Valentines 2019

Ravi Zacharias
February 14 
"Love is a command, not just a feeling. Somehow, in the romantic world of music and theater we have made love to be what it is not. We have so mixed it with beauty and charm and sensuality and contact that we have robbed it of its higher call of cherishing and nurturing.
Watch two young people in a passionate embrace—it may be love, but it may also be nothing more than passion. Watch two elderly people walking hand in hand with evident concern for each other, and you are closer to seeing love in that relationship than in the youthful embrace.

Frederick M. Lehman was a California businessman that lost everything through business reverses. He was forced to spend his working hours in manual labor, working in a Pasadena packing house packing oranges and lemons into wooden crates. Not an ideal environment for writing love songs, but this was the environment the Lord chose to use.

Mr. Lehman was a Christian who rejoiced in his salvation. He was so moved by a Sunday evening sermon on the love of God that he could hardly sleep. The next morning, the thrill of the previous evening had not left him. As he drove to the packing house, the makings of a song began to come together in his head, with God’s love as the theme.

Throughout the day, as he packed oranges and lemons, the words continued to flow. Perhaps he jotted down words on various pieces of broken crate as he went along. He could hardly wait to get home and commit these words to paper.

Upon arriving home, he hurried to his old upright piano and began arranging the words and composing a melody to fit them. He soon had finished two stanzas and the melody to go along with them, but now what was he to do? In those days, a song had to have at least three stanzas to be considered complete. (A far cry from the songs of our day that only need have three words!) He tried and tried to come up with a third stanza, but to no avail. The words just would not fall into place.

It was then that he remembered a poem someone had given him some time before. Hunting around, he found the poem printed on a card, which he had used as a bookmark. As Mr. Lehman read the words, his heart was thrilled by the adequate picture of God’s love they pictured. He then noticed this writing on the bottom of the card:

"These words were found written on a cell wall in a prison some 200 years ago. It is not known why the prisoner was incarcerated; neither is it known if the words were original or if he had heard them somewhere and had decided to put them in a place where he could be reminded of the greatness of God’s love - whatever the circumstances, he wrote them on the wall of his prison cell. In due time, he died and the men who had the job of repainting his cell were impressed by the words. Before their paint brushes had obliterated them, one of the men jotted them down and thus they were preserved.”

Lehman went to the piano and began to voice the words with the melody he had just written. They were a perfect fit. It was a miracle! The song was published - and remains today - with these words as the last stanza.

In later years, the origin of these words became known to Alfred B. Smith, which reveals an even greater miracle in the writing of this song. The original third stanza was written in Hebrew around the year 1000 by Meir Ben Issac Nehoria, a Jewish Rabbi. God, knowing that Lehman was going to write a song, also realized that Lehman would have trouble writing a third stanza and so He chose this Rabbi, who though not accepting Christ as the Messiah did possess the skills to graphically paint a picture of God’s love in words. He would preserve these words and then hundreds of years later He would have them translated by this prisoner into a language that did not as yet exist, namely English.

And to think, He did it in the exact meter to fit Lehman’s melody!

Could we with ink the ocean fill

And were the skies of parchment made,

Were every stalk on earth a quill

And every man a scribe by trade,

To write the love of God above

Would drain the ocean dry,

Nor could the scroll contain the whole

Tho stretched from sky to sky.

O love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure

The saints and angel’s song.

"I dont know what your natural heart was like before God saved you, but I know what mine was like. I was misunderstood and misrepresented; everybody else was wrong and I was right. Then when God came and gave me a spring-cleaning, dealt with my sin, and filled me with the Holy Spirit, I began to find an extraordinary alteration in myself. I still think the great marvel of the experience of salvation is not the alteration others see in you, but the alteration you find in yourself." --Oswald Chambers, in Conformed to His Image from the Quotable Oswald Chambers.

Photo memories, journal jottings and other blessings

Some of Mom's last writings

When we had Kammy’s birthday party, I felt prompted to give grandma her gifts then as well even thought it was still a few weeks until her 80th. One item was a hymn word search book. She hadn’t had time to do much in it but rather than going in order, she had flipped though it and selected this one. And now that’s where she is.

Jan 29--Having a rough night. My sweet husband just scooped me up and dropped me off at my daddy’s house. It was just what we both needed! My daddy is the sweetest most gentle christian man; it almost seems unfair to the rest of the daughters in the world. We cried over mom’s empty chair and rejoiced that she’s made it safe home.

