Monday, May 9, 2011

Not Without Hope

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.



For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.  According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.



 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.



After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.


Rob's dad died yesterday afternoon.

There is great sorrow in our house this morning.  He was dearly and deeply loved.   His loss is going to be felt for a very long time.  He had his priorities straight.  He loved the Lord.  Loved his wife. Loved his children.  He faithfully served the church, worked hard all his life to provide for his family and was generous to all who knew him.  Rob counted his dad as one of his best friends. 

We grieve.  Yes.  It is hard to say goodbye.  We were not ready to see him go.  There is great sorrow in our house this morning.  But we are not without hope.  We are not without hope.

"I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die."

55 comments:

  1. Praying for your family during this time to find peace. Big hugs go out to Rob's mother as she says so long for now to her life partner.

    :(

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  2. Praying for your entire family! May Rob's dad rest in peace.

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  3. Tears of Joy... He's with the Lord. Tears of sorrow he is missed and it shows. Praying for your whole family and Grandma Nalle during this time of loss. Thank you Lord for this man's testimony of his love for you.

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  4. I'm so sorry for your loss. Praying for comfort for your entire family.

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  5. I am so sorry for your family's loss. I am sure you will all meet again in Heaven.

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  6. I am sorry for your family's loss. I am sure you will all meet again in Heaven. I don't think that will be long in coming, with the way the world is today.

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  7. Dear Lord in Heaven, Welcome this child of God into your loving arms. He was a light in this world, his life an example to us all. Hold him, Lord, fold him into your chest, whisper into his ear, Welcome back, my good and faithful servant. We have so much to talk about, but come, there are so many here rejoicing at your arrival. Your Heavenly family is surrounding you with love and the Holy Spirit has been sent to your earthly family to comfort them. Relax, my child, you are home. You are home.... Heaven gained a precious soul. I am so sorry your hearts are heavy. I lost my Dad in 2001..it still hurts to think of him. Please know we love you and are holding your sweet family in prayer. If you need anything, we are here.

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  8. Julia and Rob, you are in our prayers. We are so sorry.

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  9. I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts, prayers, and condolences go out to you, Rob, and your whole family.

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  10. Praying for your family through this season.

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  11. I am so sorry for your loss. Be comforted in the knowledge that you all will be together again one day. In the mean time hold each other close. We live on in the memories that we leave behind and it sounds like those memories are of a wonderful and godly man.

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  12. Dear Julia, Rob & family,

    So sorry to read this news this morning. We will be praying for all of you at this difficult time. Praying for comfort for Rob's mom. You can tell by the pictures you posted how much they love one another.
    Patty

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  13. Heaven's gain is greater than your enourmous loss. He must have been a wonderful and blessed man to be so loved by you and your precious family. Praying comfort and peace for you...

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  14. I am so sorry to hear this. Many prayers for your family.

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  15. Oh dear, I am so so so sorry for your loss, there are really few words that can comfort at this time but I know his memory will warm your hearts forever and always. May peace be with you and Rob and your and his family and we are praying for you.

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  16. Oh, Julia! I'm so sorry. The separation of death is so hard for those left behind, even when we know where they've gone and that we will be reunited. Prayers for your family!

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  17. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord! Much love and prayers!

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  18. Even in such sorrow, you witness and encourage us Julia. Know that you and Rob are in my prayers my sweet friend, and all of your boys are too. I know the loss that you are feeling, and pray for your comfort and peace in this time.

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  19. My prayers are with your family during this difficult time.

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  20. Oh my goodness I am so sorry for your loss and I am praying for the Lord's peace to be upon your family during this time. It is my sincere prayer that the Lord pour His blessings upon your family!

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  21. I am so sorry for your loss. There is great comfort in knowing you will be reunited, but our mortal selves cry out with the pain of loss. Be kind to yourselves. It is apparent from your pictures and words that Rob's dad was greatly loved. Again I am sorry to hear of this news.

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  22. I'm so sorry. Praying for comfort for your family.

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  23. Thinking of you all ..... and praying for comfort.

