My delay on my thanks has not been because of frivolous thoughts, but quite the opposite. For me it has been difficult to make myself go to the place where it requires to send my sincere thanks to others with the passing of Mom. I also have so much gratitude to this church- putting it into written words seems monumental, but I will try. Mom loved you. She made some very real and deep friendships over the years. She loved St. Andrews. She was at home and happy there. She loved the greetings at the door by the Graves, