i spent Christmas Eve with my parents, four sisters, brother-in-law, and grandparents. we gathered at Way Bay, ate lasagna and celebrated the birth of our Lord and Savior. we left the Lake to make our traditional trip to Santa’s Workshop, the home of Dayle & Marilyn Boss, went home, and opened presents. everything went as would be expected – no signs or ‘feelings’ telling us we would only have a few short days left with Grandpa.

Christmas morning, we woke up and sat at the top of the stairs waiting for mom and dad to say it was time to come down to open presents (another fun tradition). we took an intermission after opening our stockings to have a monkey bread appetizer and went back presents. Grandma and Grandpa came over, just as they have for as long as i can remember, and joined in our Christmas morning. kelsey gave Grandpa the biggest jar of cheese balls i’ve ever seen, and he was so excited to have them next to his chair to munch on! i found a fun pair of st. patrick’s day ‘spenders (suspenders) that i gave to Gramps to add to his collection. we made a big breakfast and spent the rest of the day together – still unaware of what was to come in the days ahead.

december 27th was the day planned for the big Way family Christmas! all forty-two members of the family were in attendance that morning at the Charlevoix Assembly of God church – the church Grandpa helped build and uncle mike is the pastor of. we praised the Lord together, and Grandpa was there to interject any comments he deemed necessary (which was quite often). a family portrait was taken immediately following the service, the first one with all of us in it in quite some time! lunch and quality family time took place at aunt sandy and uncle wayne’s house; i ate way too much, and we played the biggest game of catch phrase i’ve ever seen! at four pm we watched an hour long dvd slideshow of family pictures that i created over the past few months. the volume was turned down low so that Grandpa and Grandma could commentate each picture. following the video, mike’s daughter sumer read two poems she had written about Grandpa and Grandma that were so beautiful! i’m so glad she was able to read them at that time! Grandpa talked for a while after she finished; he told Grandma how much he loves her, his dreams for our family, and his favorite saying, “Love Jesus, Serve Jesus.” we were so fortunate to have video recorded his speech because it has become the most memorable video of our lives.

i arrose early monday morning to head to indianapolis for a four-day conference with kandis, aubrey and west michigan campus crusades for Christ. at approximately ten pm our smiles turned to tear streamed faces as we heard the news of Grandpa’s passing. my only Grandpa left so suddenly, yet so prepared! over the last year or so as his body began to fail him, Grandpa spent more and more time in the comfort of his home. where he would have freely been able to walk around, he became quite constrained to scooter chairs, and oxygen tanks were a necessity. the door to Way Bay was, and always will be, open. countless family, friends and acquaintances have been blessed by the hospitality Grandpa and Grandma offer. the final verses of the books of Acts tell how Paul spent two whole years in his home and welcomed all who came to see him. verse 31 says that “boldly and without hinderance [or hesitation] he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” my dear Grandpa did just like Paul these last few years, and the sincere and confident demeanor in which he taught about his Savior has touched many lives. i pray each person in our family with live our lives in such a way that we may say, “i get this from my Grandpa!” i’ll never forget how frequently Grandpa brought Jesus into everyday conversations, whether smoothly or bluntly. i loved this man very, very much, and i know he’s wrapped around the feet of Jesus at this very moment, worshiping the God he devoted his whole life to! i’ll miss Gramps so much it’ll hurt, but i know i’ll see him again someday! while it’s so easy to be sad in a situation like this, it’s also difficult not to be excited for Grandpa! he is with Jesus! these lyrics by casting crowns have been so meaningful to me over the last few days:

And I’ll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are no matter where I am!
and every tear I’ve cried
You hold in your hand.
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

i’ve also found the lyrics to “i will rise” by chris tomlin to be so comforting during this time. Jesus has most certainly overcame, and death has no sting! Praise the Name of the Lord, and Glory to God in the Highest! This tragedy has made my faith become so alive! i no longer have to fear death, because i can feel it in my soul that Jesus has overcome, the victory is won – He is RISEN from the dead!

There’s a peace I’ve come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There’s an anchor for my soul
I can say “It is well”

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles’ wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

i pray that the life and death of my Grandfather has not gone wasted, as i know it has not! the funeral was absolutely beautiful, and after a Salvation call, quite a few people raised their hands to accept the Gift of Jesus Christ – how wonderful! And though my heart is torn, I will praise You, Lord of all Creation, in this storm! and Grandpa…I’ll see you soon :)

just married – july 14, 1951

after 58 wonderful years – july 14, 2009

this picture isn’t from the same night, but it’s another great shot of aunt gerry and uncle doc!