He's in the High King's Hall

(If you haven't read my previous post, you might want to do that before you read this.)

My warrior father has gone to serve in the Hall of the High King. He left us today (June 1) in the very early morning...silently and peacefully.

Some of you may have already heard this, but for those who haven't:  my sister texted Debbie as soon as Dad died, and Debbie told us that, although there had been thunder and lightning for some time, right when she received the news, there was a huge, bright flash, much brighter than any other. And she thought, "He died humbly, but he arrived in Heaven majestically."


                                          YOUR HAND
                Your Hand took a lump of clay
                 to birth the essence of this man.
                As the wheel spun beneath your foot,
                Your Hands moved in perfect rhythm,
                shaping each detail, forming each part of him.

                As You worked, You added all he'd need to carry out your plans
                through his loyal heart and warrior spirit.
                Your Hand placed him in the time-frame You crafted,
                with the people You chose to walk with him
                in the settings You prepared.

                Your Hand guided him,
                                  guarded him,
                                  gave him hope and strength
                                  and granted him grace.

                Then Your Hand reached gently down,
                 scooped him up
                and set him down in your Father's Presence.
                You looked at my dad,
                 at who You had made,
                 at what You had done...

                 and smiled.     

                You had finished Your design! 
                                                                                  --Becky Rhon


My father's life isn't "over". It has simply been completed.

We miss him terribly, but just imagine where he is now! He's in the only Hands that we can completely trust him to be in.  It was hard to see his body removed from the house; we knew he wasn't in it anymore, but it was the last tangible part of him that we could see.

Our son-in-law Steve (Debbie's husband), over in the Middle East, was telling their two little girls that great-Grandpa Bruce had died. Miriam prayed that he'd get better, so Steve asked them to think about it...would that happen, since he'd already died? Liliana said, "No..." then her face lit up, "Yeah! God's gonna give him a new body!", then after a pause, "But he won't be a baby, will he?"

Thank you for all your condolences and prayers. The funeral won't be until next week, giving some of my parents' other grandchildren time to arrive. Both of our kids, Dan and Debbie, are here since before he passed away, and one granddaughter lives here; but the others are working out flights, etc. We will return to Quito the 9th of the month.  Again, thanks for your supportive messages!