This MemoryTorch has beeen lit
in honor of Suzanne Bartlette
1951 - 2002
in honor of Suzanne Bartlette
1951 - 2002
On Sunday, December 29, 2002, at her home, our precious wife and mother, Suzanne Rae Bartlette, age 51, passed quickly into the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Suzanne was predeceased by, her mother Isabel Berry in 1997. Suzanne will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by Peter, her husband of 31 years; their three children, Roger, Ryan, and Heather; father, Albert Berry; sisters, Patti (Dale) Bergen, Colleen (John) Senenko and brother, Darryl (Elaine) Berry and many nieces and nephews. Suzanne was born in Brandon on August 7, 1951 and grew up in the Souris area. While attending Caronport High School in Saskatchewan, she met Peter, whom she married July 10, 1971. Suzanne was a devoted wife and mother and cherished her family dearly. She passionately taught primary grade children for thirty-two years. She was a gifted musician and used her talents playing piano and organ for many years. She loved to entertain family and friends in their home and at the lake. A funeral service was held at McDiarmid Drive in Brandon on Friday, January 3, 2003 at 11:00am. Pastors Larry Janz and Steve Janz officiated. Interment followed at the Souris and Glenwood Cemetery, Souris, Manitoba. Donations in memory of Suzanne may be made to: World Vision Canada, 1 World Drive, Mississauga, Ontario, L5T 2Y4 or to a charity of choice.
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Patti Bergren was by Feb. 16/10
Message: Lovingly remembering & missing my dear sister, Suzanne. What a tremendous blessing & encouragement she was to all of us! Love you & miss you, dear sister!!
Message: Lovingly remembering & missing my dear sister, Suzanne. What a tremendous blessing & encouragement she was to all of us! Love you & miss you, dear sister!!
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Tribute to a Sister January 3, 2003
Good morning. My name is Colleen Senenko, and I’m the third and the youngest of the Berry girls. Suzanne arrived in 1951, and within 3 years she had 2 sisters, Patti and myself. Our brother, Darryl, was welcomed 3 years later.
As far as sisters go, Patti, Darryl and I would all agree that Suzanne was, absolutely, the best there was. We can see here today that she touched and enriched many lives.
Her love for children was evident at a very early age. As well as lining up and teaching her dolls when she was little, she got involved in teaching Sunday School as a young teenager, and worked steadily towards the goal of becoming a teacher. At the tender age of 19, Suzanne was already on her way to achieving life’s goals. She had a wonderful husband, Peter, whom she’d met while attending grade 11 and 12 at Caronport High School in Saskatchewan. Peter was attending Bible College at the time. She was also able to take advantage of the last one-year teacher certification program at Brandon University. As well, Suzanne had her very own class of 19 grade 1 students in Carberry. She always had a maturity beyond her years. She recognized her hopes and dreams early in life and worked hard to make them a reality. It’s interesting that after 32 years, these hopes, dreams and loves still held as much joy and zeal for her today as they did then. In her Christmas letter this year, her love for children is mentioned as the reason she was still in the classroom. She was also involved with the Brandon Teachers Association, and was a part of two Early Year Teams, and served on committees of Teacher Wellness and Social Dynamics.
To those who worked with our sister at J.R. Ried School, Waverly Park School, or were business associates, we know you’ll miss her enthusiasm, her willingness to jump in and serve wherever needed, and seeing her day to day love, kindness, generosity and compassion. She possessed a servanthood attitude towards her students and others. Her dedication and commitment to her work was astounding and gave her treat fulfillment. She worked tirelessly to do her job well at both schools. This always meant double the bulletin boards to be put up, double the Christmas concerts to prepare, (and likely provide music), twice the number of report cards and twice the number of parent-teacher interviews. Countless hours were spent on Sunday afternoons or evenings preparing for the next day. Monday will be a sad day, not only in the two staff rooms, but in two kindergarten classes where Mrs. Bartlette will not be there to greet her students at the door.
Her love for her family was amazing. Peter was her soul mate for 31 years, and they were a complement to each other in so many ways. Last Sunday, mere hours before she went to be with the Lord, I listened as Suzanne sat down at the piano anion our living room and Peter sang, to practice a number for the Bartlette family Christmas that day in Morris. Suzanne was getting kicked into another style, adding all the little extras – this of course with no music. I thought to myself, “what a great team!”
