This past Monday, Naomi’s grandmother went home to be with her Saviour. She was 91 years on this earth, and the last few years she was unable to talk much due to her Parkinson’s disease. But we rejoice that she is now free of these worries, and in the presence of the Creator of the Universe.

This has been difficult for our children, as this is the first relative they have known to pass away. They did not know their great-grandma well, as most of their memories of her have been in a nursing home, and much of that when she was not able to communicate with them. But they did get up visit her often enough, telling her stories that she would smile at, holding her hand, singing songs to her, saying their Scripture memory verses.

January 17, 1926 – October 30, 2017

We have been able to discuss death with our children in a new way now that it has personally impacted them. We are trying to teach them to rest in the facts of their faith and the knowledge of their grandmother’s faith, and that she is now with God in her true home. In trying to help them understand, I told them that we are like caterpillars, and we just watched one of our own become a beautiful butterfly. We don’t mourn for the loss of the caterpillar, but rejoice that one has changed into something better!

This will be the kids’ first funeral to attend. We hope they will learn more about the Christian heritage passed on by family members like their grandmother.

Please be in prayer for our extended family during this time. This impacts others within our ministry as Grandma was also mother to John Cross, the founder of GoodSeed and author of our evangelism resources, and David Cross who also works with us.

Thank you all so much for praying!
Troy & Naomi