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  24. Praying for your family. So sorry for your loss.

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  25. Praying for you and the entire family during this time, I hope you find an ounce of peace in knowing that he know longer hurts.

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  26. I am so sorry for your family's loss. Sending my healing thoughts your way. Gina Brown

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  27. Praying the the Lord of comfort wraps His arms around your family today. I am so sorry for your loss.

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  28. Sorry for your loss. And thank you for your words. After laying our seven year old Goddaughter to rest on Saturday they really hit home. God Bless you and your family.

    Brooke Annessa
    www.theannessafamily.blogspot.com

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  29. My heart goes out to you. Praying for you all.

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  30. We grieve the loss of this godly husband, father and grandfather with you.

    We rejoice for him, as he sits at table at the heavenly banquet.

    Carla
    www.bringinghenryhome.blogspot.com

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  31. Oh my my my heart just broke as I read today's blog~oh my goodness. May you feel the Lord's touch and comfort during this time. We will continue to keep the entire family in prayer. Praying for peace and comfort,

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  32. What a kind face your children's grandfather had! It seems obvious where Rob got his own strong character and spirituality: from those loving, strong parents. And now, another generation of strong Nalle young men is growing up.

    What a wonderful legacy...

    Prayers for comfort...

    Susan in Ky
    Cousin to two from Ukraine

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  33. Our deepest condolences to your family. Praying for comfort for you and your guys.

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  34. Praying for your entire family at this difficult time.

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  35. Deepest condolences to your family. Prayers are being sent out from Philadelphia.

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  36. Praying for you and yours...may you carry his flame in your hearts.

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  37. Praying for you guys! My dad passed away 6 years ago. I miss him so much, but we are not without hope, like you said. My dad also knows Jesus and is now spending eternity with him. His faith was amazing, and I had the blessing of being with him the moment Jesus took him home, and his faith became sight! It's a moment I will NEVER forget. The most amazing thing I have ever seen. But yes, there is still grief here on earth. Thankful that the suffering is over for those we love, but the suffering is just beginning for those of us who have to learn to live without them (for a time). I am praying for the peace of God to surround you and your family.

    Christa in NC

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  38. Deep condolences to your family. May God comfort you, Rob and the boys. Hugs

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  39. I am so sorry to hear of Ron's fathers death. May our God hold you closely in His arms and bring you comfort and peace.

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  40. So sorry for your loss. I hope this beautiful promise will comfort your hearts. "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Revelation 21:4 What a wonderful day that will be. Praying for your family.

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  41. I am so sorry. You all are in my prayers.

    Sarah

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  42. So very, very sorry for your loss....thinking of you and your family....

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  43. Prayers for Rob's mom & all of your family as you say "good night". Thankful for the many precious memories and blessed Hope you have thru Jesus Christ.

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  44. I woke up with your family on my heart this morning. Praying for peace and comfort to reign in your lives today.

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  45. Praying for you and yours. Rejoicing that another brother made it home.

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  46. Oh, Julia. My heart grieves with your family and rejoices in the knowledge Rob's dad is celebrating new life in heaven. We are praying for you all.

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  47. I remember his puzzle pieces project. What a wonderful man.

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  48. Oh Julia, I am so sorry for your loss. We are praying for your family.
    Amy

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  49. I'm so sorry Nalle family. Praying for you all.

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  50. I am praying for your family. I lost my gpa 3 years ago and it is now hitting me all over again. We can have heart in the fact that it is us who are suffering here, not them. Sounds like his father left a beautiful legacy and there is alot to be said for that.

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  51. praying for you and your family. What joy that Rob's dad was/is a Christian man! (((HUGS)))

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  52. oMGoodness, I just saw, I'm so sorry!!! beautiful photos. again I am so sorry for your lose and you are all in my prayers.

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  53. I am so sad for your loss. No platitudes from me because I know I won't want to hear them when Joshua passes... just many (((( hugs )))) and my heartfelt sympathy and many prayers for your comfort in the days to come.

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Loving words from kind people make our hearts glad!