My Testimony about Mark

I felt I would post this for those who weren't at Mark's funeral.  It was hard to put down just a few words for a life well lived serving Christ.  Somehow, though, God had laid on my heart to share how faithful a life Mark lived through all the pain he had suffered the last 7 years.  We never really knew exactly what Mark had. He had been to many doctors and had lots of tests run and for all his symptoms, Lymes Disease seemed to fit what he had.  Whatever he had, he had chronic pain and sometimes it was almost unbearable.  We kept hoping and praying that he would be healed and thought it would be in this life.  Mark is now completely healed and with Jesus. I would also like to share how gracious God was to Mark in his passing.  Mark had mentioned to me a few times how nice it would be go to sleep in this life and wake up in Heaven.  That's exactly how it happened to him.  Also, he said he didn't want to die alone and it would be nice if I was beside him.  Well, he got that desire as well.  Then recently, because of having the surgery out of town, he had said that he didn't want to die out town.  Well, he died at his earthly home and went to his heavenly home.  This gave me comfort to know that he did get those desires of his heart.  Now the testimony follows:

Today as we are celebrating Mark's homegoing, it's very difficult to summarize almost 40 years in just a few minutes of time. If ever there was a giving and caring person, it was Mark. I know because I could see it daily in his life. He was a God honoring man and lived his whole life serving and praising God. The last 7 years have been difficult for him but his faith never wavered. At times he would struggle with not being able to do the things he had been able to do in the past but who wouldn't when your pain almost becomes unbearable. We never really understood why Mark had this trial on earth but we saw God's grace always carry him through. He kept his eyes focused on Jesus who he loved so much. He was a devoted family man which was pretty evident to all. He always wanted to see that my needs and even wants were met if possible. I know he loved me dearly as I do him. It is hard when you lose the one dearest on earth to you. Mark loved his children and grandchildren and always wanted the best in their lives. He so wanted all his grandchildren to know Jesus. He knew without a doubt that his children knew Jesus because their lives definitely reflect it. Mark's love to his parents and my parents was so evident as well. He loved all the family both his and mine. He had a closeness with his brothers. He loved our church family. If Mark was your friend, you had a friend indeed. Mark was so special in every way. He had a quick wit and sense of humor that was unsurpassed. We miss him so and will miss him much in the days, months and years ahead but are so thankful that he suffers no more.

Mark was always searching the scriptures to find the answers he needed. Mark was a man full of knowledge and wisdom. If you knew Mark well, you know what an inquisitive nature he had. Now all his questions have been answered. Mark would often say my salvation will be complete when I see my Saviour. He looked forward to that day and now it has come. It's hard to put in just a few words all the qualities of Mark. He was a great spiritual leader, an excellent example of faith to his children and grandchildren and all who knew him. He was the most wonderful husband to me and of course, he was my very best friend. I could not have asked God for any better and I'm so blessed that He gave me Mark for almost 40 years. I wish there could have been more time with him but that wasn't in God's plan. If Mark could be here today, he would want everyone here to have the personal relationship that he had with Jesus Christ. He never wanted to be recognized for things he did. He just wanted to live a simple life. His life's work on this side has ended and now he is enjoying all the glories of Heaven. Most importantly He is with Jesus the author and finisher of his faith. We can say of Mark that he has fought a good fight, he has finished his course, and he has kept the faith. Thank you, God, for giving us Mark and thank you for his wonderful testimony and the many lives he has touched! We thank you that his suffering has ceased and the legs that weren't mobile in this life now leap for joy! To God be the Glory!

My Journey Begins

On March 17, 2014, I began a whole new chapter in my life.  My status had changed from being married to being a widow.  I had enjoyed my lot in life to that point.  I was happily married to the most wonderful man in the world to me for almost 40 years. On June 14 we would have been married 40 years.  You just never can imagine the feeling of  emptiness until it happens to you.  He was my best half and my very best friend.  We had always been fairly private people but somehow I felt doing a blog would help me since I always shared everything with my honey.  We were inseparable which is another reason that this permanent separation in this life is so extremely hard.  All that being said, I can say without a doubt that God has been my strength and comfort.  He has now gotten me through 12 days. It has not been easy because I miss him so terribly much.  There have been times, though, that I could just sense a peace that only God could give me. I thank God for giving me my husband for this amount of time and thankful for all the great times we had.  God blessed our family with two wonderful children and then their wonderful spouses and now we have 11 precious grandchildren.  Our family totalled 17 but now we have one missing who was so important to all of us. So thus my journey of widowhood begins.