YOU DID GOOD, KRISTY, YOU WIN
Milton, here for Kristy:
Plans are being made for Kristy's Funeral Service to be podcast live on the Internet. I will post that site ASAP for those who are at a distance and cannot attend the service.
Please note the previous post for funeral arrangements.
Thank you for your continued prayers for Julie, Jennifer, Javier, our grands and family and me.
***
I had dreaded the prospects of standing with Kristy and holding her hand when she died, but the Lord had spoken inside my heart to "not miss the moment." It was a mental alerting to pay attention for there was going to be a "moment" a "special moment" and I was not to miss it.
When was the moment going to come? She had stood at death's door over and over and I wondered if each time this was the moment or was it another unknown moment?
Monday afternoon I felt something fill the room covering me, cocooning me, surrounding me and surrounding Kristy. It came ever so slowly and more gently than gentle could be.
As Kristy lay there moving toward death's door, I began to sing to her, "God is so good, God is so good......" I began to make a worship song from my spirit and began to make a song to the Lord, "Holy is the Lord. You are righteous. You are faithful. You are good. Holy, Holy, Holy, We sing praise to the God of our fathers, we sing praise to you, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord."
Then a prophetic exaltation began to come from deep within my soul. It was a prophetic exhalation proclaiming the virtues of Kristy, "You are pure, You are holy, Your gifts bring glory. They are precious, excellent, and loving. For you have been a blessing to all those who know you. You have shown the goodness of the Lord. The Lord is pleased. The Lord is gloried by your life. For the Lord is Holy, Holy, Holy."
I told Kristy that Jesus was soon to open heaven's gates for her and she would be walking on streets of gold with her mom, dad, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and all those who have gone before her. I told her to ask Jesus to send me some help to fulfill our dreams. I told her that I would be coming soon and that I was going to take care of our daughters and watch over our grands and that I would be OK.
All during this time Kristy is struggling with breathing and cannot respond. I could tell she was hearing what I was saying, but there was never any response.
I stepped out of the room to take a call and she was stable. The nurse said that Kristy would not pass until the girls arrived from Orlando, but she was sinking quicker than we thought.
Rebecca called, "Milton."
I leaped and turned to go back into her room. Her breathing was harder. I told Rebecca, "We are losing her." I told Kristy again that Jesus was opening the gates for her so she could walk on streets of gold and see her family. "It won't be long and you will be in heaven,"
Her breathing was becoming even harder. Her neck jerked slightly. She was still with us and I said, "Kristy. You did great. You did good. Good job Kristy!"
The room was filled with the sacred, holy presence of God. It was awesome, but there were also some distractions that were competing for my attention. I was struggling to stay focused. Because of the word the Lord had given me, I determined to ignore the distractions.
Kristy was almost gone, but as she looked at me one last time I said, "Good job, Kristy. You won. You won. You won. I'll see you soon. The gates of Heaven are opening for you. And when you get inside, find Jesus and ask Him to send me some help so I can complete our dreams. The gates are open. You can go in. Jesus is waiting! Good job, Kristy, you win! You win! You win!" and Kristy left my hand and took the hand of Jesus as we cheered her into the gates of heaven an on to streets of pure gold."
At 6:42 PM on Monday and Kristy was gone into the glory world. She won! She won! She won!
These were the most sacred moments of my life next to my salvation and marriage ceremony to Kristy. It was glorious, holy and awesome to escort Kristy and cheer her into the gates of heaven. Kristy is whole, well, and healed. There is no more pain. She is walking on streets of gold.
When was the moment going to come? She had stood at death's door over and over and I wondered if each time this was the moment or was it another unknown moment?
Monday afternoon I felt something fill the room covering me, cocooning me, surrounding me and surrounding Kristy. It came ever so slowly and more gently than gentle could be.
As Kristy lay there moving toward death's door, I began to sing to her, "God is so good, God is so good......" I began to make a worship song from my spirit and began to make a song to the Lord, "Holy is the Lord. You are righteous. You are faithful. You are good. Holy, Holy, Holy, We sing praise to the God of our fathers, we sing praise to you, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord."
Then a prophetic exaltation began to come from deep within my soul. It was a prophetic exhalation proclaiming the virtues of Kristy, "You are pure, You are holy, Your gifts bring glory. They are precious, excellent, and loving. For you have been a blessing to all those who know you. You have shown the goodness of the Lord. The Lord is pleased. The Lord is gloried by your life. For the Lord is Holy, Holy, Holy."