Jan 30-I found this awesome picture of my momma this morning. I sure miss her today. I’d love to make her something lemon and yellow to celebrate her birthday, but I’m sure she’s having the best party ever with Jesus and her baby and so many others. Happy Birthday in Heaven; I love you.

An English assignment by Kalli Bork 🥰

Love Spans the Distance

Yes, troubles will always come,

Dark and terrifying some.

For there are always storms of life.

There are struggles, there is strife. 

There is loss and there is pain;

Oft-times we feel there is no gain.

That life’s too hard and death’s too strong;

And hope’s elusive- all seems wrong. 

But love will span the distance

Betwixt that heart and mine;

For love holds no resistance

Love whispers, 

“Heaven is thine.” 

You will know long days and longer nights.

You will feel them; loss and frights. 

You will see a void in you,

And know a change in all you do.

But you will move and you will grow. 

You will have a new tomorrow,

While keeping memories close To honoring those who matter

most. 

For love will span the distance

Betwixt that heart and mine

For love holds no resistance

And whispers softly, 

“Heaven is mine and shall be thine.”

Today should have been a lemon meringue pie day. My Mom’s favorite and we always had it the Sunday closest to her birthday. The last few days my Facebook memories have been full of it from the past several years. I know that Gabriel’s Cafe has the best pie, the tartest lemon and the highest meringue, but I miss her at my table all the same. My mind is going even farther back than that this morning though, and what I really miss is being at her table back when she was the mom and I was the little. Ahh....The cycle of life and lemons...when life gives you lemons sometimes you make pie and other times you just pucker up and let yourself cry! 

One of the hardest things is seeing Mom's empty chair.....

Time cannot heal the heaviness 
Or fill the empty chair
The one that’s in the family room
Where we would gather there
Still we give thanks to God each day 
We know his promise is true
Please save an empty chair for us
Soon we’ll come home to you.

Feb 4-On a little walk tonight, enjoying the amazing beauty and a little voice said, “....and you think THIS is pretty??” 😍

I’ve been reading a book by CS Lewis. Some of his journaling actually, when he lost his wife. It’s extremely raw and honest even describing his fleeting doubts and anger at God, but some things he says express feelings an ordinary person like me couldn’t put into words and it helps somehow. Anyway, this is one of his statements and I think there is profound truth in it. I’ve longed to have just one more minute with mom, but this made me think...what would I do with that minute? Would I tell her the last cute thing Kaderick said? Would I tell her about her memorial service? Who was there? Who sent flowers? Would I tell her my latest disappointment? Brag on one of her grands good grades? Complain how someone treated me wrong? In truth, while I’d love to tell her all those things, I’d choose my words carefully and it would be a ”no” to all of the above. I’d tell her it was ok, not to worry about daddy and I . We will be fine. We will always love you, we will never forget you, but we couldn’t ask you to stay and we will see you again soon.
And then I realized, she knows the truly important things already and while the hurt sometimes seems almost unbearable, we really DON’T mourn as those who have no hope. 😍

My very good friend made me this beautiful shadow box with some of my moms last writings—in her handwriting too!! I will treasure it always!!! The teacup was moms and the picture on the plate is of her as a little girl.

On the lighter side.....

I sent my husband to neighborhood market after honey for our cornbread tonight and the following texting transpired. 
*Valden would be the local funeral director and Dr Kammer the ENT who is considering taking my husbands tonsils.

Long Memories and a Prayer Request: 
Kaderick is having some unique struggles regarding his gramma’s move to heaven. They were close. He loved grandma a lot. Gma claims they bonded in the NICU. She’d tell him the story often and he even requested it from her on one of their last times together. —Momma was still in surgery, so of course daddy went with Kade to the NICU but then after some time, momma was still in recovery and daddy became anxious about her so he got grandma to go watch over her new grandson. She took this assignment very seriously. I can still hear her telling him how he’d stop breathing and she and the nurse would lift his little arms and he’d cough and cry and the nurse would say, “there...that’s what we want...good boy.” —
Then later, grandma would come and hold him for his naps when he itched so bad from his mast cell disease that he couldn’t sleep. She’d soothe him back to sleep or he and I would never have gotten any rest. He loved snuggling with her, probably more than any of the girls ever did and even after he was bigger and she was sick they still seemed to have a special connection. Kaderick began struggling to lift her purse when he was just tiny and it quickly became a lasting game to lift her many purses. He also learned real fast that she often stashed a little treasure in there for him.
When we told Kaderick that grandma had died he had zero reaction. He just ran the other way and ignored us., He did later worry about Christmas Eve and say that he wanted things to "just be normal" but displayed no real signs of typical grief. I don’t think he’s shed a tear over it yet. I was his age when my grandpa died and I still remember sobbing my heart out. What has happened, is Kaderick has become super clingy to his mommy and he was already a momma baby lol. He keeps telling me that if my momma died that means his will too someday and he might still be here without me. Lately he literally doesn’t want me out of his sight. He panics. I’m really not asking for a lot of advice....we’ve kinda tried it all and we have a wonderful pediatrician who can help us get good grief therapy if needed, I’m just asking that if you think of it you’d pray for him...for all of us that we’d know how to handle this added curve in our road.

