our Saviour face to face and then we will be reunited around the throne of God with our loved ones. Glory be to God in the highest!
I was comforted as the Lord brought to mind these and other familiar verses.
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3
“…underneath are the everlasting arms…”Deuteronomy 33:27
“For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Isaiah 41:13
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
Be encouraged in the Lord, He is faithful who promised.
“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;” Ephesians 3:16
“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 1:7
The lord knows…he really, really knows!
“For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” Psalm 103:14
May the Lord bless you and keep you, may He send peace into your heart.
Your brother & sister by such great grace,
Sam & Zebo Ludvicek
Heavenly Comfort
My husband Robert and I ,joined by our two daughters Sarah and Martha would like to assure you and your family of our continued prayers that the Lord who is our Comfort may sustain and keep you all.We have prayed for you in the past and trust that the Lord will let you feel His everlasting arms holding you up.
In Him,
Robert and Sigrid Muir (Montreal Canada)
With Jesus
This is a zoomed in portion of the lid of the casket that brother Phil Brown custom made for Christy earlier this year. Not surprisingly, Christy's last five sentences that she spoke Saturday afternoon as she descended into a coma were "I'm going to be with Jesus." By faith we can say that she is gone to be with Jesus because she trusted in Him. This gives us great peace at such a time as this. We physically see a dead body, but with the eyes of faith we see that her spirit is departed and at this moment is present with her Lord, awaiting the resurrection of her body. She is experiencing right now the reality of those words in Psalm 16:11 - "Thou wilt show me the path of life; in Thy presence is fullness of joy..."
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Home at last!
Dear all,
The Lord took my dear Christy home tonight. She had been in a coma all day, the family was in and spent the afternoon with us. When they left I read the Scriptures to her, (they say that the person in a coma can hear) Christy’s breathing became increasingly laboured into the evening, it was very hard to watch her like that. I asked the Lord to free the sweet prisoner from her body, then I told her to just let go and Jesus would take her. Within a few minutes she was much calmer, but was breathing only twice a minute, then one last small breath at 8:58 PM. Very peaceful, seemed so easy….. for her.
I will not go into how I feel right now, no words seem to be available that work properly. Lots of tears. Grown men do cry by the way.....
The Lord took my dear Christy home tonight. She had been in a coma all day, the family was in and spent the afternoon with us. When they left I read the Scriptures to her, (they say that the person in a coma can hear) Christy’s breathing became increasingly laboured into the evening, it was very hard to watch her like that. I asked the Lord to free the sweet prisoner from her body, then I told her to just let go and Jesus would take her. Within a few minutes she was much calmer, but was breathing only twice a minute, then one last small breath at 8:58 PM. Very peaceful, seemed so easy….. for her.
I will not go into how I feel right now, no words seem to be available that work properly. Lots of tears. Grown men do cry by the way.....
Memories, by Chris & Judy
Christy
Judy and I have visited Christy and Wayne numerous times in the last six months or so at their home, hospital and hospice. Each time we visited, we talked about life, dying, what it would be like to be with Jesus, our families and so on. I felt we were visiting an angel, someone who was so close to Jesus that she was almost touching Him. In August, we went over to their home and Christy wanted to go for a walk on the dike. We were concerned that it might be too much for her but she really wanted to go. She took her walker and walked about a mile down and back, drinking in the beautiful scenery, sounds, and smells. On the way back, we stopped for a rest and I noticed there were some ripe blackberries along the trail. I picked a few and offered them to Christy. She enjoyed those blackberries so much. She treated them as a gift from God that He had grown for her so she could enjoy them there that day. I will always remember Christy every time I see and taste blackberries. Christy was always so sweet, thinking of others, a peace-maker, close to Jesus, and always enjoying each moment given to her. We will miss her and her sweet smile when she is gone. She has been an example to us all. She has fought the good fight and kept her eyes always on Jesus.
Chris and Judy Coleman
(Chris is a cousin to Wayne)
Judy and I have visited Christy and Wayne numerous times in the last six months or so at their home, hospital and hospice. Each time we visited, we talked about life, dying, what it would be like to be with Jesus, our families and so on. I felt we were visiting an angel, someone who was so close to Jesus that she was almost touching Him. In August, we went over to their home and Christy wanted to go for a walk on the dike. We were concerned that it might be too much for her but she really wanted to go. She took her walker and walked about a mile down and back, drinking in the beautiful scenery, sounds, and smells. On the way back, we stopped for a rest and I noticed there were some ripe blackberries along the trail. I picked a few and offered them to Christy. She enjoyed those blackberries so much. She treated them as a gift from God that He had grown for her so she could enjoy them there that day. I will always remember Christy every time I see and taste blackberries. Christy was always so sweet, thinking of others, a peace-maker, close to Jesus, and always enjoying each moment given to her. We will miss her and her sweet smile when she is gone. She has been an example to us all. She has fought the good fight and kept her eyes always on Jesus.
Chris and Judy Coleman
(Chris is a cousin to Wayne)
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Update October 27, 2007
I received a phone call today from the hospice advising me that I should come quickly, as Christy's breathing was erratic with long pauses, and she has a fever now. The nurse says that the fever may not be as much an infection as the process of dying.
Ohhhh, I am finding this so very hard now, Christy is only rarely able to respond to any conversation now. And when she does it is only a word or two like, "Oh, honey" and a big smile to go with it. She sure can smile nice. Sometimes there are garbled words that I can't make out.
I miss the intelligent conversation that I am so used to, the companionship; I am realizing that part is over now. Maybe I have taken for granted the privilege of having someone so sweet, so close for all these years. As this disease progressed, Christy steadily lost mobility and the ability for us to do things together went with it. But we still had each other, that is what has been so great for me, I still had her, sharp, witty, loving, and devoted, her. Now the interface (so to speak) isn't working, she is moving on. The last bit of intelligence from her lips was, "I am going to be with Jesus," she said it over about 5 times earlier today. She is in the in-between place of being more occupied with Him than me, it is as it should be, she is almost there.
So as I think about Who she is going to, and where she is going, and that this is really about her being fulfilled, my pain subsides.....
As I recall the tender mercies of the Lord thru all this valley of the shadow of death that we have walked together, I realize that the same Lord who has upheld Christy and I so far, will carry me closer than He ever has on the other side of this loss.
Now I express another ohhhhh, this time because the comforts of the Lord Jesus flood my soul, I am soooo thankful for His redeeming love. Now I can go home to bed.
Wayne
Ohhhh, I am finding this so very hard now, Christy is only rarely able to respond to any conversation now. And when she does it is only a word or two like, "Oh, honey" and a big smile to go with it. She sure can smile nice. Sometimes there are garbled words that I can't make out.
I miss the intelligent conversation that I am so used to, the companionship; I am realizing that part is over now. Maybe I have taken for granted the privilege of having someone so sweet, so close for all these years. As this disease progressed, Christy steadily lost mobility and the ability for us to do things together went with it. But we still had each other, that is what has been so great for me, I still had her, sharp, witty, loving, and devoted, her. Now the interface (so to speak) isn't working, she is moving on. The last bit of intelligence from her lips was, "I am going to be with Jesus," she said it over about 5 times earlier today. She is in the in-between place of being more occupied with Him than me, it is as it should be, she is almost there.
So as I think about Who she is going to, and where she is going, and that this is really about her being fulfilled, my pain subsides.....
As I recall the tender mercies of the Lord thru all this valley of the shadow of death that we have walked together, I realize that the same Lord who has upheld Christy and I so far, will carry me closer than He ever has on the other side of this loss.
Now I express another ohhhhh, this time because the comforts of the Lord Jesus flood my soul, I am soooo thankful for His redeeming love. Now I can go home to bed.
Wayne
From Dad, grampa, great grampa ( Walter )
My dearest Christy:
As I wrote you earlier, this type of salutation I reserve for very special persons, of which you qualify.
When you were first diagnosedwith this disease, cancer, I said and thought, I am not prepared to lose my dear Christy. My prayer was that the Lord would completely eradicate the cancer from your body, of which He could, if it is His will. As time went on, it became evident that this was not going to happen. Now when I visit you and see the effects this disease is having on you, it grieves me deeply. However when I realise, and see your cheerful acceptance of what is taking place, I marvel, and it is a profound lesson to me, as to how a child of God can suffer in so sweetly and accepting all from a loving and merciful God. We are also greatly encouraged by the Lord's promise of coming for His own blood bought people, and Christy, consider the changes that will take place, 1 Corinthians 15: 51 - 58, 1 Thessalonians. 4: 13 - 18, and also Philippians 3: 20 - 21. I know you are very conversant with these wonderful passages, but just imagine the reality of "Fashioned like unto His glorious body" The Lord does take his people individually, but how wonderful when He will come and take His Bride to those courts above, "Forever with the Lord". Perhaps today. "Even so come, Lord Jesus"
"Dad, Grampa, father-in-law, etc.