That love was freely shared with their three children, Roger, Ryan and Heather. Whatever activities the children chose, Suzanne was fully supportive of them. She often went the extra mile, (as she did in everything), and took on leadership roles. Suzanne was always doing “new things”, and continually learning and taking on new challenges, especially when her children were involved. In her Christmas letter she also mentioned the new challenge they had committed to was teaching a College and Career Bible Study in their home on Sunday evenings. She not only had the ‘heart’ for these leadership roles, but the agility and talents to make things happen.
If you knew Suzanne at all, you’ll know she was a great planner and organizer. Her vibrancy for life led her to want to celebrate everything. She could make an ordinary day very out-of-the-ordinary – special, for grown-ups and children alike. She planned an unforgettable 25th anniversary celebration for my husband and me this past summer, perfect in every way, suited just for us. Creating memories and preserving memories were a great strength.
Since she was oldest, she always led the way for the rest of us. Even as young children, Suzanne would always watch our and care for her younger siblings. SO now that she’s in heaven first, she’ll no doubt organize and start the party, and be there to meet the rest of us when we arrive. How fitting – still leading the way, even now.
Her love of music was also evident at an early age and she was very creative through her music. From the time she was 10 years old, Suzanne could hear a song once and pretty well sit down and plat it on the piano. Through the years she has written stories, poems and songs, and played a variety of instruments. For 30 years, Suzanne has played piano and organ at this church for Sunday services, as well as any other concert or event where her talents were needed. Darryl mentioned how proud we always were of her gifts and the gifts God had given her. He said at the Christmas concert, he just had to turn around and tell the people behind him, “that’s my sister, playing the piano.”
She served in many different areas in this church – planning and organizing high school grad events for youth of the church, and participating in women’s ministries. I know there are many of you who will also miss her presence here at this church in a big way.
A better listener would be hard to find. Suzanne has always been there or family and friends whenever needed. Five years ago, just before our mom’s car accident, we discovered e-mail. What a blessing! It turned out to be very therapeutic to share our thoughts and feelings, our grief and pain through regular e-mails. This day-to-day correspondence continued, and almost every day there would be an e-mail from Suzanne. We could share any burden or concern that came up, knowing the other would respond back the next day with a word of encouragement. I’ll miss that, along with our weekly phone calls.
In fact, I had printed out one or two of the e-mails we had share just after losing mom in May of 1997 and tucked them away in a file. As I was re-reading them, we are saying about Suzanne today, some of the same things that she was saying about mom and what she had learned from her. We three sisters discussed the things we wanted to pass on to our own kinds, such as always being available to listen, talk and to always be supportive of them. We talked about being wiling to give, never expecting anything in return, and the sacrifices made for us. We wanted to share freely with others the same love that was given to us, to be caring and understanding. Suzanne talked about wanting to make the best of every situation, how to enjoy life and to always laugh. Suzanne did, indeed do all of those things that she learned from her mother. Roger, Ryan and Heather, your children and grandchildren will be better people because of the kind of individual your mom was. A reflection of her personality will live on through your lives and through future generations. I already see many of these traits in you.
We also discussed the value of our family relationships. We were thankful for our faith, for hope and the strong family unity that would carry us through. We talked about heaven. As the years go by, we will continue to cling to that faith and hope and to carry us through, as Suzanne advised 5 years ago. Family was so important to her, immediate and extended family. She was not only a great mother and sister, she was a faithful daughter who honoured and demonstrated love to her parents her entire life.
Suzanne had a teacher’s day planner with a record of tasks that she wanted to accomplish each day, using her teaching skills and gifts and abilities. Just as she had a ‘to do’ list for work, she had another ‘to do’ list, that came straight from the hand of God. This list was based on her spiritual gifts, and she was ready and willing to use those gifts whenever the opportunity arose. She had the gift of serving, which was demonstrated continuously through her servant attitude. I spoke to a teacher friend earlier this week, who told me Suzanne had been an incredible help and mentor to her when she started out teaching. Her life was a living example. She had the gift of hospitality. Streams of people have flowed through their home, and their cabin at the lake over the years. She shared everything she had with everyone she knew. Suzanne had the gift of showing mercy. She was quick to show compassion, forgiveness and grace to others. She was a mentor in many ways to many people, and God gave her a real sensitivity to others and their needs. She used her gift of encouragement to lift up those who were hurting, or those who just needed a word of cheer or a bit of brightness in their day.
