The Race is Won

This is a bittersweet letter to let you know that Dad died last night in his sleep. We got him comfortable yesterday & he was peaceful all afternoon. When Mom & I were getting ready to go to bed around 10pm, he started getting more restless & started moaning again. I could hear the rattling start again in his chest & I gave him the medicine which had worked before, but it seemed to get worse. He was moaning loudly, almost calling out but not consciously and his breathing was more irregular. Before he would stop breathing for 15 seconds at a time, but now we could count 45 seconds of silence at a time. He still had fevers all day. Mom pulled up her recliner chair next to him and Mike, Tony, & I sat around watching & talking for awhile. We gathered together & prayed over him again and went to bed around 1130. Tony slept on the ground & Mike on a couch nearby. Mom remembers waking up & touching his arm at 1230 and then Tony woke up at 4:30 & listened for dad's irregular breathing. He was the one who woke us up to let us know Dad was gone. He looked so peaceful, more like Dad then he has in a long time. There were some tears, but mostly joy & relief that Dad is finally with Jesus just like we prayed for.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God, trust also in me.
In my Father's house are many rooms;
if it were not so, I would have told you.
I am going there to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back and take you to be with me
that you also may be where I am." --Jesus
John 14:1-3

We are still discussing plans for the funeral & will keep you posted.
Lots of love,
christy