You Have Clothed Me With Joy

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy. — Psalm 30:11 New Living Translation

God has taken our mourning for the lives of our loved ones, and turned it into praise that they are now with him.

Our friend Melanie lost her mom.

Our friend Ken lost his dad.

Our neighbors lost his mom, Jackie.

In 2019 we lost Kirk's dad, Gary. 

In 2011 Rita passed away.

My mom died in 2002.

And my dad died 3 months before our wedding in 1984.

And others we know are grieving.

It's so hard to lose a parent.

At the same time, we praise God that these people are no longer in pain.

And best of all, they are now with their Lord and Savior Jesus.

And we rejoice that we, too, will live with Jesus in heaven some day.

God Clothed Me with Joy

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,  that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. — Psalm 30:11-12

God turned my wailing into dancing.

He clothed me with joy.

My heart will sing God's praises.

I cannot be silent.

God removed my mourning clothes and clothed me with his love.

Today our sweet neighbors brought us Lilacs. 

They smell wonderful!

We are filled with God's joy.

God Provides

The Lord is gracious and compassionate. He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. — Psalm 111:4-5

God is gracious and compassionate. He provides blessings for those who fear him. 

It is with great sadness that we announce Kirk’s dad's (Gary John's) passing. He died at his home in his bed at the age of 84. Dad was in reasonably good health, so this was unexpected. 

The photo with his niece Mary was taken at our home on Easter 2019. We celebrated with 21 family members and friends — a fitting farewell. 

We rejoice that he is now dancing with our Mom Rita, his mom Lucille, his brother Dale, and niece Lianne. We are planning a viewing at the San Diego mortuary in La Mesa (Erikson Anderson/El Camino Real) while Kirk’s brother and his wife are here on May 26. Service arrangements will follow this summer at First Pres. Church.

Abby has a final tomorrow night and another one Thursday. Her cousins Cam and Carly are also in classes this week. We are praying that they can finish well, even with this added stress.

Kirk and I took time off work today to begin the arrangements and make phone calls. We will both be back at work tomorrow and we will join Abby on Friday for her graduation weekend. We are looking forward to celebrating with family and friends.

Thank you for your prayers for dad and for our family.