Who among us would ever have thought that last Sunday, Dec. 29th would be the date when the last puzzle piece would fit into place and Suzanne’s puzzle of life would be complete? Who would have thought that the Saturday Berry Christmas gathering and Sunday Bartlette Christmas would be among the last pieces to fit into her puzzle? We never know what each day holds. In the twinkling of an eye, our lives were changed, forever, for a second time, just as it had changed when we lost mom. Sunday turned out to be “moving day” for Suzanne, when she left her earthly home and moved into her permanent residence, her eternal mansion. We know the words “Well done, my good and faithful servant” were heard in heaven upon her arrival. We’re thankful for the hope we have and of God’s promise of seeing her again.
A friend shared these thoughts. Suzanne went from “life to life”. It was a divine appointment. When her physical eyes were closed, her spiritual eyes were opened, seeing all things. She was ready for her journey from life to life. Her death was a beginning – a beginning of the life the Lord always had in mind for her – minus the sickness, the fears, the sorrows, the trials and besetting the sins we are all subject to.”
Did God create Suzanne to live for 51 years? No! He created her to live for eternity. I not only believe that, but it’s a thought I’ll hold close to my heart and dwell on each day.
This would not be our choice of ways to end 2002, or to bring in a new year. However, God is still in control, and Suzanne lived her life glorifying and honouring God. She has prepared her last lesson plan, taught her last class. She’s struggled with her last diet. She is no doubt dancing, making music and celebrating in Heaven with her mom, her Auntie Rachel for whom she was named, Peter’s day, and other loved ones. She’s probably organized some fun new activity, and maybe telling all the choir members where to stand in case someone wants to take a picture! Or as Ryan said last night, she’ll be running down the street with a video camera saying, “Wow! Look how gold these streets are!” He’s right, because Suzanne appreciated the beauty around her – she truly thought life was beautiful. Whether it was sitting on the deck looking out over the quietness of the lake watching the loons fly overhead, or expressing joy over a discovery that one of her kindergarten students made, she lived life. Now she is the on with the sparkling blue eyes open with wonder and amazement, just like one of her kids, seeing the marvelous discoveries that were awaiting her. Her life is truly more beautiful now than it has ever been.
Our loss is heaven’s gain. Unfortunately, because of our humanness on earth, we will miss her a great deal for a very long time, for some of us, it will be for the rest of our lives. Our family will never be the same. But it was because of the love that we shared that we’ll miss her, and for that we’re thankful. We know from experience that time will help ease the pain and sorrow, that life will go on, and with God’s help, we will cope.
Another friend passed along thee few lines by Luci Swindoll:
“Hope is a heartfelt assurance that our heavenly Father knows what’s best for us and never makes a mistake. God says trust me. Remember my Word. Believe, . . . and wait. Of course out greatest hope lies waiting for us at the end of time, when all God’s purposes will be fulfilled. We will go to live with Jesus Christ, who by His grace redeemed us, loved us through our trials, provided joy in the midst of heartache and peace for out troubled hearts. (We’ll be with him forever – an outrageous reality!)”
I’m going to close with a quote from the bottom of Suzann and Peter’s Christmas letter, which she gave me on Sunday, the last day we saw our dear sister. It says:
“May the memories of how good God has been every day of the year cause you to rejoice with a heart full of praise.”
May God give each of us the strength, hope and faith, to have a heart full of praise.
Thank you for coming, each and every one of you.
Lovingly remembered by sister Colleen Senenko
For everyone who loves Suzanne
December 30, 2002 (Linda McBurney-Gunhouse)
~ God has a Plan ~
Psalm 121 - A Song of degrees
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: The LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil” he shall preserve they soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.