As I wrote you earlier, this type of salutation I reserve for very special persons, of which you qualify.
When you were first diagnosedwith this disease, cancer, I said and thought, I am not prepared to lose my dear Christy. My prayer was that the Lord would completely eradicate the cancer from your body, of which He could, if it is His will. As time went on, it became evident that this was not going to happen. Now when I visit you and see the effects this disease is having on you, it grieves me deeply. However when I realise, and see your cheerful acceptance of what is taking place, I marvel, and it is a profound lesson to me, as to how a child of God can suffer in so sweetly and accepting all from a loving and merciful God. We are also greatly encouraged by the Lord's promise of coming for His own blood bought people, and Christy, consider the changes that will take place, 1 Corinthians 15: 51 - 58, 1 Thessalonians. 4: 13 - 18, and also Philippians 3: 20 - 21. I know you are very conversant with these wonderful passages, but just imagine the reality of "Fashioned like unto His glorious body" The Lord does take his people individually, but how wonderful when He will come and take His Bride to those courts above, "Forever with the Lord". Perhaps today. "Even so come, Lord Jesus"
"Dad, Grampa, father-in-law, etc.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Answered prayers
Dear Wayne and Christy,
We are so glad we got to visit you both again in June. Christy, you asked me then to pray two things for you: that you would not be grouchy, and that you would be a testimony to those around you for the Lord. I am awed at God's answers to those prayers, to think that even in your pain and immobility you can smile and say you are here to "thank Him and praise Him for everything He's done." What a wonderful fragrance it is to the Lord to see you still rejoicing in Him and praising Him! It is a powerful testimony to us as well as to those around you. We know your confidence is not in yourself, but rather in the Lord Jesus, who came to earth to die so that you could go to Heaven and live. "Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine" Isaiah. 43:1. We know He is holding your hand.
You are both always in our love and prayers,
Bruce and Bonnie Imbeau
We are so glad we got to visit you both again in June. Christy, you asked me then to pray two things for you: that you would not be grouchy, and that you would be a testimony to those around you for the Lord. I am awed at God's answers to those prayers, to think that even in your pain and immobility you can smile and say you are here to "thank Him and praise Him for everything He's done." What a wonderful fragrance it is to the Lord to see you still rejoicing in Him and praising Him! It is a powerful testimony to us as well as to those around you. We know your confidence is not in yourself, but rather in the Lord Jesus, who came to earth to die so that you could go to Heaven and live. "Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine" Isaiah. 43:1. We know He is holding your hand.
You are both always in our love and prayers,
Bruce and Bonnie Imbeau
From Christy's nurse
I will never forget the first day I met Christy. She was lying on her bed at our hospice with her Bible opened and a wide smile on her face. There was this pure aura around her that moved my spirit. She is an epitome of a Godly woman. She has a smile and a kind word for everyone despite her physical pains. 1Timothy 6:11. Before I met Christy, my prayer and wishes were that "may I not die when I am not sure of heaven." After I met her, that prayer changed to "when you are ready to take me home Lord, let people around me be sure that I am going to heaven." It is obvious that at the end of Christy's journey here on earth , she is going home to be with the Lord. It is a privilege and honour to be one of her caregivers. As Wayne and Christy go through this journey with love and faith, my prayers and thoughts are with you.
"How much lighter trials become when we realise God's grace is twofold. It is not only the happy ending, it is also the peace we can feel during a painful journey, when we trust in God - all the way" - Doris Haase.
From Sola
"How much lighter trials become when we realise God's grace is twofold. It is not only the happy ending, it is also the peace we can feel during a painful journey, when we trust in God - all the way" - Doris Haase.
From Sola
Thursday, October 25, 2007
From Bermuda
Dearest Wayne and Christy:
Just over a year ago, we had the most wonderful time in Richmond with the two of you. The time we spent together was so very special to us and you made us feel so welcomed. The tour around Richmond, the lunch at that Portuguese restaurant and the lovely time of fellowship will always be cherished memories of our time there. So much has happened since then and, although we know that you would not have planned things this way, it is such a comfort to know that the Lord is in control and "He doeth all things well."
The enclosed photo is one that I took in 2005. The love you displayed towards your grandchildren was clearly evident. (The scripture text in the background is most appropriate.)
We know that you are looking forward to being in the presence of the Lord, Christy (as we all should be: looking for His coming at any moment), because “in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” Ps. 16:11. Please know that you are prayed for often in many places around the world. Our little assembly in Bermuda has been remembering all of you in our prayers for many months and we will continue to do so.
With much love in the Lord,
Lance and Margo Furbert
Just over a year ago, we had the most wonderful time in Richmond with the two of you. The time we spent together was so very special to us and you made us feel so welcomed. The tour around Richmond, the lunch at that Portuguese restaurant and the lovely time of fellowship will always be cherished memories of our time there. So much has happened since then and, although we know that you would not have planned things this way, it is such a comfort to know that the Lord is in control and "He doeth all things well."
The enclosed photo is one that I took in 2005. The love you displayed towards your grandchildren was clearly evident. (The scripture text in the background is most appropriate.)
We know that you are looking forward to being in the presence of the Lord, Christy (as we all should be: looking for His coming at any moment), because “in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” Ps. 16:11. Please know that you are prayed for often in many places around the world. Our little assembly in Bermuda has been remembering all of you in our prayers for many months and we will continue to do so.
With much love in the Lord,
Lance and Margo Furbert
Update Oct 25, 2007
It appears that the stable "plateau" that Christy has been on for the last 3 weeks is over now, she has taken another step down. This is apparently how the disease progresses, like going down steps, with sometimes plateaus between steps. The steps down seem to be very marked increases in the disease claiming the resources of the body.
For the last four or five days Christy has been sleeping a lot more, and when awake she has notably lost significant mental clarity; she's very confused, and yet very happy in her spirit. She seems not to be able to carry on much of a conversation at all, except for showing great delight and pleasure that she has been spoken to or visited. The staff here at the hospice have noticed it and advised the doctor. He spoke of more drugs to help with that condition, but I am concerned about this, and would not want to trade her present peaceful situation for an attempt at more alertness and possible negative side affects of anxiousness. We will review the situation tomorrow.
I have seen this before, this inability to connect the dots in conversation... in my dear Mom as she descended into the darkness of Alzheimer's, except in her case there was a lot of fear connected with it. In Christy's case there seems to be perfect peace -- it is incredible, really! She at the present has no comprehension of what is going on around her, apart from her desire to be free of the body and be present with Jesus, this she is able to speak of somewhat.
The morphine dosage was increased 40% yesterday as the pain has been building. This seems to have worked, as only one breakthrough injection was needed in the afternoon yesterday.
For the last four or five days Christy has been sleeping a lot more, and when awake she has notably lost significant mental clarity; she's very confused, and yet very happy in her spirit. She seems not to be able to carry on much of a conversation at all, except for showing great delight and pleasure that she has been spoken to or visited. The staff here at the hospice have noticed it and advised the doctor. He spoke of more drugs to help with that condition, but I am concerned about this, and would not want to trade her present peaceful situation for an attempt at more alertness and possible negative side affects of anxiousness. We will review the situation tomorrow.
I have seen this before, this inability to connect the dots in conversation... in my dear Mom as she descended into the darkness of Alzheimer's, except in her case there was a lot of fear connected with it. In Christy's case there seems to be perfect peace -- it is incredible, really! She at the present has no comprehension of what is going on around her, apart from her desire to be free of the body and be present with Jesus, this she is able to speak of somewhat.
The morphine dosage was increased 40% yesterday as the pain has been building. This seems to have worked, as only one breakthrough injection was needed in the afternoon yesterday.
A reminder of that glorious day
This blog is such a great idea, thanks to all of you who have done all the work involved. The tears were running down my face as I read it this A.M. We don’t know you well, Christy, but we could always count on your sweet smile and friendliness anytime we visited your assembly. And the affection between the two of you was so sweet...thanks for your wonderful example of a happy marriage! And now our prayers are for Wayne and the boys as they watch the Lord take a beautiful flower up to His heavenly garden. "As for God, His way is perfect."
There is coming a day when no heartaches shall come,
No more clouds in the sky, no more tears to dim the eye;
All is peace forevermore on the happy golden shore--
What a day, glorious day, that will be!
What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face--the One who saved me by His grace;
When he takes me by the hand,
And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day, that will be!
There'll be no sorrow there, no more burdens to bear,
No more sickness, no pain, no more parting over there;
And forever I will be with the One who died for me--
What a day, glorious day, that will be!
