Sweetheart,
When we said “I do,” closed the deal with a kiss, and rode off into our future, I had no idea of the “ride” we would have. One may call it foolish, or presumptuous, or idealistic, but no one could call it boring. The ride together in life has been an adventure.
Like a roller coaster, sometimes up and sometimes down, but always in motion. There has been the slow clank to the top with its anticipation, the fast spiral with its thrill, and always a “hang on” kind of experience. There is more coming!
That deal, closed with a kiss, placed us on an educational journey with a destination of two doctorates (actually your first was a PHT – ‘put hubby through’). Yet, no book learning has taught me what I have learned from you. You have been my true graduate school and what you have conferred, can’t be granted by a diploma.
That same deal closed with a kiss, bore the fruit of two children, both attractive, bright, honest, and loving, who have now blessed us with more of the same in our grandchildren.
That same deal, closed with a kiss, out us on a path in ministry that has crossed the states and circled the globe. So much of God’s created beauty we have either seen, smelled, climbed, crawled, or driven. We have seen the mountain tops, the valleys, the hills, the rivers, the streams, the deserts, the beaches, the glacier ice, the deep underwater, and the high blue sky. We have weathered the freezing cold, managed the humid heat, and enjoyed the cool between. Most importantly, we looked into the eyes of every race and creed and saw the longing in their eyes for a transcendent love and offered that in the person of Jesus Christ.
That same deal, closed with a kiss, has provided the highest ecstasies of life and some of the deepest sorrows, and most powerful losses. In both the highs and lows, we were there together, hand in hand, sometimes sharing mingled tears of joy and sometimes hot tears of sadness. At times our direction seemed clear and certain. At times the path seemed obscure and uncertain. Nonetheless, somehow, we remained on the same path helping each other along the way.
I have loved you, but have failed you in ways that leave regret. Yet, I find comfort in the words you have spoken on more than one occasion – “We do the best we can with who we are at a given time.” I wish I had been more much earlier in our ride together. I wish I were more now as we yet travel together. But whatever there was, whatever there is, your love claimed it and your love has made the most of it.
I cannot imagine a traveling companion that would have, could have offered more for the ride. The strength, the grace, the beauty, the encouragement, the hope to ultimately arrive at our destiny could not have been equaled. You have defined the standard. Your love has been a pearl, your strength my haven, your never-ending hope my rainbow. The light on my face has often been only a reflection of your smile. Your beauty has grown ever more beautiful as I have grown more capable of seeing what was always there. Funny, isn’t it, how that works!
We still travel together. Life holds no more uncertainty now than it ever did. But perhaps now, a bit weather worn and wiser, we understand more clearly that in the uncertainty of life, we find our greatest opportunity and our deepest values.
It has been quite a ride “partner.” Hang on, the best is just ahead around the bend. I’m so glad we “closed the deal” and sealed it with a kiss.
I love you,
GARY
11/10/09 (Dothan, Alabama)
Monday, November 23, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Freda has finished the Race...
As you may already know, Freda joined the Lord and other loved ones in heaven this last Thursday. She "fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. Now she has received the crown of righteousness" 2 Timothy 4:7.
My family and I thank you for your prayer and support, especially over the last ten years of her battle. We invite you to join us this Saturday, November 21 at 10:00am for the celebration of her life and faith and to worship together as a body of believers.
You will find below information that might be helpful to you. Freda and I pray God's best blessings for you.
We celebrate the life and influence of Freda Marlene Crawford, who was born in Lake City, Florida, October 12, 1949 and joined Jesus Christ and other loved ones November 12, 2009. Freda was an accomplished woman. She was an honors graduate of Columbia County High School, and then the president of the student body at Lake City Community College. She completed her B.S. from the University of West Florida and her M.Ed. and Ph.D. in Science Education from the University of Florida.
For 17 years she taught science at Buchholz High School until she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 1999. After treatment, she completed her Ph.D. and taught as an adjunct professor in Science Education as long as her health allowed.
More important to her than work and education was her family. She modeled the love and support of a faithful wife, mother, and then grandmother of four-- with boundless energy and excitement. Her family was the joy and the focus of her life.
But even more important to her was her faith in Christ. Having made a commitment of her life to Christ at the age of nine, she became a life-long, devoted follower of His. Her faith was the driving force of her life, and in her everyone saw the embodiment of one of her favorite scriptures, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) She stood alongside her husband of thirty-nine years, Gary L. Crawford, pastor of Westside Baptist Church for the past 28 years. She carried on her own ministry of prayer, teaching, music--as both an instrumentalist and vocalist--and engaged in mission work around the world. She profoundly loved her church family at Westside, and her shared ministry with them was a passion in her life. She was deeply grateful for their love and support as she battled her disease across ten years. This love and gratitude were expressed in her CD “Praise for God’s Sustaining Hand” and in the book that she and Dr. Fran Terhune edited for her husband, “In Celebration of Love, Marriage and Sex,” based on the Song of Solomon.