God has a plan so much greater than us. So great we cannot begin to fathom it. Suzanne’s death is not an end. It is a startling beginning – for her and for you, for all of us. We do not usually think of death as a beginning, but that is what it is. For Suzanne, it’s a beginning of the life the Lord always had in mind for her – minus the sickness, the fears, the sorrows, the trials and besetting sins we are all subject to.
It is hare to imagine life without her – her laughter, her singing and playing the piano, the many hours of joy and fellowship she so willingly and unselfishly gave. These are the memories I have of her - I don’t remember ever seeing her without a smile. I guess I noticed it the most at her mother’s funeral. I am sure, that inside, she we grief stricken, but the gift she gave the rest of us was a cheerful and peaceful countenance. She carried us through that day, and I’m sure carried her family every day since that time. The Lord has granted her a leave of absence from us for only a short time. He has so much in store and His healing will come quickly for all who mourn her.
Suzanne was gregarious and full of life; she filled the room with her bright and cheerful presence, a true gift from God. She is going to be missed. But I am most certainly positive she would want us all to remember her with joy, that same joy she carried within her and freely gave us all while she was with us. Then she’ll want us to carry on and do the many works God has called us to do until He come for us and we see her again.
In our humanness, often we view tragedies with limited vision. We end to see death as the end of something very familiar to us – life here on earth. Yet, I believe our life began long before we were ever born according to God’s predestined plan. Even in death, God has a plan:
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11
What this means to me is that the sting, sadness and shock of death is NOT the expected end; but in life and in death peace is ours to own.
I have a friend who is dying of cancer. She is an inspiration to us all. She is so excited about this journey to a place she has only imagined. Now she starts to envision it; it has become more real to her. She keeps talking about what it’s going to be like. To her, it’s a romantic adventure – a supernatural, spiritual and beautiful phenomenon like a rebirth that she eagerly and patiently awaits. I have never looked at death this way before – a beginning, an adventure. She knows the Lord – she has nothing to fear.
One of her visions is that she waits in a desert and Jesus comes by for her on a horse, picks her up and swoops her away – together they journey to heaven, through the clouds to the celestial gates. She has a vision of the spiritual that we find difficult to grasp – but this is what she looks for. This is what she eagerly anticipates. Her vision is already heavenward. She prepares her family, and they too have accepted it. They are at peace as each day they let go of her, each day a little more. She would not want us to mourn her. She does not wish to rejoice alone.
If I may end with what I began with
– He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. The LROD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming I from this time forth, and even forevermore.
This is not a time to be afraid. Sad, yes, grieve, yes. Give up – never. For in this sorrow, there is great strength, for now in your weakness His power is made known. Now you can do things you never thought possible because it is He that works His good pleasure through you – His works are known through you, as they were through His servant Suzanne.
I see a sea wide and open, pushing back a terrible roar of waves that threaten to drown you. In the midst is a wide-open path and walls of grief upheld by mighty hands of angels and prayers of saints, warriors of strength, like you – enabling you to walk that path of peace, ready to do His perfect will.
Good morning. My name is Colleen Senenko, and I’m the third and the youngest of the Berry girls. Suzanne arrived in 1951, and within 3 years she had 2 sisters, Patti and myself. Our brother, Darryl, was welcomed 3 years later.
As far as sisters go, Patti, Darryl and I would all agree that Suzanne was, absolutely, the best there was. We can see here today that she touched and enriched many lives.
Her love for children was evident at a very early age. As well as lining up and teaching her dolls when she was little, she got involved in teaching Sunday School as a young teenager, and worked steadily towards the goal of becoming a teacher. At the tender age of 19, Suzanne was already on her way to achieving life’s goals. She had a wonderful husband, Peter, whom she’d met while attending grade 11 and 12 at Caronport High School in Saskatchewan. Peter was attending Bible College at the time. She was also able to take advantage of the last one-year teacher certification program at Brandon University. As well, Suzanne had her very own class of 19 grade 1 students in Carberry. She always had a maturity beyond her years. She recognized her hopes and dreams early in life and worked hard to make them a reality. It’s interesting that after 32 years, these hopes, dreams and loves still held as much joy and zeal for her today as they did then. In her Christmas letter this year, her love for children is mentioned as the reason she was still in the classroom. She was also involved with the Brandon Teachers Association, and was a part of two Early Year Teams, and served on committees of Teacher Wellness and Social Dynamics.