I told Kristy that Jesus was soon to open heaven's gates for her and she would be walking on streets of gold with her mom, dad, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and all those who have gone before her. I told her to ask Jesus to send me some help to fulfill our dreams. I told her that I would be coming soon and that I was going to take care of our daughters and watch over our grands and that I would be OK.
All during this time Kristy is struggling with breathing and cannot respond. I could tell she was hearing what I was saying, but there was never any response.
I stepped out of the room to take a call and she was stable. The nurse said that Kristy would not pass until the girls arrived from Orlando, but she was sinking quicker than we thought.
Rebecca called, "Milton."
I leaped and turned to go back into her room. Her breathing was harder. I told Rebecca, "We are losing her." I told Kristy again that Jesus was opening the gates for her so she could walk on streets of gold and see her family. "It won't be long and you will be in heaven,"
Her breathing was becoming even harder. Her neck jerked slightly. She was still with us and I said, "Kristy. You did great. You did good. Good job Kristy!"
The room was filled with the sacred, holy presence of God. It was awesome, but there were also some distractions that were competing for my attention. I was struggling to stay focused. Because of the word the Lord had given me, I determined to ignore the distractions.
Kristy was almost gone, but as she looked at me one last time I said, "Good job, Kristy. You won. You won. You won. I'll see you soon. The gates of Heaven are opening for you. And when you get inside, find Jesus and ask Him to send me some help so I can complete our dreams. The gates are open. You can go in. Jesus is waiting! Good job, Kristy, you win! You win! You win!" and Kristy left my hand and took the hand of Jesus as we cheered her into the gates of heaven an on to streets of pure gold."
At 6:42 PM on Monday and Kristy was gone into the glory world. She won! She won! She won!
These were the most sacred moments of my life next to my salvation and marriage ceremony to Kristy. It was glorious, holy and awesome to escort Kristy and cheer her into the gates of heaven. Kristy is whole, well, and healed. There is no more pain. She is walking on streets of gold.
posted by Kristy Dykes @ 2:47 AM
56 comments
56 Comments:
Milton,
May I just say that that was the most amazing words I have ever heard in my life along with you being the most amazing man I have ever met.
Julie called me yesterday, and I spoke with her and asked in concern if you was able to receive the gates of heaven peacefully. She said yes. She said she wanted to tell me the story that you just mentioned, but she would have to call me later. To hear it in your words just leaves me breathless.
Peace be with you and your family in this time,
Lisa Vella
Milton,
Thank you for sharing this journey with us. What a powerful testimony both you and Kristy have been. Kristy whom I've met and befriended and you who I only knew through her and your writings here.
I hope I have this same peace you've shown when it's time for me to lose someone I love this dearly.
May God continue to bless you. Hug to you and your family.
Praise God!!!!!
I am a Christian and I love the Lord with all by heart, but hearing your testimony encourages me so much more because I want to know for sure the gates will open for me like did for Kristy. Your and your family are in my prayers,
God Bless,
Ginger
Pastor Dykes,
Thank you for sharing this amazing story. You and Kristy were blessed to have and hold each other for so many years. We are praying for you, your family, and all those at Southside who have been touched by you and Kristy. And we are joining with you in prayer that Jesus will send some help so that you can complete the dreams He gave both of you.
In Christ,
Wayne
What a powerful testimony of the love, goodness, sacred, prayerful, awesome, lives you shared together. You both are very blessed people. Our prayers for peace in all your hearts.
Wow. God is good all the time and all of the time GOD IS GOOD.
Thank you for sharing your precious faith and your amazing story with all of us.
God bless you.
Missy Bennett
Kettering, Ohio
Thank you Milton. You have done a very good job too, faithful until the end, cheering her on, trusting in God.
We will continue to lift up you and your family in the days ahead.
Though my heart is heavy thinking of your loss, I am rejoicing with Kristy in her victory and healing.
Love and prayers,
Carrie in NJ
How glorious. Thank you, Milton, for sharing this with us.
You did good, too, Milton.
You'll win, too.
Dear Pastor Milton,
Thank you for sharing your beloved's beautiful homecoming. As the Lord promised Kristy, His "cloud of peace" -- His glorious presence -- filled the room, more loving and gentle than ever before.
