Day 73: March 13, 2016 Elva's Homecoming

March 13, 2016

Day 73  Elva's Homecoming

Reflecting on Elva's Homecoming begins here. 

Gene Smucker was a precious shepherd 

on March 2, 2016 when Elva's nine lives were 

all used up, or better, yet when God called her home.

Thank you, Gene, for 

your care, your deference to others, and your Jesus-love.

Family and Friends from Oregon, Nebraska, Indiana, 

Canada, Iowa, Florida, Georgia,Tennessee, 

Kentucky, Rhode Island, New York, 

Ohio and other places, came to Elva's funeral. 

She would have loved talking to everyone of you. 

Honestly, she would have talked 

about this for months. And all that you 

shared with her husband, 

her daughter, and her son, 

thank you. You all loved Elva.

The service lifted our eyes to the 

one who knows our days. 

The funeral of a saint is a 

glorious thing. But Elva's 

topped my favorites. It is now in first place.

Dad wanted the poem, "Think", 

by Robert E. Selle.

Geoffrey read it the way

his grandfather wanted him to,

as if he were speaking.

Her grandson, Chris, led worship. 

Oh, Elva would have loved this.

Thank you Katie for helping with the worship.

Elva's six grandsons were her pall bearers. 

Grand men, they did a fine job.

They loved their grandmother 

who laughed freely.

The finality of the graveyard is sobering. 

Sitting in the front row beside the hole 

reminded me of the disciples' sorrow after their 

beloved friend had been crucified. 

Words became clear to them -three days, 

three days, they scrambled to put two 

and two together or three and three. 

To think of the empty grave! 

What joy! What hope!

Food - what is it about food that 

brings people to a different place, 

a place of comfort? The Rockville Church women and men 

blessed us by providing a wonderful meal

after the grave. 

Hope was flamed by the fellowship.

Elva's family, the Kauffmans, and her wonderful in-law family, 

the Burkholders, were all in the same room. Worlds coming together - one big combined reunion. No Mennonite game needed here, they all knew how they were connected. And talk about the connections. So wonderful.

THE ONLY THING MISSING WAS ELVA!

SHE WOULD HAVE LOVED THIS. 

SHE WOULD HAVE TALKED ABOUT

THIS FOR MONTHS!