Saturday, November 1, 2008

First of all, we hope you found the blog site without any trouble. We felt that the Caringbridge site has served us well, but with Casey gone, it is more appropriate for others to use that bandwidth to communicate with their families and friends. We will take up our thoughts and writings here.

Happy Halloween to all!. May you all have been treated well tonight with no tricks!! It is quite late and we just returned from the Viking Football game where the mighty Vikes were outscored by the Mansfield Tigers. Travis played like a lion and I am sure the young man on the other side of the line was glad when the game was over for he was getting tired of being wiped out by big number 60. Tonight as we were watching the game, one of the boys, Tucker, one of Travis best friends had this written on the back pad of his football pads, “One Team. One Heartbeat. VFND and Casey Chrystie” It brought tears to our eyes to see the compassion the Viking men and coaches have shown to Travis and our family during this time. The team, especially the senior boys and the coaches have really wrapped their arms around Travis.

This afternoon Daryle, from the funeral services, brought Casey’s remains to us and we signed for the final bills. The insurance has been filed and social Security has been notified. Daryl also gave us a copy of the DVD of Casey used in the service. This gentleman has taken care of so many details with such kind grace and we are so appreciative. Daryle owns Alternative Funeral Services. He and his wife donated their services (they organized everything) at the Celebration of Life for Casey. What wonderful people.

The reason this posting is so late is that my car is still in Mansfield. Bruce and I will go in the morning to see if we can get it started and bring it home.

2 Timothy 4:17 says, “But the Lord stayed with me and gave me strength.” This I think has been my theme song for the last year. When Casey was diagnosed, not only was his life changed forever but as Bruce so eloquently put it our lives changed from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Everything changed. We had to become fast learners, and at times quick problem solvers, sometimes instant decision makers and planners over the phone and the internet. Through all of those hills, valleys, mountains and every challenge presented to us, God never left our side. God never left our thoughts. Instead of trying other things before praying, we started with prayer first. You know the saying, “I should’ve had a V-8,” well ours became, ”We went to God in prayer.” And I began to seek out God in His Word. Now I am hooked!!

God, through the Holy Spirit, strengthened us continually, but especially in those times when we felt our weakest. Those times when despair and separation wrapped itself around us like a thick fog and there was nothing we could do to help Casey get better, He gave us the strength through His revelation to Casey that we could let him go. Christ strengthened us enough to tell Casey that we loved him enough to say good-bye for a while. In the relationship of earthly life to eternity, our time on earth is finite, but our time in eternity is forever. We have the promise of eternity through the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Apart from Christ I (we) have no strength. The only way we are strong is because God stays with us and gives us His strength.

When friends and family ask how we are, I usually say, “for a situation that totally sucks, we are okay.” I think we are under “God’s anesthetic,” right now. I am sure that there are difficult times to come, holidays, trips to Wal-Mart and continuing to box up the items that were in Casey’s life. But I am assured by the power of Christ and the promises in His Word that He will stay with us and continue to strengthen us especially when this “anesthetic begins to wear off.” We also gain strength from all of you with each hug, phone call and card we receive. You all are so wonderful and we are so grateful.

Take joy in the journey my friends. Love you, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Gaylene!
I think of Casey and your family everyday. I miss him terribly, even though I did not know him to the depths of many. He was a patient than a friend. I long to read your words everyday. Your blogs have helped me with dealing with the loss of my mom a year ago, inwhich I've still not delt with. God has touched me through you and your son. I'm blessed and so happy to have become part of your world. God always puts angels in our lives, we just have to be willing to see them.. I've seen a Angel! It was Casey and now you! Thank you for loving the Lord and sharing.. you have touched my life and made me see things so different.. My anger is softer... my heart is healing...
God Bless and you will always be in my prayers and thoughts!

Susan Greenway, LVN
Travel nurse from AMH

kimmy said...

Gaylene,

Love ya. God Bless.

kimmy

Al Rearick said...

Niiiice!!! Love the new home!

I am so thankful for your ministry and am even more thankful that your daily writings will continue.

Love,
Al

Toni Eaton said...

I live in Mansfield. You can always call me if you're in the area and need help. Or, call if you don't need help and come by to see me and say Hi. I'm sorry the Vikes lost but I have to say "Hoorah Manfield". Trace goes to Mansfield High and his brother, Shane, graduated from Mansfield, too. God Bless you for ministering to others. I pray that you, Bruce, Geni, and Trace are blessed with good health, love, peace, comfort, grace, mercy, joy, and a reliable car (I had to add that in). Your Prayer Warrior.............Toni

Pumpkin2100 said...

Gaylene,
I found you.
Thanks for writing.
Vickie

hueyzoo said...

May God continue to bless each one of you as you continue to bless us! We love you LOTS!
Eva & David