TWO GREAT CHURCH SERVICES...

Milton, here for Kristy:

Sundays are greatest days of the week to me. The Lord's Holy Day. A day dedicated to Him.

Kristy was resting well Sunday morning so I slipped off to church. I sat on the front row pew and worshipped. Didn't speak or do anything. This is my only recollection as a pastor of sitting in a church service and not having an active part in leading the service in some fashion. I sat on the front pew and worshipped and soaked in God's presence.

My 83 year young father preached for me. It was a great service with several dimensions--we honored Sunday School teachers, had a special salute for Memorial Day and our fallen soldiers, shared in the Lord's Table, sang worship songs of praise, enjoyed beautiful special music, and then heard a powerful message from my Dad.

I sat on the front row. I just sat there, worshipped, and let Him touch me.

Dad spoke from John 14:1&2: "Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled...." He said there is trouble, but the Lord has everything in control. There is political trouble, economic trouble, global volcanic/earthquake trouble, weather trouble, and personal trouble, but....God has everything under control.

Oh, how I needed that service.

***
We came home from church, ate lunch, relaxed a few moments, and then out of the clear blue Kristy said, "I want to have church!"

We had church again this time with Kristy. I'll write about that service later.

LOOK AT THE COLORS...

Milton, here for Kristy:

"Look there is a yellow one, and a white one, and a purple one, and a red one. Oh, the colors are sooo beautiful," Kristy whispered.

"This is a wonderful day, it's gorgeous out here," she continued.

We held hands and looked out through the back porch onto the deck which I had lined Friday afternoon with fresh potted flowers. She looked down into the yard where there were more flowers just planted.

We basked in the moments sitting together thanking God for His goodness and grace, for each other, for love yet growing and blessed.

After twenty or so minutes in her wheel chair she needed to move inside to a more comfortable place. Those moments are etched into my mind never to be forgotten regardless of the future.

I planted these flowers and put them on the deck where she can look out from the bedroom sliding doors onto the screen porch to the deck. She asked to go out to the porch which is something she hadn't done. I guess she could feel the beauty of the day and wanted to enjoy.

These are cherished memories enjoying beautiful flowers with the love of my life.

How Is Kristy?

She rested well Saturday night after a very rough evening. The confusion and physical weakness are more and more difficult, but we work with her to get her up as much as possible.

She keeps praising God for His goodness.

Oh, what marvelous faith and trust she has in her Lord Jesus Christ.

WHAT ABOUT CLAUDIA?

Milton, here for Kristy:


Claudia got her broken arm set Friday and is a busy little girl again. Jennifer said Claudia wants the cast off now, but it will be a number of weeks before she is free of it. Hopefully she has learned that she is not superman or supergirl.

Thanks for all your prayers for Claudia, Jennifer, and our family. Pray now for Jennifer to have strength and wisdom to help busy little four year old Claudia through this time.

Kristy was up some today, but is not resting well late this evening (Saturday). Pray that God will settle her and give her a good nights rest.

I GOT MY MAMA BACK!

Milton, here for Kristy:

Our precious Julie has returned home for a few days and wrote the following thoughts. As you will read, Kristy has rallied some though she faces so many unbelievable hardships. She doesn't complain and still proclaims the goodness of the Lord.

The pictures were taken Friday evening in our family room. You will read how Kristy got everything just right for these pictures in Julie's post.

***

Julie, here:

I got my mama back!

We had the best night tonight! I got in this afternoon from Tampa and was so happy to see my mother sitting in the recliner in the living room. For the most part these past weeks she has laid in a hospital bed either at hospice or here at home. It has broken my heart to see my sweet, industrious mother laying in a bed all day just staring at the ceiling, unable to sit up on her own, feed herself, have a conversation, or even just watch T.V. with me. I wrote the following this past week:

I want my Mama!!!

As I sat by my mother's bed late Saturday night, those were the words that were repeating themselves in my mind. You know how young children cry, "I want my mommy!" That's how I felt. I wanted her to get up and to talk with me. I wanted us to turn on HGTV and talk about decorating styles. I want my mother back…

Well, I got her back just a little bit tonight! Aunt Sandra, Uncle Terry, Aunt Becky, Uncle Don, Dad, and Sandra and Don Barfield were here with us tonight. We enjoyed a lovely dinner that some of my parents' dear friends prepared for us. It was so nice to sit at my parents' kitchen table and eat with my mom sitting in the same room with me, so close by. The other day I ate there and thought about how she would never sit at that table with us again, and how sorely I missed her and would miss her in the future.

