Sheila and I began the sabbatical with deep grief and pain. My sister's granddaughter lost her battle with cancer. Exactly 10 weeks to the day, from her diagnosis of GBM, she left the dust of this earth and entered Glory.
Our family is in mourning.
Sheila and I arrived in Orlando a few hours ago. We'll be with my sister and her husband, and the rest of our family, at Ava's Memorial Service tomorrow morning. I know some of you have made this journey with us and you wish you could attend the service too. You can.
Ava's service will be streamed live on-line tomorrow, Thursday, September 9th at 11:00 AM EST. It'll be available to watch later as well. Go here, to Northland's homepage and follow the link.
I want you to know about this so you can watch if you want to. Maybe it'll help you grieve. Maybe it'll help you pray. Maybe it'll help you find your way.
Death has not had the last word in Ava's story.
1 Corinthians 15:50-55 - Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. 55"O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?".
So sorry for your families lost.
Posted by: DisneyCyndi | September 08, 2010 at 11:07 PM
Mark & Sheila-
I am grieving and I didn't even know Ava. But she made a mark on me that will last forever. The entire Hunter family did.
Amber said it best, Ava was a sparkler. She had such depth for a 5 yr old. You could tell she knew Jesus loved her and she loved Jesus. That I credit to Josh & Lisa. Because of their love for Christ they lived it and passed it on to their children. It was so evident in Ava. She had confidence and fortitude in the battle she fought.
I can see her running, doing cart wheels and feeling whole again in heaven. I hope to meet her someday when I get there.
God bless you all on this day and the days to come.
Love in Christ-
Jody
Posted by: Jody | September 09, 2010 at 10:23 AM
Dear Pastor Beeson, I have been watching your blogs for updates about Ava. What a sweet little girl! I am so sorry for your loss. We can never comprehend what a treasure we have in the promise of heaven. As a nurse, I see people that die with no hope. That is grief!! Little Ava is experiencing the things we long for in our deepest soul. Thanks for sharing. So glad you are able to be with your family.. Know that your church family is ok...
Posted by: Nina Sagarsee | September 10, 2010 at 01:50 AM
What a blessing for all of us here to have you, Sheila, Amber, Ryan, Aaron, Tracy, Angela, John and Lydia here with us, Mark for Ava's memorial service. Ava loved you and your family. And she loved the online glimpses of Granger Church -- especially the July video featuring Branden, playing all parts in The Blind Side. Ava watched that sketch so much that she could say every word right along with him!
A special thank you to everyone of your blogosphere friends who has prayed for Ava over the last 10 weeks. We all were blessed by those prayers.
Safe travels super brother. You're wonderful.
Posted by: Becky Hunter | September 10, 2010 at 07:24 PM
This service to celebrate Ava's life may have been the most meaningful memorial I've ever experienced - albeit online. Isaac led and preached a phenomenal service. Still praying for you, Sheila and your family. Trusting God for your safe travel and restoration.
Posted by: Mark Waltz | September 14, 2010 at 09:33 AM