Farewell, my Angel

This is a very hard blog for me to write, so I will keep it short: Debbie passed away Jan. 5, 2010.

Istvan (her loving husband)
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She spent Thanksgiving with the family, then made trips to Houston in November and early December. She was doing great. Then, a few days before Christmas, she started feeling ill. We has to rush her to the Emergency Room. Ironically, we had planned to abandon her chemo regimen because it was more harmful than helpful and wanted to replace with a natural solution that was highly recommended by cancer survivors we met at Roseland. The ingredients arrived the day after Debbie went to ER. But it was too late. She never recovered.

We had a beautiful memorial service for Debbie on Saturday Jan. 9, 2010, in the Hambrick Chapel at Roseland Plantation. It was magnificent service. She preached the Gospel message of salvation unto her last breath. She loves the Lord with all her heart, mind and soul and is joyfully basking in his company as I write this. Her farewell address follows:
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Deborah’s Farewell

Do not grieve for me, my dear family!
Do not weep and do not mourn!
For I am finally home, my mission complete.
I rest in the bosom of my beloved Jesus.
I am with my family, Mom, Dad, and Homer.

I have lived 52 years on Earth, amid trials and tribulations.
All those years I longed for peace and joy,
For freedom from liars, thieves, and wicked men.
I have endured insults, abuse, and neglect.
Day and night I cried out to the Lord,“Why must I endure such tribulation?
Rescue me, rescue me, oh Lord, from this pit of terror!”

I have sinned against the Lord my God.
I have transgressed his commands, in spite of my best efforts.
I have cried rivers of tears; I have moaned and groaned in my affliction.
I have studied the Word, prostrated myself, and prayed.
I have fought with unbelievers, with demons, and evil spirits.
I have been wounded and ill; I have been tired, hungry, and in pain.
But you, Lord, are gracious and forgiving to those who confess their sins and
You were there with me and carried me through these terrible years.
You, oh Lord, have been my rock, my strength, and my joy.

I have loved and been loved; but no love compares to the love of Jesus!
Man’s love fades, man’s love demands, man’s love is capricious.
But not Jesus. Not my beloved Jesus. His love is pure.
His love endures forever. His love is without condition, without limit.
His love is unfailing, just, and forgiving of my sins.
His love alone sustained me in my years of darkness.

But now I have returned home, back to my Maker and Lord.
I worship in the joyous company of His saints and Angels.
What a glorious place this is!
There is no darkness, no night, no alarm clock, no labor.
I can paint, dance, and sing – all for the glory of my Lord and King.
I can see, oh yes I can see everything so clearly at last!
Thank God for His mercy, grace, and love.

And, though we be parted for now, dear family and friends, I am not gone.
I am here in heaven, awaiting your arrival soon.
Think of it as a long trip, an extended cruise.
Soon you will be joining me, for our separation is but a mere blink of an eye.
For I see the place He is preparing for you all, and it is beautiful beyond imagination!
And then we shall rejoice, sing, and dance together in His company.
Forever, and ever, and ever.
How glorious will that be?

All these years I have turned my eyes toward the sky, awaiting Jesus’ return
In eager anticipation in majesty, glory and power as it is written.
But He took me home first, and I will return with Him in the Day of the Lord.
Then He shall create a New Earth and a new Jerusalem and reign in peace, health, and prosperity for ever and ever.
Praise God!

So, do not grieve for me, my dear family!
Do not weep and do not mourn!
For I am finally home, my mission complete.
I rest in the bosom of my beloved Jesus.
I walk with the Apostles, the Prophets, the Saints.
The Lord has prepared a place for us all, and it is beautiful beyond imagination.
This is the home I longed for but never had, lo all these years on Earth.
There is no more pain, no more sorrow.
Do not grieve for me, my dear family.
Rejoice. Rejoice in the Lord’s grace, mercy, and love!
REJOICE! Praise God!