Mom did experience a lot of confusion tonight, but she was also very alert and was clear a lot of the time. Not only was she clear, she was down right funny! We had such a good time! When it was time for Dad to put her in the wheelchair and take her back to her bed, she wanted some pictures.

She asked us to go get her lipstick. She would not let Dad pick her up, and she would not let Uncle Terry take her picture until she had her "orangey lipstick" on! She hasn't asked about makeup or even been alert or aware enough to want it in weeks! And if you know my mother, she has always worn her special shade of lipstick all of the time, especially for pictures!

It's quite a process getting her back in her bed, but after we all got her back in her bed, she began to get upset. She became confused and thought she was going to miss her flight.
She said, "Oh no! I've delayed them. I'm holding everything back. I've burdened everyone."

She wanted to have a talk with all of us girls and she told us how thankful she was of the good care we've given her and how much she loved us. She said she wanted to pay for our tickets too because we have and will pray for her and will support her. She was worrying about leaving things behind. She pulled the covers up and looked down at her feet to see if she had her heels on. She said she would need to bring her light weight shoes. She asked us if we were coming too.

I lay with her, rubbing her head, and as she dosed off she said, "Oh no!"

I said, "What's wrong?" She said, "Where are my tickets?"

Even through all of her confusion this evening, I enjoyed this time with my mother. We were able to sit in the same room during dinner, we were able to watch a movie (we watched a movie about Ruth Graham), and best of all we laughed together. That is true happiness on my face in these pictures.

WHAT ARE THE ODDS?

Milton, here for Kristy:

If you use a straight line approach, you would have to pass over more than 300,991,00 Americans before Kristy would get a GBM brain tumor.

Senator Ted Kennedy has the same form of brain tumor as Kristy. One of the bits of info that has come out of the news of Kennedy's brain tumor is that 9,000 American are diagnosed with GBM tumors each year.

Think of it.

The odds are 33,444 to 1 or .0029% chance that Kristy would get a GBM.

33,444 to 1

Put 33,444 quarters in the street in front of your house. Mark one of those quarters, just one, and throw in back in the pile. Then see if you can randomly pick it out of the pile the first time with your eyes closed.

That begs the questions how? Why?

Odds?

Providence?

The Enemy?

Happenstance?

Statistical Averages?

Eternal Purpose?

There are answers but not always clear, but that is where faith and trust come to the front. We serve One who see all and knows all. His purposes are higher... We do know whom we trust.

Three days back I had an overwhelming feeling, an impression, that I had to be more alert, sensitive, perceptive to what is happening with Kristy. It was like a spiritual shaking of my deepest parts not to miss the moment for God was deep, very deeply at work. God wasn't speaking audibly but I felt His voice within my being.

Please pray that God will help me to draw closer to Him and allow Him to connect His higher work and will in me and my family so we will see His glory.

There isn't always an obvious and clear answer to those questions, but there is One who knows all and is in charge of all.

I choose to trust in Him.

***

I was out of the house briefly last evening with Terry, Kristy's brother. We returned and Terry happened to walk in ahead of me. He greeted Kristy and she responded to him.

She said, "Where's my man? I want to hug "my man."

Oh, that made my day!

***

While I was out last evening for a few moments, I got a call that Claudia, our four year old granddaughter, had tried to fly like super man, but crashed and broke her right arm just above the wrist.

All is well, but the "mommy" was shaken.

Claudia cried asking for Nana.

Emotions wash over all of us.

Claudia will have her arm put into a permanent cast today. Pray for her and her mommy, Jennifer.

How is Kristy?

She was subdued on Thursday dealing with confusion but gamely engaging us as much as possible. We brought her into the family room and put on a "Gaither" video. Her little toes began to move with the music and all of us felt His love.

MY PRECIOUS SISTER

Milton, here for Kristy:

Kristy had a better day Wednesday. She is very weak but still has a smile and twinkle in her eye. Praise continues to flow from her lips sharing the goodness of God.

Rebecca, Kristy's sister, has watched over her little sister with so much loving care. I have asked her to post a blog today. She is such a huge help. Our family is standing together in the strength of God.


The pictures below are Kristy on the left and Rebecca on the right. Weren't they cute cowgirls. Jan and Pam, their cousins, came by with their Mom, Aunt Joe, to see Kristy and brought several pictures from the past. Aren't old family photos great!

