I thought I'd send a quick update and our lives. This is nothing prophetic by any means, but rather a simple explination of life. We are surviving. Some moments come easier than others, and others hit you like a slap in the face...they come suddenly and hurt a lot. But God IS faithful, as we well know and He has not forgotten us, just as we have not forgotten dad. But thank you for your continued prayers.

The following part of this journal entry is something I wrote while reflecting on dad's life. IT IS LONG...but it expresses how I view dad's journey on earth and arrival to meet our Lord. I hope that if you have loved ones that have passed or will soon pass, that you can envision their 'homecoming' as I describe...if not even better.

A Legacy--by Liz Reynen

I quickly slipped on my Sunday dress, grabbed my white tights and scurried to my parents’ bedroom. While quietly knocking on the door I said, “Can I come in?” I pushed the door open and grinned at my dad with a look that stated ‘I’m ready’. I sat on his bed and watched as he gathered together the material of my tights—one leg at a time—and held the seam up to my toes and slipped the tights over my little six year-old foot. After the tights were pulled snug…and evenly snug that is…I hopped on the bed and stood, making sure to mention that I was almost as tall as dad. He said, “make sure you stand still” as he grabbed the ribbon to fashion a perfect bow. I waited impatiently as his fingers weaved the strands together, ending with a final tug and the word ‘finished’.

I never saw his hands move, but the grace and precision were evident, as were all things that dad’s hands worked with.

I look back on this memory and many others, then tilt my head and grin, saying ‘what a dad.’ And he was. Many of you smile at your own memories of ‘Bob’ and I pray that you cling to those memories, because our memories are precious. However, I’ve learned that memories come and go…they are vivid, but most often short-lived and lessen through time. But a legacy…a legacy will remain. Or better yet, a legacy will envelop those that outlive the life that passed away, and some will absorb that legacy and carry it on.

Dad, a man wise beyond his years, covered himself in the dust of Christ’s footsteps. He had a bold and confident faith that was lived out in a humble and selfless walk. He not only knew ABOUT God and believed IN Him…He KNEW and BELIEVED Him. And as Dad passed from life to LIFE he was greeted in paradise by near-deafening cries of the saints saying, “Finally! We’ve been waiting. Welcome Home!” Walking on the street of gold he approached the throne and looked up at his creator. He looked at the expectant Father and said, “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” And His powerful, yet gentle voice replied, “It is as you say. Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Dwelling on that scene of the royal throne room, whether the visual is constructed by the description in Isaiah, or John’s writing in Revelation or the creativity that spurs from our own imagination, a sense of awe is apparent. I can’t help but find myself overcome with joy thinking about my dad’s arrival. One worthy of a God fearing man. One that honored a legacy that touched many. An arrival that praised a life given to a Christian calling. I must say, “What a Homecoming!”

And the legacy continues. Not one only lived by dad, but the legacy of Christ that so many have lived out while on earth. We are called to continue to carry the legacy and share the story of salvation. As I think about dad’s homecoming and the life he lead, I am inspired to ‘man-up’ to my calling so that one day, as my dad greets me with the saints, I can say to my Father, “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith,” and He will say, “It is as you say. Welcome home my child.”