This picture was taken by our friend Judy while her husbandPhil piloted the pleasure craft. Joyce spent that weekend at
our second home in Hanford. Even though we did not enjoy
living a part during the week, the old saying is true "absence
makes the heart grow fonder". We truely enjoyed and appreciated
our weekends together.
Our good friend Brooke gave me this picture yesterday. She loved it and so do I. When I look at this picture I see Joyce
as she really is; a beautiful person both inside and out.
This is my all time favorite picture (and I'm not even in it). She loves her boys and her boys love her. In
addition to that she looks gorgeous.
I don't want to spend a lot of time writing about Joyce's death except to tell you how she died. I heard this evening from a friend, who is a nurse at Redlands Community Hospital,that her liver shut down due to the cancer tht had over taken it.
I also want you to know that I was was with her when she died. I had my hands on her when her body relaxed as her last breath was taken. At that moment her soul left her earthly body that was infected by this terrible, evil desease and entered the glorious Kingdom of Heaven.
I'll be honest with you, I am jealous of Joyce. Previous to today, I was not in a hurry for Jesus' second coming. Now my feeling is "come quickly Lord Jesus". I long to be in the presence of God and to see my wife again.
Until that time come our memories of Joyce will have to sustain us. Thank you for sharing with me how Joyce has impacted your life. I always knew that she was special but I did not fully understand or appreciate how special she was to so many people.
I was fortunate to have her as my wife for 26 years, five months and 14 days and I wouldn't trade my time with her for anything.
My boys and I would like to thank you for all your support and prayers over the last five weeks. We all prayed for the miracle of healing and our prayers have been answered. Joyce has no sickness or pain as she dances in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
I would like to invite all of you to Joyce's Memorial Service at 3 pm on Thursday, January 7 at the University of Redlands chapel.
With appreciation and love,
Russ
29 comments:
Amen Russ. Joyce & my Mom are dancing together!! Praise the Lord we have the hope of seeing them again, in new bodies, whole & free of the diseases that took them from us.
Come quickly Lord Jesus indeed.
Many prayers are with you & your boys.
Jule Rice
Thanks for sharing these pictures. I wish I was able to be at the service, but please know that my prayers are with you and your boys. Debbie Southworth
my Abba Father..I hear You speaking out of the storm..draw me closer to Your heart..when I find myself in the path of the storm..give my the courage to step out of the boat..give me the courage to fix my eyes directly on You..take away my fear..keep me from distractions..when the waves crash around me..remind me that You created and control the wayve..when the winds of adversity blow fiercely..allow them to drive me into Your arms..help me to embrace the storms..knowing that the harder and longer the winds blow the deeper and stronger my faith will be..
You don't know me, Russ, but please know that I am praying for you and the boys..I understand and have felt the pain of loss..God is holding you tightly and will not let go..in His love..Julie Geertsma
Thank you Russ for the photos and the beautiful tribute to Joyce. We are among the many that loved and appreciated Joyce. Our prayers go out to you, Kevin, and Kyle.
The DeJong Family
Continued prays for you and the boys and your church family. We so enjoyed Joyce when she came to Gallup for SERVE...her love of Jesus and compassion for those with less was evident. She went so quickly, like the breath was knocked out of us....if our heads and hearts are realing how much more must yours be....comfort us all dear Lord
Thank you for sharing those pictures. She was an amazing person and will be truly missed but as you said her memories will live on.
Russ,
The pictures of Joyce are beautiful, just as she was! She was an amazing woman and will be truly missed. We will continue to pray for you and the boys as you endured this difficult time.
In Him,
The Oates
Thank you for your words and the pictures. Joyce was an amazing Mom, wife, woman, and friend to so many. She is going to be missed greatly. We will be holding you and your boys up in prayer. I cannot imagine the shock and grief that you must be feeling. Praying for God to hold you tight and bring you His comfort.
Come Lord Jesus!
Thank you for sharing those pictures of Joyce. You are right- she is beautiful inside and out.
I have so many great memories of the two of you in our Redlands years, and am so sorry to see Joyce go. She was always there to lend a supportive word and took a genuine interest in what we were doing. I remember her always being happy.
I am praying for you all through these difficult days.
I am so sorry about the death of Joyce. I'm sure my sister Laura (one of Joyce's many cousins on the Zylstra side) would have been one of the celebrators at Joyce's "Welcome Home" party. (Laura died in March, 2004.) I can so totally relate to your anticipation of Christ's second coming. It will happen, and I can't wait!
Thanks for sharing the pictures and memories of your beautiful wife. You are all in my prayers.
Bev Roozeboom
Thank you for sharing, Russ. Emily and I have been praying for you and your family. I have loved being connected to the two of you through her blog.
Although I knew Joyce for only a short time, her love for you, Russ, and for her boys was evident, as was her love for her LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. What a blessed assurance that even though we bitterly grieve her passing, we do so with HOPE! "Soon and very soon, we are going to meet the Lamb - Hallelujah! What a Savior - we're going to meet the Lamb!"
Russ, I totally know that if I could get my hands of the photo from Poop Out Trail, it would have made the "cut". :-) And, Joyce would have smiled, I know. Love and prayers are continually being sent your way. Much love!
these are such great pictures russ! the last one is how i remember her - and your boys! : ) i keep picturing joyce in heaven reuniting with friends and relatives, making new friends, smiling and laughing. there must be books there for her too!
we are praying for you, kyle and kevin and the redlands community.
cathi schuurmann
"Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:23-26
Russ, you and your family are constantly in our thoughts and prayers. I wish we could be there for Joyce's memorial service. She was such a special person and touched so many of us with her joy and strength. She will be greatly missed! Michelle for the Family
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
I dont attend the River anymore but a friend passed on the news of Joyces passing. When we did attend the River I wrote for the Window and was in the office almost daily bugging Joyce for help and she always greeted me with a huge smile and she LOVED loving on my little girls who were in tow. She was kind, thoughtful and always made my day when I hung out there. I am in agreement with you; "Come Jesus come."
Russ (Mr. D)
I am not sure if you remember me (Kris Rowland), but my girls attended RCS with Kevin & Kyle (Kayla & Kara Rowland) and had you for PE. We now live in Hanford (since 2000), and were very saddened to hear of Joyce's passing. We will always remember Joyce with fond memories, and her big, bright smile. She was a very special and sweet lady. May our Heavenly Father wrap His loving arms around you all and give you peace through wonderful memories, friends and family.
God Bless
Kris Johnson (Rowland) Kayla & Kara
Russ,
I just finished reading through the last month and a half of Joyce's blog. My heart is full of sadness for you, Kyle and Kevin, but as you wrote, I am thrilled for Joyce. I pray for you throughout each day. The photos are precious. I especially like the one of her and the boys when they were young. What wonderful memories of a great life together. I know God will comfort you and see you through this time of sorrow.
Jim & Jan Miller
Our times are in His hands and He upholds us through all times! Our thoughts and prayers for comfort and joy are with you and your family.
Hannah DeHaan Rottschafer
Praying for Gods peace, comfort and love to surround you during this time.. Love, the Yoder family
Mr. D,
Just wanted to tell you that I am thinking and praying for you and your family. Joyce was so beautiful and kind-- and I celebrate with you that she is now whole, pain free, and celebrating with our Lord!
Evelyn DeVries
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