***

This is Rebecca (Kristy’s big sister)

Kristy is a precious sister – creative, talented, beautiful and loved by so many. I love her with all of my heart, and I am so very proud of her. We have had so many wonderful and endearing times together – times that I cherish.

I have seen Kristy’s strength in God throughout this ordeal; I have witnessed first hand God’s peace that surrounds her. Even in her weakened state, I have seen all of this as well as her humor and happiness. In her quiet, soft, weakened voice she tells us, “Don’t be sad; just rejoice; this is the day the Lord has made.”

I remember when Kristy was born and Mama and Daddy brought her home from the hospital. I was 10 and loved taking care of her and Terry (he was 2). I became their “little mama.”

Because I was so much older than Kristy and Terry, as they were growing up, Mama used to tell me that if anything ever happened to her, she wanted me to promise her that I would take care of them. I assured her that I would.

Now, I have to put Kristy in God’s hands. It’s so sad to see her like this…no, it’s more than sad…unexplainable, but the most wonderful thing I can do is entrust her to Him and His divine will for her life. How I would love to see her rise out of her bed, completely and wonderfully healed, and though I don’t understand why it hasn’t happened yet, I still have faith.

I have been so blessed to be able to be here with her, with family and close friends, to gather around her bed and sing songs of praise and express our love for each other. Truly, as Kristy says, God is good.

WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?

Milton, here for Kristy:

Tuesday I had to be away to the church for the morning. When I returned home, I went into the bedroom and sat by Kristy's hospital bed. We kissed and shared our love for each other.

As I sat by her bed some time passed with us just looking at each other. The room was quiet with very soft worship music in the background. Kristy is having increased difficulty communicating clearly and gets confused easily. We try to minimize asking lots of questions, but I had to asked her, "What are you thinking, not sure if she could answer?"

As she lay in the hospital bed moments passed and she turned to me said, "About all the fun we have had."


Sweet wonderful memories filled the room. Oh, the fun things we have done together.

***

Late Tuesday night after the lights were out, Kristy struggled with attacks against her mind. She thought someone was in the room to hurt her. I held her hands and assure her I would protect her and we sang, "Peace, peace, wonderful peace, coming down from the Father above. Sweep over my spirit for ever I pray in fathomless billows of love."

We sang it over several times. She would pause and tell me how much she loved me. I whispered my love back to her.

She said, "God is sooo good to me."

We drifted into sleep.

WHEN I'M AFRAID...

Milton, Here for Kristy:

I have asked Terry, Kristy's brother, to write an account of a most precious time with Kristy that happened Monday. As the day ended Julie, Terry, Rebecca, Jennifer in Puerto Rico by phone, and I shared in these tender moments with Kristy.

Kristy awakened this morning brighter and hungry. God's presence is in her room and His glory is touching our lives.

(This picture was taken on Saturday afternoon just before Julie took Alex and Nic back to Tampa. Julie returned and is here with us.

***

Terry, here:

Yesterday Kristy was weaker and, except for one episode, more sedate. The episode I refer to began with a bout of nausea. When we tried to give her medicine to address that, she became agitated. In her mental confusion she couldn't seem to understand why she needed the medicine, and refused it. We even put the medicine in some food and she refused that as well.

Because Kristy has had such peace and serenity throughout this ordeal, times like this are all the more difficult for us as her family. We felt so helpless – wanting to relieve her suffering, but not able to. My sister, Rebecca, left the room momentarily to call Hospice for their advice. The rest of us were standing around Kristy's bed, silently wondering what would happen next. Tension hung in the air. Then, Kristy shifted her head and with a far-away look and a weakened voice that was little more than a whisper, began to sweetly sing,

"This is the day that the Lord has made;
I will rejoice and be glad in it.
Oh, this is the day that the Lord has made;
I will rejoice and be glad in it.
Rejoice in the Lord. Rejoice in the Lord."

Instantly the tension broke and tears began to flow from our eyes as the presence of the Lord filled the room. We joined in singing with her:

"Celebrate the presence of the Lord;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Oh, celebrate the presence of the Lord;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Rejoice in the Lord. Rejoice in the Lord."

Truly the presence of the Lord is our comfort. We will make it if He is with us. When He comes, the crushing weight of the burden lifts. We don't so much need what He can do for us. We just need Him. "Yea, though I walk through the valley…I will fear no evil for Thou art with me."

