Wow!!!

We had a big event take place in our lives this past Saturday night.
My oldest daughter Noel got engaged.


She was very excited when she came home!


So many people have asked me how I feel about this.
I have to admit I am a little nervous about what it is going to cost.

The other question is how I feel about her fiance Jimbo.

Here are some things I really like about Jimbo...

• He loves God

This thrills me. This is something Kelli and I prayed for before Noel was born. He promised Kelli and I that they would raise our grandchildren in a Godly home.

• He respects and loves my daughter

He better! It is obvious by the way he treats her. He made their engagement a very special event with fireworks and a lot more. He didn't skimp on the ring either.

• He asked me first

This was a big deal for me. Jimbo came to my wife and I a month ago and asked our permission. He also had me ask my dad for his permission before he passed away. Smart boy!

• He has become a part of our family

We love having him around. He gets involved in what we do and enjoy. It is nice to have another male in the house.

• He is involved in ministry

Jimbo helps with our student ministry at the Sawgrass Campus.

• He loves "The U"

He is one of the few people that may love the University of Miami more than me.
Yes, we have season tickets together.


We are excited for Noel and Jimbo. We are praying for them and would ask you to do the same.

Lesson Learned

In anything we do or encounter in life there are are lessons to be learned.
Here are some lessons learned through the past couple of weeks for me.

• God is faithful

I honestly don't know how people go through a major loss in their life without God. He truly does give grace and strength at these times in our lives to allow us to go forward. My family and I experienced this over and over during the last couple of weeks and are grateful.
Thank you Father!

• I am not a good crier

Crying is not easy for me. To be honest, it hurts. When I let go and cry it is like having the "dry heaves". It's not fun and I don't like it. It makes me feel weak and vulnerable. It's ugly too. This is one of those things that I have to do alone.

• Good memories will sustain you and bring healing

Good memories are a gift from God. These memories allow you to have conversations that make you smile and laugh. Many of those that came to the viewing and service for my father shared their memories with us and it was such an encouragement and help.
I have so many good memories of my dad. Even the last few days up until his last breath are memories that I will cherish.
I value making memories now more than ever!

• Good friends are priceless

I can't begin to tell you how blessed my family and I are to have good friends. Our family had so many friends from over the years bless us with cards, e-mails, phone calls, visits, flowers, meals and gifts. We can't even begin to say thanks for all that was done for us.
For me personally, when you are 12 hours away from home and you see your friends come walking in when you are hurting, you know you are blessed! These are the friends I enjoy doing life with. I would take a bullet for any of them. I love you guys!

• You can learn how to live well and you can learn how to die well

I kept hearing this from those that were close to my dad at the end. Even when he could barely talk he would still say "Thank you" and "I love you" with a smile. He never complained about anything. He was kind and grateful at the end of his life.
I believe this is all about right relationships. A right relationship with God and others will keep you from being grumpy and mean at the end. I really want to live this out in my life.

I know there are many more lessons that I learned and will learn. These are the ones on my heart. I hope they will be a help to you when you have to face a loss.

One lesson I continue to learn is to be open and vulnerable with things in my life. It is not easy but even writing this today is a part of that process.

Words

Do you remember the old saying, "sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never harm me"?
It's a lie!
Words can hurt and cause pain. We have all experienced it.
Words can also bring healing.
This is what my family and I have been experiencing over the past couple of days.
The staff and people of my church FRC have been incredible. Thanks! I love and appreciate every one of you.
There have been so many others as well. So many phone calls, e-mails, text, flowers, gifts. and meals have been sent our way.
We want to say thanks for all the kind words and also for being a part of our healing.

PS - Here is a picture of my dad with my daughters right after he started his chemotherapy.

This reminds me of who he was!

