IT'S THE DAY AFTER
Milton, here for Kristy:
It's the day after--a hard day but with sweet memories and new challenges. I have been numb since Kristy's passing trying to get all the details in order to honor her in her celebration service. I believe Kristy is proud of the way we lifted up Jesus and remembered her. It was a grand celebration.
There is no way to describe the hurt of her loss. We loved too big, too large, too wonderful. It will take time and a lot of God's grace to make it through.
Thank you dear loved ones, church family, precious friends, Kristy's writing buddies, and those of you I have never met who are now part of our family for all of your prayers and kindness. You have and are helping us cross through a terrible storm.
I will continue to share this journey on Kristy's blog. It is not over. There is more to tell.
Today for lunch all of our family who are still here are going back to the church and eat delicious leftovers from a fabulous meal our church provided yesterday. Hey gang, the last one there is a rotten egg.
After lunch, the grands and I are going to the zoo, zoo, zoo how about you, you, you? They are leaving tomorrow and I want a little time with them doing something we all love. I will get rest tomorrow and the days ahead. Today I want to be with the daughters and grands.
Kristy is in heaven laughing, dancing, and helping get everything organized and decorated for the rest of us. When you get to heaven, look out! There is probably some wild whimsy she has put in a hidden spot all ready to leap out and give you a jolt and a smile. That's Kristy and ain't she something!
posted by Kristy Dykes @ 8:03 AM
30 comments
30 Comments:
I am so glad you are going to continue her blog. I almost mentioned it in my comment yesterday but felt it might not be the time. So many of us feel that we are part of your family and would really want to hear how you are all doing.
Is Jennifer a teacher? I teach 4th grade here in T-Town and their is something special about children. If she is, they will help her in so many ways.
God bless and keep you all.
Teresa from Tuscaloosa, AL
God has used Kristy's life to change my life forever. Our prayers are with you in the days ahead that they will be filled with joy, love, life and laughter, even in the lost of your best friend and love. Blessings Mr. Milton.
It is so funny that you would say that Kristy is probably decorating in heaven. Last night it came to me that she would be doing that. I am glad that you get to spend some time with the girls and the grands. Aren't the church members wonderful to make you all that food? Thanks for continuing the blog. I think that would make Kristy happy. The service was so sweet and you did honor her.She lived her life praising the Lord and she left praising Him.
Thank you for continuing to blog Milton. I have a feeling that God is going to give you what you need to complete the dreams you've shared with Kristy. I continue to pray for you and your family.
Blessings,
Milton, you've been wonderful about keeping all of Kristy's friends and fans updated. I can see now why she spoke to lovingly about her hero/husband. If more people looked to your marriage as an example, families would be much happier.
I feel blessed to have known Kristy. We met through TARA, then we both joined the ACFW around the same time. We were in a few Barbour anthologies together, and I've always enjoyed the process. She was a delightful friend who was always willing to drop everything and pray for whatever needed praying for--in person, through e-mail, or on the phone.
The thought struck me, why are all these strangers so enthralled by this blog? Well, I believe that even believers are searching for a deeper walk, a greater meaning to their life. We want more of Jesus, and through Kristy's words and later through yours, we have discovered a new flavor for living out our days--sort of like discovering a new Crayola color when you're a kid.
It isn't you and it isn't Kristy. It is what God has done through the two of you. I am certain neither of you wish to be put on a pedestal, and that wouldn't be right. It's the role model we're after...the proof that walking with Jesus can be a more exciting adventure. Too often we stay in the same groove and it becomes more of a learned behavior instead of pure joy in serving our blessed Lord and Savior.
Thank you for renewing my enthusiasm for life, for helping others, and most of all, for realizing that God loves me through and through. I am still here for a reason! Hallelujah!
Kristy's life accomplished what God sent her to do. Yours will continue that path, firing up the faithful to follow so close to Jesus, we can hear His heartbeat.
Please take care of yourself along the way, Pastor Milton. Many, many will be praying and loving you as you heal. God must be so proud of your faithful witness. Kristy is fine now. In just a little while, as you said, you will be together again.
