A special time of remembrance

This weekend we celebrated Timmy's life and his graduation into Jesus' presence. Marshall and I agreed that the day went just like it should have: it honored Timmy and the Savior who created him. Be sure to check out the photo gallery to view, post, or download pictures.

We started the day at the funeral home, where we got some time first as a family and then with a small group of friends. It was a special time to be together and to cry together. Outside of the room was a beautiful portrait of Timmy. It was a black & white picture that our friend Dayna had taken and then hand painted in color. Along with that picture, there were also some blue and white balloons at the entrance. On either side of Timmy's casket there were picture boards of Timmy's life. We enjoyed looking at them and remembering the times when Timmy was stronger and we enjoyed his bright smile and cheerful laughter. There were also some brightly colored butterfly balloons on each side of Timmy's casket. These were there because Timmy loved shiny balloons, and to remind us that Timmy has broken out of his (human body) cocoon and has been made new in Jesus' presence.

After the funeral home, we went to the church and enjoyed a beautiful service together. Pastor Mark Brown led the service. It started off with a slideshow using Plumb's song "God Will Take Care of You." That album was something Timmy needed in order to sleep for a long time, and we just couldn't have a service of remembrance without playing something from it. After Mark prayed, he and two other dear friends did an excellent job sharing about Timmy's life and some of the stories from the times that they had spent with him. Our friend Kathie spoke to represent our times in Idaho, when Timmy still was mostly healthy. My favorite Kathie story was when we had requested prayer for Timmy and they were looking for a volunteer to pray - and she was SO quick to volunteer for that job. It was fabulous. Then our friend Lauri spoke to represent our times in California. She played a special role in Timmy's life as his unofficial nurse and helper. Then we enjoyed a beautiful slide show of pictures of Timmy using a song called "Who's My Pretty Baby" by Elizabeth Mitchell.

Then Mark gave a beautiful message based on Philippians 3:20-21.

To conclude, Marshall's dad read Romans 8:18-27.

We finished up the service with one more slideshow, using the music from Brooke Fraser's "C.S. Lewis Song":

If I find in myself desires

nothing in this world can satisfy
I can only conclude

that I was not made for here
If the flesh that I fight is at best
only light and momentary
then of course I'll feel nude
when to where I'm destined
 I'm compared

CHORUS:
Speak to me in the light of the dawn
Mercy comes with the morning
I will sigh 
and with all creation groan

as I wait for hope to come for me

Am I lost or just less found?

On the straight or on the roundabout
of the wrong way?
Is this a soul that stirs in me

is it breaking free

wanting to come alive?
'Cause my comfort would prefer

for me to be numb
And avoid the impending birth

of who I was born to become

CHORUS

For we are not long here
Our time is but a breath

So we better breathe it

And I was made to live

I was made to love

I was made to know you

Hope is coming for me
Hope...He's coming

CHORUS

Following the service, the ladies at the church provided finger foods for a very nice reception. It was great to get to spend a little time with everyone and celebrate Timmy's life together. At the very end, we decided to release the balloons together. It was just beautiful to watch them fly away and think that Timmy is now free from the body that was getting so heavy for him to carry.

So now as our families have all gone home and we look toward an uncertain future, may Timmy's life remind us of the One who made us and cares for us and who loves Timmy even more than we do.