FRIDAY
May 21, 2010
Mary Ann has a new address. Today at 11:50 am she moved into her heavenly home. In God’s mercy she quickly left this earthly body that had become such a prison. In fact she seemed quite eager to go as she progressed through the various stages toward death very rapidly. Since Monday afternoon we saw changes each day that hastened the end of her stay on earth. Each day the nurses revised the time left, shortening them more and more. Even today at 9:00 in the morning the sense was Mary would leave us sometime today, likely tonight or early tomorrow morning. Within three hours she determined she has had enough and shed this earthly shell and found the freedom and joy that all of heaven offers. We rejoice with her that her triumphal day has come. She is seeing her Jesus face to face and experiencing the warmth and comfort of His loving embrace. Life was getting increasingly hard for her though she did her best to get through each day’s challenges.
She received loving care from her family and dear friend, Debbie, right through the end. She spent her last night surrounded by her family and rested so peacefully. Her entrance will leave a huge hole in our family and in our hearts. She will be greatly missed.
Plans for family visitation and for her memorial service will follow soon.
Thanks again for all your love, prayers and support We love you all.
May 21, 2010 at 10:27 pm
Pastor Dave, Bryan, Sarah and all of the rest of Mary Ann’s dear family,
We are so very sorry for your loss. Mary Ann was such an amazing woman who will be missed by everyone who knew her. She and all of you have been an inspiration and have shown us what true love and faith in our Lord really looks like. May God comfort you and surround you with His peace. We will continue to pray for all of you.
In Christ,
Don and Linda Phelps
May 21, 2010 at 10:39 pm
Dear David, I’m sure you know that I am praying for you an will continue as you walk in this new journey the Lord has set for you. She will be missed by so many. I think you know how much I will miss her, as well.
Love, Linda
May 21, 2010 at 11:29 pm
Pastor Dave,
We were so saddened to get this news. Mary Ann’s death death came too soon. However, we can’t feel badly for her. We know that she’s experiencing ultimate joy at her new address. So glad that Deb and your family were there. Mary Ann was one of the sweetest gals I’ve ever known -and I’ll cherish the memories that I have of her. You and your family will miss her deeply, but I hope the memories of her and the peace of God will carry you through. We love you, Pastor Dave.
Ben and Carol
May 22, 2010 at 1:19 am
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. We also celebrate the comfort and joy of knowing that MaryAnn is with Jesus and seeing him face to face. She truly was a blessing to each person who knew her.
Lots of love and prayers.
Mark and Melissa
May 22, 2010 at 2:09 am
I was so sad to hear of Mary Ann’s illness a few weeks ago. And my heart is heavy for you, her family… and her large church family. She has touched so many with her gentle graceful spirit. Heaven is blessed to have her, but we will remember her well, and truly miss her.
I have so many memories of her during the two years I spent in the OVD office. Mostly I remember conversations punctuated with girlish giggles and deep thoughts about the Lord. She always had a word of wisdom for me.
My thoughts and prayers are with you these days to come.
Blessings, Diane Wido
May 22, 2010 at 3:25 am
Mary Ann always had a glow to her face…I keep picturing her today with a glow we can’t even imagine. I’m wondering how there can be such two opposite emotions…absolute joy for her, but a heart that hurts for you, Dave, and your precious family. We have prayed fervently this past year for your family and be assured we will not stop. I’m so thankful the holy Spirit is your comforter. We love you.
Tom and Joyce
May 22, 2010 at 4:47 am
Dear David,
We are very sorry for your loss. May God’s strength support you and your family. We truly appreciated and loved Mary Ann, and we will miss her.
Mike and Terry DeLong
May 22, 2010 at 7:06 am
For dear Mary Ann, no more tears, no more pain, no more sorrow. By now HE has patted her on the back and said, “Well done, my good and faithful servant” – For you, and for us who knew this incredible lady, our sorrow has only just begun. David, Brian, Sarah, and families, our hearts go out to you, and our prayers are with you. Remember, underneath and all around are the everlasting arms.
May 22, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Dear David Nancy has forwarded many of your blogs and though I found no words to express my concern for you, through all this time please know we were and are praying for you and MaryAnn. It was so obvious your devotion to Mary Ann and her absence will really be hard, In Christ’s love Ruth (Nancy’s friend)
May 22, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Pastor Dave,
I am so very sorry for your loss. I so vividly recall the first time I met Mary Ann at a CCC Women’s Bible Study – and she was so warm, friendly and welcoming. I have you and your family in my prayers today and the days that follow.
May 22, 2010 at 5:17 pm
David:
May God’s peace and presence be with you and your family.
We love you guys.
Jim & Cindy
May 24, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Dearest Pastor Dave, Bryan and Beth, Sarah and Matt,
Our hearts are so heavy with your loss – all through the weekend I would think of all the times of joy we shared – those times that Bryan and Andrew would play for hours and Mary Ann would lovingly put up with it – the times she helped me so much when I was ill, the good times at such a special church when God was equipping all of us with life skills – watching your beautiful Sarah grow up – and now I picture Mary Ann asking to see Jesus and glowing with that beautiful smile of her’s, that little twinkle, and I thank God that I was privileged to have known her and shared her life. We uphold you in prayer and surround you with our love and gratitude for a life so well lived. God bless you all.
May 24, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Dear David:
I’m thinking of you and your family today. I know a bit of what you’re going through. My dad, too, is dying of cancer and probably has only a few weeks left to live. I read your encouraging post of Mary Ann’s promotion to her new home! Thanks for sharing those thoughts!
Mike Saunier
May 24, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Dave,
My heart goes out to you. I have precious memories of both you and Mary Ann during your time here in Colorado Springs working for the National Office. I love you man. You have and always will be a mentor to me and so many others and a wonderful picture of Godly leadership and integrity. We have been steadfastly praying for you here in the Development (Advancement) wing of the National Office. I know Mary Ann has already embraced her Savior, is walking on streets of gold and perhaps has already met my parents. Blessings on you and all of your family.
Sincerely,
Matt and Katie DeCoste
May 25, 2010 at 12:34 pm
David:
We love you and pray for you just now. We wish we could attend the memorial service, but it just won’t work out for us. May the sure hope of the gospel be your rock and the Holy Spirit the comforter to you and your precious family. Our own sadness is surrounded by the reality that Mary is with her Savior and all the others who have already been gathered to His presence.
Don and Linda
May 25, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Dear Pastor,
You don’t know us, but we have prayed faithfully for Mary Ann ever since we heard of her physical need, and now we know God has answered prayer, for she is completely healed. We are C&MA (affiliated) in Winter Park, FL. We receive the prayer requests every week from Headquarters. We will continue to pray for your family and ministry in the many adjustments ahead.
Sincerely in the Love of Christ,
Carol Whitlock, church secretary
May 26, 2010 at 2:24 am
Pastor Dave and family,
We continue to lift you up in our prayers and surrond you with our love and thoughts! Mary Ann is home! We praise the Lord for that, but grieve with you as truly we will miss her vibrant smile, kind and encouraging words and wonderful spirit! We rejoice that one day, we will see her again in Heaven!
All our love,
The Sledge Family