Tuesday

“Be happy with those who are happy,

weep with those who weep.”

~Romans 12:15 TEV~

Retia Dukes

Tuesday, August 4, 2009 1:10 AM, EDT

< memorial. >
Erik, Dad, Mom’s sister, Dad’s brother, and I together stood around Mom’s bed Monday evening taking in the vacant body before us. Mom was gone. What remained was the shell of a woman whose beauty was stunning and whose compassion was life-changing. Both have been affirmed over the last four months of a journey that still seems a bit surreal and unbelievable to me.

I plan to blog about it tomorrow – remembering Mom. For tonight, please let it suffice to simply give you a few details. Frankly, I am spent. Erik and I are about to get some sleep. Hopefully Dad is sound asleep by now, especially after only three hours of sleep last night while he waited in the hospital.

THERE WILL BE TWO MEMORIAL SERVICES for Mom. There will be one this coming Wednesday, August 5th, at 11am on the New Orleans Baptist Seminary campus in the Leavell Chapel. There will be a second memorial service on Tuesday, August 18th, in Orlando. We will get you the details for that one.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, please donate any gifts to the fund that New Orleans Baptist Seminary set up for Mom and Dad.

Dad, Erik, our family members, and I cannot express in words our deep gratefulness for all of you and the way you have prayed for and stood beside us during these last four months. There is still a journey ahead. Not only the steps of grieving Mom’s departure, but also the new normal for Dad and his continued recovery. Please keep us in your prayers.

We love you.
-jason

Chapmans

  • Mom: had a tough night last night, doing well today, begins therapy tomorrow. Pray that she will rest well tonight.

  • Dad: same, but doctors are trying hard to figure out what medicines may help him rest without adding to his confusion. Pray that he will rest well tonight.

  • Krisa: overdid it yesterday, paid for it last night, but doing well today. I MISS MY SWEETHEART!! Pray for her neck and head pain.

  • Emma: tough night last night, but something clicked this afternoon and outwardly she is doing 100% better. Lungs problems won’t let her out of the ICU, so pray for that.

  • Me: I wish I could be in four places at one time, but I’m thankful for sisters and church family and other family and friend that are awesomely loving and helping in every way possible. I’ve been resting under the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91), and He is GOOD.

KneEmail

Bounce

business-man-bounce.jpgGENERAL GEORGE PATTON argued, “Success is measured by how high you bounce when you’ve hit bottom…”

Simon Peter is a perfect illustration of this truth. He forsook his Lord and Friend in the garden. He even denied that he knew Jesus when identified by a young maiden around the fire. He hit bottom. However, he didn’t stay on the bottom. He bounced, and he bounced high. He would preach the gospel powerfully on Pentecost just a short time later  (Acts 2). He would be a catalyst in the growth of the early church (Acts 3-12).

The question is not whether we are going to fail; but rather, how high we are going to bounce once we do. (Wade Webster)

“Peter answered and said to Him,

‘Even if all are made to stumble because of You,

I will never be made to stumble.'”

Matthey 26:33

Posted by Mike Benson at August 3, 2009 3:26 PM

Thank you for praying.

Anna Lee

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