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Tuesday, April 19, 2011

From Charity

His mercies are made new each day...April 19

  • God giving me the words to articulate who Derek was and getting it written down;
  • his fleece that was in his office loaded with smells of Derek since all of his clothes from the house smell like smoke;
  • the joy of fellowship (Definition of Joy by James MacDonald- it’s a supernatural delight found in knowing God, embracing God’s plan for your life, and fellowshipping with His people);
  • a funeral planning session that I described as easy and fun - it felt like Derek was in the room - he left no doubt about what he liked and what he didn't like - we spent four hours sharing about who he was, his passions and his laugh;
  • the freedom to be angry and sad;
  • a free shopping trip to Hot Mamma with Joya, Erin and Ahna; 
  • AppleCare for taking the hard drive full of pictures, sermon notes, and songs out of charred computer and putting it in a new one for free in record time;
  • an Oma who get Johanna to sleep when no one else could;
  • Jonathan Beukelman still having the ability to make me laugh so hard my stomach hurts

8 comments:

  1. "The Will of God will not take you, where the Grace of God cannot keep you." ---Robert Bedingfield, former pastor at Central Reformed Church

    Continuing to pray for your family during this difficult time.

    -ESK

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  2. Oh, Charity, you don't know me, but we have been praying for you and the girls this past week, and know that our Lord is holding you close in His comforting arms.

    Isaiah 40:18-31
    Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

    We will continue to uphold you in the days and weeks to come.
    Marge Jones

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  3. Hi Charity, you don't know me, but i am a friend of Doug and Linda. I knew Derek when he was a toddler. You are an inspiration to many people and I know that God is lifting you up. Thank you for posting this so people can post and share how much we care and grieve along with you. May God continue to shower you with HIS abundant grace,mercy, and peace. I regret that I can not be there to support you in person as I am in Jamaica, but I will lift you up in prayer! Two of my children are also Taylor grads!
    Mary Beadner

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  4. Charity and family, you continue to reside in our hearts, thoughts and prayers. We love you.

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  5. Dear Charity,
    We've never met, but I am Charla Bultman's sister in Atlanta and have been to Crossroads a few times when in town. I got the privilege of hearing your dear husband share his passionate heart for His Savior one of those Sundays.
    My heart hurts so much for you and your family. I just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you often and praying for you and the girls. May the Father wrap His arms around you so tight today, and let you feel so much of His tenderness and His grace for your every need and care. I don't really know what to say, but as your sister in Christ I love you and will continue to lift you and your family up to our Father.
    Much much love,
    Mandy Miller

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  6. Charity,

    I did not know your husband personally but have been deeply moved by hearing about his life and passion for Christ. My heart breaks for you and your girls and I find myself waking in the middle of the night to pray and intercede for your family daily. You are an inspiration to me and I pray that God would continue to give you supernatural grace, strength and wisdom for the days ahead. I pray that your hearts would be comforted in knowing that Derek and Dylan are with our Creator, a place of perfect joy and peace.

    Praying continually for your family.

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  7. Charity,
    I know of your family because my family used to go to Crossroads church. I have been praying for you and your girls and those close to Derek and Dylan since I found out...I want you to know that I think of you often probably because I am also a mom of 2 girls. I pray that the Lord is near you on the days that are hard and the ones that are easier too, and that you experience a new level of intimacy with Him through this turn in your life. I can't possibly imagine the road you are walking right now, but I admire your courage and the hope I can sense from what you have written here. Thank you for sharing, I hope it brings you comfort that even those you don't know are praying for you as you continue on. I pray the Lord blesses you today.

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  8. Charity, I just saw this in the Taylor Magazine. Shedding tears and praying for you and the girls. Wow, Derek really grew into an amazing man; I still remember when we were crazy kids in college. We'll I'm out in California now and happily married to Bernhard Wassink, I have 2 girls and a baby boy. If you ever need a break or a change of scenery you are welcome as a sister in Christ to come visit. Feel free to look me up on FB or at Autumn.Wassink@gmail.com

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