Milton, Julie, Jennifer, and grands, you've got the prayers of the saints and Kristy's prayers as you finish the work the Lord has for you here. Be watching for blessings and miracles in all your lives. They are sure to come.
All glory and honor to our Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
Our love and prayers go with you,
Nancy
Milton,
Thank you so much for sharing with us your most worshipful moments, your last earthly moments with your dear Kristy. You did as God was calling you to do, release the love of your life to the Lord in surrender. You upheld your commitment to the utmost,"until death us do part." She needed to hear your encouragement to let go of this world. As much as she longed to be with our Lord she still wanted to be with you. God gave you such sweet blessing that you were with her in this most holy moment. Just you.
I will be praying for you and the girls and grands. It's the moments after everyone goes home that will be the toughest, but our Lord is faithful and He will see you through it. Knowing she is in heaven with our Lord, completely free of her earthly tent will be of great comfort. And we will all be together with Him in the new heaven and new earth. Amen!
Oh my gosh, there are no words. There are just no words.
Milton, may God bless you BIG now and always for giving the rest of us this glorious peek into God's heart. I feel like we've all been given a glimps of what passing through Heaven's gates looks like.
From the bottom of my heart. Thank you.
Wow, what a blessed homegoing!
What an awesome gift you gave her, escorting her through life, from the wedding altar, right up to the Gates of Heaven.
What a blessing to read of it. Thank you for sharing it all with us, Milton.
And "thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift," giving us the Way back to Himself.
I wish I could be there today and tomorrow to hug everyone.
You'll all be in many prayers of all of us, over the days ahead.
May the Holy Spirit hold you all close, now, in the mighty name of Jesus.
Incredible testimonies of lives dedicated to the glory and lordship of Jesus Christ. God will get muh fruit from all of this. You are in our prayers.
Milton, you are right. Kristy did great. All of her life and especially at the end. But, you did great, too! Because of your faithfulness to the Lord and to Kristy, your contributions to the blog have been more of a blessing to more people than you can know, on this side of heaven. God is well pleased with both of you. I am sure of that. As I am also sure we are all closer to going home than we realize. Soon, very soon, you will see your Kristy.
God Bless!
Love & Prayers,
Anna
Thank you for sharing this sad but beautiful time/moments with us. What a blessing you are and now our prayers will be for you and the girls and the children.
Teresa
I am so humbled that you would share these intimate moments with Kristy and Jesus with us. Praising Him for His goodness in turning an incredibly hard moment into a sacred time. Tears pour down my face though at how broken you must feel even as you celebrate that Kristy has won.
Milton,
Thank you for keeping us posted about the whole journey. I've fallen asleep so many nights praying for her and your family. I loved her so much. We first connected because we were both redheads, but then we became good writing friends, looking for each other at conferences and emailing each other.
I will continue praying for your family's journey through gief.
PRAISE GOD!!!
May we all have such a glorious home-going!!
Milton, God is using you in a mighty way! Know that I am praying for your family.
Kim Ford
LaFayette, AL
Thank you Milton for sharing Kristy's journey to the Gates of Heaven.
God was waiting in that room, as were the angels.
What a wonderful, loving, holy woman Kristy was. What an adoring devout, caring husband you are.
Kristy is free, she is healed, she is in such glorious peace. She is with beloved family and friends why passed on previously.
God be with you, Julie, Jennifer, the grands and extended family. I pray for you.
Milton,
Thank you for sharing these last, intimate moments with us.
Yes, Kristy won!!! Big time, more than any of can really know.
How do you describe the indescribable.
Rachel
I can hardly write this comment - your post was so powerful, it goes beyond words.
Thank you so much for sharing.
What a testimony of your life and Kristy's. Thank you once again for sharing this journey. I pray God continues to surround you with peace.
Continued prayers for you and your family.
In His name,
Beverly in Texas
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Milton, fear not for the help you need to fulfill those dreams. You will have all that you need to see them come to pass.
Blessings,
Vicki
May the Lord continue to bless you and your family with those sacred moments. You did "good", too. You two gave us all a lesson on love, faithfulness, devotion to each other and to our Lord, and living and dying to live again. May His blessings continue for those of you who must remain.
Well done, good and faithful servant, well done. I believe that Daddy God not only said that to Kristy, but is also saying it to you Milton, Jennifer, Julie, the grands, and the rest of your family. God will complete the good works that Kristy and you have begun. He is faithful.
Thank you so much for continuing to share this journey with us. My love to you all.