Dear Pastor Dykes:
Kristy will continue her ministry from heaven and will always be a part of you and your family and your church family. The Connors family (all of us) are behind you and will help you in any way that we can. We were so proud of Kristy and we were proud to have her as our 2nd cousin. God bless you.
Kristy's blog has also changed my life for the better. What a love story with Christ and each other you have.
I can imagine, as stated during her funeral services, that there is a lot of redecorating going on in Heaven now, with teal being the predominate color.
There are many of us who know Kristy and your family only through the blog.
God will be with your family in the upcoming days. He will be with you every step of the way.
Have a wonderful time with the grands at the zoo zoo zoo.
May you feel God holding you close during the days ahead. Sincerely, Rachel Going
Dear Milton,
You and Kristy have changed my life! Not that I wasn't already serving the Lord, and leaning on Him. It's just that your transparency and open spirit and sharing of your family experiences has done a huge thing in my own life. It's like I've always wanted to shut my private life away, and not let others' in. Now, through yours and Kristy's blog, I've come to see how I can minister to others' through the things I go through,whether good or bad. Your open sharing has melted my heart, and the hearts of so many others. To hear you say you're going to keep bloggging, because the story isn't over yet. Do you know, even have the slightest inkling of how you're ministering through the hurt and the pain? You really do not, or maybe you do. All I can say is that yours and Kristy's lives have changed hundreds and hundreds of attitudes toward the "unwelcomed" things in our lives. Making lemonade, when life hands you lemons - that's what life is all about. Praising Jesus, when it'd be easy to throw up your hands and quit. Instead, you throw up your hands IN PRAISE AND WORSHIP TO THE ONE WHO KNOWS BETTER THAN WE DO!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU MILTON FOR NOT STOPPING, FOR CONTINUING TO GO ON THROUGH THIS BLOG. I BELIEVE YOU'VE COME TO NEED US, JUST AS MUCH AS WE'VE COME TO NEED YOU. NOW, MORE THAN EVER - YOUR FRIENDS (THOUGH WE MAY NOT BE ACQUAINTED IN REAL LIFE)will forever support you in prayer and with our love. You've changed us forever! Keep on keepin' on, dear Milton!
In Prayer, Always -
Cathy (TN)
As a child, I was blessed by your family's ministry in Alabama. Although the years have passed, I have often thought of and prayed for you and your family.
I have appreciated the daily blog more than you know. It has encouraged me to be a better husband and father. For that, I am greatful.
May God bless and comfort you, Julie, Jennifer and all of your family.
Milton, I'm so glad you'll be continuing the blog. I'm used to checking in with ya'll (that's my first, and probably last ever "Southern-ism") every day and I'm glad I'll still be able to see how you're doing.
Thanks also for broadcasting Kristy's funeral. Very sad, but also very empowering, too, to see such faith in action.
You're in my thoughts and prayers.
Kristy is still so strong on my mind and heart today. What a blessing to be able to watch the service live. It's awesome to know that she is completely healed now! May God continue to hold and comfort you and your family in the shelter of his wings.
I too, want to thank you, Milton, for continuing the blog. I remember, somewhere back in a blog that Kristy wrote, that she loved it when you two wrote together. This blog has been an example of that combined writing.
Kristy wrote Christian Love Stories. I believe this blog "is" and "will continue to be", the greatest of all the stories. And to think, it is co-authored by the two of you; it is ordained of God.
There will probably be more lives changed through this Love Story than any other story by Kristy. I can hardly wait to read what God has instore for the next chapters.
We continue of pray for you and your family.
Trk N 4 JC
Thank you Milton, for writing to us and sharing your thoughts and experiences. They are a wonderful encouragement.
Corrie TenBoom has a wonderful saying that I always like to hold on to, "The best is yet to come." I can still see the twinkle in her eyes as she said it.
May your heart be lifted and encouraged as you spend time with your grandchildren today and head to the zoo. It is good that you can be with them.
A new journey lies ahead for you. Take hold of His hand and step into it with the same faith you have shown the last eight months, and you will do well.
Praying for you today in NJ,
Carrie
As I was watching the service's on the internet..I felt sad even tho I have never met you and Krysty...the Lord told my heart you will meet her in Heaven one day, and I knew I would...thanks for continuing the blog..I believe writing about your greif will somehow help..my prayers with you and girls...