More writings from Mom. We just keep finding these little messages from her to cheer us on.

Tributes from Us Girls

Dear Grama,

I love and miss you more than any mere words can explain. I miss going to your house for the weekends. I miss shopping with you. I miss going to Target and eating slushies and pretzels. I don't miss the shopping, food or new toys. I just miss the fact that it was all done with my dear, sweet grandmother. I remember going out in your yard and picking the yellow dandelions, then bringing them inside to you with a beaming proud smile on my face. You would take them, put them in water, and proudly set the yellow weeds in the center of your table. I remember how you would let Papa take me out to the pasture to visit with your neighbor's horses, feeding them generous amounts of apples you had given me. I know you are well and happy now but I miss you! I want to learn to have a relation with Christ just as strong as yours. You had so much faith, know that you are an amazing inspiration to me. Save me a spot at your table in Heaven right next to yours. 

With never ending love, 

Kammy, A.K.A Scoocumchuck 

There are so many things I could say about my grandma, and so many things I would say to her if I could. I hardly know where or how to start. But here goes.
I had the privilege of being with her in her final seconds here on Earth. I stayed that last night with her in the hospital, and I will always treasure those last sweet moments. She was so close to Jesus that last night, she was praising Him and thanking Him for all that He has done for her. She was literally glowing, and the happiest and most relaxed I have seen her in a long, long time. We laid awake and talked or just enjoyed each other's company until she fell asleep. We both slept peacefully until 4am. There was another code shortly before and one of the last things she asked me was whether the family of the person who passed got angel wings. When the end did come, I'm thankful it was fast, even though it was hard for me to watch. I am so glad I was with her, and I am so thankful that I can rest in knowing that she's waiting for us in Heaven. She's not sick anymore! No more dialysis and no more pain.
Grandma was the best. She loved her family so much and it showed! Before she got so sick, she loved to go shopping and would spoil us grands to pieces. Even after she went on dialysis whenever she felt like it, she would go out and get the little ones a little something. She also loved telling us stories, old sayings, and her Larimore high school chants. “Oh we're from Larimore high school! We couldn't be any prouder! And if you don't believe us, we'll scream a little louder!” And then she'd do just that...scream a little louder! I practically have them memorized! Grandma knew literally everyone's birthdays and was sure to go to the dollar store and stock up on cards at least once a month. She had many friends and pen-pals and loved them all dearly. Grandma had a big heart and she loved her grands “a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.”
Now I'm going to have to go to Grandma's house, and she won't be there. I can't call her every time I get a good grade or a scholarship. She would always be so excited! I am going to miss Grandma's smile and her hugs and kisses. I'll miss going to hold her arm at dialysis. I'll miss her timer going off in her purse and having to dig into the bottomless depths to find it. I'm going to miss going over to wash and roll her hair and tidy up the house. I'm going to miss Sunday dinner with her at her spot at our table. I'll miss our talks about anything and everything, and sometimes nothing. I have so many precious memories of her and will treasure them always.
I know that Grandma wanted to be there when I graduate from nursing school, and it makes me sad that she won't be, but I know that she will be there in spirit. And just because I miss you so much, I'll pour a little extra of my heart into caring for people.
Grandma, I love and miss you so very much! Heaven is a sweeter place with you there! Give Karrick a big hug and kiss from his big sister, Kayla. I'll see you soon!
Kayla a.k.a. “Shelley” I really did love it when you called me that!

