"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."
Psalm 116:15
When my dad first became pastor of our three churches over eight years ago, she and her husband were the first ones to learn all our names.
Mrs. Morrison was always full of hospitality, even after she was diagnosed with alzheimer's and had to be moved into a nursing home four years ago. One day a few months back when Timothy & Rosanna went to visit her she told them, "If your ever in Oak Bay just give me a call and I'll have some potates in the oven for you."
She loved her home in Oak Bay and soon after she was diagnosed with alzheimer's, she went to a doctor and he asked her some questions to see how far along she was. When asked what country she lived in she said, "Oak Bay." When the doctor tried to inform her that Oak Bay was not a country she replied "Then you've never been there!"
Mrs. Morrison passed peacefully Saturday night holding the hands of her husband Ken and daughter Sandra. We will all miss her greatly, and yet we know that this parting is only temporary.
"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
At her funeral on Wednesday, Mom, Rosanna & I sang three songs, one of which was Beyond the Sunset.
Beyond The Sunset
Beyond the sunset, O blissful morning.
When with our Saviour heaven's begun.
Earth's toiling ended, O glorious dawning
Beyond the sunset when day is done.
Beyond the sunset, no clouds will gather.
No storms will threaten, no fears annoy.
O day of gladness, O day unending.
Beyond the sunset eternal joy.
Beyond the sunset, a hand will guide me,
Beyond the sunset, a hand will guide me,
To God the Father whom I adore.
His glorious presence, His words of welcome,
Will be my portion on that fair shore.
Beyond the sunset, O glad reunion,
With our dear loved ones who've gone before,
In that fair homeland we'll know no parting,
Beyond the sunset forever more.
Goodbye, for now...we'll see you later.