Greetings from the Home Front

HAPPY THANKSGIVING from our family to yours! Becky, Jeremy and Katelyn will be celebrating Thanksgiving today in Fiji. Becky has worked in sweltering heat and humidity to prepare dishes for the Thanksgiving table. They're expecting seven friends for dinner tonight. Pray for God's blessings upon them as they celebrate this holiday without "daddy" being at home.

In addition to mourning the loss of Kent's brother, Doug, who went to be with the Lord on November 15th, it was just a few days later that a faithful ol' friend, our dog Wishbone, had to be put down. He was Jeremy & Katelyn's first dog and had been part of the family for 11 1/2 years. Jeremy and Katelyn felt the pain and loss of Wishbone very keenly. Here are a couple of pictures of Jeremy at age 3 when Wishbone "appeared" as a lost pup at our front gate. Katelyn, at age 4, enjoyed playing "dolls" with Wishbone and dressing him up. Wishbone was buried not far from home. Pray for Jeremy and Katelyn, in particular, as they come to terms with the loss of a very special four-legged friend.

A God-Honoring Service

The funeral service for Kent's brother, Doug, was such a God-honoring service. There were close to 600 people who came to the family visitation on Sunday night prior to the funeral on Monday afternoon. The assembly of so many friends were testimony to the many lives that were blessed and touched by Doug's "quiet" service to the Lord. He was a missionary in his own right.

The funeral service was led by Doug's pastor, Rev. Greg Allison, along with his brother-in-law, Rev. Bob Scott, from Texas. Doug's son, Stephen, sang three beautiful solo's for his dad and his daughter, Amber, wrote a beautiful poem. We praise the Lord for blessing our family with Doug who was not only a husband, dad, grandfather, son and brother, but such a precious, humble servant of the Lord who made a profound impact upon many, many lives.

With a tear-stained pillow, I've fallen alseep;

Night after night, I lay there and weep.

Sobbing and begging God for your life,

I wonder what He's thinking allowing such strife.

With a tear-stained pillow, I suddenly awake;

Remembering your words calms my heartache.

'Don't be bitter...Don't ask, Why?

Just know I'll be with Him when I die.'

With a tear-stained pillow, I picture that day

When the Lord calls you Home, you'll be on your way

To that beautiful City where you'll abide with Him,

Your Savior, your Father, your very best Friend.

With a tear-stained pillow, I find it hard to sleep

Imagining you on those bright, golden streets,

Walking with your Savior, finally Home

In that glorious place where you'll never be alone.

With a tear-stained pillow, I finally find peace

Knowing you're with Him, my grief begins to cease.

My sadness lifts, as I know there will come a day

When I'll be with you again, forever to stay.

~ Amber Bryant Clayton

A Breath of Celestial Air

On Saturday morning, Nov. 15th at 8:45 AM, Kent's brother, Doug, age 53, took his first breath of celestial air and was ushered into the presence of his blessed Redeemer. Doug's extended family, which included Mom, Kent, sisters Nianne and Alice, along with his own family, were privileged to keep vigil at his bedside all day long on Friday, Nov. 14th.

Yet, God orchestrated the events of this morning when only the members of his immediate family, his wife, Pam, and grown children, Amber & Stephen, were at his bedside when earth's final breath was taken. Within minutes, Kent and Mom were notified and called to their family home.

The family visitation will be at Bible Baptist Church in Creedmoor, NC located just off of Exit 189 on I-85 North from Durham, from 6 PM until 8:30 PM on Sunday night, November 16th.

Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, Nov 17th, 2 P.M. at Bible Baptist Church. Kent can be reached on his Mom's cell phone at 919-618-1052. Thank you so much for your love, your friendship and prayers.

Found in Doug's Bible

The following quote by Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family was found on a small piece of paper tucked away in Doug's Bible:

When I reach the end of my days a moment or two from now, I must look backward on something more meaningful than the pursuit of houses and land and bonds. I will consider my earthly existence to have been wasted unless I can recall a loving family, a consistent investment in the lives of people, and an earnest attempt to serve the God who made me. Nothing else makes much sense. ~Dr. James Dobson

"Expected and Unexpected" Trips

Kent's brother, Doug, is expected to enter the joys of heaven in just a matter of days (or even possibly hours). Bless his dear heart, he is so sick, unable to eat, and waiting upon God's call to come Home.

Unexpectedly, the executive boss man of Kent's sister, graciously donated 90,000 "frequent flyer miles" to secure a round trip ticket for Kent to fly from Fiji to North Carolina and back. Kent is in hopes of seeing Doug before He leaves for heaven, but that is up to the Lord and His perfect Will and timing.

Please pray for Becky and the children (Jeremy & Katelyn) as they'll once again be left behind in Fiji while Kent is away. Ask God to comfort the hearts of Doug's family and especially, our Mom, who already feels the loss. Should God choose to grant him one more day of life, Doug will be 53 years old on November 12th.