I miss you Grandma... a lot. More than a lot, but not even I will try to find a word for how much. I love you and I'll miss you so much. I already miss coming over to your house on Fridays to do cleaning and wash your hair. I loved the long, silly conversations we would have while I combed your hair afterwards and you insisted that I do it harder and scratch your scalp with that comb. Then you would hand me bobby pins as needed while I pin-curled the front, and braided the back. We would talk about everything, and I do mean EVERTHING; food, clothes, weather, people, my latest story ideas, books, work, dogs, boys (at your insistance, I might add;) piano lessons, how you felt and what we'd been reading in our devotions lately. There where things I only talked to you about, and I loved that you loved talking as much or even more than me. I miss coming to dialysis with you, where we would also talk each other's ears off, work on your latest crossword puzzle, and make new friends, something we're both quite good at. I miss the days when you would let me help you in the kitchen, despite my clumsiness and messiness. You taught me how to make rhubarb pie, my favorite, from rhubarb fresh from Poppa's garden, which you warned me not to eat raw and unsweetened; I did it anyway, and boy! did I regret it! I miss shopping with you, even though I never loved that type of excursion as much as you did. I remember pulling into the Walmart parking lot and knowing that we would spend at least two hours in there, a good portion of which would be spent in the purse aisle; your love of purses is truly legendary. I miss stops at fast food restaurants and stores that mom would never have approved of, but allowed anyway, for our sakes. I miss spending the night at your house and trying to wake up early enough to be up before you and Poppa: it never happened, even in later years. Every time I woke up in the 'kid's room,' it was to the gentle roll of your voices as you read your morning devotions together and drank your coffee. I will miss Christmas Eve at your house, which you always anticipated with as much childish glee as your grandkids. I promise you, we'll keep it alive for you, but it just won't be the same.

Do you remember my seventh birthday, the year I asked you for a big Teddy bear with a huge red bow around his neck? You delivered, and 'Paws' still has a place of honor in my bedroom. You were a great gift giver, but he was always one my favorites. Whenever I embroider now, I think of you, because you were the first one to buy me the suppies and encourage me to give it a try. That was another of your gifts; you were a cheerleader, the person who told me that I could do anything I put my mind to. When I decided that I would one day be a published author, you told me you knew I would be the best. When I started the prerequisites for the Dental hygiene program, you said that teeth were disgusting and that I was a crazy girl, but then you also said that I would be the funniest and most entertaining hygienist ever. When I started piano lessons, you encouraged me in that too and loved it when I played at recitals and for offertory at church. You were so proud of me and Kayla and our jobs at the nursing home and loved the fact that we loved it. I will even miss the stories you told over, and over, and over.... and over. Sunday dinner will never be the same without hearing about everything from your days in Larimore, North Dakota to the silly things your kids and grandkids said and did when they were little.

Mini will miss you too. She loved seeing you on Sundays, having her bellly rubbed, and eating the treats you brought her. She licks away my tears and tries to make me feel better.

We made so many great memories together, and there were so many more I wanted to make. I wanted you to see me graduate high school next year, then college as a Dental Hygienist a few years after that. I wanted to show you my driver's licence (when I get it) and take you for a spin in my big black pickup truck (when and if if I get it). I wanted to get my first boyfriend one day and let you judge him on everything from his hair to the brand of socks he wore, but mostly on how he treated me, because there was no one good enough for your Grands. I wanted you to see my wedding and eventually enjoy great-grandkids. I wanted to give you an autograughed copy of my first novel. I wanted a lot, and it'll be hard to never have it, but I know that you will be there, in a very special way. Meanwhile, I have the memories and the comfort that you are happy and well, and making Heaven so much sweeter. Give yourself a hug from me, then give one to Jesus. Enjoy your new home and I'll see you again some grand day. 

