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TRIBUTE TO MY DAD

I see your Irish eyes laughing and I hear you telling your silly jokes and making others laugh. I feel your love in the warm Spring wind when it blows and the beautiful colors of autumn as the leaves change. I know that you are in a better place than this mad world and that no more can anyone hurt you or that you will never feel pain again. I wonder sometimes if you weren't summoned by God because He needed just a little more laughter and joy in heaven and that the joy you brought to others here on earth was so badly needed to be taught to some who had gone onto heaven, not having the blessing of living the joy while they were here. And when I see a rainbow my heart pounds because it always reminds me of God's promises, and I know we will again be reunited in heaven one day, never to be separated again!

My dad passed away suddenly from a second heart attack on November 29, l996. He will forever be loved and missed by his family. When this happened, I just had to know dad was alright, and I kept asking God to just let me know dad was okay. One day shortly after the funeral, I had a vision--several times during that day. It was as if I was looking at a movie screen, and it was in full color. I shrugged it off thinking it was all in my mind. The next morning when I woke up and opened my eyes, the same vision was right in front of me. I saw my dad standing on the opposite side of a very deep, wide, and quick-moving river. The water looked very dark and very cold. There were grasses growing on my side of the riverbank. Dad was a bit younger in the vision, and he was running back and forth and skipping like a schoolboy--waving his arms and yelling something to me. But I could not hear him. Dad had had a bad hip for a few years, so his skipping and jumping was very evident to me. Then he turned and walked away into the forest behind him. Two days later, God gave me the words to this song, accompanied by the melody: I would like to share the words with you:

IF I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW

If I knew then what I know now, I would have lived life so differently. If I knew then what I know now, I would have read His Word more carefully.

Since I crossed that Jordan River, Since I've reached the other side, I find the problems of life's moment, Are nothing but swelling of the tide.

I now look back and see my loved ones, Struggling with their cares and woes, It's a long road home sisters and brothers, And when it ends oh no one knows.

Some strong advice my friends and children, From one who has gone on before. Write His Word upon your hearts now; Hold it close till you reach that shore.

If I had it all to do all over, I would know what I know now. I'd know how to swim that Jordan River, For His Truth, it tells me how.

I'd feed the hungry and clothe the naked; I'd visit prisons and help the poor. I'd aide the widows in their hardship; I'd tell all I could about my Lord.

So swim that tide girl, don't give up now; When the waves rush over you. Reach your hand out to the Father; He's always there to pull you through.

Always do your best girl with all that you have; All the strength He's given you. Always do what's right girl, seek His goodness; Be honest and be true.

Now I go daily to that River; I wait along the River's shore. Is that you I see a'comin? Is that you I'm waiting for?

And when your days have all been numbered, and your earthly days are through; You'll find you've crossed that big wide river; And I'll be waiting there for you.

We'll tour that city together hand in hand; We'll visit loved ones and all we knew. Then we'll see Jesus; It'll all be worth it, Everything we've all been through!

He's the King of Heaven--The Great Messiah; The One and Only, Faithful and True! If I knew then what I know now, Life would've been different, now how 'bout you?

By: dcfournier

~ Safely Home ~
I am home in Heaven dear ones;
Oh so happy and so bright.
There is perfect joy and beauty,
In this ever lasting light.
All the pain and grief are over,
Every restless tossing past.
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in Heaven at last.
Did you wonder why I so calmly,
Trod the valley of the shade?
Ah! but Jesus' love illumined,
Every dark and fearful glade.
And He came Himself to meet me,
In that way so hard to tread.
And with Jesus' arm to lean on,
Could I have no doubt or dread?
Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still.
Try to look beyond earth's shadows,
Pray to trust the Father's will.
There is work still waiting for you,
So you must not idly stand.
Do it now while life remaineth,
You shall rest in Jesus' land.
When that work is all completed,
He will gently call you home.
Oh the rapture of that meeting,
Oh the joy to see you come.
---author unknown--

(This is something I came across in surfing, and it expressed how I feel, so I'm copying it here. I do not know the author. If anyone knows who wrote this, please inform me and proper credit will be given, or it will be promptly removed if requested.)

I came into your life just a baby
and you left me when I was an adult
but in that time you taught me to tie my shoes and read me books

You told me about God and how to turn the other cheek
You showed me that people were basically good and that all I had to do was look.

Thanks, Dad, for all you did and for watching over me now!

I love you and miss you, dad!

Mom and Dad's dream was to go to Hawaii for their 25th wedding anniversary. They were unable to do so at that time and never got there. In November of 1999, a good e-mail friend, Judy, (TooooGood@webtv.net) and her husband, Kirk, made a trip to Hawaii. While she was there, this kind soul did a wonderful thing. She made a heart in the sand on the beach, wrote my mom and dad's names in the heart, took photos and sent them to me. This may sound silly to some of you, but to me, it was one of the most unique, caring and loving acts any individual has ever done. I gave the pictures to my mom. She cried tears of joy, of course! I am thanking Judy here as part of this tribute to my dad in fullfillment of a dream for mom and him. I know you're smiling about this dad! I will forever be grateful to you for this Judy! God bless you! ~~ Love, Connie

Other Pages:
Back to: CONNIE'S CORNER
FOR GOD'S GLORY
FOR GOD'S GLORY - P.2
FAMILY
FRIENDS - LINKS
TESTIMONY
AWARDS & GIFTS
FRIENDS' PHOTO GALLERY
FRIENDS' PHOTO GALLERY - Page 2
FRIENDS' PHOTO GALLERY - Page 3
STORIES & NUGGETS
THE SHEPHERD & THE LAMB
A GIFT OF LOVE
CONNIE'S LAMB by Paula Wedding
AWARDS - PAGE 2