Today was an emotional day. I had the commital service and the memorial for one of our long-time and beloved members of our church. Actually, I didn't have it, but the entire congregation and the family observed this great event. It was a homegoing celebration for our sister Eunice, who spent 89 years on this earth serving others and walking by a faith that i can only dream of. Eunice passed from this life into the glorious eternity last Thursday, and we celebrated that event earlier today.
The memorial service was held in one of the classrooms in the new building that we will be calling our church home very soon. The sanctuary is not quite finished yet, and because the floor tiles are being laid this week we could not have the service in the church area. It was fitting to be in a school room because Eunice took on the role of teacher at the age of 50, when she went to Tokyo Japan to teach English. A 6 month assignment turned into 20 years. Her life as filled with music as an organist and choir director. She wrote the entire service, even picking the hymns and the scripture readings that the message was based upon. It was a wonderful experience, and one that had many of those in attendance in tears. I had the pleasure of driving the bus, as the route was mapped out by Eunice well in advance.
As I write this I can hear the raindrops falling outside. Another of our senior church members, Betty, will be celebrating a birthday tomorrow, and her daughters have come to Spokane from all over the country. One is from Naples, Florida...that's Claudia...She told me that no one there can recall a winter that has been this cold, and that is in south Florida! I guess I am feeling a little bit of what the German language terms "Shadenfreude". That's where we find enjoyment, and maybe a little chuckle, in the misery of others.
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