Love, Butterfly
Kalli, grandaughter, age 16

How do you live without the one who gave you life? Mom taught me so many things; to sort laundry, write thank you letters, pick peas and make balanced meals, but she never told me how to live without her. It feels impossible, and yet perhaps she gave me enough love in those 40 and a half years to last me at least another 40. My mind searches for early memories; they include countless trips to Karcher Mall where I learned to walk, and many excurions to Kmart. Mom said, and Rick agrees, “Shopping makes Karen grumpy, but food helps.” Some of my favorite places were were the M&W lunch counter where I ordered a Chef Salad and Mr Picwicks in the mall for Rocky Road Pie. 
Mom taught me to love photography by faithfully taking us to Sears or JCPenney--first weekly, then monthly, and finally annually as I grew. I was her “Miracle Baby” and she was determined to show off my pictures to friends far and wide. Mom and Gram always had plans for a new frock in which to dress me, therefore an ample amount of time was spent in House of Fabrics and The Cloth Merchant. 
I was blessed with consistancy and routine. Every morning when I'd arise, mom would be there at the stove making bacon and eggs for dad while he sat at the table with his Bible and a cup of coffee. I'd wave from the big kitchen window when he left and since it was still dark, daddy would flash his lights to let mom and I know that he knew we were there. After that, we'd make our plans for the day, which often involved going to grams' porch for coffee and crepes. 
Mom loved kids. Even before she met Brian, or I arrived in the family, this was a well know fact. So much that it was rumored that her children would certainly be spoiled. While Brian of course was, mom was determined to keep the same from happening to me. Hence, there were many church service-time visits to a little corner behind the Fay's nearby trailer. Mom loved to tell the story about taking me there to discipline me once, and I requested a word before punishment ensued. I pleaded that I didn't think the Fays would approve of her using their trailer for this purpose, but she insisted that they would, and so it went. 
In spite of all mom's shopping, one thing was certain, she would be there when dad arrived home from work and supper would be ready. She literally put the fear of God in me about feeding your husband; telling me over and over that a man who worked hard to privide, needed a good meal when he got home. I still fear that corner of the Fays trailer some nights when I run late with supper.
I remember once when mom tried to go to work in the post office. I wasn't very cooperative, and I think this endeavor only made it a few days. I still can picture the afternoon she came home and told me that she'd quit. It was the best news I'd ever heard and she was the most beautiful sight in the world with her dark hair and coat complete with fur collar. 
She was there to hold and rock me through my first experience with grief. I can still remember how safe her arms felt when she broke the news that my grandpa had passed. This past Sunday morning when she flew away, I longed for those arms. 
Mom had an intense fear of mountain roads, but still she supported every camping trip, packing at least three times the amount of necessary food. She loved time spent outdoors with the family, and ever after she was much too sick to go anymore, she still planned to “when she felt better.” She was the best fire-tender ever. 
She was my biggest cheer leader. She believed in me and thought I could do ANYTHING. She would always tell others “Karen is so talented, and she didn't get it from me.” Just this past mothers day, I told her that any small talent I might have, did indeed come from her because she gave me self-worth and confidence and made me believe that I could do anything I put my mind to. Her encouragement and prayers gave me so much courage in parenting. I don't know how I'll make it without that.
When her baby fell in love and moved a thousand miles away, she never one time tried to get me to stay. She put on the bravest face, and told me not to worry about her, declaring she was just happy that I was happy and she wanted me to be in God's will even if she never saw me again. I think God rewarded her for that attitude because just two years later, I was back in Idaho, hubby and blond baby girl in tow. I'm so glad my children were able to be raised around her. She took her job of Grandma so seriously, but I remember when she'd come to see a new baby she would always come to me first and ask how HER baby was. I'm thankful she was here to meet all of her grandbabies. Her excitement was equal with each one and she always jumped whenever she thought they needed her. She spent countless hours holding and rocking Kaderick after his mast cell disease diagnosis, before the medications got straightened out and he couldn't sleep more than a few minutes at a time because of incessant itching. She knew I didn't get much rest at night and was busy teaching school so a couple of times each week, she drove nearly 45 minutes one way to do this for his naps. This was around the time that she started feeling sick and I know that many days, she didn't feel like being there. That's who she was though...others came first.
In recent years, I had the unique privilege of being her daughter first, her best friend second and finally her pastors wife. This gave me three good excuses to call her or do special things for her. She was always so grateful for everything that it made doing for her sheer joy! I'm sorry I didn't take you shopping more, I'm sorry I didn't sit with you longer, I'm sorry I didn't squeeze you tighter, but I couldn't have possibly loved you more! I'm so glad I made that knifla for you last Friday night. I know it wasn't as good as the knifla you and Gram are sharing now, but it gives me comfort knowing that I made you smile. Towards the end there were days Mom didn't feel like talking and she spent a lot of time sleeping, so I'd file things away for when she had a good day and we would have a nice long visit. I guess I'll have to get some bigger files, but I don't think it will be too long before our next visit anyway. I certainly cherish our last one. Sunday afternoon in the ICU it was just the two of us for a while and she was feeling so happy and blessed and she had no pain. Looking back now, I think she was already half-way home. She said she didn't plan to go anytime soon but she was singing songs she wanted at her funeral and told me to remember them when the time came. She said how sorry she was for being up and down spiritually when I was a child and then rejoiced that it was different now. She had no questions and no fears about going to Heaven and she sure was excited to hold her baby, my big brother Dale Edwin. She struggled to think of the name of one of the songs and said, “You know...the one that says, “I will tell the saints and angels as I lay my burden down, Jesus led me all the way.” And then she said, “Because He did.” 
That's the picture I'm carrying in my heart this morning and will cling to in the days to come. My beautiful mother, laying down her burden of poor health and all the other things she didn't understand in this life at the feet of Jesus and rejoicing in the simple fact that Jesus led her all the way. I'll see you soon, Momma. “All the way My Saviour Leads Me."