***

After this incident Kristy slept most of the day, showing little response. Later, in the evening, I stood at her bed again and told her I loved her. Then I asked if there was anything I could do for her. Suddenly her eyes shone with the light of realization, and she began to cry. "This is my time," she said. "Help me… (mumble, mumble) … not be afraid."

I said, "Kristy, are you afraid?"

"No," she said, "…but ya'll…"

"You want us not to be afraid?" I asked.

"Yes."

I said, "Kristy, do you have peace?"

"Oh, yes!" Though her voice was weak, she spoke with conviction.

About that time Milton walked in and began to tell her how much he loved her. She responded in kind, then asked us to call Rebecca and Julie. We all gathered around. Julie called Jennifer and put her on the speaker phone. And Kristy told us how much she loved us and appreciated us all, and asked us to tell all the members of our family how much she loved them.

Again the tears were flowing. What I felt during these moments was a mixture of joy and pain: Joy over her simple, sweet faith in Jesus that erupts in a song even in her darkest moments. Joy over her constant concern for everyone else's comfort and encouragement. And pain – exquisite pain – pain that stabs at your heart like a knife, because you can't bear the thought of letting her go, this priceless jewel.

Again we sang "This is the day the Lord has made…". Then, Milton led us in a prayer for Kristy and all of the family and we had a time of sweet worship.

Julie and Jennifer were able to share their love with their mother and Kristy expressed over and over her love for all of us.

Kristy spoke what has become her mantra, "God is sooooo good!", and we all rejoiced in the goodness of the Lord.

A LOVE POST FROM THE PAST

Kristy, here. Written on 9/10/05:


AH, LOVE STORIES...

Milton and I celebrated our anniversary on August 14. That night, we went to Sonic Burger and ate onion rings dipped in ketchup, a hamburger (me), a foot-long dog (him), and milkshakes. It was so romantic, sitting there on the picnic tables with waiters whizzing by on roller skates (we got out of the car because it was so hot). Heehee.

We would've gone somewhere fancy, but we'd had two week-long trips to Denver this summer where we'd eaten in wonderful restaurants plus we had upcoming reservations for a two-night stay at The Florida House Inn B&B on Amelia Island, so we were satisfied with Sonic.

Funny thing is, that afternoon he asked me where I'd like to go to eat. I thought Sonic Burger. I said where do you want to go? He said Sonic Burger. I said I was thinking the same thing. So that's where we ended up.

Then we went to the beach and walked hand in hand on the seashore, the surfers in the water trying to catch a wave and the fishermen on the pier trying to catch a fish.

It's nice when you don't have to impress each other anymore. Love for a lifetime is a comforting love and a comfortable love. Oh, there are still sparks. I encourage couples to revisit the sizzle, meaning keeping sparks alive in your marriage.

That's what Milton and I teach in our Joy in Marriage seminars. But it's great having a spouse who can almost read your thoughts.

Now, if we just won't start looking like each other!! They say that's what happens to couples. Wonder what I'll look like with black hair and him with red? :)

***

Milton, here:

I went back to Kristy's past posts and read. Oh, how this woman oozes love. She turned me into a romantic long ago. How very blessed I am to share life with one so dear and special.

There were so many revealing posts that reflect her love, my love, and our marriage. She has been transparent in her writings about our lives and God's goodness.

The post from 9/10/05 tells part of our love story. It is a love story that grows. I wanted to shared it again for her.

By the way, I have taken her to nice, wonderful resturants all over America. We both wanted something simple that night. It was fun!

***
How is Kristy?

Kristy rested all day on Sunday. Thankfully the attacks against her mind were not as severe as Friday and Saturday. We continue to trust in One who is more than able to meet every need.

God is good.

IT BEGAN LIKE THIS..

Milton, here for Kristy:

Kristy had a subdued Saturday. She was rather quiet with some confusion. The day ended well with a sweet kiss and a loving good night.

Julie took Alex and Nic to their father Saturday afternoon and returned. It was tough watching their Nana hug them bye as the boys left.

***

My love for Kristy began like this:

I was a senior in college taking a sophomore course which I needed to graduate. It was a psychology class taught by Crandel Miller. Just as the class began, I quickly asked Kristy if I could talk with her after class.

She later told me that she thought I was going to speak to her about making a missions pledge as I was the student missions president for Southeastern Bible College now Southeastern University. She said she worried the whole class wondering what I wanted to speak to her about.

I had always loved redheads as I had dated several and Kristy was and is such a beauty. Actually, I had just broken up with another redhead, but Kristy had caught my eye.