To those who worked with our sister at J.R. Ried School, Waverly Park School, or were business associates, we know you’ll miss her enthusiasm, her willingness to jump in and serve wherever needed, and seeing her day to day love, kindness, generosity and compassion. She possessed a servanthood attitude towards her students and others. Her dedication and commitment to her work was astounding and gave her treat fulfillment. She worked tirelessly to do her job well at both schools. This always meant double the bulletin boards to be put up, double the Christmas concerts to prepare, (and likely provide music), twice the number of report cards and twice the number of parent-teacher interviews. Countless hours were spent on Sunday afternoons or evenings preparing for the next day. Monday will be a sad day, not only in the two staff rooms, but in two kindergarten classes where Mrs. Bartlette will not be there to greet her students at the door.
Her love for her family was amazing. Peter was her soul mate for 31 years, and they were a complement to each other in so many ways. Last Sunday, mere hours before she went to be with the Lord, I listened as Suzanne sat down at the piano anion our living room and Peter sang, to practice a number for the Bartlette family Christmas that day in Morris. Suzanne was getting kicked into another style, adding all the little extras – this of course with no music. I thought to myself, “what a great team!”
That love was freely shared with their three children, Roger, Ryan and Heather. Whatever activities the children chose, Suzanne was fully supportive of them. She often went the extra mile, (as she did in everything), and took on leadership roles. Suzanne was always doing “new things”, and continually learning and taking on new challenges, especially when her children were involved. In her Christmas letter she also mentioned the new challenge they had committed to was teaching a College and Career Bible Study in their home on Sunday evenings. She not only had the ‘heart’ for these leadership roles, but the agility and talents to make things happen.
If you knew Suzanne at all, you’ll know she was a great planner and organizer. Her vibrancy for life led her to want to celebrate everything. She could make an ordinary day very out-of-the-ordinary – special, for grown-ups and children alike. She planned an unforgettable 25th anniversary celebration for my husband and me this past summer, perfect in every way, suited just for us. Creating memories and preserving memories were a great strength.
Since she was oldest, she always led the way for the rest of us. Even as young children, Suzanne would always watch our and care for her younger siblings. SO now that she’s in heaven first, she’ll no doubt organize and start the party, and be there to meet the rest of us when we arrive. How fitting – still leading the way, even now.
Her love of music was also evident at an early age and she was very creative through her music. From the time she was 10 years old, Suzanne could hear a song once and pretty well sit down and plat it on the piano. Through the years she has written stories, poems and songs, and played a variety of instruments. For 30 years, Suzanne has played piano and organ at this church for Sunday services, as well as any other concert or event where her talents were needed. Darryl mentioned how proud we always were of her gifts and the gifts God had given her. He said at the Christmas concert, he just had to turn around and tell the people behind him, “that’s my sister, playing the piano.”
She served in many different areas in this church – planning and organizing high school grad events for youth of the church, and participating in women’s ministries. I know there are many of you who will also miss her presence here at this church in a big way.
A better listener would be hard to find. Suzanne has always been there or family and friends whenever needed. Five years ago, just before our mom’s car accident, we discovered e-mail. What a blessing! It turned out to be very therapeutic to share our thoughts and feelings, our grief and pain through regular e-mails. This day-to-day correspondence continued, and almost every day there would be an e-mail from Suzanne. We could share any burden or concern that came up, knowing the other would respond back the next day with a word of encouragement. I’ll miss that, along with our weekly phone calls.
In fact, I had printed out one or two of the e-mails we had share just after losing mom in May of 1997 and tucked them away in a file. As I was re-reading them, we are saying about Suzanne today, some of the same things that she was saying about mom and what she had learned from her. We three sisters discussed the things we wanted to pass on to our own kinds, such as always being available to listen, talk and to always be supportive of them. We talked about being wiling to give, never expecting anything in return, and the sacrifices made for us. We wanted to share freely with others the same love that was given to us, to be caring and understanding. Suzanne talked about wanting to make the best of every situation, how to enjoy life and to always laugh. Suzanne did, indeed do all of those things that she learned from her mother. Roger, Ryan and Heather, your children and grandchildren will be better people because of the kind of individual your mom was. A reflection of her personality will live on through your lives and through future generations. I already see many of these traits in you.
