My dad passed away on 2-11-2005

[St. Augustine's Pears]

Hello all...I'm writing this to tell you that my dad, who had terminal lung cancer, died February 11, 2005 at 8:48 pm.

Although I am a wreck right now, I just wanted you all to know that I am also happy. Why? Because on February 7, just 4 days before his death, my dad accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour. I know that he is finally without pain, he is with Jesus, and that I will be with him again someday.

I will post more information at a later date. Right now, I'm going to get some sleep...tomorrow our family has to take care of a lot of things.

Take care and God bless.

[Shell]

It's hard to lose someone, I'm sorry about your dad. Like you said though, he's with Jesus and no longer in pain.

[calicowriter]

May the peace of God be with you St. Augustine's Pears, and with your family. What a comfort to have the assurance that you will see your dad again.

I am constantly amazed by the workings of our God. Yesterday morning I felt a strong urgency to pray for you and an acquaintence of mine. I am so glad that I obeyed this call.

[epdc]

saint augustine, I`m sorry, REALLY sorry for you won`t have your dad with you anymore... but I rejoice to know he accepted Jesus, God always answered our prayers, God might answer at the last minute but He will never be late.

*hug* I`ll be praying for you and please keep in touch ok?

[St. Augustine's Pears]

Hello all again...I'm typing this on Sunday evening, February 13, 2005.

My dad's wake was today. The viewing was from 1 pm to 3 pm. He will be cremated, as per his wishes. We are having a memorial service on Tuesday, February 15 at First Baptist Church in my hometown of Winterset, IA at 7 pm.

My dad was admitted to Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, IA on Monday, February 7 with pneumonia. This, combined with his cancer, put him in the ICU. The doctor told my dad that he might not make it thru the night. My brother and sister-in-law, along with their pastor, came to the hospital. Dad himself asked to talk to the pastor, and he proceeded to lead my dad to Christ that afternoon.

During the rest of the week, most of Dad's family came to visit him. On Friday, the doctor told my dad he would never leave the hospital due to his condition (he smoked for 50 years; his lungs were completely shot). My dad made the decision to go to Taylor Hospice here in Des Moines. Around 6 pm, they moved him to the hospice. Shortly after, at 8:48 pm, February 11, my dad died. He was in no pain, due to the use of morphine, so he died peacefully.

Although I know he is with Jesus now and he is free of pain, the loss of my dad is killing me. Please pray for my mom, who is a complete wreck right now. My parents were married for 39 years, and she is taking this extremely hard. Please pray for my mom to be comforted, along with the rest of my family. Also, please pray for me, as I am giving my dad's eulogy at his memorial service on Tuesday.

I will write more at a later time. Thank you and God bless.

[Shell]

It is normal to be a wreck when you lose someone; God will get you through this. You'll always miss him, but it won't always be as bad as it is now.

[seichu kaisho]

Whenever I'm feelin' down, I like to read or think of something funny. Maybe read one of my crazy fortune cookies; it might help, I don't know. And there are those two weird story threads, also.

Humor is good for the hair and the soul.

[epdc]

I know Saint Augustine Pears. I know is hard, you love him and was a huge part of your life, of course you are gonna miss him!!!!.

*HUG* I`ll be praying for you and your mom...

[WR1U]

I'll keep you in prayer. My dad passed away April of 04 so I understand what your going through. It does get easier. The stabing heartache will subside and the fond memories wiwll come through. God bless. Gary.

[PetfanInCt]

Sorry to hear about your loss. Its very difficult to lose a loved one. Praise God that your father accepted Christ and that you will see him again. You, your family and your mom are in my prayers

[executioner]

Saint,

I know in the past you have told us that God Fixation is your Fav. Petra Album, so just remember that we are here and are lefting you up in prayers and someday you will get to say "Hello Again"

[St. Augustine's Pears]

Hello all...just wanted to give you an update.

Well, on Tuesday night, February 15, we held a memorial service for my dad at First Baptist Church in Winterset, IA. (Following the wake/viewing on Sunday, February 13, Dad was cremated, as per his wishes).

I got up to do a eulogy about my dad. At first, I didn't think I'd be able to do it. I was shaking and I felt like sobbing, but I calmed down. I read Matthew 15:4 (Jesus echoing the 10 commandments; "For God commanded, saying, honor thy father and mother").

I told some stories about Dad...like the time I was flunking 3 classes in my last semester of high school, and Dad threatening to "kick my a--" if I didn't pull my grades up enough to graduate (I did...class of '88).

Or the time I was hospitalized after trying to kill myself for the second time in 3 years. My dad came into the hospital and told me point blank that "If you think your life sucks that bad that you want to kill yourself, you'd better be successful on your next try, because your mom and I are too old and too tired of this.".

See, my dad believed in "tough love"...and I thank him for that. Because if he had treated me with "kid gloves", I probably wouldn't be here. Don't get me wrong...I know my dad loved me very much, but sometimes, instead of using a gentle hand, he had to use a boot to my behind, too!

I talked about how, just hours before he died, Dad took hold of my brother's hand and mine and told us he loved us, and was proud of us. We told him we loved him, too...and that he'd been a great father.

I also said that, even though he is in heaven with Jesus, is completely without pain, and is seeing things we can only dream about...I guess I'm a little selfish. I miss my dad, and I wish he was still here.

My mom's pastor got up and said that he had gone and visited my dad on Friday morning, and Dad had some questions. My dad was still a little concerned that, after living 60 years without Christ, that God was going to let him into heaven "at the last minute". (My dad was saved 4 days before his death on February 7...my brother's pastor lead him to Christ).

See, for most of his life, my dad didn't want to know about Jesus. Not that he hated Christianity (or religion in general)...it's just that, as he used to say, "Hey, it's fine for you...I just don't want to hear about it.". Now, having accepted Christ just days before he was to pass away, he was wondering how God could welcome him into heaven, after ignoring Him for so long.

Mom's pastor told him that God's grace is so big, that ANY sinner at ANY time can be saved if they accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour with a sincere heart. After their short talk, my dad's fears were laid to rest.

I can only imagine how Dad must have felt, standing before Jesus, and hearing Him say, "Enter in!". I love you, Dad...and I'll see you someday. I'm gonna run to you, hug you, and say, "Hello again!"...and this time, it's forever.

*Thank you all for your condolences...especially Executioner, for reminding me of the song "Hello Again".

[epdc]

I almost cried , what you said was beautyful, I mean it. Your dad seemed to be a really cool guy. My dad is tough too but we know he loves us more than we would ever imagine.


I rejoice when I read what your pastor said. I rejoice because I could imagine how many years you might had prayed for him so he would know Jesus and how many times he said no and seeing God answering in the right place and right time.

Love you man, we will be praying....