There is a quote by Mother Teresa that says:
“They may see the good you do as self serving, continue to do good.
They may see your generosity as grandstanding, continue to be generous.
They may see your warm and caring nature as a weakness, continue to be warm and caring….for you see, in the end,
It is between you and God. It always was”
Ken always had a clear perspective on this, he was happiest in the background quietly doing what needed to be done, no need for recognition for him. At some point in our discussion about his wanting to donate his body for medical research he said you know you do not have to have a service for me, or if you do make it a small one. I told him that I hope that there are holes in the floor of heaven, and we would have a service about him but not really for him as he will be celebrating in Heaven with his brother Dale and all those that have gone before him.
As we prepared for this service and I thought of what to share memories came flooding back!
A note in my mailbox at Philhaven where we were both working when I first met Ken. “Service cannot become slavery to one who loves” his way of encouraging me to take a position that I had been offered in New York City at Heartsease Home, and all the memories of times spent with the young women I worked with there, and much of our dating time.
Ken’s trepidation at becoming a father, which quickly disappeared when Megan was born and Megan had him wrapped around her little finger from the time he first held her. Nothing gave him greater joy then spending time with his children, he was so proud of each of you. With the addition of PJ and then Emma he would talk about how blessed we are to have a family that loves the Lord and each other.
The years spent volunteering in Americus, GA where we saw God work in amazing ways, life long friendships were made, a new Mennonite church was started and we even had former Pres. Jimmy Carter as our SS teacher for 6 months.
Years of working with the youth group here at our church, Ken was happiest when he had work to do or he was helping to organize and lead missions trips, not just for our youth group, but for other churches and organizations. W. Virginia, several trips to Nicaragua, Guatemala, Jamaica, several Habitat projects and helping at Mennonite Disaster sites.
So this time has been a time of much laughter and many tears! As we ran Ken’s race we were moved and touched by the good wishes and stories that allowed us to take a walk down memory lane and for Ken to hear the stories of how his life and quiet faith had encouraged others in their faith walk. We were blessed by those of you that came and sat with us and shared in music, prayers, and quiet moments of reading the Bible, and the other important book – “PA Game News”.
This has been a precious time of savoring each day, both the good and not so good days a time of sharing our deepest feelings as we were keenly aware that this time may be all we have. Reflecting on God’s leading in our lives and how all of our days are numbered, and telling the stories of how God preserved Ken’s life during the “Tet” offensive in Vietnam where his household were the only American’s that were not killed or captured in the city of “Hue”. And when he and his friend Paul rode motorcycle through Afghanistan and due to some unusual circumstances were stoned by a nomadic tribe and then ended up in prison, a time when again God preserved their lives. While in prison the chief of police read through Ken’s Bible in 3 days and they had a chance to discuss the differences between the Bible and the Koran, the chief had many questions and ask if he could keep the Bible. Only after they left the country did they find out that proselytizing was punishable by death at that time, again seeing God’s hand of protection.
We are also so grateful for all of you who joined us on this journey, your love, support and prayers continue to be the wings beneath our feet.
The best qualities of Ken he leaves behind in each of our children,
Megan, you have your father’s quiet, gentle spirit, quietly working in the background, happy to not be in the limelight. You parent in the same way he did with love, patience and joy!
Joshua, you have your father’s tender, compassionate heart, you always see the need around you and respond, you have his work ethic that any job worth doing is worth doing right!
Joel, you have your father’s courage, tenacity, and compassionate heart, you tackle any new project that needs done with the same thought that your father had “I should be able to figure this out”.
And Tina, our honorary daughter, Ken loved you and was so proud of the woman you have become, he appreciated your honesty, your strong work ethic, your honest search to know God and your fun loving spirit.
So, I will continue to see glimpses of Ken in each of you as you walk out your faith in the paths God calls you to. He was so proud of each of you!
No comments:
Post a Comment