Her creamy white, china doll skin was smooth and so fair.

Her eyes were deep emerald green with sparkly twinkles of life.

Her hair. Oh, her most beautiful bright red hair.

Even at a distance as I didn't really know her that well, her wit, humor, love of life, and deep commitment to the Lord caught me.

She was pure, sweet, and gloriously wonderful.

My eyes have been on her ever since.

"Would you go to chapel this Friday night with me," I asked?

After we were married, Kristy told me that she was so relieved that I wasn't going to talk about her missions pledge that she quickly said, "Yes."

We had our first date in a Friday night chapel service and I never dated another from that day forward. Kristy had won my heart.

Crandel Miller had a famous saying he made over and over. Every student that took his classes remembers it until this day. He said, "What you feed grows. What you starve dies."

My love for Kristy began that day. It is still growing.

ONE NANA--FOUR LITTLE GRANDS

Milton, here for Kristy:

Thank you all so very much for your kind comments, faithful prayers, and genuine concern. You lift our spirits and faith by your wonderful support. God's family is the best family!

Kristy had a good day Friday except for a brief tough bout with severe confusion late in the afternoon. She has faced moments where her mind is challenged with thoughts that are not hers.

Pray that God will keep her mind safe in Him.

She rested well in the night and is rejoicing that this the day the Lord has made. We will be glad in it.

***

I love this picture collage that she made with each of the grandchildren. The picture is actually four that she took in the same pose over the years as they grands were born. She has it in a frame on the night stand next to our bed.This is one organized lady who gets things done.

***

A couple of nights ago late in the night, Terry came into our bedroom to check on Kristy. Terry as well as my sister Norma, and Rebecca and so many others have helped untiringly to make sure the best care possible is being given to Kristy. They are an unbelievable suport to Kristy and me.

The room was dark and Terry couldn't see Kristy very good. He got closer and closer to her and then had to get real close to her face to see if she was awake or asleep.

All of a sudden, Kristy said, "BOO!"

Terry was jolted, but found that Kristy was OK.

This is an unbelievable tough situation and trial. But a lot of God and a little humor goes a long way to help you through the bad places.

Kristy hasn't lost her joy, peace, or humor.

She is covered by a cloud of peace and is resting in a chair of strength.

WHERE ARE THE KEYS?

Milton, here for Kristy:

Kristy is having a restful day. She fed herself this morning and is enjoying having Julie, Alex, and Nic here.

God is good.

***

For several weeks I had looked for Kristy's set of car keys that I had misplaced. Actually I had hidden them a few of months ago because I was concerned that while I was away from the house that Kristy might get confused and decide to drive somewhere. She hasn't driven since Nov 7, 2007, after her eye doctor said she had lost peripheral vision which led to her brain cancer diagnosis.

I couldn't remember where I had hidden them.

Don't laugh. You do things like this too.

I had looked all over the house repeatedly in the places that I thought I had placed them. Over and over I searched for them. My family had also looked for me and none of us could put our hands on them. It got to be very frustrating. Someone suggested that I pray about it and really I had prayed several times.

Have you ever lost something? I guess all of us have experienced losing items. One of my sisters lost her sun glasses only to find them on the top of her head. A sister-in-law was looking for something that she realized she literally was holding in her hand. Now, that’s bad.

Yesterday my sister Norma and Kristy's sister Rebecca were looking for a cake platter. They looked all over and asked me where it was. I looked and it was sitting right in front of them on the kitchen counter. HA!

Another sister-in-law told me that she once asked her husband where her sun glasses were and he said that they were on her head.

She felt her hair and said, "Where?"

He said, "They are on your face. Your wearing them!"

Thursday morning I prayed again and asked the Lord, “Please help me find these keys.”

I looked again with no results, but few moments later my sister, Norma, was helping with a matter as we were moving some items in the bedroom. All of a sudden there the keys were. For weeks I had searched for them and bingo, there they were.

I turned to Kristy's bed and prayed with Norma, "Dear Lord, you just helped me find Kristy's keys because I sincerely asked for your help. Kristy is more important to you than a set of car keys. Please, Dear Lord, touch her and make her well. I trust you and and know that she is in your hands. Amen."

Prayer works. It really, truly works. If we will turn to Him in sincerity in prayer, He will answer. God will help you if you have lost something or need help in another area. There is nothing to big or too small for the Lord.

Ask. Seek. Knock. That is the process. Try it again today. It works. I know. I found the keys.