This will likely be my final post about Joyce on CaringBridge. I’d like to thank our daughter Malisa Arbogast for suggesting and setting things up so that I could share this journey with you. 

Yesterday was an emotionally filled day, and yet it was a good day, as so many made it very special.

Pastor Joseph Stoner from the Harrisonburg Nazarene Church led the very meaningful graveside service at Weaver’s cemetery.  The weather was beautiful.  The grave site looks out to the east over the Shenandoah Valley.  

From there we went back to the VMRC campus to the Detwiler Auditorium where friends were gathering for the 4 pm service.  In her wishes Joyce had mentioned two songs and her desire for the service not to be long  The songs were:  The Love of God and How Great Thou Art.  Her second cousin, John Deputy, played a beautiful prelude and played the piano for the congregational songs.

The service was led by Carmen Miller and the hymns led by Steve Landis, both VMRC Chaplains.  Angie Williams had the meditation, the Threshold Choir sang two songs and JoAnn Wenger had some personal reflections.  

As a resident in the cafe mentioned to me this morning “I believe Joyce would have been pleased.” 

Thanks to each of you who made the memorial service such a special tribute to Joyce.  The staff at the McMullen Funeral Home did a wonderful job in preparing for the visitation on Sunday and two services yesterday. 

For those of you who were not able to attend the memorial service, it is available at https://vimeo.com/833719499/23bc97e4a3?share=copy   The recording includes the piano prelude, the service and the video with a number of family pictures of Joyce over the years  

I know I’ve mentioned several times the way Joyce reached out to those who needed encouragement. May I share just two more? 

One was in a sympathy card that I received after her passing. I quote from this lady’s  card, “When ——- passed away she (Joyce) called and had prayer with me, something I will never forget.”  The second occurred here at VMRC in the cafe.  A former elementary school classmate from the years at the Dale Enterprise School said to me, when the other classmates made fun of me, Joyce did not but was kind to me. 

I never had the privilege of knowing her Dad, Charles Deputy Sr., however Joyce mentioned to me a number of times how he was concerned and helped their neighbors. Her Mother Hazel, was a gem as a mother-in-law and was kind and considerate. I say this to remind us as parents and grandparents of the influence we all have on our children and grandchildren. 

So where do we go from here?  Let mention a few items. 

First, on Saturday, June 24th, I plan to air a musical tribute to Joyce on Sunshine Valley. The program is to air from 9:30 to noon on WBTX.  Locally you can listen at 1470 AM or 102.1 FM. If you live outside the local area you can go to WBTXradio.com and click on listen. I also hope to get back doing the program on a regular basis, sharing every other Saturday with Christopher Runion.  This will likely start in July or August  

Over the past 10 years or so, it has been a wonderful privilege to serve on the board of Miracle of Nazareth International Foundation, the US fundraising arm for Nazareth Village in Nazareth, Israel. I plan to continue to serve, as funds are being raised for the construction of the Discovery Center at the Village. 

As I mentioned in my last post, I’m hoping to join Pastor George Bowers and his wife Nancy on their planned trip to Israel and Jordan in the fall of next year.  With this in mind, I’d like to invite you to join us. If you have interest, please email me at: DEshleman41@gmail.com and I’d be happy to send you all the details. 

Yes, I also hope to get playing some golf this summer. As long as you don’t take yourself too seriously, golf is a great way to relax and get some needed exercise.

In closing, I’d like to express my deep appreciation to those of you who sent cards to Joyce and to me after her passing. Thanks also for the kind comments on Facebook and here on CaringBridge. 

Thanks also for your prayers.  As I say good bye, let me leave you with the final verse of How Great Thou Art. I hope we can sing it together! 

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation, and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!

Then I shall bow in humble adoration and there proclaim, my God, how great thou art!