Hello friends,

The last three days have been a whirlwind -- but one in which God's mercy and peace are at the heart. On Wednesday's night after the Wednesday prayer meeting at church, I (Flint) put his Mom and Dad in their car to go home. About an hour later I got a call saying Dad had been taken by ambulance to Providence Hospital. In a few minutes they called us back to see Dad and learned from the doctor the result of the cat scan. They had found a large bleed in the brain --an aneurysm -- that was affecting Dad's right side and speech. Dad was conscious but could not make sentences. Mom and I told Dad we loved him, I held Dad's arm and prayed for God's peace and mercy to cover us all, and that God's loving presence would cover us in whatever lay ahead. Dad's eyes passed back and forth from me to Mom as if to say "take care of mother." In a moment Dad slipped into unconsciousness.

The doctor said that medicine was being given to try and contain the bleeding. We left the hospital around 11:00 p.m. knowing the future was in the Lord's hands. At 2:30 the phone rang jolting me from sleep. The nurse said that Dad had taken a turn for the worse and that we needed to come immediately. When we arrived at the ICU, Dr. Cooney explained that the swelling had progressed to the point that the respiratory center was affected. Dad could no longer breath on his own, and needed life support. The doctor shared that Dad's condition was grave and that his chances of survival were slim.

The neurologist confirmed this the following morning. Dad's brain function was minimal. We called brothers and sisters to update them and let them know this was the chance to see Dad one last time. After seeing Dad and expressing our love, the family gathered around Dad on Saturday morning as the life support was removed. We sang the "Doxology", "In the Sweet, Bye and Bye", "Kum Ba Ya",. and the "New 23rd Psalm", a family favorite. Within less than 15 minutes Dad had peacefully passed into Glory.

Please pray for us in coming days. The funeral will be on Tuesday. Dad's great love and purpose was missions, such that he was known around the church as "Mr. Missions". It is the family's wish that gifts be made to International Ministries in lieu of flowers since this was Dad's heartbeat. Please pray also for my Mom as she adjusts to living without her partner of 58 years. Pray that the Lord will continue to be glorified in the funeral service, as He was glorified throughout Dad's life.

In the arms of Christ,

Flint and family