Made it...

The weekend is over. Family have gone home. Now the healing can begin, again...

It's amazing how I come across songs that express things in my own life. Again, Ortega captures life in amazing ways... I am blessed!

A Place On The Earth

Find me a place on the earth
Where a weary man can rest
And listen for your voice
In the turning seasons

A quiet place in the world
Where I can bow
And confess that I fear
Where you have brought me,
Mysterious God

All of my life
You have been with me
My comfort in loneliness
My hope in the dark
All of my life
Lord, please stay with me
Be my sustaining breath
Guardian of my heart

My days are passing by
Like falling stars
That blaze across the night sky
Then they are gone

But Father, at your side
I will never be afraid
For you have held all my days
In the palm of your hand

All of my life
You have been with me
My comfort in loneliness
My hope in the dark
All of my life Lord,
please stay with me
Be my sustaining breath
Guardian of my heart

All of my life
You have been with me
My comfort in loneliness
My hope in the dark
All of my life
Lord, please stay with me
Be my sustaining breath
Guardian of my heart

Be my sustaining breath
Guardian of my heart

Be my sustaining breath
Be my sustaining breath
Be my sustaining breath

Now the hard part....

The next few days will be the most difficult of all. First, is the viewing and family time on Friday night...an old custom. Then the service and burial. The children are going through all their own emotions, as can be expected. As a Dad I need to help them understand that this goodbye is NOT forever! We WILL see Opa again...because he humbled himself and accepted the wonderful gift available to all of us.

Many family members are here, Mom and Marina are working hard at making sure everything goes smoothly, everything has fallen into place, as it always does at a time like this.

Believe it or not this is a precious, special time. When a death occurs in a family, the heart is tender, because a door to heaven has been opened, leaving the mind clear to sense the presence of God. Life and its true meaning are layed out before us. Questions never asked are pondered.
God can use this time to remind us what is important.

May I learn His lessons.

Safe now with Jesus

Early this evening, about 5:45 pm, Marina's Dad, Hans Loewen, passed from this world into eternity. Marina and I were with him at the time of his passing.

He was 67, just 5 days short of his 68th birthday. He recommitted his life to Jesus in the final days of his life, and so we do not grieve as those with no hope.

The family comforted themselves by reading Psalm 23 and then praying together.

God is faithful. There is really nothing much more to add than that!

Again, please pray for the family, especially the children who will miss their Opa. Also pray that God will use the opportunity to show Opa's brother, Peter, his need for Him!

Sing to Jesus

Just discovered this artist, and his work is profound!!

From the album, Storm, by Fernando Ortega, this song gives me much strength and hope!! May the Peace of Jesus fill you and surround you as well!

Come and see, look on this mystery
The Lord of the Universe, nailed to a tree
Christ our God, spilling His Holy blood
Bowing in anguish, His sacred head

Sing to Jesus, Lord of our shame
Lord of our sinful hearts.
He is our great Redeemer.
Sing to Jesus, Honor His name.
Sing of His faithfulness, pouring His life out unto death

Come you weary and He will give you rest
Come you who mourn, lay on His breast
Christ who died, risen in Paradise
Giver of mercy, Giver of Life

Sing to Jesus His is the throne
Now and forever,
He is the King of Heaven.
Sing to Jesus, we are His own.
Now and forever sing for
the love our God has shown.

Sing to Jesus, Lord of our shame
Lord of our sinful hearts.
He is our great Redeemer.
Sing to Jesus, Honor His name.

Sing to Jesus His is the throne
Now and forever,
He is the King of Heaven.
Sing to Jesus, we are His own.
Now and forever sing for the love our God has shown.

Boring?

One of the nice things about a blog, or boring, depending on who you are, is the fact that bloggers will write about anything that comes to mind. In my case, I write about my thoughts, or at least SOME of them, and what is profound to me at this moment. You might think they are petty, or even silly, but to me, well, it is my life.

Marina and I are currently dealing with all the emotions and activities that a family goes through when dealing with a terminal illness. Marina's Dad is not expected to live through the week. It's been a battle with cancer (and oh, how I hate cancer!!) that has lasted a year. It brings up many questions, things I argue with God about, and has opened some old wounds that are there from the death of my own Dad through cancer.

I ask you to please pray for our family. The children especially, but also Marina because there will be much placed on her shoulders in the coming months, I know she can handle it (God has given her much strength) but still, we can't do anything without the peace and grace that God gives.

On a happier note, Opa made his peace with God through all of this. One of the most profound things in the universe continues to be the forgiveness that God offers ALL of us. His Grace, Peace and Love knows no bounds!

Paradise

Marina and I have returned from our trip to Paradise! It was a tough call whether we would actually go, but in the end after prayer and counsel we decided we needed to get away for a time. And what can we say? The place we stayed was amazing, the people more amazing, and the location....stunning, warm and just beautiful!

We even tried scuba-diving!! It was a wonderful experience!

Becky & Jenna held the fort for us....and what a Blessing!!

More later about this wonderful trip! Meanwhile, you can look at our photo album here.