MEMORIES

God washes the eyes by tears until they can behold the invisible land where tears shall come no more.
- Author Unknown

Nehemiah 13:14 "Remember me for this, O my God, and do not blot out what I have so faithfully done for the house of my God and its services."

This was Nehemiah’s request to God after serving the people of Israel in rebuilding the fallen walls of Jerusalem. We all need to remember the good that people have done because it is sometimes a lot easier to remember the errors in one another’s lives. Good memories promote goodness and peace which helps us learn from the mistakes others make.

How do we begin to be sorrowful when loved ones around us depart? It matters how they finish, but most of all how they ran the race as God does not only take a picture at the finish, but rather a video of one’s entire life.

In loving memory of Mama Diane Ottenweller and Rod Fick and others we did not even get to know or hear about. They are family and we mourn them all.

We are so grateful for all that has been done for our family by the church. Please would you kindly communicate the following to the church:
 
At such a sad time, we have been so encouraged by so many of the brothers and sisters in God's family around the world. Sometimes it is the words and hugs of encouragement, sometimes it is the prayers lifted up to God on our behalf, and sometimes it is the many meals and great deal of labor. Many times people don't realize how much both the big and small do to encourage us and feel God's love in a time when we are fighting to get through this intense sadness and pain. We miss our wife and mom, but are so grateful for all you are doing to hold up our hands. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

All our love,
The Ottenwellers

A poem Linda wrote in memory of her husband Rod

When you thought I wasn’t looking,
I felt you kiss me good night,
And I felt loved.
When you thought I wasn’t looking,
I saw tears come from your eyes,
And I learnt that sometimes things hurt,
But it was okay to cry

When you thought I wasn’t looking,
I saw you cared,
And I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn’t looking,
I say you giving without being asked,
And I understood where pure joy came from.

When you thought I wasn’t looking
I saw you kneeling in front of our boys’ bed,
And I knew you would sacrifice yourself
To see their dreams come true.

When you thought I wasn’t looking,
I looked….
And wanted to thank you for all the things I saw,
When you thought I wasn’t looking.
    
Linda Fick