Blessings,
You are so blessed!!!!!!!! I've never seen anyone face death this way before. You've been a great encouragement to me and my husband. God bless you!
I'm writing in from Lagos, Nigeria.
I am weeping with joy and holy sorrow at such an awesome testimony of God's gracious work. Yes, Kristy did great and won. She has modeled for all of us a godly ending. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for her example. Strengthen Milton and the family as they walk these earthly paths even as Kristy walks those streets of gold.
Milton,
Thank you for allowing us to be a part of Kristy’s home going. For allowing us to share in the moment the Lord spoke to you about.
You also have done good. (Not the best grammar, but the best way to say it). I know the Lord is pleased with your faithfulness and never ending love you gave to Kristy though out your lives.
The seed the Lord planted within your’s and Kristy’s heart (your dreams to complete) will be done. Part of what you needed, when you asked Kristy to ask Jesus to send you help to complete the dream began when the Holy Spirit covered you in the room as you cheered Kristy on to heaven.
Although I know there will be times of missing Kristy for all of you, I know the Lord will be your Rock, Your Strong Tower, and he will wrap his arms around each of you and shelter you when you feel the storm of loneliness rise.
Much prayers and love to you, your daughters, the grands, and the rest of the family.
Vicki
Milton, what an awesome, inspiring testimony of God's grace and strength, even in our most difficult times. You have been, and are, the most blessed individual (along with Kristy) in expressing yourself in words. My heart is filled with sadness and happiness at the same time. GOD IS STILL WORKING IN YOUR LIVES! THERE'S SO MUCH YET TO TELL. KNOW I'M PRAYING FOR YOU, ALWAYS!
LOVE AND PRAYERS,
CATHY IN TENNESSEE
Dear Milton,
I've not commented during your cancer journey, but I have kept up with your blog regularly. I, too, have had the privilege of escorting someone I loved more than my own breath to the gates of heaven when he came to the end of his cancer journey. In my case, it was my son. The awesome and holy assurance we have of knowing the separation is temporary is what will get you through the coming days, weeks, and months. Kristy is Home, she's safe, she's whole, she's cancer-free. You're still her hero and she'll be watching for you. All those months that you supported her and encouraged her through her battle will be reversed now. Now she is cheering for you to keep on.
Thank you, and thanks to Kristy, for your amazing legacy of faith. Many who come behind you will be affected by your testimonies.
Connie Stevens
Milton and family: Thank you so much for arranging for those of us far away in miles, but close in our hearts thanks to your blog to see the service. Once again Kristy was a fine example of how we should all hope to finish this race. She passed from this life just as she lived it - with CLASS! Thankfully through our faith in Jesus we need not fear death - its just something we've never done before but again thanks to Jesus we need not do it alone! May you continue to be surrounded by the cloud of His peace and love.
Tracy
Thank you for sharing such a precious and personal moment with us.
Kristy will be missed. Although I never met her, I blogged yesterday about what she meant to me, as a fellow writer and moreover as an example of Christian womanhood.
You can read it here.
Many prayers for the Dykes family.
What an amazing thing to leave this world hearing the praise of her bridegroom, to enter immediately into the arms of her Bridegroom. She didn't have to find Jesus. He was right there to grab her hand the moment she crossed over.
God bless you. I will continue to pray for you and yours.
Milton,
This was an amazing account. Even as I read it, the presence of God surrounded me and covered me in sweetness. How beautiful.
You and your family are in my prayers.
Annette
I wept when I read your soul-stirring account of your beloved's passage to glory. You & your precious wife are such an inspiration to us! I have found myself taking the advice you both have shared on the blog and that is to prevent the little things from taking over my life & relationships with those dear to my heart. Also, I have found myself looking for more opportunities to be a blessing to my own beloved, my husband of 30 yrs.. I felt the holy presence of God when I read how you escorted Kristy to the Gate and passed her beautiful hand to Jesus! She is so grateful to you and she is so proud of her HERO! God bless you all with continued peace and strength!
Love & blessings, Sylvia & Mark Thomas
What a blessing for Kristy that you were there with her until the very end. You truly lived the "'til death do us part."
A favorite quote goes something like this: What is lovely never dies, but passes into other loveliness.
You are all in my prayers today.
Thank you, Milton, for sharing that incredible moment with us. You'll never know how many people you're strengthening through this.
