It seems so long ago and also just a few moments ago that this journal was started. It was started as a way to keep people up to date on how Dad was doing as it was hard to have the same conversation so often with different people.

Dad liked the idea that people could feel connected and join him and mom in prayer without them having to remember who they said what to.  BUT- Dad did not want this to become a place that simply reported things as they got worse. That didn't feel right to him as he imagined what future posts may look like.  At that time the future looked like tests and treatments but we did know that eventually we would be right where we are now. It was important to him that it become more than just a news report.  "I really don't want this to be come a way of having an on-going pity party..."

So I promised him it wouldn't... and it hasn't.

This has been a place to process and absorb all that was happening. A place to hold the tension that exists between the reality and pain of life here on earth and the joy and hope of eternal life with Jesus.

Tomorrow that is our focus. We are preparing to remember him, to celebrate him, and to acknowledge the sadness that is experienced with loss-- but also to hold all of that within the framework of assurance and hope.

The church will feel empty--very empty as attendance is limited to immediate family. We are definitely missing the physical presence of community... but there is also something intimate and special about preparing for tomorrow's reality as well.

We are extremely grateful for technology and the ability to ensure the service can be attended remotely. I think Dad would like the idea that people can attend in their comfy clothes and sit in their favourite chair.

Tomorrow, you are invited to join us as we remember, celebrate, and worship together the God that Dad served and with whom he now dwells.

We would love it if you would take pictures and share-- you can post here under "well-wishes"-- It can help all of us, those who are gathering remotely, connect to that tangible aspect of community that we crave in moments like this.

I have heard from people planning to attend how lonely and separate they are feeling as this is not something that we are supposed to do in isolation from each other.

So please join us. If you're tuning in LIVE you will be able to engage with other attendees via the chat function and you can be reminded that even though we are separated by geography and the realities of imposed restrictions for gatherings, we are not now, nor will we ever be, truly disconnected.

The words that tomorrow's service is based on, the Scriptures, songs, and testimonies all reflect the deeper truths which connect us and anchor us.

You can use these links to join us tomorrow, May 8th at 2:00PM BC Time. Pictures/slides will be shown prior to the service starting (Dad had very strong requests of us in regards to slide show during the service...😀 )

LIVESTREAM

ORDER OF SERVICE/BULLETIN


Romans 8:38-39:  "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below--indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

THAT. 

That is the focus for our tomorrow. That is the assurance that Dad had as he continued to say, "we will meet again". That is the hope that we share... our bond of connection that holds us together.