We also discussed the value of our family relationships. We were thankful for our faith, for hope and the strong family unity that would carry us through. We talked about heaven. As the years go by, we will continue to cling to that faith and hope and to carry us through, as Suzanne advised 5 years ago. Family was so important to her, immediate and extended family. She was not only a great mother and sister, she was a faithful daughter who honoured and demonstrated love to her parents her entire life.
Suzanne had a teacher’s day planner with a record of tasks that she wanted to accomplish each day, using her teaching skills and gifts and abilities. Just as she had a ‘to do’ list for work, she had another ‘to do’ list, that came straight from the hand of God. This list was based on her spiritual gifts, and she was ready and willing to use those gifts whenever the opportunity arose. She had the gift of serving, which was demonstrated continuously through her servant attitude. I spoke to a teacher friend earlier this week, who told me Suzanne had been an incredible help and mentor to her when she started out teaching. Her life was a living example. She had the gift of hospitality. Streams of people have flowed through their home, and their cabin at the lake over the years. She shared everything she had with everyone she knew. Suzanne had the gift of showing mercy. She was quick to show compassion, forgiveness and grace to others. She was a mentor in many ways to many people, and God gave her a real sensitivity to others and their needs. She used her gift of encouragement to lift up those who were hurting, or those who just needed a word of cheer or a bit of brightness in their day.
Who among us would ever have thought that last Sunday, Dec. 29th would be the date when the last puzzle piece would fit into place and Suzanne’s puzzle of life would be complete? Who would have thought that the Saturday Berry Christmas gathering and Sunday Bartlette Christmas would be among the last pieces to fit into her puzzle? We never know what each day holds. In the twinkling of an eye, our lives were changed, forever, for a second time, just as it had changed when we lost mom. Sunday turned out to be “moving day” for Suzanne, when she left her earthly home and moved into her permanent residence, her eternal mansion. We know the words “Well done, my good and faithful servant” were heard in heaven upon her arrival. We’re thankful for the hope we have and of God’s promise of seeing her again.
A friend shared these thoughts. Suzanne went from “life to life”. It was a divine appointment. When her physical eyes were closed, her spiritual eyes were opened, seeing all things. She was ready for her journey from life to life. Her death was a beginning – a beginning of the life the Lord always had in mind for her – minus the sickness, the fears, the sorrows, the trials and besetting the sins we are all subject to.”
Did God create Suzanne to live for 51 years? No! He created her to live for eternity. I not only believe that, but it’s a thought I’ll hold close to my heart and dwell on each day.
This would not be our choice of ways to end 2002, or to bring in a new year. However, God is still in control, and Suzanne lived her life glorifying and honouring God. She has prepared her last lesson plan, taught her last class. She’s struggled with her last diet. She is no doubt dancing, making music and celebrating in Heaven with her mom, her Auntie Rachel for whom she was named, Peter’s day, and other loved ones. She’s probably organized some fun new activity, and maybe telling all the choir members where to stand in case someone wants to take a picture! Or as Ryan said last night, she’ll be running down the street with a video camera saying, “Wow! Look how gold these streets are!” He’s right, because Suzanne appreciated the beauty around her – she truly thought life was beautiful. Whether it was sitting on the deck looking out over the quietness of the lake watching the loons fly overhead, or expressing joy over a discovery that one of her kindergarten students made, she lived life. Now she is the on with the sparkling blue eyes open with wonder and amazement, just like one of her kids, seeing the marvelous discoveries that were awaiting her. Her life is truly more beautiful now than it has ever been.
Our loss is heaven’s gain. Unfortunately, because of our humanness on earth, we will miss her a great deal for a very long time, for some of us, it will be for the rest of our lives. Our family will never be the same. But it was because of the love that we shared that we’ll miss her, and for that we’re thankful. We know from experience that time will help ease the pain and sorrow, that life will go on, and with God’s help, we will cope.