I heard someone say after the death of a spouse that it felt like having she'd had her arm cut off.
The physical pain, the disability, the emotional shock, the constant reminder that you aren't whole. Be prepared for this Milton.
God bless you.
Milton,
Allison Wilson and I drove up to the funeral yesterday and did not get to sign the book. But I wanted to tell you how beautiful the service was, and how EVIDENT the presence of the Holy Spirit.
For a moment, I was actually jealous of her. "She's with Jesus!"
I was moved by the message of "dignity in death."
You and Kristy have inspired so many of us to take count of how we spend our days, and remember WHOM we are living for.
Grace and peace to you and the family, especially in the days ahead.
Rachel Hauck
I'm so glad that Rachel Hauck and Allison Wilson were present at the funeral, to know that some ACFW buds were there to celebrate Kristy's life and homegoing.
The service via the Internet was so awesome and God-honoring. If I could have come from Illinois, I would have in a heartbeat.
Thanks for keeping up this Blog, Milton. Have a wonderful day with the grands at the zoo.
The service was incredible. I did cry but I was also moved, esp by Julie's message (I hope that's her name!). I believe she has a call to preach, esp to women. She was articulate, graceful, interesting, and her words stick to you. She should move out in her gifting.
May the grace of God fully fill your days and nights.
Ah brother Milton....Hugs from the Pacific Northwest. Lance and I continue to pray for you. We've read the blog and talked about the great love between you and Kristy and you both and Jesus. Sometimes, we too can't imagine the big spot that will be left when one of us goes home. We only hope/pray that our focus will be totally on Him and His will, as yours has been.
You ROCK!!!
Hugs and smooches to all in your family, and we'll be checking in on you to make sure you're okay. Kristi would that, wouldn't she???
Love ya...in HIM....Lance and Linda
I traveled all day yesterday and tried to watch today but was unable to watch. I am so disappointed. Will there be a version to watch at a later date/
I discovered that a replay of the service is posted towards the bottom of the page, just above the Comments section. Click the link below, scroll down to "ssagjax's Video Clips", and click on the first image. Scroll back up to the top of the page, and the video will be playing.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/southside-assembly-services/
I'm glad to hear you will be continuing this blog. You are now entering an altogether new journey--the stages of grief--and it will be an honor to walk alongside you as you share insights from your heart.
My husband and I watched the services yesterday--what a blessing!--and as the final minister was giving his closing remarks, my husband turned to me and said, "He just said your name." I said, "What?" I turned back toward the computer and heard the minister reading that wonderful poem I had sent via a comment back several months ago... the one about "don't let the song go out of your life." Even though he referred to me in the male gender (I'm quite used to that, with my name =}), I was very honored that he had included the poem/song in his eulogy. It wasn't something I wrote, but was an un-credited poem from a devotional book that I use.
Thanks again, Milton, for coordinating the lovely service for Kristy. She would be very proud.
Pastor Milton, the service yesterday was just perfect and Kristy probably loved it.
Thank you for posting today. I've been wondering how you were and I'm glad you're taking the grands to the zoo. :)
I'm proud of you and I know Kristy is as well.
We'll keep praying for you. It is great that you will continue to blog on Kristy's blog. Thank you for doing that.
Hang in there, Brother.
It's times like this that I almost wish I wasn't a writer and God hadn't gifted me with the creative imagination He did, because I feel so much.
My husband and I are praying for you. Enjoy the grands and your daughters. We'll all be here ready to share with you on the blog.
I know the pain must be incredibly intense. My dad died four years ago, and I remember. I'm praying for you as you cling to God.
Dear Milton,
You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God continue to bring you strength and comfort in the days ahead. May you experience the peace of Christ in the depths of your spirit.
Blessings,
Pepper & Donna Brooke
Hey Big Brother,
Prayed for you all day long. Love you so much. Come watch the sunset with us at the Columbia. Our treat!!
janet
Milton,
We were out of town and just learned of Kristy's passing. May the Lord be with you and strengthen you for the days and nights ahead.
We have always deeply appreciated you and Kristy.
Elwood & Glenna Rakes
Post a Comment
<< Home