Last Time In Church

Written on: 9/13/2013

September 13, makes is four years ago we had our benefit concert for Bonnie,  after several suggestions for what to call the concert, Bonnie decided the title for the concert should be: Hope & Encouragement.

Dozen's of people spent hours and hours to make the evening possible,  we felt loved and supported then and we continue to do so today.  In the midst of Bonnie's absence I am blessed and I continue to feel God's faithfulness often expressed by so many of our friends and family.  

From what I can remember, her concert may have been her last time in church - September 13th, 2009  (so what's your excuse :)...Anyway, we knew we had a long road in front of us, but I was very confident that she would be healed.  We were planning for the future.  Plans we already in place for her family to visit us at Christmas.  Seven weeks later Bonnie was in heaven, Healed completely. 

As I think back I wonder, How did I not know that the love of my life, the mother of our daughter, was dieing in front of me and she would only have weeks to live?  Maybe the Lord put blinders on me? I don't think I was in denial... no one shook me and slapped me to wake me up!  Maybe it was a lesson we learned while raising McKenzie - to appreciate each day with her, each year was to be cherished as she was growing up, don't keep looking into the future about what's next - enjoy the moment.  No doubt when the word Hospice was mentioned I then realized our lives were about to change... With Bonnie we enjoyed each day to the best of our abilities...even to the end when I was singing to her as she passed into eternity.  

I wonder who you need to enjoy the day with today?  Who can you be a blessing to?  Make it happen!

A major thank you to Kurt & Jill Balok, Susan & Merle Turner and their children Ryan and Jen, Marshall Hall, Kory Kredit, David Shrein,  the staff at work, and Dan & Robert.  Diane and mom (whose now with Bonnie in heaven), Michele, Esther, Becky for all being here and the many, many, many others... who served, donated and enjoyed a evening of Hope & Encouragement.