This Buick Roadmaster carried 17 people to church once!
All of these photos were taken by Dad's granddaughter, Kate Saler
Right up to the last day Dad loved to read his Bible.
John 14:1-6My Dad was promoted to Heaven a week ago today. His heart gave out after serving him well for 78 years. He had lost a lot of weight over the past 18 months ~ he weighed just 130 pounds. He was on oxygen at home and he could not speak easily because of fluid on his lungs. He never smoked but his docs think he might have had lung cancer. They didn't do a biopsy or drain the fluid because of his frail condition.
Dad was at peace about his death ~ he knew the Lord was waiting for him with open arms. Two nights before he passed I spoke with Mom and had to apologize for snapping at her (I had a tension headache, nausea and a bad backache). About 10 minutes later Mom called back, said Dad wanted to pray with me and put me on speaker. It was beautiful listening to my Dad, who loved me so much, pray with complete assurance that even with his halting speech his prayer would be heard and answered. I cried.
Most of the funeral arrangements had already been made. Some of Dad's pastor friends were at his house recently ~ discussing the service and praying with him. They were able to have a short communion service with Dad and Mom, which everyone appreciated.
I'm very glad that I was able to attend the last Sunday morning service (in July '09) that Dad was able to lead. He had been my pastor since I was 7 or 8 years old and I still compare every preacher I hear to Dad.
There are many reasons I'm blessed to have had this man as my Dad. I'm crying again now but I know he doesn't want us to be sad. Dad was gone before I made it to his home again last Friday but I know he'll be waiting for us with open arms when we go Home.
Tiger Lily's Mom
