Thursday, September 22, 2011
Memorial Service
HARRINGTON, Francis Edward Harrington, III, 73, of Mesa, AZ passed from this world into the presence of Jesus Christ, his Savior, on September 11, 2011, in Mesa. He is survived by his wife, Mary Harrington, a son, Kenneth, and a daughter, Kristina. His daughter, Elisabeth, predeceased him on February 11, 2006. A memorial service will be held at 2pm Saturday, October 1, at Christchurch, 7464 E. Main St., Mesa. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent to either Moody Bible Institute, 820 N. LaSalle Blvd., Chicago, IL 60610 or Christchurch (see address above).
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Gone Home
In some ways, we were not expecting an end to this blog. But in God's timing, the love of my life has gone Home to be with His Lord at 7:35am this morning. He spent about 7 hours in a Hospice facility before leaving this world. Saturday he came down with a high fever and pain that couldn't be relieved by all his pain medication. So we took him to be admitted at a Hospice facility about 4 miles away in hopes they could give him stronger medication. They tried everything, even morphine, to no avail. He spent a restless night. By morning he was talking and seemed to be calmer. The nurse left for a few minutes, and when she came back he was gone.
Today, September "11" brings three significant memories for me. Ten years since 9/"11," our daughter, Lesa, passed away on February "11," and my love went Home on 9/"11." Could all this be "coincidental?" I don't think so!
Today was planned a special "Celebration of Families" along with a celebration for our 55th Anniversary at our church. Of course Ed wanted to be there. But the celebration went on with so many of our "church family." We included in that a "celebration of Ed's life." What a special celebration that was! A number of "family" members planned it all and created a 50's theme, which was the time Ed and I started going together and eventually marrying. It brought back so many good memories.
So, it's been an eventful day for me. We so appreciate how you have stood with us in prayer and uplifting comments throughout this journey. I praise God for your friendship.
John 5:24 says, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my Word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."
Today, September "11" brings three significant memories for me. Ten years since 9/"11," our daughter, Lesa, passed away on February "11," and my love went Home on 9/"11." Could all this be "coincidental?" I don't think so!
Today was planned a special "Celebration of Families" along with a celebration for our 55th Anniversary at our church. Of course Ed wanted to be there. But the celebration went on with so many of our "church family." We included in that a "celebration of Ed's life." What a special celebration that was! A number of "family" members planned it all and created a 50's theme, which was the time Ed and I started going together and eventually marrying. It brought back so many good memories.
So, it's been an eventful day for me. We so appreciate how you have stood with us in prayer and uplifting comments throughout this journey. I praise God for your friendship.
John 5:24 says, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my Word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."
Friday, September 9, 2011
Pain
What causes pain? Whatever it is, the pain pills I receive from Hospice really help control it for which I am very grateful. Last Saturday I was taking more of the pain meds than I had ever taken before, and I wasn’t getting relief. Being a rational and practical sort of guy, I thought that maybe the growing tumor was putting pressure on some organs and it could increase until no amount of pain pills would help. Not a very good ending for a guy who doesn’t like pain. Resting and medicating myself all day Saturday resulted in Sunday afternoon being much better.
Another possibility to my excessive pain could be attributed to my excessive Friday activities. Our grandson, Chris, and his lovely bride, Kylie, visited us during their honeymoon. What a wonderful but busy day, and that may have contributed to my bad Saturday. Lesson learned: Don’t overdue Ed!
I received some unexpected encouragement this week while reading the fourth chapter of Acts. “When they...realized that they (Peter and John) were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus.” If I was able to choose how I wanted to be remembered, I would hope others would say that I was a man that “had been with Jesus.” What was it about Peter and John that was different? Their character? Places they went? What they read? People they hung out with? Their concern and actions toward others? Guess that I’ll have to continue thinking on this one.
How much effect did your prayers have on me recovering last Sunday afternoon? I honestly don’t know, but I do know that I am grateful for each of you and your prayers. We have a big God who can do anything! Thanks.
Another possibility to my excessive pain could be attributed to my excessive Friday activities. Our grandson, Chris, and his lovely bride, Kylie, visited us during their honeymoon. What a wonderful but busy day, and that may have contributed to my bad Saturday. Lesson learned: Don’t overdue Ed!
I received some unexpected encouragement this week while reading the fourth chapter of Acts. “When they...realized that they (Peter and John) were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus.” If I was able to choose how I wanted to be remembered, I would hope others would say that I was a man that “had been with Jesus.” What was it about Peter and John that was different? Their character? Places they went? What they read? People they hung out with? Their concern and actions toward others? Guess that I’ll have to continue thinking on this one.
How much effect did your prayers have on me recovering last Sunday afternoon? I honestly don’t know, but I do know that I am grateful for each of you and your prayers. We have a big God who can do anything! Thanks.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Fifty-five Years
On Tuesday, August 30th, we celebrated 55 wonderful years of marriage at a small Thai restaurant.
Were all of those years smooth sailing and without turbulence? Of course not! When it rains everyone gets wet. So why do some survive and others crumble during the storms of life? There is a story in the Bible about two men who built houses. One built on the rock and the other built on the sand. Which was standing after the storm? What makes the difference between where we build our house or life? The one on the rock not only knew God’s truth from the Bible, but he put it into practice. He applied it. There is the answer to why some survive.
Have we always obeyed God? No, but the desire of our hearts has been to honor, obey, worship, and please Him in all of life’s events. Because of His grace and mercy we have made it this far, and we’re looking ahead to the next 55 years! Every year gets better when Christ as Lord.
My Hospice nurse, and other friends who see me, can’t believe that I’m feeling and looking so well. Some have commented of my strong faith. How I appreciate the compliment, but I feel that I have the least amount of faith of anyone I know. Only God gets me through one day at a time. Actually it is a really stress free way to live. I suggest that we all try it for a week.
As you can see by how I’m doing, your prayers are being answered. Thanks so much.
Were all of those years smooth sailing and without turbulence? Of course not! When it rains everyone gets wet. So why do some survive and others crumble during the storms of life? There is a story in the Bible about two men who built houses. One built on the rock and the other built on the sand. Which was standing after the storm? What makes the difference between where we build our house or life? The one on the rock not only knew God’s truth from the Bible, but he put it into practice. He applied it. There is the answer to why some survive.
Have we always obeyed God? No, but the desire of our hearts has been to honor, obey, worship, and please Him in all of life’s events. Because of His grace and mercy we have made it this far, and we’re looking ahead to the next 55 years! Every year gets better when Christ as Lord.
My Hospice nurse, and other friends who see me, can’t believe that I’m feeling and looking so well. Some have commented of my strong faith. How I appreciate the compliment, but I feel that I have the least amount of faith of anyone I know. Only God gets me through one day at a time. Actually it is a really stress free way to live. I suggest that we all try it for a week.
As you can see by how I’m doing, your prayers are being answered. Thanks so much.
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