Thoughts and Thank You’s
May 10th, 2009 by LynneGreetings on Mother’s Day to everyone. Thank you so much for the many, many cards, hugs, phone calls, prayers, and all the comfort and encouragement we’ve received from so many. We are so grateful for all the outpouring of love.
I know it’s been quite a while since I’ve had the physical and emotional energy to put together anything that would be even semi-coherent here on the blog. Life has often just felt like a fog. Some days are okay, other days, I just don’t want to get out of bed. There’s a lot of official and financial details to take care of, and I seem to only be able to handle a few each day, and some days, none at all.
The past two days I’ve been going through the many pictures we have taken over the years in preparation for the memorial service, which has been both really good, as well as really hard. Too many times I’ve thought, “I’ve got to ask Scott where this was,” and then remember that I can’t. A week ago on Saturday, a whole crew of people came over to help get rid of overgrowth and brush in our front yard since it hasn’t had any attention for the past year and a half. Scott loved his roses, and now that so much has gotten cleared out, I keep looking out the window, maybe at dusk, and think I see him down there by the road tending his beloved flowers.
Friends of ours, Ted and Jane Hutchinson, have a coaching ministry to couples as well as pastors and their spouses. Ted was the pastor who married us a little less than 24 years ago. One of the wonderful gifts they gave us, was when Scott was too weak to type, he was able to dictate to Ted his thoughts, counsel, and love to me, Daniel, and Becky before he died. I’d like to share with all of you (with his permission) what he wrote in Scott’s honor a few days after he went Home to be with his Lord.
Well, I’m technologically challenged enough that I can’t copy and paste successfully, so all I can do is give the web addresses, and hope many will be willing to take the time to click on them and read what Ted wrote. The two are: www.soundviewcoaching.com and www.soundviewministries.org and it’s newsletter 409 on April 29.
We’re looking forward to seeing so many family and friends this next weekend as we celebrate Scott’s life. God bless you all, and thank you for so many expressions of love.
Lynne, Daniel, and Becky
P.S. Two songs that are meaning a great deal to me right now are, “I Will Rise” by Chris Tomlin, and “There Will Be a Day” by Jeremy Camp.
Our hearts are with you… and may you feel God’s special presence with you this Mother’s Day Lynne. Patty for Hayes family
We think of you daily, Lynne, as you make the transition and face the reality of each day without Scott. We just wanted to let you know that next Sunday we leave for London to host the OM Guest House again for three weeks, so we will miss the memorial service. It makes us very sad to miss it because Fred and Scott were really good friends, but perhaps this will give us an even stronger reason to spend some time with you and Daniel and Becky, too, when we get back. We will want to hear from you about many things at that time and to share life with you. In the mean time, please know that we continue to lift you up to our Lord and ask Him to keep you surrounded by His tender love and care.
We continue to pray for you and your family each day. Micah tells people his friend Scott Halverson (you know he has to say the whole name ) is “with Jesus at His home”.
May you know His peace,
Annalisa
We are thinking of you and praying for all of the preparations for Scott’s memorial service. One or both of us will be there for sure. You are on our hearts especially today. May the Lord bless you and keep you and give you peace.
Love,
Jerry
I was thinking/praying for you this morning so it was wonderful to come home from exercise class and see your note. We were so grateful to see you when were in town….such a “God moment”. Knowing that each day continues to bring new challenges that you must face alone. So thankful for the community of friends and family who are nearby. Trust you will seek the help you need for all the paper work. (I remember the day I sat with Scott and wrote out forms….it’s okay to still ask for help!) I know that Sunday will be both an end and a beginning as you bring official closure to this season of life and start the next. We will pray for you and all of the family as we think of you next week. Love, Betty and Dean
Lynne, I think of you all the time, and all you’re dealing with. And I know that all those paperwork details are never-ending. (Or so it seems right now.)
I remember so well the day I came to your house at Christmas time and visited with you and Scott. So glad we had that time. Some closure for me.
I know you’re like a yo-yo – and I pray for that to even out for you. And for strength for the coming days.
Love, Arlyss
We love you. <3
Renée, Eddie and Anna
Lynne: my thoughts and prayers are with you. Tim and I will see you on Sunday.
Mayre
I can’t begin to imagine what you must be going through… I think of you and pray for you and the kids OFTEN! Bob and I will see you on Sunday…
Lynne,
You will not only see him tending his roses, you will hear him talking in the other room, smell his shaving lotion in the bathroom, feel him next to you in bed. There will be hymns you cannot make yourself sing in church, places you just can’t bring yourself to go yet. Some of those dear memories will stay with you for years. Cherish them – and go ahead and cry when you feel like it.
Dear Lynn, I memorized I will Rise for Easter and everytime I sang it in the car I thought of you. I wanted to mail you the CD but thought better of it at the time. It is such an emotional song and (as music does) it just says it all). We have continued to pray for you. We know it is overwhelming. The loving memories you have are precious. May you feel Jusus walking with you each day, and give you that special strength that only comes from Him.
