Update from Friday June 25: How the Visitation Went

Thank you for all that are praying for us. 

 Yesterday was busy and long day,  but it was a joy to see so many people including several of our previous neighbors from Lincoln.   

The Lord sustained us and the kids did well till the last 30 min. A few got a little out of control from being over tired.   Cassie fell asleep on Matt's lap for most of the time.  Poor thing.  

It was fun to see many in cowboy boots.  My brother and his whole family showed up in boots.  It made my day. 

We had David's boots , hat and Bible on display with his photo.  I found a beautiful wooden frame for his cowboy hat photo.  A friend also gave us an enlarged photo of David fishing..it was so thoughtful.   

There  was also a bowl of peach ring candies...It is kind of a on ongoing joke ....David used to eat them by the bag full :).  ( mmm, maybe that is why our kids got so hyper ) 

Please  do pray for stamina for Saturday.   It is going to be a very long day especially for Micah and Cassie.   They have been missing naps and going to bed so so late.  

It's a day we need to have but it is also the final earthly goodbye so I am not looking forward to it.  It is the beginning of the reality that David is not coming back...( something that hasn't really settled in for me yet)  But I hold onto the truth that he isn't there, it's just his body and he is fully alive  enjoying fullness of joy.  

We plan to stay at the graveside till the casket is lowered into the ground.  

Those who want  to are welcome to stay with us.  
But please don't feel you have too.  Growing up in Zambia that is how funerals were done and it doesn't seem quite finished for me to walk away with the casket still not buried.   

Please do Pray most of all that the gospel would go out clearly during and after the funeral and that many lives would be changed for eternity!  

Thank you again for all that are carrying us thru prayer.

To WATCH THE FUNERAL LIVE go to https://roperandsons.com/david-van-essen/ the link is there just a few minutes before the funeral starts at 10am CDT (Central Daylight Time).

For Funeral/ Obit info etc:

https://prayersforelva.blogspot.com/2021/06/visitation-funeral-obituary.html