Monday, February 18, 2008

Friday

Friday was the National Cemetary memorial service. This was a very hard day as we said our final good-byes and realized the reality of Eric's death.
Sitting in the office making final arrangements for his stone was not a happy occasion. It is amazing how detached people are in this business. I had a hard time keeping the "sorrows like sea billows" from rolling over me while they talked about what emblem I would like on his stone.
The service itself was very nice but not as personal as the memorial service we had had a few weeks earlier. At Eric's memorial service Taps was played live and Eric's Chief presented me with the flag. On Friday I knew none of the men of the color guard although one of the sweet moments was to see 80 and 90 year old men complete the 21 gun salute. Eric would have been honored by having these veterans a part of his service. He loved older people.
The highlight of the event was the prayer that was said by the chaplan. Just by his words you knew that this man was a God fearing man. As I write my thoughts and memories down on paper I am reminded again and again how God has placed godly men and women in my life at strategic times. There was a small group of close friends with us and as we all reflected later we realized that we all walked away with a sense of awe that the prayer was so authentic and not rehearsed. How fantastic it was to note that we still have the freedom of religion at a National cemetary while we fight for this same freedom in other parts of our government.
On a side note, I still have the prayer beeper and it continues to go off every couple of seconds. I surmise that the number of times this beeper has gone off is only a reflection of about a quarter of the people who are actually praying for me and my children. I can't thank you enough for your prayers and comments. The verses everyone has shared with me are being written down and I am hoping to memorize the majority of them to better help me reflect on His Word when life gets overwhelming.
Someone told me that I am walking down probably the hardest road that I will ever travel in this life. By God's mercy I had not seen it like that. The word picture that I have used often is that of God as a cloud protecting the Israelites in the wilderness. As I walk through this valley I am oblivious to so much around me because of that cloud of protection. I have my moments of deep anguish but after a few moments I am usually quieted down by a sense of peace. I am embracing the pain and moving forward with what God has for my life. I am going to talk more about that in my next post.
By the way, we lost count after 400,000 on the prayer beeper. Thank you ever so much for those who are calling in and for those who are just continuing to pray without calling in.
~Lazyd

7 comments:

Dawn said...

I have been praying for you and the kiddos every day. Praying for you physically, spiritually, emotionally, etc.

I'd call your prayer beeper but being in Germany, phone calls back to the States aren't cheap. Half of the time my crazy phone doesn't work (that's what we get for getting it second hand huh?).

Going though this with God is so much easier. I can't imagine how the unsaved get through family losses...alcohol, drugs, suicide?
Thank God we have someone to go to in our dispair, in our most sorrowest times.
Hallelujah!

Happy Presidents Day!
Big hugs from my house to yours!

Carol said...

Our daughter directed me to your blog. I have been touched by your faith in the mist of heartache. Please know that as the Lord brings you to my mind I will be praying for you. How comforted you must be to know that your husband loved the Lord, you and your children. Your sister in Christ, Carol

Miss Amy said...

We're still praying for you all.
Love and Hugs,
Amy

Laurie in Ca. said...

I am so glad to hear that you are covered in prayer every minute of the day and I hope it helps on this hard road you are traveling. "Embracing the pain and moving forward with Gods plan for your life" humbles me in my heart. I will pray that much more that His peace covers you and your children and that He lightens the burden and sorrow. May His love surround you.

Love, Laurie in So. Ca.

Steph said...

Praying...

As One Voice said...

Thank you . . . we are continually blessed as we are able to share in your lives, even in this limited way. The network of saints God has gathered together to minister to you and pray for you is incredible. It is a wonderful picture of the body of Christ functioning as intended and it is truly beautiful!

Isaiah 41:13 came to mind as I was thinking of you today. "For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, 'Fear not; I will help thee.'" Another beautiful picture ~ the believer's hand nestled inside the Savior's strong, gentle hand.

Keeping you close in heart and prayer, Diana

A Blessed Life said...

A friend directed me to your blog when your Eric was in the hospital and she requested our prayers. I shared your story that morning with my four children (we homeschool)and asked them to join me in prayer. I am pleased to share that my kids remember your family each day in our prayer and devotion time. We've never called in on your prayer beeper but be assured we are continuing to remember you to our Father.
Love from Alabama