Truly we are ALL waiting for that glorious day, now not too far away. "Even so come, Lord Jesus!!"
With very much love in our soon coming Saviour,
Steve and Val Hallowell
There is coming a day when no heartaches shall come,
No more clouds in the sky, no more tears to dim the eye;
All is peace forevermore on the happy golden shore--
What a day, glorious day, that will be!
What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face--the One who saved me by His grace;
When he takes me by the hand,
And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day, that will be!
There'll be no sorrow there, no more burdens to bear,
No more sickness, no pain, no more parting over there;
And forever I will be with the One who died for me--
What a day, glorious day, that will be!
Truly we are ALL waiting for that glorious day, now not too far away. "Even so come, Lord Jesus!!"
With very much love in our soon coming Saviour,
Steve and Val Hallowell
"whose faith follow"
Lately I have been thinking a lot about how that possibly before the Lord comes back, Christy may soon leave us to be with the Lord. The loss for us that are left behind will be unmeasureable, but we know that for her, it will be a glorious thing. Christy, you have always been a role-model to me in the way you carried yourelf, your cheerfulness, femininity, hospitality, gentleness and many other things. Even though I didn't know you that well, it will be so hard to realize that I won't ever again look up to see you walking into the room with a big smile and a bouncy step. Hebrews 13:7 says "whose faith follow", and I hope in some measure I can follow the example that you left for us. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ...Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Rom. 8:39
Tracy Rule
Tracy Rule
There is that lure...
We went and visited Christy at the hospice the other day. I was looking at her and trying to put myself in her place. What would it feel like to know that if Jesus doesn't come first you will soon be with Him via death? Probably very bittersweet. I saw her visiting with her granddaughters and Wayne attentive by her side, Steve and Susie ever near. How sad for her and her family knowing that their time with her is almost over. I know from our conversations that Christy doesn't feel she has had enough time with her grandchildren... and yet ... there's that lure .... just out of sight ... the joy of going to be with her Lord and Saviour. I don't know if I feel sorry for her and her family or jealous for where she soon will be. Probably both. It's a good thing that we don't get to make these decisions. "His way is perfect" Psalm 18 and 2 Sam 22. We will miss you Christy. Hopefully we will soon be with Our Lord too. "Even so come Lord Jesus" Rev. 22:20.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
To a Loving Couple
Dear Wayne and Christy,
My first knowledge of Christy was when Kristelle returned from a trip out west and told me that Jeff Coleman's parents were a noticeably in-love couple for people their age! Later when I met you both and then stayed in your home myself, I could see that she was right. I always appreciated that about both of you, that you were so affectionate with each other, especially as I was dating my soon-to-be-husband when I stayed at your house. It meant a lot to me to have your example during that week. So now, as we hear that the two of you may be separated here on earth one day soon, our prayers and thoughts and love are with you both in a very special way.
"As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness." Psalm 17:15
With love,
Daniel, Melody, Kendra, Hiroko Cole
Monday, October 22, 2007
Card from Bart and Rachel
We wanted you to know that you are often thought of and in the prayers of us here in Belgium. We think often of the nice times we have spent together. It is a real encouragement to know that Christ is carrying you all. Rachel made this card, but we don't have a postal address for you, so we scanned it and attached it.
With lots of love and prayers in His Precious Name
Bart and family
With lots of love and prayers in His Precious Name
Bart and family
Memories from Marlin Schmidt
Dear Wayne, Christy, and family
There have been people in my life over the years that have had a profound effect on who I am today. Of course the greatest and the Master builder behind it all is my dear loving Saviour.
Some of these people He has sent have been to me as the mighty men of David and have gone to great lengths and effort to provide refreshment, guidance, and fellowship. This character of people has been made evident to me through my extended family, the saints here at the Richmond assembly, as well as other dear brothers and sisters in Christ. It is the Coleman clan in particular I have on my heart today. I will attempt to share a little of what I can remember about the time I have been able to enjoy with them.
It was autumn about 4 years ago, after about 2 months of praying and much searching that I found myself heading to the Coleman house for the first time. I had only spoken for moments on the phone with Wayne prior to this and didn’t know what to expect.
It was dark outside and could not see the house numbers very well. So I went to the house with the appliance repair van in front of it and knocked on the door. It was a very nervous time for me, as I had been drifting far from the Lord for many years and was apprehensive about returning to the assembly. Well a very young couple came to the door, much younger than I had expected ( expecting Wayne and Christy ) with the information I had been given from a dear brother from Washington. Soon finding out that I had apparently gone to the wrong house, but they were also going to Wayne and Christy’s for dinner. This young couple turned out to be none other than the sweet Jeff and Heidi Coleman I have grown to deeply cherish. Once we were inside I saw for the first time our dear sister Christy’s wonderful smile. She warmly invited me into her kitchen to sit down and wait with them ( as Wayne was running late ) : ). She was cutting up onions I recall and it was making the tears run down her cheeks as she spoke so kindly and so personally about the Lord Jesus. I just felt comfortable being there although I hardly knew why I was there at the time. Then we had a wonderful, lovingly made dinner which was followed by a chapter from Gods Word and some discussion. When brother Wayne asked why I was there or wanted to come to the meeting all I could say was, to know more about my Saviour. The verse dear brother Wayne used that gave me great comfort in coming back to the assembly was “…go in and out, and find pasture.” John 10:9. He could see the fear I had and simply said, come and go as you feel, no pressure.
So I would like to say to any who may have drifted away from God, and fear embarrassment, or uneasiness about returning. Don’t fear, but come and “delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee.” Isaiah 58:14
Well as the years went on I really enjoyed the time I have been able to go over to Wayne and Christy’s home and go for walks along the dyke. We would talk together about the Lord Jesus, what He has done for us, and share the joy He has been in our lives. And now still although from a bed, physical strength diminishing dear Christy has continued to be a bright encouragement to me and many others.
I thank the Lord for using this loving family who continues to be very close to my heart, and a big part of my life. It is amazing to see how the Lord has by His grace sustained them through this time. May the Lord continue to use them as he has in my life to show the same compassion Christ showed to so many while here below and continues to through others.
It is with much joy that I say thank you to dear sister Christy, to Wayne, and the entire family for allowing yourselves to be the vessels by which God may receive the glory for your kindness and love shown over the years. What a wonderful hope we have, “For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” Revelation 7:17.
“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus” Revelation 22:20.
Your brother by grace, Marlin
There have been people in my life over the years that have had a profound effect on who I am today. Of course the greatest and the Master builder behind it all is my dear loving Saviour.
Some of these people He has sent have been to me as the mighty men of David and have gone to great lengths and effort to provide refreshment, guidance, and fellowship. This character of people has been made evident to me through my extended family, the saints here at the Richmond assembly, as well as other dear brothers and sisters in Christ. It is the Coleman clan in particular I have on my heart today. I will attempt to share a little of what I can remember about the time I have been able to enjoy with them.
It was autumn about 4 years ago, after about 2 months of praying and much searching that I found myself heading to the Coleman house for the first time. I had only spoken for moments on the phone with Wayne prior to this and didn’t know what to expect.
It was dark outside and could not see the house numbers very well. So I went to the house with the appliance repair van in front of it and knocked on the door. It was a very nervous time for me, as I had been drifting far from the Lord for many years and was apprehensive about returning to the assembly. Well a very young couple came to the door, much younger than I had expected ( expecting Wayne and Christy ) with the information I had been given from a dear brother from Washington. Soon finding out that I had apparently gone to the wrong house, but they were also going to Wayne and Christy’s for dinner. This young couple turned out to be none other than the sweet Jeff and Heidi Coleman I have grown to deeply cherish. Once we were inside I saw for the first time our dear sister Christy’s wonderful smile. She warmly invited me into her kitchen to sit down and wait with them ( as Wayne was running late ) : ). She was cutting up onions I recall and it was making the tears run down her cheeks as she spoke so kindly and so personally about the Lord Jesus. I just felt comfortable being there although I hardly knew why I was there at the time. Then we had a wonderful, lovingly made dinner which was followed by a chapter from Gods Word and some discussion. When brother Wayne asked why I was there or wanted to come to the meeting all I could say was, to know more about my Saviour. The verse dear brother Wayne used that gave me great comfort in coming back to the assembly was “…go in and out, and find pasture.” John 10:9. He could see the fear I had and simply said, come and go as you feel, no pressure.
So I would like to say to any who may have drifted away from God, and fear embarrassment, or uneasiness about returning. Don’t fear, but come and “delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee.” Isaiah 58:14
Well as the years went on I really enjoyed the time I have been able to go over to Wayne and Christy’s home and go for walks along the dyke. We would talk together about the Lord Jesus, what He has done for us, and share the joy He has been in our lives. And now still although from a bed, physical strength diminishing dear Christy has continued to be a bright encouragement to me and many others.
