Carlin passed away into the arms of Jesus this morning at 7 a.m. Pacific time.
Oh,
when God called him Home, He chose to do it quickly. He was asleep.
I
am so very grateful to our tender Heavenly Father for His care of
Carlin over these past weeks. It has been only 5 weeks and 5 days since
diagnosis, and it has been fast, though in some ways it has seemed much
longer. What an amazing journey, from seeming full health to stepping
into Glory.
We
smile when we think that God took him on Easter weekend. Our Lynda
laughed through tears as she said, “Isn’t this just like Dad, to go at a
big event! He liked big events.” We all agree.
I
had been up several times with him during the night last night, tending
to his needs, and then lying back down on my mat beside his bed. A
nurse had told me last week that I needed to be close in case he tried
to get out of bed, and would fall. So I had a good mat there.
At 4:30 I
was awake (when I talked with our three daughters this morning, they
all said they were awake as well) and I just started praying, out real
loud, so I could be sure Carlin would hear my voice, and I prayed over
everything. I prayed loudly over the upcoming graveside service and the
Memorial Service, I prayed over everyone individually who will be
involved, I prayed that God would prepare people-- everyone who will
come and be in attendance, that God in His mighty power and by His
Spirit would do amazing things in peoples’ hearts, and that there would
be more people in the Kingdom because of this final thing/part of
Carlin’s ministry on earth.
I prayed through Scripture promises, and
for family and others, and praised God, as I went through His
attributes, etc., etc., etc. for about an hour and a half. Then I went
to the kitchen to get breakfast, went back and stood at the foot of
Carlin’s bed and prayed some more. I picked up all the pieces of my mat
and tucked them away, and swept up the floor. (Carlin had been losing a
lot of hair because of his chemo infusion.) A nurse was expected later
today. Then I went back to the kitchen to get my cup of coffee, and to
start the computers—Carlin’s and mine—to see if there had been any
overnight mail. That was when I went back to check on Carlin and found
he was gone. I could tell immediately. It was written on his face. I
watched for breathing movement on his quilt, and felt for his heartbeat,
and then tears and sobs were all over the place.
Oh.
It is so overwhelming to think he is gone. It feels like I am in a
vast ocean, with huge swells / waves of grief and then quiet moments of
assurances, then another wave. You who have lost someone know exactly
what that is. It is a new experience to walk through.
How
grateful I am to God for what he gave me in Carlin. What a life. We
did so much together. I am so grateful that God is my “Portion and my
Cup” for now and for whatever days God leaves me here on earth. I have
every reason to treasure Heaven more than ever before. Oh, I wish I
could see the reunion in Heaven today!
I
am so grateful for my precious family. Cheri and Lynda are coming to
stay with me for a couple of days. Yesterday Cheri and Howard were here
and Howard sat with Carlin to tell him all he wanted to of appreciation
for their relationship and he sat and sang to Carlin. Other dear
friends have come several times to sing over him and pray over him.
There
will be a graveside service for Carlin on Friday, May 2. The Memorial
Service for Carlin will be at Willingdon Church, 4812 Willingdon Ave.,
Burnaby, BC at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 3. Pray that great glory
will be brought to Jesus’ name.
Thank you for following Carlin’s journey over these past days.
Special
thanks to you, Ray, for what you have done for Carlin and I. Truly a
gift that has reached out, informed, and helped us to process the
journey.
Love to you all,
Marcia and family
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