Billy Graham: Only 4th Private Citizen to Be Honored at Capitol Rotunda

Reverend Billy Graham will lie in honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda from Feb. 28 to March 1, 2018 -- only the 4th private US citizen to do so. What a well-deserved gesture from our government!

Who are the other 3 private citizens bestowed this rare distinction? They are --

- U.S. Capitol Police Officer Jacob J. Chestnut, Jr., (1940–1998) and Detective John M. Gibson (1956–1998)

2 Capitol police officers who died in the line of duty

pc: US House of Representatives

- Rosa Parks, activist of the Civil Rights Movement

pc: Library of Congress

Billy Graham's favorite Bible verse

Billy Graham @ The Capitol Building

Individuals Who Have Lain in State or in Honor




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Flowers and The Circle of Life

Surreal moments as a church treasurer:

A. Writing a check to the Florist for bouquets sent to each of my parent's wake.

B.  Same with my mother-in-law. We think the bouquet never even made it to the funeral home in California, though. If it did, it ended up with a stranger.  The funeral home had a full house that day!

C.  And now:  the Florist's invoice for 88 year old Lois' funeral   --  she who had placed the floral orders for others' funerals year after year after year.

Who will be signing the church's checks when someday  -- in the far distant future, God willing -- it will be my name under the invoice's description?
I prefer all PINK flowers, btw. 

 bouquet from church for my Dad

Mr Art: Burial Service for a Soldier of Christ

On Tuesday, our beloved friend, Mr Art Modrzejewski, was buried.

 Farewell, Mr Art...till we meet again.  

This was sent to us this morning.

 Romy gave a copy to Patricia, wife of Art. 

Hi guys. I hope Mr. Art’s funeral went well. I’ll miss him a lot. I remember when he used to teach Sunday school. He always thought it was hilarious when he did “Blank Stories.” He would get five words into it and I would know the answer already. Whenever we led singing together something always seemed to go wrong. One of the last times we did it we were in the middle of a song and the air conditioner blew the hymnal pages. Poor Mr. Art had to sing a solo for about 15 seconds while I frantically tried to get back to the right hymn. Afterwards we both walked out of the sanctuary and just cracked up.  Email from Camille

Reception at White Eagle Restaurant; a League of Their Own Women's Baseball Team

Sam, looking good; Filbert's Cola

(L to R) Cindy, Me, Romy, Don Mullins, Betty Mullins, Dan Miller's friends,  & Dan Miller (blue shirt)

Mushroom and Barley Soup; Oil and Vinegar Coleslaw w/ Parsley

 Polish Sausage & Sauerkraut; Baked Chicken

 Pierogi, Sliced Beef with Gravy

Children's Table

Everyone was invited to eat lunch at the White Eagle Restaurant after Art's burial service.  This was the same restaurant that the Pascua Family had used for Manong Rey's Lunch Reception.  I enjoy  pictures of food as it triggers a taste memory. If the dish was good enough, it may provoke a search for a recipe for us to try it here at home. Having Don and Betty Mullins at our table was a hoot.  He officiated the funeral and burial services.  He's 83, yet still sharp and full of wit.  Betty, Don's wife,  was an original  member of the Girl's Baseball Team (All-American Girl's Professional Baseball League, or AAGPBL) that  inspired the movie A League of Their Own

Mr Art, Korean War Veteran: His Memorial & Funeral Service; and Reception

(that's me with the untamed hair)

Annie

Noah

Nathanael

So, this is how we spent part of our day Monday. Sad, but not without hope (through the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth). As I looked around, I realized once again that Art thrived in NOT drawing attention to himself.  He was so low-key, I'd forgotten what a great artist he was.  And what a great calligrapher (Camille has a permanent sample of his work through her college quilt).  Or that he fought long ago in far-away in Korea (He must have watched M*A*S*H often).  His grandkids were super-excited because of the great crowd of friends and relatives.  It put a smile in my face that they had needed their mother Janice's reassurance earlier that morning that the E kids were indeed going to be in attendance. The luncheon afterwards was great, so I heard. I needed to be in Evanston with the children so I didn't go;  but Romy said it was well-attended and the food was delish. 

Today, Tuesday, is the burial. 
Our chance for a final salute to a great man.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress:  my God; in him will I trust... 
~ Psalm 91 (Soldier's Psalm)

Our Dear Friend, Muriel: Absent in the Body, Present with the Lord

Today, our dear Muriel Ford was buried at Bluff City Cemetery, Elgin Illinois. Her desire was for a simple service, nothing elaborate. Even her coffin was simple & unadorned. Jared was one of the pall bearers. Muriel's hope was in the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, this was a sad, yet JOYFUL farewell. I will miss her praying for me. I will treasure her last letter (February, 2009); and her beautiful, hand-sewn dolls (Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy) will be cherised.