I thank the Lord for using this loving family who continues to be very close to my heart, and a big part of my life. It is amazing to see how the Lord has by His grace sustained them through this time. May the Lord continue to use them as he has in my life to show the same compassion Christ showed to so many while here below and continues to through others.
It is with much joy that I say thank you to dear sister Christy, to Wayne, and the entire family for allowing yourselves to be the vessels by which God may receive the glory for your kindness and love shown over the years. What a wonderful hope we have, “For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” Revelation 7:17.
“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus” Revelation 22:20.
Your brother by grace, Marlin
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Update
October 20, 2007
About 3 weeks ago Christy's blood sugar went up quite high (25.5), they said that the steriods have damaged her pancreas and she has become diabetic. The doctor gave her drugs to control it, then stopped administering it as he realized that it was not consistent with her request. No more blood sugar checks have been made. They say that it would likely spike again and she would go into a coma. This has not happened, she appears to be on a plateau again. There is no evidence of cancer spread to the vital organs. Due to only eating a little fruit here and there, she has now lost what looks to me like all muscle and fat, she is just skin and bones. Other than her head and arms, she cannot move her self in bed, even though she has slight sensory feeling in her legs, there is often pain in her right knee, a large tumor has taken over the knee. Being that she is so thin I can plainly see the tumors on her ribs and arm also. The Lord has somehow enabled me to see her like this without falling apart, I don't understand how He has done this in me, but am very thankful for His mercy. Her spirit is so bright and sweet, no complaints at all. She is sleeping at the moment with a beautiful smile on her face, breaking into a grin at times. She is dreaming of something, I wish I knew what it is... she won't be able to remember in order to tell me. She is just happy.
Wayne
About 3 weeks ago Christy's blood sugar went up quite high (25.5), they said that the steriods have damaged her pancreas and she has become diabetic. The doctor gave her drugs to control it, then stopped administering it as he realized that it was not consistent with her request. No more blood sugar checks have been made. They say that it would likely spike again and she would go into a coma. This has not happened, she appears to be on a plateau again. There is no evidence of cancer spread to the vital organs. Due to only eating a little fruit here and there, she has now lost what looks to me like all muscle and fat, she is just skin and bones. Other than her head and arms, she cannot move her self in bed, even though she has slight sensory feeling in her legs, there is often pain in her right knee, a large tumor has taken over the knee. Being that she is so thin I can plainly see the tumors on her ribs and arm also. The Lord has somehow enabled me to see her like this without falling apart, I don't understand how He has done this in me, but am very thankful for His mercy. Her spirit is so bright and sweet, no complaints at all. She is sleeping at the moment with a beautiful smile on her face, breaking into a grin at times. She is dreaming of something, I wish I knew what it is... she won't be able to remember in order to tell me. She is just happy.
Wayne
Friday, October 19, 2007
The story of Christy, by Wayne
Christy’s mother, born in 1918, was appropriately named Faith. She, with her mother Bessie, went to South Africa from England at 16 years old on a family inheritance to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. While in South Africa, Faith was written to by a former acquaintance in England named Richard Haws. They had a long-distance courtship and he proposed, ring and all, via mail. She accepted his proposal, and he moved to Africa to marry her shortly after. They lived in Sabie, Transval, South Africa, where Christy was born on August 17, 1956. Christy had an older sister, Mary, and a younger brother, Paul, both of whom are still currently living.
Christy had many sweet memories of her early years in Africa, particularly of her Grannie. Grannie was a devoted servant of the Lord Jesus, a godly woman, and was such a kind and loving soul, that to know her was to love her. Both Christy’s mother and grandmother modeled the love of God to Christy, so as to deeply impress her with eternal realities. This godly heritage reminds me of the apostle Paul writing to Timothy, where he says, “I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and in thy mother Eunice, and I am persuaded that in thee also.” 2 Timothy 1:5. Those of us that know Christy have also seen this “unfeigned faith” and devotion toward God, along with an uncommon sweetness toward her fellow man.
Christy’s father decided that they should leave Africa to see his dad back in Canada as he had become quite sick. So the little Haws family left Africa for Canada on Mary’s birthday, April 14, 1965. Christy was 9 years old when they eventually settled in a little cottage in White Rock, BC.
It was about this time that Christy accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior according to Ephesians 2:8 & 9,"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."
When she was about 14 years old Christy was challenged by a godly pastor to not just believe his preaching, but to prove all things in the Word of God. She accepted this challenge and the Lord really opened His Word to her. She just kept yielding more and more to this wonderful God, the eternal lover of her soul. This challenge to prove everything by the Word of God eventually led her out of man-made denominational Christianity, to be gathered simply to the name of Jesus Christ in early 1977.
The summer of 1972 after graduating from high school Christy went to Montreal to help with an evangelical door-to-door outreach that traveled throughout Quebec. Later that year, Christy went to a Bible college near Abbotsford, BC.
In the summer of 1973 Christy was sent to the Yukon to relieve a pastor and his wife that went on holidays for two months. She found herself having to pastor the church, taking the services, etc. She just shared the joy of her life, Jesus, from the Bible.
When Christy returned to the city she was accepted into nurses training at the Vancouver General Hospital. After about a year she realized this was not a career fit for her at all. Christy started working at Bank Cheque Supply in Vancouver.
In those days it was my habit to spend the bus ride to work reading my beloved Bible. One day on the bus, I noticed a girl with long beautiful hair reading a big Bible on the bus. When the passenger next to her got off at his stop, I sat beside her. I noticed her wearing a button that said, "I am eternally grateful to Jesus." I have never forgotten the impression that she made on me that day. I had never met a girl so in love with the Lord Jesus, so full of His Word, such a sweet spirit about her. I was deeply moved. But our paths did not cross again for about six months. During this time I had been praying that I would get to meet her again. As the months went by I told the Lord that as He had showed me His best, I would be better off single than to settle for anything less than His best. One awesome day in December of 1976 Christy came and sat beside me, on my bus. I later learned from Christy that she had been praying about meeting me again too.
I realized early on, and clearly too, that I would never be the only lover in Christy's life, neither would I have the first place in her heart, that place would always be reserved for Jesus. Christy has always been other-worldly; the Lord had really captured her heart and gone away to heaven with it.
We were married Nov 7th, 1977, and a little over a year later our first son Stephen was born February 14th, 1979. Christy called him “Sunshine” with his bubbly laugh and bright blue eyes. But Christy longed for another child. Finally, on January 1st, 1982, when Stephen was almost three, we welcomed little Jeffrey into our world. Jeff was a delightfully fat baby with huge cheeks and lots of rolls and dimples. We didn’t know it then, but our family was complete, with two little boys to fill our lives with joy. Christy really wanted more children, but her health was failing. She had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome that had set in shortly after Jeff was born.
In the years following, life was really quite difficult, for she was extremely tired all the time, had food allergies to almost everything, and suffered chronic poor health. We lived in a house full of mold, etc. In spite of this handicap, Christy home schooled Stephen and Jeff at a time when it was very unpopular and considered weird to do so. There was little support available, and very few friends understood. Christy’s love for her boys was the fire that kept her going, she would rather die than give up what she believed to be her calling. In my estimation she succeeded, the evidence cannot be challenged, as in Proverbs 31:28 “Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” She literally, in love, gave the best that she had to give for her children, and did what she wholeheartedly believed to be God's will for her family.
We had begun to realize that the wet, moldy house that we lived in may be at least partly responsible for Christy’s poor health. I was beginning to think that I was going to lose my precious wife. These were hard years that brought us to our knees often, looking to the Lord to help us. The Lord graciously opened the way for us to buy a house in Richmond. Christy’s health did slowly start to improve.
One of the things that we asked the Lord about in connection with having a house of our own, was that we would be able to use our home to care for people in need. Shortly after we moved to Heather street, people came to us one after the other, sometimes two at a time. Some would stay for a few weeks, some a year or so. Christy and I loved these years of ministering to others. We recently received a letter from Phil Brown who stayed at our place at a time of crisis in his life. His letter is posted on this blog, please read it, it is entitled simply ‘letter from Phil Brown.’
Christy loved the outdoors and preferred gardening over housework any day. We had many very happy times wandering on trails in the mountains. In later years we did a lot of mountain biking together, such as the Kettle Valley railway from Myra Canyon to Naramata in the interior of BC. A romantic day for Christy would be walking hand in hand down a trail with birds twittering in the trees, over pretty much anything else. She was very fit in those days, running or walking miles every day with our German Shepherd dog, Mitsy.
