Down South, it is traditional for there to be a viewing the night before a service where folks can spend more personal time with the family and friends. Busy folks will choose to go either to the viewing or the service. Since we are not having a formal viewing, come take a look at us eating pizza and join us if you want to. See you there at 6:30! http://www.partnerspizza.com/
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Here's a word from an Australian friend, Darlene.
Today’s WeakDay Devotion will be a bit different. My friend Debbie died yesterday. I received a text from her beloved husband, Vern, and have been fighting mixed emotions ever since.
Debbie was someone I met for a reason. Well I met Vern first and she was such a shining part of his life that she was reflected clearly in his eyes and smile and voice each time he spoke her name. Originally, the connection came from a call to Australia for some information and I was referred to help him. When I visited home the very next time, I made sure to meet Vern -- and hence Deb.
FOR A SEASON
The season part came when we kept up this long-distance business connection and saw friendships grow. And through the lives of our mutual friends, our relationship continued to grow. I learned about the passion Deb had for music and art and fun and an untold number of students; and how she directed her focus into her own wonderful children to home school them. I sure learned to be amazed at the concept and reasons and effectiveness of home schooling through her!
A few years later, I was privileged to host Deb and Vern’s daughter on an overseas adventure to live in Australia for a couple months. Now children can either mirror the good qualities of their parents or turn away from them all when they are away. But Deb’s daughter was not only as beautiful as Deb was outside, she also embodied the amazing grace and charm and sense of humour that her mother had.
SHARING & CARING
Each time I had the opportunity to visit home, I would always catch up with this remarkable family. My last time with Deb, we went to this amazing, very Southern restaurant for a meal so deep in cholesterol it was hard to imagine (I wish I could remember what this meal was called!).
She had looked forward to having me experience this gustatory wonder and although we really did not have time to spend that day, thankfully we got up early to make time and enjoyed every delectable, gooey, dripping bite and laugh together over dieting failures, cabbages and kings.
HER FAMILY
Her voice was musical and I can still hear her beautiful and gracious words. She always worked so hard for others and to make them feel at ease. You can see this in the blog she and her family wrote as she travelled through this forest adventure of puzzlement and pain, spiritual growth and evangelism. (Be sure to take time to read some of this blog (please see her blog at this LINK. (http://debdarley.blogspot.com/ ), it will encourage you through any difficulty. She was such a fighter. I am glad to know where she got all that power!)
Her home was built around her family! It was always filled with amazing smells of something cooking or baking. She did crafts that would have featured in Good Housekeeping and was open with her support of the individuality and creativity of her children. Her refrigerator gallery was so big, you could hardly SEE the refrigerator!
She was, to me, a perfect mother, who cared more for the cultivation, development and nurturing of the individuals in her family than she did for anything else! I loved watching her with them and admired how they related with such love of her! I am certain Proverbs 31 was written with her in mind.
I never heard her complain or say anything negative about another...she just glowed and offered a positive perspective to challenge those around her. I’m sure she had some rough spots in her but her love just seemed to smooth them out.
HER LOVE OF JESUS
Deb had such a love of the Lord Jesus Christ and it sustained her when there was suffering and sorrow and pain most of us will never understand. Reading her words and those of family members who kept her blog going is pure testimony to grace and faith and trust in God of all creation and power!
Deb was a long time, not exactly a lifetime friend...but if I had had the opportunity, as she became ill with this horrible cancer, I would have wanted to be with her and care for her and her family as she battled on so bravely and documented her journey along the way to benefit others who might also walk in her shoes.
I long to be home and to spend time with friends I know are in my life for a reason, a season and a lifetime -- and yet can only send my love across the many, many miles right now to embrace Vern and family as they consider their walk together.
Father-God, you have chosen to take your daughter, Deb, home to be with you; to rest now in Your care and enjoy the peace and strength of You in her lifetime walk with You. For Deb was Yours for a reason, for seasons of joy, growth and pain and for a lifetime of eternity with You! Thank You for Your love of my friend and thank You for letting me have her as a friend. In Your Son’s Name, amen.
Take care with love, especially His! Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
Thanks Darlene!
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This afternoon Vern went by the local hospital oncology office where Deb received local support care. The staff already knew about Deb's death but were glad to see me and hear more about her final days. Dr York must have known he wouldn't be needed anymore so he retired last month.
Thanks to all the staff at Fayette-Piedmont Hospital who took such good care of Deb and worked so well with the staff in Arkansas to give Deb the finest care on the planet!
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DONATIONS
UAMS Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy
http://myeloma.uams.edu/donation
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Celebration of Deb's Life
Saturday, Dec 8, 2012
11am EST
Grace Evangelical Church
164 Flat Creek Trail
Fayetteville, GA
30214
http://gracechurchfayette.org
Some directions to be published tomorrow
Some directions to be published tomorrow
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