Larry's Celebration Service~

Snow in Glenwood!

We woke up to 8" of snow in Glenwood. We were supposed to go to my friend's Larry Celebration Service.  He went to be with Jesus a week ago and Judy, his wife, asked me to say something at his funeral.  Larry and I were quite close in the early days of our ministry.  He was the one who told me it was time to go into the ministry.  It was the push I needed, the very next week I was in the ministry and have never looked back.

Kay and I decided to give the roads a try.  We packed up the car with emergency blankets, a couple of breakfast sandwiches, shovel, boots and water and headed out on our journey.  The roads between Glenwood and Council Bluffs took an hour.  On I-80 was there not only the snow but big trucks, who love to pass in this weather because they can and splatter your windshield with slush.  Three and half hours later we made it to the service.

What a great time we had!  There so many old friends from the early days of the bible studies our group had started.  Larry's Pastor Jim did a great job.  Many people shared what Larry meant to them.  Pastor Jim asked me get up and share stories of our early days of raising our families in Glenwood. 

Larry & Judy Jackson with their son Brian & his wife~

This all continued with a lunch and sharing.  Larry's family will miss their father, friend and husband, but tears of joy flowed all during the celebration service.  You see - Larry went to be with Jesus and for the most part all knew where he went.  We were all jealous because he beat us to heaven.  It was a Celebration Service, not a funeral. 

The way home the road was clear all the way.  We were able to resume our position of authority over the trucks and just passed them by without the slush.  We decided to stop by and see Mary Ellen Quandt, a friend who is in assisted living and is 98 years old.  She was such a big part with her husband Harvey, allowing us to start these bible studies in the early days.  The visit was too short, we enjoyed the memories of my Mom & Dad shared by Mary Ellen.  We were back on the road and got home in the very quick time.  We were glad we went and braved the snow storm.