In Memory of Denise Stout

We said goodbye to a beautiful woman of faith this weekend. Denise's service was an amazing testimony to the work of God in her life and how she touched so many people with His light. It was also a wonderful celebration of the victory that she has gained! We rejoice that she is now cancer free and safe in the arms of Jesus, but she will be greatly missed.

One of the memories I will hold most dear about Denise are her encouraging words to me (on Facebook) as I struggled with one of Jack's latest mischievous episodes. I paraphrase, but she basically said in a nutshell, "God has great plans for Jack. He doesn't give that kind of will to just anybody - and He doesn't give that kind of child to just any parents."

Please join us as we pray for comfort and strength for her family - especially for her husband, Kelly, and her 13 year old son, Jake.

Kelly and Denise ~ Aug. 2008

"No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Cor. 2:9

"Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 1Therefore encourage each other with these words." 1 Thess. 4:13-18