In 2004 we moved from the house on Heather Street to the far west side of Richmond, quite near the famous dike trail that surrounds Richmond. Christy became known to many people that walked on that dike daily, as she could be seen walking very fast in her long flowing colorful skirts, her long wavy greying hair gracing her slight build. She had a smile for everyone; I have been amazed at just how many people knew her in the area. The area is a bird sanctuary; it was also a sanctuary for Christy, and she enjoyed it so much.
Christy was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2005. She refused chemotherapy as her white blood cell count was too low, but was treated with radiation from November 2005 to Jan 2006 and then surgery on February 14th, 2006. This was a very dark time for Christy, and she suffered much from the effects of radiation, especially fatigue and anxiety. We are so grateful that she was not subjected to the additional torture of chemotherapy, and from what we later learned she would not have survived the ordeal. After her recovery from surgery, things were brighter, and the battle seemed to be over for a while. In fact, the day after the surgery, when I brought her home, she insisted on going for a walk on her beloved dike! We walked 2 miles that day; I was amazed how she kept going.
We began to sense that all was not well in April 2006 when she developed persistent rib pains, then later in August her knee pain started. This pain spread to her mid back and by February of 2007 it was unbearable. This was probably one of the hardest times of her illness, as she endured great pain and discomfort without knowing what was causing it, and no one understood what was going on. We were desperate to get answers. She pursued various doctors and discovered they all had their own opinion, but none seemed to clue in to what was really happening. Some doctors seemed to feel it was something to do with radiation side effects. It got so bad by early February that Christy was unable to get out of bed on her own, and the pain was so intense it kept her from sleeping. She spent many nights weeping and wondering what was wrong with her.
On February 13, 2007 a naturopath called me with results of a routine blood test and said to drop everything and get Christy to emergency as she had severe hypercalcaemia. Once at the hospital, the doctors put the picture together quickly, and after doing some tests to confirm, they broke the news that the breast cancer had spread to the bones and was advanced, resulting in blood calcium levels being extremely high. She was apparently very close to kidney failure. The calcium levels were treated and Christy was put on pain medication and sent home under palliative care. She was given a prognosis of about 6 months to live.
It initially took only a few anxious hours for her to adjust to the news that she would be dying soon. It was unmistakable to me that she felt the fight was over - not lost, just over. She said of all of her years of research and chasing expensive remedies, treatments, etc… “I am finally free of all that.” Christy made it very clear to the doctors that nothing should be done to prolong her life here on earth. Christy realized that this news of her terminal condition was really the Lord calling her to come home. The Bible verse that Jesus gave to her at that time was from The Song of Solomon 2:10 “My beloved spake and and said unto me, Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away.” This has captivated her heart from that time till the present.
Through the mercy of God our business had grown to the point where I was able to leave and care for Christy at home. I am indebted to the office staff and technicians for keeping the bus on track at http://www.priorityappliance.com/ (Those of you at Priority may never know how much this has meant to Christy and me.) Over the next few months Christy had quite a few radiation treatments to her spine, ribs, hips, and knees to slow the growth of tumors in those areas. The first of these treatments helped her with pain and mobility greatly, but the later treatments were not much use. The second radiation treatment damaged her stomach lining, and she suffered horrible nausea, vomiting and pain. She was put on steroid drugs to help with the inflammation and pain. Soon after this bout, she recovered and for the next few months she actually grew much better! Whether it was due to the radiation/temporary use of steroids or divine intervention, from about mid-May to July she enjoyed a wonderful reprieve. A 'plateau' they called it. Her energy improved, her pain was very minimal, and we went from 72 mg of Hydromorphone a day to 9 mg. As to the duration of this “plateau” the doctors and nurses had no explanation. One nurse clearly told us that there was no other explanation but God! She said with David in Psalm 71:7 & 8 " I am as a wonder to many; but Thou art my strong refuge. Let my mouth be filled with Thy praise and with Thy honor all the day." Her mobility was such that she went for many walks in the neighbourhood and the nearby dike trail. She was able to even drive herself to her sons’ house in Surrey and had an enjoyable though bittersweet visit with her children and grandchildren at the end of May.
As the months went on, she gradually got weaker, and by early September she was unable to make it up and down the stairs and go out for her walks, even with help. Also, being in the wheelchair caused great pain for her, so she became housebound. The pain continued to increase, as did the need for steroids and morphine. She quickly increased to 108mg of Hydromorphone plus breakthrough meds each day. But through all this time as her body grew weaker, her faith grew stronger and the hope of being with her Lord grew brighter and more real! She spent many of her waking hours when she did not have visitors reading or praying, and she experienced complete peace about her circumstances. Not once did she complain bitterly about how unfair it was that she had cancer, and as the disease progressed, so did the sweetness and patience with which she endured her suffering. Around this time her longing to be with her Lord overcame every tie on earth. As far as regrets go, one of the hardest things for dear Christy, having been so richly filled with mother-love, has been the thought of leaving her family. We have both enjoyed parenting, our hearts have been enlarged and taken to the limit in every way through the years, it has been a rich sharing of joy. By the grace of God we have seen the Lord bring two of the sweetest girls in existence just for our boys. Susie and Heidi have become our treasured daughter-in-loves. We now have three granddaughters from Stephen and Susie, and one grandson from Jeff and Heidi (and another one on the way). It has been hard for her to think of leaving these precious ones behind, but thankfully the Lord has recently given her peace about this too.
On Saturday morning of September 23, I left Christy briefly to pick up a brother from the airport. Christy attempted to make it to the on-suite bathroom, she fell onto her back, and could not move. She was wearing a lifeline at the time, pressed the button, the dispatcher called me, I came home quickly and found her on the floor unable to move. Soon after, she was taken by ambulance to the palliative ward of the hospital. Tests showed that vertebrae 5 through 9 were destroyed, and vertebra 9 had been completely replaced by tumor. Likely the tumor had impinged the spinal cord, causing her to lose control of her legs and fall. The doctors told her that likely her legs would soon be paralyzed, bowel and bladder control were gone now. She was fully ready to go then, seeing little point of remaining on earth. But about a week after being in the hospital she was transferred to a hospice facility run by the Salvation Army, and there she has remained, telling others about Jesus whenever she has an opportunity. Since September 23rd she eats nothing but a little bit of watermelon, and drinks various juices and lots of water. As far as it goes she is stable, there hasn’t been much further change. As I sit by her bedside in the evenings, she drifts in and out of sleep, I now notice that her breathing rate drops to 5 breaths a minute during sleep. . . seems very slow to me. When visitors come to encourage her, she is quite bright, lights on high-beam, huge smiles.
I asked her the other day, "why are you still here, my love?" She said, “I am here to bring honor to my Lord and Savior Jesus, and that means I am here just to thank Him and praise Him.” Her prayer request from the beginning of this disease and suffering has been, “ that I would not do anything to dishonor the precious name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that through my suffering and eventual death, many people would know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, and be filled with all the fullness of God.” You can read about this in Ephesians 3:19. She is waiting for Him to say “Rise up, my love, my fair one and come away.” Song of Solomon 2:10 If this means her death, I feel that I would, if I could, step into the flame and go up with her. But, although death for Christy is a present reality, there is an even brighter hope in her soul… That is that the promised return of the Lord Jesus Christ in the rapture could take place before she dies. See 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 18. Christy has not shown one sign of self pity, but she has shown an ever-increasing desire that everyone around her would know Jesus as Lord and be ready to die with peace and meet God even as she is.
Well, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Priority Crew, friends, neighbors, this is my Christy, my lover and my friend. By faith alone I open my hand after these 30 years together, and prepare to release her to a known and trusted friend, Jesus Christ, my Lord.
We trust in "Him that is able to do far exceedingly above all which we ask or think, according to the power which works in us, to Him be glory in the assembly in Christ Jesus unto all generations of the age of ages. Amen" Ephesians 3:20 & 21 JND NT.
"As for God His way is perfect" Psalm 18:30.
Christy had many sweet memories of her early years in Africa, particularly of her Grannie. Grannie was a devoted servant of the Lord Jesus, a godly woman, and was such a kind and loving soul, that to know her was to love her. Both Christy’s mother and grandmother modeled the love of God to Christy, so as to deeply impress her with eternal realities. This godly heritage reminds me of the apostle Paul writing to Timothy, where he says, “I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and in thy mother Eunice, and I am persuaded that in thee also.” 2 Timothy 1:5. Those of us that know Christy have also seen this “unfeigned faith” and devotion toward God, along with an uncommon sweetness toward her fellow man.
Christy’s father decided that they should leave Africa to see his dad back in Canada as he had become quite sick. So the little Haws family left Africa for Canada on Mary’s birthday, April 14, 1965. Christy was 9 years old when they eventually settled in a little cottage in White Rock, BC.
It was about this time that Christy accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior according to Ephesians 2:8 & 9,"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."
