God is loving and faithful to all His promises.

There is much I want to share here in this place about God’s faithfulness to us in the days surrounding Dad’s entrance into Glory. I think it will need to be in bits and pieces to make it doable. We are still trying to wrap our minds around it all, feeling much comfort in the love you have shown us and still there is a sadness because we miss him so. And that’s okay.

Dad’s Celebration of Life was a beautiful day… cold, but beautiful. Dad was honored and God was exalted. Here is the slideshow that we began the service with. Dad had something to share with us… it is his voice you will hear.

Taking a few days away to rest. Then I will be back to share more. Until then ”keep on keeping on”!

Art Yohner’s Celebration of Life Service
Saturday, January 14th, 1 pm
Calvary Baptist Church
3006 9th Ave W, Bradenton, FL.

Visitation will be held on January 13th, 6-8 pm,
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes, 604 43rd St. W.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to:

Trinity College
Art Yohner Mission Scholarship Fund,
2430 Welbilt Blvd,
Trinity, FL 34655

World Team
Suriname Indian Evangelism Fund,
1431 Stuckert Road,
Warrington, PA 18976.

It is indeed with great joy and much sadness that I tell you that at 4pm today, Dad was ushered by angels into the presence of Jesus, who said, “well, done my good and faithful servant!”. He is enjoying the best New Years Eve Celebration ever!

We are overwhelmed by the grace and too many gifts to count that God poured out on us during this past week. Once I get some sleep I will be sure to share with you the beautiful details, because they were a result of your faithful prayers on our behalf. We will never be able to say thank adequately.

Now to Him who can do exceedingly more than we could ever ask or think, to Him be the glory both now and forever more!

One big gift is your words of encouragement. Mom was finally able to read through more of your FaceBook and blog comments this morning.

Reading through Dad’s bible is also one of those gifts. Those of you who knew Dad, know that he was one funny guy. He always had a funny story or joke to tell. He loved to laugh.

I found these verses and notes yesterday in his bible…

And then we got these videos from the kids.
Dad would have loved it… the perfect sermon illustration.

sorry i do not know how to rotate it.

Annette, the “hospice angel” as I call her, came while Veronica and her family were here. We sang Amazing grace together… or tried to at least. She prayed for our family and ended with a special blessing over Joshua, that he would grow strong and mighty in the Lord.

Mom enjoyed showing Janet, Dad’s hospice nurse a photo book of their years in Suriname.

Last night was a long night. We found it hard to make the decision to stay with Dad or go home to sleep. Mom went home and we are grateful she was able to sleep. Our friend Jackie and I stayed with Dad. She is a gift during these days!

It seems inconceivable to be saying on Day 10 or is it 11?, that Dad is about the same as yesterday. This painfully slow process is not easy to watch and tears find there way out when least expected, but how can we ask for more than the fact that aside from his labored breathing Dad continues to be comfortable and peaceful without the aid of meds.

We can feel your love and prayers dear friends and family. We are counting on them! Thank you for allowing us to share this journey with you.

This morning Mom wrote this on the board in Dad’s room …

Mom and I showed up this morning dressed like twins! Too funny!

Last night when I got home I struggled a bit with Mom and I not being with Dad during the night. I called and talked to Nurse Donna and she took her time and talked with me, answering my questions and assuring me that he was in good hands and that he was not quite ready to go yet. I am so thankful that Mom and I both are getting restful uninterrupted sleep so far. My prayer is that we will be with Dad when he enters into glory. Especially Mom… she has been by his side so faithfully for so long. Will you join with me in asking this favor?

We have Dad’s bible here and it really is quite the experience to sit and look through it. I can still hear Dad preaching and sharing his heart.

Pastor Helms shared the other day about Jesus standing when Stephen entered heaven. Jackie, Mom and I have had lots of good conversations about this. Why did Jesus, who is seated at the right hand of God, stand? Was it because Stephen was a martyr? Was it because he finished the task God had given him? When we asked Pastor Helms, he said sometimes God gives us scriptures that we can’t fully understand and says, ” have fun with this one.” We won’t know until glory, but it is a beautiful thought that Jesus may stand to greet Dad. Here’s another peek into Dad’s bible.

Thank you so much for your love and prayers dear friends…

Our precious faithful friends, Ron and Jackie, took us out to lunch, which was a nice reprieve.

Pastor Erickson, who has faithfully visited Dad over the past two and a half years, came and prayed with us.

