In Loving Memory...

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands...



Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing...



Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture...



Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name...



For the LORD is good...



His mercy is everlasting...



And his truth endureth to all generations.



Shortly after Easter, I attended a mass for a friend's mother at this beautiful Catholic Church in Pensacola. From the moment I glimpsed the building, I could hardly wait to enter the doors. It had a copper roof that the salt air had aged to the most amazing verde gris color. Nor was I disappointed upon entering. From the first second, I was transfixed by how lovely everything was. My pictures simply do not do it justice. They were hastily snapped so as not to be rude.

The arched window was to the side of the narthex, and I was so focused on taking a decent photograph of it in a hurry, that I failed to see what the glass actually said. Upon closer examination when I was preparing this post, I realized the window contained the words of the Apostles' Creed. And what a comfort they have always been to me as they are right now!



Looking back through the photos, I could not help but think of my maternal grandmother, the Quintessential Methodist Church Lady, who could not wait to enter the doors of the church. I inherited that from her. And like the 100th Psalm states above, I still have the thrill of anticipation when I enter the Lord's house... be it a Gothic edifice, a humble clapboard, or an outdoor stadium. To enter His gates, and even more so His courts, is something that never ceases to thrill my heart, and I cannot even imagine how much more thrilling it will be to enter His heavenly gates and courts!

I am particularly aware of this because last Friday, Amy, the only daughter of one of my favorite bloggers (Debbie of There's An Angel on My Front Porch), went home to be with the Lord. After months of prayer and vigil from both her loving family and the blogging community and a brave battle against cancer that lasted for a number of years and drew the attention and respect of everyone who knew her, Amy now knows the thrill of what it means to enter the gates of Heaven, something that must be more magnificent, more wonderful than our hearts could ever imagine!

While I weep with precious Debbie and her family over this tragic loss of life here on earth, I know with all assurance that Amy's belief in the Lord gave her and her loved ones the blessed assurance that Amy is going to spend eternal life in a place where there is no more death, no more suffering, and no more sorrow, sickness, or pain. I don't just think this is true, I know it is true, just as I know that the sun rises in the East and sets in the West. We have the Lord's own assurance, and for that I am forever grateful.


Thank you, Father, for that peace that passes all understanding that keeps our hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of our Savior and Lord, Christ Jesus.

For the LORD is good! His mercy is everlasting! And His truth endureth to all generations! Amen.



Debbie with her daughter Amy (born on July 6, 1976 -- went home to be with the Lord on October 23, 2009)

Please take a moment if you will to send your condolences to Debbie and her family. In addition to Debbie, some of you may know Sherry of Country Wings in Phoenix or Heidi of Fairy Footprints. Sherry is Amy's aunt, and Heidi is her cousin. There is an online register you may sign at the funeral home. The funeral is today at 2:00 p.m. (Central Time). Click here for the link which I would assume will be up for a while. Please note that there is a button where you may opt not to have your email address published online.

Blessings to you, today and always...


Mrs. Magpie (Sheila)