January 17, 2009

• January 17, 2009

   

  ~In loving Memory/Celebration of Gavin Wagner's Life~

  (This is especially for Brian and Donna and for those who couldn't be at the funeral today.)

   

   

  

  Gavin went home to be with Jesus after a 9 month battle with cancer. For those who do not know the family, Gavin is on the right of this family picture. We arrived at 8am to help prepare the meal for the family and friends. I slipped away for just a bit to take a few pictures before the service began.

   

   

   

  What a joy to work together with these dear people. We often hear the expression "many hands make light work" and this was especially true today as we served around 315 guests.

   

   

  

   

  

   

  

   

  

   

   

  

   

  

  My  Mother - concentrating!

   

   

  

   

  

  By now you know what our menu was!

   

   

  

  This is called - side benefits of helping in the kitchen! There are always crumbs to clean before handing the cake pan over to the sink!!

   

   

   

  

  This best friend of mine is not bothering with the crumbs!!

   

   

   

  

  Martha and Nancy organize this meal; you hear their names called over and over again as we helpers ask many questions. They are a blessing here in the kitchen!! Their husbands organize the fellowship hall as our husbands set the tables up, line them with paper, and then put ALL the place settings on. I heard one husband ask his wife which side of the plate the knife goes on!    We gladly answer these questions as this job takes time!!

   

   

  Encouraging Messages

  

  I wish I could put on here all the points of the messages we heard today! It was so very encouraging! The theme of this service was - HOPE! And this is the verse that was given to us by Gavin's family:  Romans 15:13  "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  Our elder, Marv Shenk, opened the service with a few thoughts and prayer. Then we sang - "When peace like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul....." then the chorus.

  Gavin's Mother's brother, Nate, on the right spoke next. He gave meaningful memories the family is cherishing. He also said that the family was gathered at the Hospice Center as Gavin's life was ready to go to Jesus and just shortly after he died the family sang this song, "It is Well with my Soul!" What a sacrifice of praise to our Heavenly Father.

  Ron is on the left and is Gavin's Mother's brother-in-law. Both these men are ministers. Ron brought encouragement from scripture. If you were not able to attend today, I would love to ask you to get a CD of today's messages! If I write all the encouragement I received from this, you would be reading awhile. Besides, I can't tell you like Ron said it!!

   

   

  

  This is Gavin's Grandpa Myer on the right (and Grandma next to him.)  Jim had a story for the children. He sat on the pulpit steps and invited the children to come front and sit on the floor. You MUST listen to the CD! It was so meaningful.....things Gavin is not going to need in Heaven.

  Twice we had Power Point presentations of their precious Gavin and family times. Oh my, this was so precious (I see I keep using this word but it was exactly that!) as you saw Gavin's healthy days and then his 9 months of sickness. We were reminded in the messages that just as God formed Gavin's body as Psalms 139 tells us, just so God knew all about these 9 months of cancer. He was in control! We believe Gavin's short seven years will/have brought glory to God!

   

   

  

  Please notice the notes on these balloons. They say,

  To my cousins: "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42:5                     Love, Gavin

  The cousins took these along to the graveside service. Faye said, "It was beautiful as they all went up - staying together. The sun glistened on them as they went higher and higher." What a verse for adults, as well, to hide in our hearts.

   

   

  

  This is Gavin's Daddy's parents - Grandpa and Grandma Wagner. (John and Joyce) John passed on to his sons and grandsons his love of outdoor life - hunting and fishing. One of the bouquets of flowers had a fishing rod in it!

   

   

  

  This is Maddie - Gavin's only sister. Just as I was ready to take this picture, her cousin stepped over and gave her a hug. It was priceless! (He didn't see my camera!)

   

   

   

  

  This is Gavin's Mother's sister, Brenda (her son gave the hug.)

   

   

   

  

  And this is Gavin's dear parents, Kris and Jeff Wagner. If you have followed their Care Pages through the hospital, you have witnessed them leaning on the Lord! They have been a testimony of God's grace!!!  I know our church family will continue to remember them in prayer as they adjust to life without Gavin. If you don't know them, join us in lifting them to our Heavenly Father - especially for all the "firsts." We love you, Jeff and Kris.

   

   

   

  

  Back to the kitchen - the meal is over and we're getting everything back in proper place.

   

   

   

  

   

  

   

  

  The tables are back in place and everything is ready for Sunday School tomorrow morning. Tonight I had some quiet time; I went to Psalms 48.  As I came to verse 14 my heart was encouraged as I thought about this young couple and how brave they have been. They have witnessed this verse; they have seen it to be very true. It has new meaning to me - "For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even unto death."

   

   

   

  • 7:50 pm
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