I miss you a lot. I know you are happier in Heaven! I have lots of good memories about you, but I wish you were here. I know you feel much better there. Say hello to Karrick for me! I know you'll be happy to see your mom and dad and everyone else. In a way it's a good thing, and in a way it's a bad thing. I love you Grandma!

January Twenty One

Be prepared for a long post...and for some a boring one. For those of you who care and love us and loved my mother though, I will proceed and fill you in on our rather rough January. I type "rough" and then I realize that in many ways-all the ways that matter most- it was a wonderful, wonderful month. For on the 21st of this month my dear mother achieved the highest goal any of us can ever have...Heaven.
My sweet husband wrote her life sketch. And let me say this, he was her pastor and her son in law-if anyone knows someone, he knew her. They had a sweet relationship. He teased her and she loved it. Mom loved him at first simply because I did, but as they got to know one another, they loved each other for so much more than that. Rick also preached Mom's service which was incredibly hard and incredibly well done. He preached about the Christians journey from Death to Life.

Early the morning of January 21, 2019, Avis June Germain passed from this life to her Heavenly Home. It seemed fitting that she would catch her first glimpse of Jesus face at this time of day, as mornings were always a favorite time for Avis and her husband Bruce. Without fail, they would start the day with coffee, Bible reading and prayer together. They gave the best part of the day to the best part of their lives and that was growing in the grace and knowledge of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Avis was a bright testimony of God’s establishing grace. For many years, she struggled with doubts and insecurities regarding her spiritual walk, but in the past twenty plus years there were no such questions. She grew by leaps and bounds it seemed even as she was living out her last days. Just a matter of hours before her passing, she was heard telling Jesus thank you that she knew what He had done for her and that she knew she had a home in Heaven.
Avis was a much-loved wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Despite the difficulties of living with dialysis and kidney failure over the last three years, she still had a zest for living and a desire to see her children and grandchildren succeed in life and most of all in their Christian walks.
Avis was born January 30, 1939 in Fessenden, North Dakota to Chester and Elizabeth (Melhoff) Hayford. Her home birth was miraculous as it occurred in the middle of a blizzard without access to a doctor or hospital. She was born weighing less than 4 pounds and not breathing. Thankfully, Grandmother Rangna Hayford was on hand and was of strong pioneer stock. Elizabeth asked, “Is she ok?” and Grandma’s stern response was, “She will be!” and with that she forced air into tiny lungs till Baby’s color turned pink and she began to breathe on her own.
Avis graduated High School in 1957 in Larimore, North Dakota. She attended college at God’s Bible School in Cincinnati, OH and Bible Missionary Institute in Rock Island, IL where she received a Christian Workers certificate. Following college she worked in Larimore at Elk Valley State Bank as a teller until her family relocated to Kuna, Idaho in 1968. Here she was employed again as a teller at Bank of Idaho. Avis always loved children and taught Sunday School and Christian Day School for many years.
Though Avis, at times felt like an ‘old maid’ she did have many suitors. She just didn’t find one that suited her till she met widower Bruce Germain and his small son, Brian. They were married August 30, 1974 and made a happy home together on Harmony Lane in Greenleaf, ID where they would raise their children and become active in their church and community. Avis had a huge heart that never seemed to lack room for anyone new. She accepted Brian as her own and often joked that she married Bruce to get Brian as a son. They all rejoiced when Karen joined the family several years later following a number of miscarriages and the stillbirth of a son, Dale Edwin. Avis was the perfect grandma and her enthusiasm for each new grandbaby was boundless.
Favorite hobbies included shopping excursions with her mother “Grandma Liz”, young Karen, and/or one or more like-minded lady friends in tow. Store clerks knew her and affectionately dubbed her “Aunt Bee.” The only thing which could possibly top this were the camping trips she enjoyed with her family. Birthdays and holidays were always special as her excitement was infectious and she had a passion for making things special for those she loved. Upon telling him of Grandma’s move to Heaven, her youngest grandson wondered, “…..but WHAT are we going to do about Christmas Eve??!”
Avis early retirement years and “empty nest” recovery were spent working as a clerk at the Greenleaf Store for seven years. Here, she opened her heart to everyone and became proxy Grandma to many youngsters and a friend to everyone that would give her the slightest chance. The same was true during her approximate 468 days spent at Liberty Dialysis. To know her was to love her. The family would like to thank all the wonderful doctors, nurses and staff and her personal CNA, granddaughter Kayla for the loving care they gave Avis.
Avis is survived by her husband, Bruce Edwin Germain, who cared for her so lovingly throughout her illness, brother, Dale (Ileta) Hayford, son Brian (Elizabeth) Germain, daughter Karen (Richard) Bork, eight surviving grandchildren, Jared (Olga) Germain, Bruce (Charyl) Germain, Kayla Bork, Annette Germain, Kalli Bork, Kamilla Bork, Kaite Bork, and Kaderick Bork, along with many other nieces, nephews and extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents and son Dale Edwin Germain.
Funeral services will be held at Dakan Funeral Chapel 504 S. Kimball Ave., Caldwell, ID at 10:30am Saturday, January 26, 2019. Rev. Richard Bork and Rev. Dale Hayford will be officiating. Internment will follow at Wilder Cemetery. The family will greet friends at Dakan Funeral Chapel Friday evening from 6 to 8pm.