When she was about 14 years old Christy was challenged by a godly pastor to not just believe his preaching, but to prove all things in the Word of God. She accepted this challenge and the Lord really opened His Word to her. She just kept yielding more and more to this wonderful God, the eternal lover of her soul. This challenge to prove everything by the Word of God eventually led her out of man-made denominational Christianity, to be gathered simply to the name of Jesus Christ in early 1977.
The summer of 1972 after graduating from high school Christy went to Montreal to help with an evangelical door-to-door outreach that traveled throughout Quebec. Later that year, Christy went to a Bible college near Abbotsford, BC.
In the summer of 1973 Christy was sent to the Yukon to relieve a pastor and his wife that went on holidays for two months. She found herself having to pastor the church, taking the services, etc. She just shared the joy of her life, Jesus, from the Bible.
When Christy returned to the city she was accepted into nurses training at the Vancouver General Hospital. After about a year she realized this was not a career fit for her at all. Christy started working at Bank Cheque Supply in Vancouver.
In those days it was my habit to spend the bus ride to work reading my beloved Bible. One day on the bus, I noticed a girl with long beautiful hair reading a big Bible on the bus. When the passenger next to her got off at his stop, I sat beside her. I noticed her wearing a button that said, "I am eternally grateful to Jesus." I have never forgotten the impression that she made on me that day. I had never met a girl so in love with the Lord Jesus, so full of His Word, such a sweet spirit about her. I was deeply moved. But our paths did not cross again for about six months. During this time I had been praying that I would get to meet her again. As the months went by I told the Lord that as He had showed me His best, I would be better off single than to settle for anything less than His best. One awesome day in December of 1976 Christy came and sat beside me, on my bus. I later learned from Christy that she had been praying about meeting me again too.
I realized early on, and clearly too, that I would never be the only lover in Christy's life, neither would I have the first place in her heart, that place would always be reserved for Jesus. Christy has always been other-worldly; the Lord had really captured her heart and gone away to heaven with it.
We were married Nov 7th, 1977, and a little over a year later our first son Stephen was born February 14th, 1979. Christy called him “Sunshine” with his bubbly laugh and bright blue eyes. But Christy longed for another child. Finally, on January 1st, 1982, when Stephen was almost three, we welcomed little Jeffrey into our world. Jeff was a delightfully fat baby with huge cheeks and lots of rolls and dimples. We didn’t know it then, but our family was complete, with two little boys to fill our lives with joy. Christy really wanted more children, but her health was failing. She had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome that had set in shortly after Jeff was born.
In the years following, life was really quite difficult, for she was extremely tired all the time, had food allergies to almost everything, and suffered chronic poor health. We lived in a house full of mold, etc. In spite of this handicap, Christy home schooled Stephen and Jeff at a time when it was very unpopular and considered weird to do so. There was little support available, and very few friends understood. Christy’s love for her boys was the fire that kept her going, she would rather die than give up what she believed to be her calling. In my estimation she succeeded, the evidence cannot be challenged, as in Proverbs 31:28 “Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” She literally, in love, gave the best that she had to give for her children, and did what she wholeheartedly believed to be God's will for her family.
We had begun to realize that the wet, moldy house that we lived in may be at least partly responsible for Christy’s poor health. I was beginning to think that I was going to lose my precious wife. These were hard years that brought us to our knees often, looking to the Lord to help us. The Lord graciously opened the way for us to buy a house in Richmond. Christy’s health did slowly start to improve.
One of the things that we asked the Lord about in connection with having a house of our own, was that we would be able to use our home to care for people in need. Shortly after we moved to Heather street, people came to us one after the other, sometimes two at a time. Some would stay for a few weeks, some a year or so. Christy and I loved these years of ministering to others. We recently received a letter from Phil Brown who stayed at our place at a time of crisis in his life. His letter is posted on this blog, please read it, it is entitled simply ‘letter from Phil Brown.’
Christy loved the outdoors and preferred gardening over housework any day. We had many very happy times wandering on trails in the mountains. In later years we did a lot of mountain biking together, such as the Kettle Valley railway from Myra Canyon to Naramata in the interior of BC. A romantic day for Christy would be walking hand in hand down a trail with birds twittering in the trees, over pretty much anything else. She was very fit in those days, running or walking miles every day with our German Shepherd dog, Mitsy.
In 2004 we moved from the house on Heather Street to the far west side of Richmond, quite near the famous dike trail that surrounds Richmond. Christy became known to many people that walked on that dike daily, as she could be seen walking very fast in her long flowing colorful skirts, her long wavy greying hair gracing her slight build. She had a smile for everyone; I have been amazed at just how many people knew her in the area. The area is a bird sanctuary; it was also a sanctuary for Christy, and she enjoyed it so much.
Christy was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2005. She refused chemotherapy as her white blood cell count was too low, but was treated with radiation from November 2005 to Jan 2006 and then surgery on February 14th, 2006. This was a very dark time for Christy, and she suffered much from the effects of radiation, especially fatigue and anxiety. We are so grateful that she was not subjected to the additional torture of chemotherapy, and from what we later learned she would not have survived the ordeal. After her recovery from surgery, things were brighter, and the battle seemed to be over for a while. In fact, the day after the surgery, when I brought her home, she insisted on going for a walk on her beloved dike! We walked 2 miles that day; I was amazed how she kept going.
We began to sense that all was not well in April 2006 when she developed persistent rib pains, then later in August her knee pain started. This pain spread to her mid back and by February of 2007 it was unbearable. This was probably one of the hardest times of her illness, as she endured great pain and discomfort without knowing what was causing it, and no one understood what was going on. We were desperate to get answers. She pursued various doctors and discovered they all had their own opinion, but none seemed to clue in to what was really happening. Some doctors seemed to feel it was something to do with radiation side effects. It got so bad by early February that Christy was unable to get out of bed on her own, and the pain was so intense it kept her from sleeping. She spent many nights weeping and wondering what was wrong with her.
On February 13, 2007 a naturopath called me with results of a routine blood test and said to drop everything and get Christy to emergency as she had severe hypercalcaemia. Once at the hospital, the doctors put the picture together quickly, and after doing some tests to confirm, they broke the news that the breast cancer had spread to the bones and was advanced, resulting in blood calcium levels being extremely high. She was apparently very close to kidney failure. The calcium levels were treated and Christy was put on pain medication and sent home under palliative care. She was given a prognosis of about 6 months to live.
It initially took only a few anxious hours for her to adjust to the news that she would be dying soon. It was unmistakable to me that she felt the fight was over - not lost, just over. She said of all of her years of research and chasing expensive remedies, treatments, etc… “I am finally free of all that.” Christy made it very clear to the doctors that nothing should be done to prolong her life here on earth. Christy realized that this news of her terminal condition was really the Lord calling her to come home. The Bible verse that Jesus gave to her at that time was from The Song of Solomon 2:10 “My beloved spake and and said unto me, Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away.” This has captivated her heart from that time till the present.
Through the mercy of God our business had grown to the point where I was able to leave and care for Christy at home. I am indebted to the office staff and technicians for keeping the bus on track at http://www.priorityappliance.com/ (Those of you at Priority may never know how much this has meant to Christy and me.) Over the next few months Christy had quite a few radiation treatments to her spine, ribs, hips, and knees to slow the growth of tumors in those areas. The first of these treatments helped her with pain and mobility greatly, but the later treatments were not much use. The second radiation treatment damaged her stomach lining, and she suffered horrible nausea, vomiting and pain. She was put on steroid drugs to help with the inflammation and pain. Soon after this bout, she recovered and for the next few months she actually grew much better! Whether it was due to the radiation/temporary use of steroids or divine intervention, from about mid-May to July she enjoyed a wonderful reprieve. A 'plateau' they called it. Her energy improved, her pain was very minimal, and we went from 72 mg of Hydromorphone a day to 9 mg. As to the duration of this “plateau” the doctors and nurses had no explanation. One nurse clearly told us that there was no other explanation but God! She said with David in Psalm 71:7 & 8 " I am as a wonder to many; but Thou art my strong refuge. Let my mouth be filled with Thy praise and with Thy honor all the day." Her mobility was such that she went for many walks in the neighbourhood and the nearby dike trail. She was able to even drive herself to her sons’ house in Surrey and had an enjoyable though bittersweet visit with her children and grandchildren at the end of May.