There is little change with Dad. He is remarkably peaceful. His CNA said he did open his eyes briefly as she was tending to him, while Mom and I stepped out into the hall. Rosie, who provides activities for the residents and who had a special connection with Dad, said she told him to squeeze her hand if he could hear her and he did!

It’s the waiting that can be hard at times, but as someone reminded me, these days are a gift. So we will not waste them busying ourselves with things that don’t matter. We will sit and talk and pray and give thanks for the many ways God is carrying us.

We do need your continued prayers. While I want to share our journey with you, there are things that are not wise or appropriate to share here in this place. So we trust the Holy Spirit to intercede and to prompt you to pray on our behalf. Some specifics… for us to see God’s hand in the timing of things and how it will affect our family who want to be here. We are thankful for restful sleep and God’s strength that carries us through the days. Prayers for Dad’s caregivers and staff, both from the facility and Hospice, as they minister to Dad and to us.

AS I sit here and write to you, Mom is reading some of the wonderful notes and letters from her Treasure Box of 80 Memories. Your words give strength, comfort, joy and assurance that our God is faithful to do way more than we can ever imagine and that his timing is perfect!

I will sign off with this from the cover of Dad’s Pastors Manual…

Thank you so so very much!!!

Dad continues to sleep and all who see him comment that he looks comfortable and peaceful. Our hearts are so grateful that he is.

We are back with Hospice and thankful for what they give to us at this time. The Hospice Chaplain came by and sang two beautiful hymns over Dad and spoke a powerful blessings over him and us. Her voice was angelic and her words so annointed. I have started calling her the hospice angel, because not only is she a beautiful woman, but she has a beautiful spirit.

The staff here at the Towers, where Dad has been for two and a half years have been so good to us. We are thankful that Dad’s room is at the end of the hall with a sitting area just outside his door. They have provided drinks and snacks for us and are doing everything they can to make this time special.

The day was sprinkled with friends and family stopping by, allowing God to strengthen us through their words. Reminded by Pastor Helms that “something special is about to happen!”

One special moment to remember was when Veronica was saying good-bye to Dad. She held Joshua up close to his great grandpa’s face and Joshua began smiling, cooing and “talking” loud and longer than I have ever heard him. I think he and Dad were having a conversation.

A highschool friend of mine from Ben Lippen days wrote … “I remember your father as a tall, strong and passionate man and he will step back into those footprints very soon” I love that!

Thank you so very much for all your phone calls, emails and comments here and on FaceBook. You know if we could we would respond to each one individually, but right now I just want to say thank you so much.

Here’s a little something from Dad’s bible…

He had beautiful handwriting.

Christmas 2011 will most likely never be forgotten in our family’s memory.

I have sat here staring at the screen in a mess of emotions trying to figure out how to share it…

the fun of having my girlfriends gather around to meet Joshua…

the joy of having all your children and grandchildren wake up together on Christmas morning…

the life that little boys infuse into our family…

the joyful anticipation of Baby Girl’s soon arrival…

the birthday celebration of one amazing woman and the emotions that we all felt as we read through 80 memories from family and friends that were tucked inside a treasure box…

how do you share your gratitude for the gift God gave us on Christmas…

But how do I express the joy and at the same time express the deep sadness in my heart. We have had two and a half years to prepare ourselves for such a time as this. There have been plenty of talks with God about why the delay, why the suffering. But now… it’s so hard to let go. Dad is sleeping all the time now and has not taken food or fluids for at least 5 days.

He slept through meeting his great-grandson Joshua for the first time. But I have to believe that as Mom held Joshua up to Dad, he knew.

 And as Jaxson sat on his lap… he knew.

And as each of us expressed our love and respect for him… he knew.

And so it seems that Dad will soon be stepping on shore and finding it heaven. He will touch a hand and find it Jesus’. He will breathe new air and find it celestial. It won’t be long now and he will wake up in glory and find it home.

Our sweet little friend Kate’s dance class performed for Dad and the residents at the nursing home on Dec 12th. From what I can remember this is the last time that Dad and I made a connection. I will treasure this photo.

I don’t need to ask you to pray because I know you are. You know what to pray for and when to pray and how to pray. Your love, concern and prayers poured out on us over the past two and a half years means more to us than I could ever begin to express. May God be glorified.

Jaxson is discovering his voice… learning to say words…

he loves to say “bus” and when he does he whispers it and drags out the “s” on the end…

don’t you love how his little finger points to the pictures in the book.

Love it!!

And finally the Academy Award goes to…

Oh the wonder and delight!

May your day be filled to overflowing with good things!

And remember… how we spend our days is of course how we spend our lives.