Your Br and sister in Christ,Dick & Bev.
l
Lynn,
I have thoughts of my cousin Scott when hearing Chris Tomlin’s song “I will rise”. It is a comfort for me to know that Scott has “no more sorrow and no more pain”. I went to Sound View’s website and read both the letter that Scott wrote for you and Ted’s writing in regards to pain and suffering. Both are words of wisdom that can only be inspired by men who are lead by God’s love in their lives. I always knew my cousin Scott was smart! Our prayer for you now is that you too will have “no more sorrow and no more pain” . Hopefully those memories that are bringing you tears will bring you smiles again in the future. To have loved and been loved by Scott for almost 24 years is truly a gift. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
Dear Lynn, Daniel and Becky:
Our hearts and prayers have been with you continually during this most difficult time. Can’t even imagine the ups and downs and all the business that needs to be taken care of when you are exhausted and hurting. We have admired your strength and faith during this whole hard journey and know that the Lord is the source of all this. We both loved you and Scott as friends and fellow workers. Our prayers continue for all three of you. May God give each of you a special portion of His love, grace and comfort.
Iris and Bill
Lynne and Family,
Thank you for sharing this with us.
Sending you lots of love
Michael and Susan
Hello Lynne~
I have thought of you and the kids daily for these past 2 weeks. My heart goes out to you as I know what you are experiencing as you grieve and try to prepare for Sunday. Its so hard emotionally, yet so important for it to all be ‘right’ for Scott’s celebration of life.
Lynne, your words are heartfelt and real, and I’m so grateful that you have the ability to express yourself and share with those who love you. Each day brings both new challenges and new joys with past rembrances and it means just one day at a time, one step at a time. As you said, some days it will be too much to do anything ‘functional’ – thats OK! It means you are to rest in His arms and allow yourself time to really grieve and”deal and heal”. Other days you will feel the need to ‘do’ something productive and God will help you with whatever the task. That, too, is part of the healing process. It goes in waves with highs and lows, quiet painful times, times of making decisions and trying to move forward, then times of wonderful memories and thankfulness of what you’ve had and shared together. Just remember to be good to yourself. Lots of rest, quiet time, and Vitamins!
Please also know that you are not alone. Sooooo many people love you and Becky and Daniel, and you have much “untapped love” waiting to surround you and help you through this journey. Many people have been in the wings not knowing what to do to help during Scott’s illness ~ they will come forward to try and help in whatever ways possible now. You are not alone.
my arms are out with a huge hug for you…..
Love,
Nina Kaping
I never met Scott, only talked with him once and communicated via email, but I feel such a loss of a friend. As a fellow Burkitt’s Lymphoma battler, Scott gave me inspiration and a welcoming love and kinship.
Here’s “The Last Letter” that’s on the Soundview Ministries website:
A lot of professors have given a talk titled, “ The Last Lecture” in which they are asked to ponder their demise and speak about what matters most to them. Recently I spent an extended period with a man for whom it was not an academic exercise.
Just after 6 AM Thursday morning Scott Halverson lost his heroic battle with cancer at age 50. Scott was Daniel and Becky’s dad, Lynne’s husband, and one of my best friends. For the past 16 years Scott had been the CFO at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center. Before he died I had the privilege of transcribing Scott’s last letter to his children. While the exact contents of that letter are personal and private I have permission to share some of Scott’s final thoughts for Daniel and Becky with you:
· Love God deeply. You have a choice to be angry at God about what has happened. But love and submit to God. He will reward you.
· Listen to God, to people, to feedback. Grow from criticism. Remember, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Prov. 1:7
· Be weak. James 5:16 “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can be healed.” We do not experience healing unless we confess our sins to one another and pray with one another.
· Marry well – next to your commitment to follow Christ, your decision to marry will be the most important decision you make.
· Wait for God’s timing. God is seldom early, never late, always on time.
Lynne, Daniel & Becky – thinking of you so often and lifting you in prayer to receive God’s comfort and will continue to do so.
Just wanted to pass on something that happened years ago to me – while being rather upset at the memorial service for one of my uncles, my dad (and Scott’s dad and Daniel and Becky’s grandpa, and Lynne’s father-in- law) said something that changed my whole attitude – he said, “he’s happier now than we are.”
I thought, “yeah, that’s true.” I almost became envious picturing him in a paradise (I like to think Heaven is like being in Hawaii). We are so blessed to know that our loved ones are with Him.
Looking forward to seeing you all in a few days!
Hi Lynne, Daniel & Becky,
I’m Scott’s comic book friend. I’m sorry for your loss. I am happy to have had the chance to know Scott. I really enjoyed his company and camaraderie the times I was able to spend with him. He was very knowledgeable about comics and had a keen eye for grading and a knack for finding good deals. I’m happy to give an appraisal of his comic collection for you at any time down the road.
I’ve followed his journey on the blog and have been amazed at how he dealt with his illness with such a positive attitude and with courage. I worked at Mt Hermon when I was young as a day camp counselor for a summer. That was a fun connection that Scott and I made when we first met through my comic book business.
I had hoped to be able to go to the funeral service but something has come up that I need to attend to this weekend. I wish you the best and thank you for sharing Scott with me.
Best, Steve
steve@stevemortensen.com
408-802-8424
Hi Lynne I don’t have your email, and not sure about calling so thought I’d sent an email to invite you over sometime or go out to lunch to talk. I work the Farmers Markets in Felton and Santa Cruz, so am usually around those mornings. Call me at 335-5906 or I’ll see you around, and get together soon.
Love you lots, and praying for you three. Tina