Another friend passed along thee few lines by Luci Swindoll:
“Hope is a heartfelt assurance that our heavenly Father knows what’s best for us and never makes a mistake. God says trust me. Remember my Word. Believe, . . . and wait. Of course out greatest hope lies waiting for us at the end of time, when all God’s purposes will be fulfilled. We will go to live with Jesus Christ, who by His grace redeemed us, loved us through our trials, provided joy in the midst of heartache and peace for out troubled hearts. (We’ll be with him forever – an outrageous reality!)”
I’m going to close with a quote from the bottom of Suzann and Peter’s Christmas letter, which she gave me on Sunday, the last day we saw our dear sister. It says:
“May the memories of how good God has been every day of the year cause you to rejoice with a heart full of praise.”
May God give each of us the strength, hope and faith, to have a heart full of praise.
Thank you for coming, each and every one of you.
Lovingly remembered by sister Colleen Senenko
For everyone who loves Suzanne
December 30, 2002 (Linda McBurney-Gunhouse)
~ God has a Plan ~
Psalm 121 - A Song of degrees
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: The LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil” he shall preserve they soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.
God has a plan so much greater than us. So great we cannot begin to fathom it. Suzanne’s death is not an end. It is a startling beginning – for her and for you, for all of us. We do not usually think of death as a beginning, but that is what it is. For Suzanne, it’s a beginning of the life the Lord always had in mind for her – minus the sickness, the fears, the sorrows, the trials and besetting sins we are all subject to.
It is hare to imagine life without her – her laughter, her singing and playing the piano, the many hours of joy and fellowship she so willingly and unselfishly gave. These are the memories I have of her - I don’t remember ever seeing her without a smile. I guess I noticed it the most at her mother’s funeral. I am sure, that inside, she we grief stricken, but the gift she gave the rest of us was a cheerful and peaceful countenance. She carried us through that day, and I’m sure carried her family every day since that time. The Lord has granted her a leave of absence from us for only a short time. He has so much in store and His healing will come quickly for all who mourn her.
Suzanne was gregarious and full of life; she filled the room with her bright and cheerful presence, a true gift from God. She is going to be missed. But I am most certainly positive she would want us all to remember her with joy, that same joy she carried within her and freely gave us all while she was with us. Then she’ll want us to carry on and do the many works God has called us to do until He come for us and we see her again.
In our humanness, often we view tragedies with limited vision. We end to see death as the end of something very familiar to us – life here on earth. Yet, I believe our life began long before we were ever born according to God’s predestined plan. Even in death, God has a plan:
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11
What this means to me is that the sting, sadness and shock of death is NOT the expected end; but in life and in death peace is ours to own.
I have a friend who is dying of cancer. She is an inspiration to us all. She is so excited about this journey to a place she has only imagined. Now she starts to envision it; it has become more real to her. She keeps talking about what it’s going to be like. To her, it’s a romantic adventure – a supernatural, spiritual and beautiful phenomenon like a rebirth that she eagerly and patiently awaits. I have never looked at death this way before – a beginning, an adventure. She knows the Lord – she has nothing to fear.
One of her visions is that she waits in a desert and Jesus comes by for her on a horse, picks her up and swoops her away – together they journey to heaven, through the clouds to the celestial gates. She has a vision of the spiritual that we find difficult to grasp – but this is what she looks for. This is what she eagerly anticipates. Her vision is already heavenward. She prepares her family, and they too have accepted it. They are at peace as each day they let go of her, each day a little more. She would not want us to mourn her. She does not wish to rejoice alone.
If I may end with what I began with
– He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. The LROD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming I from this time forth, and even forevermore.
This is not a time to be afraid. Sad, yes, grieve, yes. Give up – never. For in this sorrow, there is great strength, for now in your weakness His power is made known. Now you can do things you never thought possible because it is He that works His good pleasure through you – His works are known through you, as they were through His servant Suzanne.
I see a sea wide and open, pushing back a terrible roar of waves that threaten to drown you. In the midst is a wide-open path and walls of grief upheld by mighty hands of angels and prayers of saints, warriors of strength, like you – enabling you to walk that path of peace, ready to do His perfect will.