May God return that sevenfold to you so you can complete the dreams He gave you and Kristy.
I continue to hold you and the girls up in prayer.
I am saddened by the passing of Kristy. I did not know her well personally. I attended her last writers workshop last year before her diagnosis and was touched by her wisdom and expertise. She will truly be missed, and I find comfort in knowing she is in heaven with her beloved God. We all will meet again.
God bless and deepest sympathies.
Miriam van Veen
Milton,
I just heard today about Kristy. She has been and will continue through her writings to be a blessing and inspiration to me and multiplied thousands of others.
I pray for t he peace of God that envelops you now will stay strong in you.
In Jesus' love, Dwight Edwards
In my book, and more importantly, in the Lamb's Book of Life, you are both winners.
I'll be praying for you and all the family in the days ahead.
I, too, was granted the sacred experience of urging my loved one to go on. I had prayed to be there, and I sensed the moment had come.
Nothing in this life compares with holding their hand and letting go of their heart and soul. It is both sad and beautiful.
God bless all your hands find to do in the months ahead, Milton. God will see you through. I know it's true.
This truly was a sacred moment. The angels showed up, gave you strength, and carried your beloved Kristy into the arms of the Lord.
Now, they'll carry you.
This journey is far from over. You will see dreams completed.
God bless you all, brother.
Dear, dear Milton. I am so glad you were not distracted and that you had that final moment with Kristy and the Lord. My brother lost his wife to brain cancer two years ago. Her cancer was deep in her brain and she only lived two weeks from her diagnosis. But the people sang hymns and songs of praise to heaven every day around her sick bed. And it made such a difference at her funeral. We could actually sing because we had been singing for and with her all along.
As I read your posts I was reliving some of my brother's journey.
Thank you so much for sharing yours.
Dear Children of the Heavenly Father,
He has safely gathered His beloved Kristy to his heart. How we rejoice for her!
We weep with you, but not as those who have no hope.
God Is Good!
Kate and Ed
What a shining example of Christ's love. Thank you for opening yourself to the world and sharing these moments with us.
Peace to your family. You continue in my prayers.
Milton,
We are rejoicing and crying with you. Thank you for sharing your last moments with Kristy. Yes, she won and so did you. God's blessing and victory on you and your marriage and your ministry.
Love in Him
Paul & Lynn
Thank you for sharing this moment with us. May the Holy Spirit soothe the ache you must feel and give you strength in the days ahead. Hang onto that blessed hope!
Milton,
It's hard to see through the tears, but I have to say your words were so beautifully written and profound.
Kristy's life will live on through her books, and your marriage is a living testament of God's amazing grace!
We all thank you for sharing Kristy's homegoing with us...we are comforted by your words!
May God surround you with his peace.
Milton, thank you for sharing that sacred time with us. What a wonderful testimony to life--and death--in Jesus.
I will be praying regularly and long term for you and your family. You've given us such a gift through these posts. I know God will continue to use this blog for His glory.
Thank you for sharing this with us. What an awesome testimony! I will be praying for you and the girls. Heaven will be a wonderful place and Kristy is already there. I thank the Lord that I have been able to read about your journey. I will never forget her testimony and so many times I have been uplifted by her endurance and sweet sweet attitude. God bless you.
This is the most beautiful visual of heaven's gates I've ever read. So intimate. I am moved to rejoice and grieve with you.
I hope it's okay that I linked to this post on my blog. Your post touched me so much that I wanted to share this moment with those that read my blog.
I really believe God will further use Kristy's life and this sacred moment to touch hearts. I think it will encourage those who've suffered loss and it will challenge those who doubt in their faith. Your last moments with Kristy spoke to the deepest place of my heart.
Heaven is a more beautiful place with Kristy there. I look forward to meeting her someday.
I am sorry about your loss. I am praying for God to be the great God of all comfort to you and yours.
I just came to this post via a link from Tiffany Stuart.
This is a beautiful picture of what our role is to be by the side of dying saint.
Thank you for sharing this sacred moment with all of us. I'm sorry you had to give up the one dearest on earth to you in order exerience this and share it with the rest of us.
May you continue to experience His peace and comfort in the days, months, years to come.
thank you so much for sharing.
God is SO good.
what a blessing is was for my husband and I to be with his dad when he took Jesus hand.
today was my first time to visit Kristy's site, and I feel as though I lost a friend.
What a wonderful tribute to your wife.
May you continue to feel peace.
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