The Lord gives STRENGTH to His people;
The Lord blesses His people with PEACE
:: Psalm 29:11 ::
On Friday February 14th at 11:00 am, our family and a few of Kristin's special friends gathered together at the graveside to commit Kristin's body to the earth. We were told to expect rain, but we were blessed with a dry day and even some beautiful sunshine. A reminder of God's love when we were hurting so deeply.
Pallbearers
Dave Jones :: Brother in Law
Roger Unrau :: Brother in Law
Ryan Erickson :: Brother in Law
Ryan Epp :: Cousin
Aaron Peters :: Cousin
Derek Weiss :: Cousin
Pastor Jim Lucas shared a special story about Kristin that had us all grinning from ear to ear. He shared a sermon that he had preached one Sunday morning, and during his sermon he explained that he only hugs family due to society's fear of inappropriate touching. After the sermon, Kristin approached him and gave him a GIANT KRISTIN HUG and then said to him, 'I guess we're family now'! When Kristin hugged, she was the person who determined when it was time to let go. She held on tight and didn't let go until she was good and ready.
Pastor Jim spoke of how the BEST of Kristin has left her body. What we loved most about her, and what made her so unique, had already gone on to Heaven. She would no longer need her broken body, and he assured us that she would be made new and we would see her again!
Kristin's four children, her three nieces, and two nephews all wrote her beautiful Valentine's messages on purple hearts. After the pastor's message, the kids all approached Kristin's beautiful blue casket and tucked their love letters under the flowers. Kristin loved holidays, and it was a beautiful way for the kids to all express their love for her while honoring Valentine's Day ~a day of LOVE.
Shawn and the kids all took turns pulling a beautiful pink rose from the flowers on the casket.
And then the rest of our immediate family followed.
The rain held off and her beautiful brocade casket mimicked the blue sky peaking out from the clouds above us. She said she wanted cream but they don't make that one anymore. We weren't too worried about that, we knew she loved color...lots and lots of color!
Shawn and the kids all took turns pulling a beautiful pink rose from the flowers on the casket.
Kristin loved her Mother in law, and was thrilled that she had done the flower arrangements for her wedding. I'm sure she would have been so proud that the beautiful arrangements at both the graveside and church services, were also made by Wiffy with love.
After prayers, hugs, tears, and of course a few pictures, we left the cemetery with broken hearts.
Come to Me all who are WEARY
and I will give you
REST
:: Matthew 11:28 ::
A beautiful memory for a special Valentine's Day in honor of someone very special to so many.... that was definitely Kristin, not only to her family but seemingly everyone that knew of her!!!
ReplyDeleteShe was shining down on all of you that day. I remember being in tech room at the church prepping the songs for the service at just after 11am, about the time you were gathered at the gravside, the most beautiful, peaceful ray of sunshine shone through the church landing perfectly on the table in the sanctuary where your memories of her were to be placed, it shone on the flowers that Wiffy had made and the many bouquets of love that were sent to the church that morning. As I sat there praying for peace for all of you that morning, her ray of sunshine continued to shine down on all of you and into the sanctuary where we would celebrate her life and final farewell.
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ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful that you have been brave enough to share this deeply emotional experience with us, I'm sure all of your readers appreciate that immensely.
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