As the months went on, she gradually got weaker, and by early September she was unable to make it up and down the stairs and go out for her walks, even with help. Also, being in the wheelchair caused great pain for her, so she became housebound. The pain continued to increase, as did the need for steroids and morphine. She quickly increased to 108mg of Hydromorphone plus breakthrough meds each day. But through all this time as her body grew weaker, her faith grew stronger and the hope of being with her Lord grew brighter and more real! She spent many of her waking hours when she did not have visitors reading or praying, and she experienced complete peace about her circumstances. Not once did she complain bitterly about how unfair it was that she had cancer, and as the disease progressed, so did the sweetness and patience with which she endured her suffering. Around this time her longing to be with her Lord overcame every tie on earth. As far as regrets go, one of the hardest things for dear Christy, having been so richly filled with mother-love, has been the thought of leaving her family. We have both enjoyed parenting, our hearts have been enlarged and taken to the limit in every way through the years, it has been a rich sharing of joy. By the grace of God we have seen the Lord bring two of the sweetest girls in existence just for our boys. Susie and Heidi have become our treasured daughter-in-loves. We now have three granddaughters from Stephen and Susie, and one grandson from Jeff and Heidi (and another one on the way). It has been hard for her to think of leaving these precious ones behind, but thankfully the Lord has recently given her peace about this too.
On Saturday morning of September 23, I left Christy briefly to pick up a brother from the airport. Christy attempted to make it to the on-suite bathroom, she fell onto her back, and could not move. She was wearing a lifeline at the time, pressed the button, the dispatcher called me, I came home quickly and found her on the floor unable to move. Soon after, she was taken by ambulance to the palliative ward of the hospital. Tests showed that vertebrae 5 through 9 were destroyed, and vertebra 9 had been completely replaced by tumor. Likely the tumor had impinged the spinal cord, causing her to lose control of her legs and fall. The doctors told her that likely her legs would soon be paralyzed, bowel and bladder control were gone now. She was fully ready to go then, seeing little point of remaining on earth. But about a week after being in the hospital she was transferred to a hospice facility run by the Salvation Army, and there she has remained, telling others about Jesus whenever she has an opportunity. Since September 23rd she eats nothing but a little bit of watermelon, and drinks various juices and lots of water. As far as it goes she is stable, there hasn’t been much further change. As I sit by her bedside in the evenings, she drifts in and out of sleep, I now notice that her breathing rate drops to 5 breaths a minute during sleep. . . seems very slow to me. When visitors come to encourage her, she is quite bright, lights on high-beam, huge smiles.
I asked her the other day, "why are you still here, my love?" She said, “I am here to bring honor to my Lord and Savior Jesus, and that means I am here just to thank Him and praise Him.” Her prayer request from the beginning of this disease and suffering has been, “ that I would not do anything to dishonor the precious name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that through my suffering and eventual death, many people would know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, and be filled with all the fullness of God.” You can read about this in Ephesians 3:19. She is waiting for Him to say “Rise up, my love, my fair one and come away.” Song of Solomon 2:10 If this means her death, I feel that I would, if I could, step into the flame and go up with her. But, although death for Christy is a present reality, there is an even brighter hope in her soul… That is that the promised return of the Lord Jesus Christ in the rapture could take place before she dies. See 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 18. Christy has not shown one sign of self pity, but she has shown an ever-increasing desire that everyone around her would know Jesus as Lord and be ready to die with peace and meet God even as she is.
Well, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Priority Crew, friends, neighbors, this is my Christy, my lover and my friend. By faith alone I open my hand after these 30 years together, and prepare to release her to a known and trusted friend, Jesus Christ, my Lord.
We trust in "Him that is able to do far exceedingly above all which we ask or think, according to the power which works in us, to Him be glory in the assembly in Christ Jesus unto all generations of the age of ages. Amen" Ephesians 3:20 & 21 JND NT.
"As for God His way is perfect" Psalm 18:30.
Beyond the Sky by Fernando Ortega
This expresses Christy's constant longing and hope as she waits for her Lord to call her Home! This song was a huge comfort to Christy especially when she was first diagnosed with terminal cancer.
One morning
When time is done
When time is done
Bright heaven
Will be our refuge
The city of God most high
I long for
That holy day
This longing
Sometimes it captures my heart
And carries me far away
Beyond the sky
Beyond all telling
Our Father himself
Will be our light
His arms will hold us
And with his hands
He'll wipe away the tears
That stain our eyes
When darkness
Falls over me
This promise
It's like a fire inside
Burning the dark away
Beyond the sky
Beyond all telling
Our Father himself
Will be our light
His arms will hold us
And with his hands
He'll wipe away the tears
That stain our eyes
The city of God most high
I long for
That holy day
This longing
Sometimes it captures my heart
And carries me far away
Beyond the sky
Beyond all telling
Our Father himself
Will be our light
His arms will hold us
And with his hands
He'll wipe away the tears
That stain our eyes
When darkness
Falls over me
This promise
It's like a fire inside
Burning the dark away
Beyond the sky
Beyond all telling
Our Father himself
Will be our light
His arms will hold us
And with his hands
He'll wipe away the tears
That stain our eyes
That you may know Him
"Do you know Jesus?" This question came from Christy's lips many times. She spoke them wherever she went throughout her life. One of her deepest desires on earth was that she could have the privilege of introducing others to her Lord. Christy came to know Jesus as her Savior at a young age, and gave her heart and life to Him. No, she didn't get "religion." Christy passionately followed her Lord Jesus because He loved her! And that same God desires to be your God. He is seeking you. He loves you with an infinite and unconditional and deep love. He is the One who loves your soul and has loved you long before you were born. He is the One who loves you and cares about you as no one else has ever cared.
His name is Jesus. He is the Son of God, the Creator of all living things. He has been working and pleading with mankind to know and love Him for thousands of years. Ever since the beginning in the Garden of Eden when the first man and woman sinned and brought a curse on themselves and every one of their descendants, God has been seeking a way to restore His relationship with men and women. Most people are blinded by the hardness of their hearts and stubborn wills. Many seek their own way to God and have devised every form of religion they can think of to find their own way to God or have made up false gods. They think that by "doing" something, they can earn their way to heaven. Others completely refuse to believe that there is a God at all. But God has made Himself quite clear in Creation, and the Word of God, the Bible. Let Him introduce Himself to you: "Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, and He that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things" Isaiah 44:24.
He made us for His pleasure and to have fellowship with. "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you" Isaiah 59:1,2. Yes, there is a little word that has separated man from his Creator: Sin. "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23. We like to hear that God is love, but we do not want to hear that God is holy. He is so holy that He cannot have sin in His presence. Sin not only separates us from God, but man's refusal to acknowledge his own sinful nature prevents him from being restored to his God. Newspapers are the testimony of our society's sins; our conscience, if we let it, convicts us; and our memories are our own partial record; but God has the absolute record for each one of us. The moral condition of man was declared guilty from the first act of rebellion in
God is Love, and desires to pour out His love on His creatures, us. But there is only one way to God, and that is through Jesus Christ, God's Son. He gave His life and shed His blood on a cross between two thieves outside of
Christy has that hope of eternal life, and is soon to see it fulfilled! She has no fear of death, even while staring it in the face. Christy has perfect peace because her faith is reality. She knows that death is only a portal to being in the presence of her Lord. When she draws her last breath here on earth, her spirit will depart and be forever with Christ, where sin and death and pain can never enter. Further, she knows that there is a day coming, probably very soon, when her dead body will be raised in a moment at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and she will be reunited with her body and also with every other believer in God and Jesus Christ. The following verses explain why Christy can have this very real hope and promise. It is because "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and…was buried, and…rose again the third day, according to the scriptures." Christy knows that she also will rise from the dead "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, 'Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?' Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" I Corinthians 15:52-57.
Christy's hope, and the hope of every believer in Jesus, is in heaven! She never had her hopes and dreams here. She understood that "if in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable!" I Corinthians 15:19. Her Home is in heaven with God, and He has been her object, the One who has filled her heart and soul, and put in her an insatiable longing to be with Him. May this hope become yours also, dear reader!
by Susie, Christy's daughter-in-love (aka daughter-in-law!)
Beautiful leaves by Walt Porter
Beautiful leaves
Fall is a wonderful time of year! The heat and dust of summer is over, and God heralds the end of that time of activity and labor with a most lovely change in the landscape. The colors of fall are so delightful to the eyes! There are many different, rich colors that blend into a canopy of variegated shades that paint whole hillsides in wonderfully colorful panoramas! Are there lessons for us in this season?
As the warmth and brightness of summer fades into autumn, the days shorten, the nights get longer, and the leaves begin to change color from what has characterized them during their working season. We then begin to see what has been under the surface, when all we’ve seen so far is their green "working clothes."
The time comes to each of us when the long service and toil of summertime will be over. Our days of secular employment, raising children, learning how to keep rank, and how to provide for our own in an honest and honorable way eventually mutate into a different way of life. Things begin to "change color." How will that time of life find us? How will we age? What color will we be? What beautiful things has the Lord hidden under the surface of your life that are waiting to show themselves out?
