When It's All Been Said and Done

Posted as a tribute to Daddy.

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Daddy's Testimony

Daddy wrote this to his friend, Brent in 2003, and he called it:

"My Conversion Story"

Here is an excerpt (modified for the parameters of this blog):

My story starts with my heritage. I have been blessed with being born into a Christian family, all in the Christian church. My Great Grandfather was an Elder, and my Grandfather was one of the founding Elders of a church in the West. My Dad was church organist in a Pacific Northwest Christian Church where I grew up. I was baptized at age 12. Going to Church and Sunday School has been a life long practice even during our Air Force years, continuing into civilian life and retirement.


As you can see I had no sudden and dramatic conversion, but rather a gradual realization of what life is about. This came from Sunday School classes, Bible study, sermons, hymns, fellowship with believers, singing in the choir, teaching in Sunday School; and serving as Deacon, Elder, Worship commission Chairman, Stewardship Chairman, and Board Chairman in our local congregation. I participated because I wanted to share my joy of experiencing God.


My realization of what life is about comes from sharing with and serving others, and acknowledging God as the one and only true God of this Universe who sent His Son that our sins be forgiven and that we can have everlasting life. He created us for fellowship and harmony in our personal relations and in music! For me, music is one of the joys of life. With music we can share the Gospel with others. 


My Conversion is growing deeper all the time. When I look back over the years, I now realize God was with me, although at the time I did not realize it. My wife, my career, my kids, my Savior, everything comes from Him. More than once He was with me during night weather high altitude pressure suit test flight emergencies.


I am now very much aware of experiencing God in my life every minute of the day. He is always in my thoughts with constant praise and thanksgiving. I find myself carrying on an almost constant conversation with Him...

Daddy's continual growth towards God has always been a blessing and an inspiration.

Fly

I wanted to share this song because not only did it remind me of Grandpa because he was a pilot, but also because he instilled a love of classical music in me at a young age... I remember listening to Kenny G and Claire de lune and even though I was young it moved me. Sometimes I would get upset because grandpa was listening to 'sad music' but when I hear this song I only feel joy and happiness knowing that he is now flying free....

Soaring the Heavens

Here is a poem shared at many military pilot's memorial services. I love the imagery. Don't know that it will be used to honor Daddy, but wanted to capture it here because it's such a tribute to what he loved to do.

source

HIGH FLIGHT

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth

And danced the skies 

on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I've climbed, 

and joined the tumbling mirth

Of sun-split clouds 

and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of 

wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence, 

Hov'ring there,

I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung

My eager craft through footless halls of air,

Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue

I've topped the windswept heights 

with easy grace

Where never lark, or even eagle flew.

And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod

The high untrespassed sanctity of space.

Pout out my hand, 

and touched the face of God.

--John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

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Dad's Scriptures

Mom and I were pondering scriptures the other day that spoke to us particularly about Daddy, and she shared this story with me:

When Dad was serving in Vietnam, he carried Psalm 23 with him every day -- on his body -- everywhere he went. He told her he read those verses every single day, and it brought him great comfort in the midst of that terrible chaos of war.

Find image and meditation here.

PSALM 23

1 The LORD is my shepherd; 

I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

3 He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk 

through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwellf in the house of the LORD

forever.

--English Standard Version

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Daddy goes to be with Jesus

Mom sent this email out to friends:

Time for a report from our family!

Because we have been friends over the years, I must send the message that Donald E. passed away on Saturday, June **, 20**. He had been fighting cancer for well over a year and in his own peaceful way, Don was called Home quietly and without pain, just as you might have pictured his passing. He was within a month of his 87th  birthday.  The family has gathered and the Memorial Service is pending.  

Olan Mills Portrait Studios

I am blessed to have shared 64 1/2 years of married bliss, 2 children and 6 grandchildren, plus 2 great granddaughters, with him.

Please pass this information along to any who knew him. Don treasured his friends and family until his days were done and he met his reward in Heaven, with Jesus.

Peace, Love, and Joy,

Marchi

and Don's entire family, gathered

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