When The Saints Go Marching In

On August 22nd my grandma, Arlene Davey Brandt Rowles passed away.  She was 94 and would have been 95 in September.  As a pastor I've had the privilege to do many memorial services, comfort families and see people come to Christ as a result.  This time around I'll just be attending her service on Friday in Ohio.  The pastor of Calvary Baptist in Lancaster will perform the service as she was a faithful member there and very involved before her health was failing.


She sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and had been the church treasurer for a time.


When I found out of her passing I had these thoughts:
About death...it was a reminder of how serious God takes sin.  It was also a reminder of the absolute truth of God's promises to us.  For a believer, death can be called a good and gracious thing in our lives.  She's not in pain, there's no more doctors visits, tests, or physical struggles.


I knew that Christ would be lifted up and glorified in some way through this process and memorial service.  We will be reunited again someday.  Although its a loss for us that remain, its a gain for my grandma.  
She is in the very presence of our Lord.  I'm a little jealous!  


Her obituary is HERE.

“ O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? 1 Cor. 15:55

Our Dog Story...

Last Thursday we had to put "Samson" our german shepherd mix of almost 14 years to sleep. It was very difficult and yes Stacey and I did sit with her on a blanket while it happened. This was harder than we expected. Especially on Stacey. Hallie understood and was sad and I think Connor didn't understand what was going on. Nancy came over and watched the kids while Stacey and I took Samson to the vet. We did not expect the grief to be so heavy. If you've ever lovingly put a dog down then you know, if you have not, then you don't. Here is a picture of Samson just before we left for the vet.

She was a good companion that followed Stacey around the house for almost 14 years! She jogged with me for years. At the time of this picture she was blind, had an enlarged heart, on meds, would gasp for breath, one eye had turned bluish white, and she was not responding like usual. We got her as a 6 week or so old puppy and she has been with us ever since. She had been camping, to Kansas on trips, lived in 3 states, etc... "She was a good dog!"

The next day the kids were out of school so we took them to the Idaho Humane Society (the pound). And so the story continues... more later...