In Remembrance of R.D.
October 14, 1967 – December 19, 2005
To our Dear and Precious Friends,
“My soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning: great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘the Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.'” Lamentations 3:20-24
Many of you have already heard that our youngest son R.D., 38 years old, died suddenly December 19th of cardiac arrest. For many years we have prayed and hoped our prodigal son would return back home. But we believe God chose in His grace and mercy to receive him in His eternal home to be with Him, freeing R.D. from the demons and struggles that he encountered in this life.
Now we are working through the grief and our struggles of loss. If you ask us how we are doing we would have to say we have our up days and our down days. It is difficult, but God has blessed us with so many caring and loving friends to help us through this. We have needed and deeply appreciated every phone call, every email, card and note, all the hugs, all those that stopped by, those that cried with us and those that prayed with us.
We have been sustained physically with meals and sustained spiritually knowing the many prayers that have been lifted up on our behalf. This all has “kept us going” and we are truly grateful for each and every one of you and your kind expressions of sympathy and love for us. In our time of need you have truly been our family. We also give thanks to our compassionate and faithful God and lean on His love and promises, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8
We are so grateful He put you in our lives. We do serve a great God. The middle of February we will take off and drive to Florida. We will spend a couple of weeks at Sherri’s brother’s lake house in Gainesville. Please pray for us. Pray for safety in traveling and that we will continue to walk through the grief process trusting God. “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
We ask, too, that you would keep R.D.’s girlfriend, Debbie and their 5 year old daughter, our granddaughter, Brittany in prayer. Pray that Debbie would make right and wise decisions concerning her and Brittany and their future. Pray especially, too, that Debbie would come to know Jesus as her Lord and Savior.
Thank you, dear ones, for all you do and may you be richly blessed throughout the coming year with all the good things God delights in giving you. We love you.
Our ministry friend and prayer partner Rev. Huntley Brown played at the memorial service the “Battle Hymn Of The Republic” in honor of R.D.’s service in the Marine Corps.
China - in His image 