I will include tributes in another post but here I will tell the story about Mom's last day on earth.

She had gone in to the hospital with chest pain on Sunday morning. After doing a CT scan they discovered that an existing thoracic aneurism had grown significantly and they put her in ICU to monitor it and decide what to do. We learned later that on Monday the dr would have told us that surgery was not a good option and that the aneurism would eventually burst or move most likely taking her life instantly. As it happened, this occurred before the dr got a chance to tell us. In a way this was a good thing as mom didn't have to worry. She had been quite sick and in a lot of pain when they first arrived in the ER, but by Sunday afternoon she was feeling so good and was in very bright spirits. Dad, Rick, Kayla and I were with her most of the day. At one point she and I were alone and she told me how sorry she was that she'd been up and down spiritually when I was younger and how thankful she was that she had finally been established some 20 years ago. She went on to say that she had no plans to die soon, but when I do here are the songs I would like at my funeral. When we gathered around her bed and held her hands that evening it was like holding a little piece of heaven. She practically glowed and I remember thinking, "this is dying grace...old saints really do just get sweeter" and yet I thought we had more time. She had been this way really for a few weeks. The Sunday previous she brought the sweetest spirit to church with her. Rick and I sang "The Path to Heaven" and she wept and rejoiced the whole time and then also through the message. Kayla decided to stay the night with Grandma. She has kind of been her own personal CNA over the last couple years and wanted to be there to hear all the dr and nurse talk. I went home and wrote down all the songs and verses mom had requested and then carefully laid clothes out should I need to dress in a hurry. Sure enough, Kayla called a little after 5am and when I heard the alarms in the background I knew. Rick and I were there in less than 10 minutes and in fact they were still trying to revive her when we arrived, but they never even got a moments heartbeat back. The next few days were a blur as we made plans etc but God was near and close every step of the way. This was the second death in our church in 2 weeks time and my pastor husband walked with us to sweetly gently taking charge and keeping things in line and schedule. He definitely has a gift for comforting the hurting.

I'll close with this song that sums up rather well my mom's last day on this old earth, and then like and eagle, she took to the sky!

Once again, I faced Satan this morning
And I battled him all the day long
But in my weakness, God sent reinforcements
And at sundown, I sang victory's song

And the sun's comin' up, in the morning
Every tear will be gone from my eye
This old place is gonna give way to glory
And like an eagle, I'll take to the sky

In a world, filled with doubts and confusion
It's so hard, when you don't understand
But I'll stand on a solid foundation
And I'll hold to an unchanging hand

And the sun's comin' up, in the morning
Every tear will be gone from my eye
This old place is gonna give way to glory
And like an eagle, I'll take to the sky