ChuckBalsamo.com

Happy Thursday!

The arrangements for Royse Merle Wall are being handled by Bliley’s Funeral Care – Chippenham location, 6900 Hull Street Rd, Richmond, VA. Family night viewing is TONIGHT 6-8 P.M. The Funeral is tomorrow same place, 12 Noon. Thank you all for your prayers and kind words. What a difference you have made in our lives!

Kristin Via called me yesterday… said she was bringing “supplies” and my clothes from back home (so I didn’t have to make that trip)… and that people were sending some food… that her mom was sending over some of her amazing “manicotti!” Kristin is my personal assistant… she’s been working in our ministry as a VOLUNTEER for the past few years, denying her salary to “serve” me and my family. Kristin’s love and service to God, our church (Destiny Family Center), and the Balsamo’s is like nothing I’ve ever seen. She brings LIFE to the following statements of Jesus…

Mark 9:35 “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

Today, I thank God in my prayers… for Kristin Via, and for the HUNDREDS of others, family and friends who are reaching out to us with their love! People are driving 2 hours to bring us food, supplies, and clothes… and to attend Merle’s funeral… makes me cry!

There is this beautiful couple that drives to Destiny Family Center on Sundays all the way from Richmond, Forrest & Amber Griffin! They’re always asking how they can bless us… and I can’t ever think of anything, until yesterday! The funeral home was going to charge Millie $100 for every 25 photos to put together a powerpoint DVD. I called Forrest, knowing this to be one of Amber’s skills… and they accepted the mission! Last night, they put together a 121 photo DVD with music… saving my mother in law $500… another blessing beyond words!

The pain is still intense… it comes in waves! This morning, I hurt so badly for my wife… she cried herself to sleep last night. I feel so helpless, still in so much pain myself… and then there’s Mille, wandering around this empty house… alone after 50 amazing years with her best friend. And my kids… every few hours I catch them spinning in circles, for they have lost their magnetic north!

Sometimes, the shock wears off… and we are all left with the reality of Merle-less future.

God, please comfort my wife, and my mother in law, and my kids… and Emily’s brothers and their families… and all the rest of Merle’s loving family and friends. Please continue to grace us with YOUR strength to walk out these next two days.

Since Merle and Millie lived between Richmond VA, Stuarts Draft VA, and Avon NC… they were members of three churches!

Pastor Marsha Baxter from Evangel is singing at the funeral… Merle adored Marsha and Abe and loved to hear her sing!

I’m working on the funeral message this morning… desiring to HONOR Merle as the EPIC PERSON HE WAS! The funeral service will be a highlight for all who attend… a message never forgotten!

Ok, well I better go work on that message… here was Merle’s favorite song: Nothing But the Blood