As the fall season progresses, we see different colors appearing; some leaves turn a deep orange, some royal red, and some become brilliant yellows and golds. We might wonder, "where did all this come from?"
Scientists tell us the yellow and gold colors are there all along, just hidden by the overriding color of the chlorophyll, their "service uniform." This substance is used in the process of making food for all the cells of the trees. As the summer food-producing season draws to a close, and the processes begin to shut down, the yellow and gold colors that have always been there but had been overshadowed by the chlorophyll now begin to show out. It can be breathtaking!
Then there are the deep oranges, reds, and purples. We are told that as the sugars that are still being manufactured are trapped in the leaves, they react to the brilliant sunshine of fall days and these rich colors appear. How wonderful if we can show out some colors like this in our "autumn"!
At this time in our lives, when things begin the process of slowing down, how important it is that there is with us a sweet, thankful spirit! It isn't hard to see that if we can have such an attitude, believing that the Lord has done all things well in our lives, there will then be some beautiful colors that will show out to enrich the lives of others around!
Some leaves delight our eyes with colors we hadn’t seen in them all summer. Others seem to stay "green," perhaps "working" until they fall off the tree. Some of the leaves only turn brown before they fall to the ground with little fanfare.
How sad to see some of those folks in the nursing home, for example, who seem to have no purpose, no object before them to bring some "color" to their lives at the end. Maybe they’re not saved; but then again, maybe they are. We recently saw the opposite of that.
We were visiting an old brother in his room in such a place, and there were pictures of the saints on his walls along with several Scripture texts. He had a machine to magnify his Bible so he could continue to read it. I saw that he was in the process of writing a letter to some young person on his computer. He and a younger brother have weekly meetings for Bible study with others there in the home. It was said of him that everyone in that home remarks on his continually happy countenance and spirit! That was really colorful to us, a real joy to behold! He was still "bringing forth fruit in old age."
Do we find ourselves with that desire? We have choices to make in that regard, as it says in Rom 6:13, "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God." If we didn’t have the choice as to what we yield ourselves to, we wouldn’t have to be exhorted about how to make it. Our options are open to us, and the Lord is acting with us as with the two on the way to Emmaus. He will not force us, but would have us to desire and even constrain Him to come help and guide our footsteps into the path of His choosing.
Maybe we’ve hidden our light under a bushel or a bed most of our lives. The Lord can still make wonderful things happen if we just yield ourselves to His working. May we give Him that opportunity that He desires, to use us for His glory, and in the process, find such sweet employment in taking up the blessed privilege of working in His vineyard however He may lead us!
Is it also possible that, just as the colors of fall signal the coming of the long, dark winter in this world, the Lord has allowed there to be a great recovery of beautiful truth just as the summertime of the day of grace is closing? The last 10% of the 2000 years of grace has been a wonderful time in that regard, has it not?
As the days shorten, and winter for this world approaches, the Son still shines brightly on us. If this causes there to be some "sugar" produced, as mentioned above, some sweetness from our relationship with the Lord and the knowledge of His word and ways, may He transform that into some of those vibrant hues as we prepare to exit this world.
Fall only comes one time in a year. The truths recovered in the early 1800's (and still enjoyed now) are not new, but the redisplay of them now, at the end of the church period is perhaps a crowning touch to the beautiful ways of God in this dispensation.
In the last 200 years we have also enjoyed waves of peace, prosperity, and advances in many fields that are in many ways unequaled, as well as the widespread availability of the Holy Scriptures. This has allowed there to be great strides in the understanding by a much greater segment of the Lord's people than had been possible before. If we can look at it in that way, it would again signal to us that we should lift up our heads for our redemption is drawing nigh!
We can, with the Lord’s help, display some brilliant colors in our lives, in our little corner, that will please the eyes of those who look on, including our Creator Himself! The glory will be all His, for He worked it all in us. He is just looking for willing vessels, and He’ll do the rest. May He graciously help us desire to be more here for Himself and His interests as we wait, expecting His soon return!
Walt Porter – Fall 2006
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Letter from Phil Brown
My dear sister in the Lord:
Christy, remember how we met, in the parking lot of the meeting room in Richmond? You were planting trees and started back peddling as I got out of a black van, dressed in black - I hadn’t shaved since leaving Ottawa. I really wanted to go into the mountains and plant trees for six months to get away from it all, but God wisely placed you, and Wayne next, in my path to draw me to keep attending the assembly meetings, which I did. Wayne and yourself soon took me under your wings. I am so thankful for the love of the Colemans.
Christy, remember how we met, in the parking lot of the meeting room in Richmond? You were planting trees and started back peddling as I got out of a black van, dressed in black - I hadn’t shaved since leaving Ottawa. I really wanted to go into the mountains and plant trees for six months to get away from it all, but God wisely placed you, and Wayne next, in my path to draw me to keep attending the assembly meetings, which I did. Wayne and yourself soon took me under your wings. I am so thankful for the love of the Colemans.
Remember the birth certificate you and the boys made for me, Phil Brown - property of the Colemans? That was a very special time in my life, living under the Coleman roof - a godly home. The times we spent around the kitchen table fellowshipping with your family, and other saints, were very precious to me. Listening to Wayne unfold the scriptures after supper was a highlight of my day. And your own special sisterly and motherly care for me was a treasure.
Christy, your letter and phone ministry to me after I came back to Ontario and was still single, often picked me up from low places. I remember with delight as you phoned one time when I had come to the end of myself - all I needed was the Lord - nothing else mattered. You ministered to me from the scriptures time and time again, faithfully offering the Word as comfort, guidance, help and hope, sharing the love of the Lord Jesus. Thank you so much dear sister. God bless you.
Christy, your letter and phone ministry to me after I came back to Ontario and was still single, often picked me up from low places. I remember with delight as you phoned one time when I had come to the end of myself - all I needed was the Lord - nothing else mattered. You ministered to me from the scriptures time and time again, faithfully offering the Word as comfort, guidance, help and hope, sharing the love of the Lord Jesus. Thank you so much dear sister. God bless you.
Phil Brown
Christy during her illness.
Click on the picture above to view photos of Christy and family taken in 2007 after her diagnosis with terminal cancer. The photos in the album are in chronological order, with the oldest first and the most recent near the bottom.
Christy as a Grandma
Click on the picture above to see photos of Christy as a grandma. In the above picture she is holding her first granddaughter, Abigail.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
The family years
Click on the picture above to see photos from Wayne and Christy's
years of raising their boys, Steve and Jeff.
years of raising their boys, Steve and Jeff.
Christy's childhood
Click on the picture above to see photos of Christy from her childhood and young adult years before she married. There are a few taken in South Africa where Christy spent the first 6 years of her life.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Haws Family Photos
Click on the picture above to see photos of The Haws family. Christy was born to
Richard and Faith Haws. Faith Haws was a shining example of a godly
woman, and endured many very difficult circumstances with grace and patience.
She was a gentle lady, devoted to her Lord and she tried her very best to provide her
children with security and kindness and left them a legacy of love. She passed away from cancer over 20 years ago. Richard, Christy's father, only recently died in the last few years.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Psalm 34
"I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all."
I have enjoyed these verses especially during Christy's illness and I believe they express beautifully many of battles and victories she has won. She would most likely agree wholeheartedly with each one of the above verses! Some look upon her illness and death and see a premature end, defeat, pain, and sorrow. But I see tremendous victory and triumph and the power and love of God helping Christy to overcome. She has found that there is no fear in love...that perfect love casts out fear! She has found safety and assurance in the complete surrender of herself to God's will, and the profound peace and rest that comes with trusting Him fully. Her heart has been bound with the cords of His love that will never let her go, even in death. The Lord will perform the perfect work that He began in her long ago. It has been really neat to see what the Lord has been doing in her life, and the many proofs of His love and goodness and kindness especially during her illness. He has proven Himself faithful and trustworthy, as this Psalmist declared thousands of years earlier!
My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all."
I have enjoyed these verses especially during Christy's illness and I believe they express beautifully many of battles and victories she has won. She would most likely agree wholeheartedly with each one of the above verses! Some look upon her illness and death and see a premature end, defeat, pain, and sorrow. But I see tremendous victory and triumph and the power and love of God helping Christy to overcome. She has found that there is no fear in love...that perfect love casts out fear! She has found safety and assurance in the complete surrender of herself to God's will, and the profound peace and rest that comes with trusting Him fully. Her heart has been bound with the cords of His love that will never let her go, even in death. The Lord will perform the perfect work that He began in her long ago. It has been really neat to see what the Lord has been doing in her life, and the many proofs of His love and goodness and kindness especially during her illness. He has proven Himself faithful and trustworthy, as this Psalmist declared thousands of years earlier!
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