The Sky Is Still Up

So you may have been wondering what has been happening with the Booths since Janie died on May 8th, three weeks ago today. First of all, we are doing ok. We're going to be alright! God is holding the Booths right under his wing, like a mother hen with its chicks in the storm.

There are really only two times that I miss Janie: day time and night time. Yes, we all miss her, but I can't begin to describe how happy we are that she is not suffering any more...and beyond that, the thought of her being in the very presence of Christ is just intoxicating when I let myself imagine it.

Anyway, it has been a very busy three weeks! Here's a summary:

The Memorial Celebration for Janie on May 15 was amazing. It was full of life and energy and sunshine and MUSIC! Oh, the singing was so great, and of course that is what Janie had said she wanted: great, joyful Christ exalting music, played not at dirge-speed but at Janie-speed (read: warp-speed..not really, but it was fun to type). She also had requested that

Hold Me Jesus

Janie listened to "Hold Me Jesus" by Rich Mullins a lot in the last few years. Thought you might enjoy it and if you yourself are going through some hard stuff...may it be a blessing to you. (click 'Read More' to get to the video).

Janie-Lynn Booth

Here's Janie's obituary which ran in the Rutland Herald today. Yep, it's a pretty surreal thing to turn the page to see it. Janie used to look at the obits a little too often for my liking and I'd get on her case - "stop looking at that! It's morose!" She'd reply, "just checking....nope, not there yet!"

Janie said many times near the end, "I'm really not afraid of dying - I am going 'to be with Christ which is better by far' (Philippians 1:23). I'm just concerned for you and the kids." I'd tell her not to worry, and that she wasn't so indispensible. And we'd laugh because we both knew it wasn't true. Janie was a real-life-dynamo-super-mom-awesome-wife-best-friend-great-cook-especially-desserts-sweet-dispositioned-but-ruthless-at-cards-gifted-musician-loved-anything-miniature-invest-in-others-didn't-waste-her-life kind of person. And so very much more of course. 

I know what you are thinking: you're thinking

Janie Celebration

Ok, we've decided that the Celebration of Janie's life / memorial service (still deciding on what to call it obviously) will be this Saturday, May 15 at 10:00 am at Calvary Bible Church. The address is 2 Meadow Lane, Rutland, VT 05701. The church's phone number is 802-775-0358. There will be no 'calling hours,' just the celebration at the church on Saturday.

Um, this next part will seem a little unusual and non-traditional: Janie made a fairly adamant request that no one wear black, but rather, that everyone come ready to celebrate that she is now in the presence of her Lord...so we will honor that request with bright colorful clothes!

Also, she requested that chocolate be served...so bring your sweet tooth!  Seriously! Those of you who know her at all are not surprised and are smiling about her requests....so am I. They are 'so Janie.'

And here's a neat-o thing: in addition to the guest book, we have created a blog called Janie's Purple Pen where anyone can leave a story about their experiences with Janie.

Thanks for your prayers...we're hanging in there and are experiencing God's special grace during this time.

Free At Last

Well, I'm sorry to lay this on you if you haven't heard yet, because it will seem rather abrupt, but well, I have to plunge right in and hope you all will take it ok:

Janie at last went to be with the Lord today. Her suffering has ended and even better than that, she is now face to face with her Jesus who she loves so much.

She started to not feel well at 9:30 this morning and her breathing degraded quickly through the morning. She never was in any pain and God was very merciful in taking her very quickly; by 1:00 this afternoon she was in His very presence. She was surrounded by her family and she was able to stay right here at home - no more hospitals! It was very sweet and bittersweet and right and if I may say it, a very pure time. Sacred. I hope to tell more of that story for you someday later.

Even while we cry, we also celebrate for her because we know in our hearts that she is now filled with inexpressible joy as she is with God in heaven at last. I also want to send out a big thanks to all of our friends and family who have been praying for us for these last six years - you mean so much to us.

We had a special gift from God this afternoon: He gave us a huge double rainbow! A wonderful reminder that our God is a God who makes and keeps promises (Genesis 9:12-16). And one of His promises that I am hanging onto through this is that he will never leave us or forsake us (Joshua 1:5). We are all being held in his arms, just like he held her all this time. I had to take a picture of it so I could share it here with you.

I'll put up some details soon regarding when and where a memorial service will be. I'll give a 'teaser' for you tonight though: she wanted the main verse at her service to be Philippians 1:21 "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."

The Maker of The Universe