My brother Scott with Polly flew down from WA state to be with us for a week around Dad's Memorial Service.  My sister Cherie with Dave had driven back from picking up "their" 3 kids from CA.  They, along with many friends, were all so helpful in preparing for, conducting and recording Dad's Memorial Service.  It was a very good time of celebrating, remembering, singing, sharing, eating, supporting each other and honoring Dad. Huge thanks to all who contributed to and attended this final earth-gift for Dad.  You know who you are. (It was also a huge gift to us, Dad's family, and close friends who were not able to attend ... to help us get closure until we meet again.)  THANK YOU!

I wasn't going to mention any names, but both Mom and Scott ate two bowls of ice cream at the end of the service.  They said they ate their second bowl for Dad.  Well, of course ....!

You can view the service on youtube here: https://youtu.be/BM7GDI6z2IE

Click here to smiggle (smile and giggle) your way through a few photos from Dad's life: slideshow 
(Let's keep cute comments from the peanut gallery to a minimum please....)

And here is Dad's obituary:  

Benjamin Rempel a.k.a. Mr. Ben, Benny, Grandpa, Dad, Uncle Ben, Dr. Rempel and Ben by those who knew and loved him, vacated this earth and went to be with the Lord Saturday afternoon, June 27, 2020.  Ben died from obstructed bowels after being home in hospice for 2 weeks.  Ben is survived by his wife Carol to whom he was married for 62 years, three children and their spouses Scott (Polly), Robin and Cherie (Dave), his three grandchildren and their spouses, Philip, Allie (Josh), Andie (Nate), and two great granddaughters Mim and Evie.  Ben was also known as Grandpa or Papa Dad to numerous “adopted” grandchildren. 

Ben was born in Perrydale, Oregon to a farming couple, Dave and Agnes, the fourth child of five.  He is survived by all of his siblings.  He married Carol after they both graduated from Multnomah School of the Bible.  Children came along while Ben worked various jobs such as driving a logging truck and teaching school children.  He became Dr. Rempel upon graduating from the University of Wyoming with a degree in education.  Shortly thereafter (about 50 years ago) Ben moved his family to Longview, Texas where he taught at LeTourneau University and coached the first tennis team for several years, and then he moved into selling and managing real estate which he did until he was 80.  Ben loved the Lord, loved his wife and family faithfully, was very active in church and creatively supported Christian missions all his life.  He was a man of prayer and a man of action.  He enjoyed gardening, tennis, lumberjacking, walking in the neighborhood, playing Scrabble and being a grandpa.  He will be fondly remembered for being a family man, for being generous, hospitable, hard-working, servant-hearted, a wise mentor, and having a song or two for most every occasion.  He died at age 83 in Longview, TX, but he will live forever because he trusted Jesus Christ to pardon his sins and make him a son of God.  A celebratory memorial service is planned for Tuesday, July 7th (7/7/2020) at 7 pm at the Fellowship Bible Church gym on McCann Road. In lieu of flowers, consider giving a gift to missions in Ben's honor. Ice cream will be served in memory of the much loved Mr. Ben.


Mom and I are now in the house alone. We are getting used to a new quiet. (That is more difficult for Mom than for me.)  Scott and Polly have returned home.  Cherie and Dave and kids (in town for about a year, we think) come over most days in the late afternoon for swimming, dinner and fun "chores". ;) They will soon return to CA for some weeks to further the adoption process.  And, actually, most of us have been recovering from mild illnesses and fatigue.  It's a bit difficult to distinguish between the fatigue from illness, the fatigue of transitioning and eating badly, the fatigue of changing time zones (especially moving one into the eternal untime zone), the fatigue of sleep deprivation, that fatigue of hanging out with energetic kids, and the fatigue from simply getting older. (Did I say that?)  Regardless, these are the things of this earth life that we must persevere through because they cannot be avoided.  Thankfully, they are temporary.  And, even more thankfully (thankfullier?), we don't have to go it alone in our own strength or in our own wisdom ...
      I still belong to You, Lord!
           You guide me with Your counsel, 
                  leading me to a glorious destiny. 
      Whom have I in heaven but You?
         I desire You more than anything on earth. 
      My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, 
         but God remains the strength of my heart; 
      He is mine forever!...
            I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter ...    (from Psalm 73)

Gratefully His, 
   
 Robin (for the rest)

          Pray that we will rest. (Not worry, not fight, not hide.  Rest.) 
                      Find rest, O my soul, in God alone...