A Little More...

Our Family ~ 12/08

(click on pic to enlarge Andrew's sweet smile.)

I want to share a little more with you about Andrew's service on 12/19/09. Our daughter, Andrew's sister Audra, began the worship service as she played her guitar and sang "Healer," the song many of you have heard Kari Jobe sing.

The praise and worship team from our church sang 3 worship songs, one of which I requested, There Is A River. This song has special significance to our family. During Andrew's life saving surgery on 9/11, we sang this song as we awaited the outcome of his surgery. And often in the hospital Andrew would ask me to sing to him. I always sang There Is A River as I rubbed his feet. My pastor's wife who is my friend sang on the team. I had asked her to organize that aspect for me. (At bottom of post is a url to There Is A River.)

Our pastor, our friend, spoke so eloquently about Andrew's life. Our pastor and his wife were with us in the worst of times over these past few months. The day of Andrew's preliminary diagnosis I called them and from that moment on they were with us every step of the journey. They spent hours with us in hospitals, visited our home and prayed and loved on us in an extraordinary way. They came to know Andrew and love him in a way that no one else other than our family could have loved him. They are true shepherds in every sense of the word. We thank God for their ministry and their friendship to our family.

Andrew's former Wednesday night boy's leader (another close friend of ours) reminisced about Andrew and how during game time he and our other son, Avery, were some of the fastest white boys to play Capture the Flag.

My sweet friend, Alisa from Carolina Panache, beautifully read "The Gift" written and sent to me from dear Lisa Smith of Glad Chatter. Alisa and her family drove from NC to be with us. Alisa organized the photo display for the viewing and service. Her gift of beauty blessed me.

Another special long-time friend, LaDon who with her husband flew in from MD, spoke so sweetly and blessed me with her loving words.

Long time friends from college days (Lee University) flew in. Loving family members drove long distances. Audra's school and work friends came. Avery's school friends and faculty attended. Precious neighbors and friends were there and our loving church family surrounded us with love, hugs and tears.

By my side sat my mother and my father. My father, a pastor and the one who dedicated Andrew to the Lord, spoke at the gravesite. My brother, a professional saxophonist, played at the service as well as "Jesus Loves Me" at the gravesite. My husband's brother (an army vet) presented a special tribute regarding Andrew's desire to serve in the military.

Following is a portion of the obituary I wrote for our son:

Andrew’s passions were skateboarding and graffiti art. His life long ambition was to enlist in the United States Army when he turned eighteen. From an early age, he had a keen interest in the military and expressed his desire to be a sniper in the Army.
Andrew never met a dog he didn’t like and often walked the neighbor’s dogs as a “job.” He most often spent his money on skateboards at Double Barrel Surf & Skate where he became good friends with the owner Skip. Until the time he would be old enough to enlist in the Army, his wish was to work for Skip.

Today marks 3 weeks since Andrew left our earthly home to join Jesus in Heaven.

I have other thoughts to share with you. Maybe tomorrow...

Catherine Mullins worships with "There Is A River."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJIDNDzuGz0