Monday, March 23, 2009

SUNDAY, A DAY OF HONOR

Sunday I visited Bartow First Assembly where I formerly pastored in the 80's. I was present as the church honored Wanda for 27 years of faithful service as church secretary and in recent years as church administrator. 

It was a great day to see the church celebrate and bless my new love. She deserved everything they did and more. They all love her and it makes me realize how blessed I will be to have her as my wife.

Bartow has so many wonderful memories for me with my girls growing up there. It is truly a model for small town America and a great place for the girls to grow up as children. I can visualize riding the streets of that town on bikes with our family. It was a special time.

Now my mind is turning to the new, the good, and dreams ahead. The deep pain in my heart is healing, though the hurt and loss probably will never totally leave. Yet, I know God has good plans ahead. He has everything under control. He is Lord.

It was interesting that the same day Wanda was honored that the article I had written about Kristy's story of how she went to heaven was published and distributed across America and around the world in Today's Pentecostal Evangel . (Double Click on Today's Pentecostal Evangel to read the article.)  Obviously it wasn't planned, but it just happened. 

Wanda even mentioned Kristy's article in her remarks Sunday as she received her honor for service. I was amazed at Wanda's grace and thoughtfulness to respect and honor another even on her special day. This is one reason I love her.

This is an amazing story.

5 comments:

  1. Milton,

    I read the article in Pentecostal Evangel last night. It was a wonderful recap of Kristy's journey that I became familiar with after following her blog from November 2007 till July 2008. Even though I never met her, I knew her brother, Terry, and his wife, Sandra, back in the early 1970s. Her "cloud of peace and chair of strength" is an example we should all want if faced with similar circumstances.

    Wishing you and Wanda a future of Happiness.

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  2. We are all so happy for you Milton. Please forgive me for bugging you...but we are all eager to see a picture of Wanda. Hint, hint....

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  3. Hi Milton,
    Thanks for your posts. I read the article in the Pentecostal Evangel and thought you did a great job sharing yours and Kristy's story. God was lifted up and glorified in those words. Thanks also for telling us how Wanda was honored by her church. What loving people. I will be praying for you both and for your families.
    Blessings,
    Carrie

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  4. Milton, what a touching article about Kristy's final months. It's still hard to believe she's gone.

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  5. A great tribute to Kristy, Milton. May God continue to give you strength.

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