The work of the Florida Baptist Convention, especially the establishment of a Florida Baptist Children’s Home in the area, was also central in her ministry. From the Convention, she received the honor of “Pastor’s Wife of the Year” just a few days before her Homegoing.
She leaves a legacy of faith, love, courage, and commitment to family, ministry, and community. The song she sang on her CD, “Touch Through Me,” reflects the passion of her life; she said, “This song expresses my commitment to be available to Him.”
Her husband Gary, children (and spouses) John & Tina, Christa & Bill, and grandchildren Cade, Michael, Johanna, and Lachlan, mother Alice Mangle, and brother Ronnie Mangle wish to express gratitude to the many friends who have brought prayer and encouragement into their lives. We invite all to celebrate her life and faith on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 10:00 am at Westside Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Hopeful Baptist Church in Lake City, FL at 2:00 pm. If you can't make it, it will be available to watch via live streaming on Westside's website.
Viewing will be held at Williams-Thomas Funeral Home (State Road 241) from 4:00 pm-7:00 pm on Friday, November 20, 2009.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites you make a donation to Westside Baptist Church (10000 Newberry Road, Gainesville 32606) for a Missions Scholarship that will be established in her honor.
My family and I thank you for your prayer and support, especially over the last ten years of her battle. We invite you to join us this Saturday, November 21 at 10:00am for the celebration of her life and faith and to worship together as a body of believers.
You will find below information that might be helpful to you. Freda and I pray God's best blessings for you.
We celebrate the life and influence of Freda Marlene Crawford, who was born in Lake City, Florida, October 12, 1949 and joined Jesus Christ and other loved ones November 12, 2009. Freda was an accomplished woman. She was an honors graduate of Columbia County High School, and then the president of the student body at Lake City Community College. She completed her B.S. from the University of West Florida and her M.Ed. and Ph.D. in Science Education from the University of Florida.
For 17 years she taught science at Buchholz High School until she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 1999. After treatment, she completed her Ph.D. and taught as an adjunct professor in Science Education as long as her health allowed.
More important to her than work and education was her family. She modeled the love and support of a faithful wife, mother, and then grandmother of four-- with boundless energy and excitement. Her family was the joy and the focus of her life.
But even more important to her was her faith in Christ. Having made a commitment of her life to Christ at the age of nine, she became a life-long, devoted follower of His. Her faith was the driving force of her life, and in her everyone saw the embodiment of one of her favorite scriptures, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) She stood alongside her husband of thirty-nine years, Gary L. Crawford, pastor of Westside Baptist Church for the past 28 years. She carried on her own ministry of prayer, teaching, music--as both an instrumentalist and vocalist--and engaged in mission work around the world. She profoundly loved her church family at Westside, and her shared ministry with them was a passion in her life. She was deeply grateful for their love and support as she battled her disease across ten years. This love and gratitude were expressed in her CD “Praise for God’s Sustaining Hand” and in the book that she and Dr. Fran Terhune edited for her husband, “In Celebration of Love, Marriage and Sex,” based on the Song of Solomon.
The work of the Florida Baptist Convention, especially the establishment of a Florida Baptist Children’s Home in the area, was also central in her ministry. From the Convention, she received the honor of “Pastor’s Wife of the Year” just a few days before her Homegoing.
She leaves a legacy of faith, love, courage, and commitment to family, ministry, and community. The song she sang on her CD, “Touch Through Me,” reflects the passion of her life; she said, “This song expresses my commitment to be available to Him.”
Her husband Gary, children (and spouses) John & Tina, Christa & Bill, and grandchildren Cade, Michael, Johanna, and Lachlan, mother Alice Mangle, and brother Ronnie Mangle wish to express gratitude to the many friends who have brought prayer and encouragement into their lives. We invite all to celebrate her life and faith on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 10:00 am at Westside Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Hopeful Baptist Church in Lake City, FL at 2:00 pm. If you can't make it, it will be available to watch via live streaming on Westside's website.
Viewing will be held at Williams-Thomas Funeral Home (State Road 241) from 4:00 pm-7:00 pm on Friday, November 20, 2009.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites you make a donation to Westside Baptist Church (10000 Newberry Road, Gainesville 32606) for a Missions Scholarship that will be established in her honor.
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