HERO

Hero

Today I lost my hero

He slowly faded away

It hurts to lose a hero

It’s hard to know what to say

I tried to prepare for today

Hoped for a different way

But now my hero’s gone

I’ll find a way to carry on

Maybe I can be a hero

But I’ll never fill your shoes

I’ve got to be myself but

I don’t know what to do

Your face was full of kindness

Compassion shining through

Touching those encountered

Jesus shown through you

Now I know I’ll be a hero

I’m not the same as you

I’m gonna be a hero

I’ll do my best for you

E. G. Robertson

November 26, 1931 – March 26, 2008

Dad passed on to heaven at 9:10 this morning

Pain

I am trying to figure out this pain thing but I am not getting very far.
I sat by my dad's bed early this morning and felt pain like I never have. Crying didn't help. Gritting my teeth didn't work. Praying helped a little but I gotta be honest and tell you it didn't take it all away.

I have had physical pain from injuries and stupidity.
I have had emotional pain from bad choices.
I have had mental pain from lack of preparation or execution.
I have had spiritual pain from ungodly decisions.

This one today seems to hurt more than all of those.
My dad is not in a lot of pain but for some reason I am and I hate admitting these kind of things. Maybe it is pride or the fear of being weak but now you know.

I just remember my dad being "Superman".














When he was around you better not mess with me or anyone he loved or was protecting.

I remember a neighbor cursing out my sister because our ball went in his yard. When dad got home he made it clear to the man that that would never happen again. Later he was embarrassed and even apologized to the man and us. That was just who he was. We loved it and felt safe and secure. I don't think that man ever yelled at us again.

It is hard to see "Superman" laying in a bed unable to move or talk and having a tough time breathing.
I wish I could take his place but I know he would never let that happen. I also know God has many plans with all of this.

Back to my pain...
While I was sitting by his bed hurting he his raised his delicate soft hand up and reached for mine. I placed my hand in his and I forgot about my pain for a while. I didn't have to say a word.














It is amazing how the pain subsides when you place your hand in the hand of your Father.
I did that with my heavenly Father today too.
It helped!

Thanks

I just wanted to take a moment and say thanks to so many of you as family and friends.
You prayers, notes, messages and love have made a difference for us.
I am home for a couple of days. I am going to head back up on Monday.

We had a great time and made some memories that we will cherish. I really believe that this was a gift from God.
I talked to my mom and sister a few moments ago. He continues to weaken. They were thinking that it would be great if he went on to heaven on Easter day.
I think that would be cool. God's timing will be right for all of us.
He is not in pain which is another blessing and his mind continues to be sharp. He stays aware of everything going on in the room.
Thanks again for your care during this time.

C-Word

I got a call from my mom on Wednesday night at 11:00 PM. She began to tell me that my dad was wanting to tell everyone in the family goodbye.














This was a hard conversation for many reasons but the biggest was I was here in South Florida and they were in SC.

My dad has the c-word and it has him in his final days. I hate the c-word. I really don't even like to talk about it. It has caused so much hurt and grief in our family and with friends. This is not only true in my life but in millions around the world that have had to face this in one way or another.

Thank God that there are some organizations that are trying to make a difference in the c-word. My church FRC just had a huge Garage sale and gave all the proceeds to the ACS. I am proud to be a part of a church like FRC that is willing to make a difference in ways like this. You should see all that we are doing for Easter this weekend.

My wife, daughters and I did talk to my dad on the phone and tell him goodbye.

That sucked! Sorry but it did!

I went into my office and got some airline tickets and we flew up to see him early the next morning.

Brilliant!

This was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
I just saw him last week but the c-word makes everything so unpredictable that it is hard to know when to do what. I just got back this morning but we had an awesome trip. We are ready for whatever comes our way now. I am going back up Monday on a trip that was already scheduled so I will get to be with him, my mom,














(I am convinced that she is the strongest and most incredible woman in the world) and the rest of our family.
They tell us it will be any day now.

Back to the c-word....
As much as I hate it in a strange way it has given us a gift.
Time!
We have had time to say the things we need to say and do some things that we needed to do.
One of my prayers lately has been, "God I don't understand or like the CANCER thing but thanks! It has given us the time we need to prepare for what is ahead.

As always God knows what is best, even with the c-word!!!