Sad times...wonderful memories
This post I've been pondering for a few weeks. It's been a very emotional few weeks for our family. As mentioned in this post, my family and I our former longtime pastor died on 1/22 due to a longtime illness. Last week my mom's cousin Alan died somewhat unexpectedly a week ago. My son lost a friend in a tragic fire about a week ago. It's been hard to put into words what I've been thinking, but I did want to honor my dear friends who had such a big influence on my life. My prayers go out to their families.
Also, please be in prayer for Sheli's dad, Don, who has been very ill the past few months.
Four years ago to day I got a phone call from my mom that I never thought I would get. My dear childhood friend, Sheli, had died. It was of a pulminary embolism due to recent surgery. Honestly thoughts of regret went through my mind. Just a few months earlier I was standing talking to Sheli at her mom's calling hours. Sheli's mom, Sharon, had died of a longtime battle with cancer. I thought that I wanted to get back in touch with Sheli. That never happened.
Many memories of my growing up years with Sheli flooded back. My first sleepover was at her house. She gave me my first bike. We spent hours in school, Sunday School, youth group together. I keep thinking about her "Willie Rider" character in the Christmas play.
Our friend Cathy, posted on Facebook this morning about Sheli. Cathy was part of most of these memories. She arrived in town in 1st grade. I used to sit with her and her family in church many Sundays. Her brother and my brother were good friends.
Not only this sad "anniversary" is bringing back memories, but also the recent "homegoing" of our longtime pastor, Gorden Hay. Pastor Hay was my pastor from my days of toddler nursery to my early adult years.
On Saturday, February 25, there was a memorial service for Pastor Hay. As the service was about to begin, I found myself looking up at the pulpit picturing Pastor Hay there preaching. He was a wonderful preacher. I remember many Sundays being touched by what he was preaching.
There were some funny memories made from that pulpit. Pastor's singing was one of them. That subject came up a few times by his sons in their comments on Saturday. There were more serious memories of his leading hymns too. Certain songs like "When He Leads Me, I Will Follow," and "I Surrender All." come to mind. Those 2 hymns I remember ending many morning services with.
There were times of great emotion too. I remember Pastor Hay crying quite often, especially when he was burdened about something.
I remember Pastor Hay coming to visit our home many times. I remember his praying with us.
He helped found the Christian school I attended for 9 years. On Saturday I saw a few of my former teachers and classmates. One of them I started in Kindergarten with! He married a girl that started in our class in 3rd grade.
On Saturday, the school gymnasium was dedicated to Pastor Hay. What a fitting tribute! It was under his leadership that the gym/ed building as we called it, was built. The church was able to pay off the mortgage early due to a big offering day we had. That was exciting!!! I was part of the 1st 4th grade class to go through the 3 new classrooms. By 8th grade an addition was built. That was my last year at CBCA.
So many memories have been jogged the past few weeks, way too many to mention. As I said in my post in August about the church, I could write pages upon pages of memories. Those memories I will cherish forever! What a wonderful thought to ponder that I will be able to spend forever making new memories when I get to heaven to join these 2 friends and many others who have gone on before me. Again I say, "What a Day That Will Be!"
Also, please be in prayer for Sheli's dad, Don, who has been very ill the past few months.
Four years ago to day I got a phone call from my mom that I never thought I would get. My dear childhood friend, Sheli, had died. It was of a pulminary embolism due to recent surgery. Honestly thoughts of regret went through my mind. Just a few months earlier I was standing talking to Sheli at her mom's calling hours. Sheli's mom, Sharon, had died of a longtime battle with cancer. I thought that I wanted to get back in touch with Sheli. That never happened.
Many memories of my growing up years with Sheli flooded back. My first sleepover was at her house. She gave me my first bike. We spent hours in school, Sunday School, youth group together. I keep thinking about her "Willie Rider" character in the Christmas play.
Our friend Cathy, posted on Facebook this morning about Sheli. Cathy was part of most of these memories. She arrived in town in 1st grade. I used to sit with her and her family in church many Sundays. Her brother and my brother were good friends.
Not only this sad "anniversary" is bringing back memories, but also the recent "homegoing" of our longtime pastor, Gorden Hay. Pastor Hay was my pastor from my days of toddler nursery to my early adult years.
On Saturday, February 25, there was a memorial service for Pastor Hay. As the service was about to begin, I found myself looking up at the pulpit picturing Pastor Hay there preaching. He was a wonderful preacher. I remember many Sundays being touched by what he was preaching.
There were some funny memories made from that pulpit. Pastor's singing was one of them. That subject came up a few times by his sons in their comments on Saturday. There were more serious memories of his leading hymns too. Certain songs like "When He Leads Me, I Will Follow," and "I Surrender All." come to mind. Those 2 hymns I remember ending many morning services with.
There were times of great emotion too. I remember Pastor Hay crying quite often, especially when he was burdened about something.
I remember Pastor Hay coming to visit our home many times. I remember his praying with us.
He helped found the Christian school I attended for 9 years. On Saturday I saw a few of my former teachers and classmates. One of them I started in Kindergarten with! He married a girl that started in our class in 3rd grade.
On Saturday, the school gymnasium was dedicated to Pastor Hay. What a fitting tribute! It was under his leadership that the gym/ed building as we called it, was built. The church was able to pay off the mortgage early due to a big offering day we had. That was exciting!!! I was part of the 1st 4th grade class to go through the 3 new classrooms. By 8th grade an addition was built. That was my last year at CBCA.
So many memories have been jogged the past few weeks, way too many to mention. As I said in my post in August about the church, I could write pages upon pages of memories. Those memories I will cherish forever! What a wonderful thought to ponder that I will be able to spend forever making new memories when I get to heaven to join these 2 friends and many others who have gone on before me. Again I say, "What a Day That Will Be!"
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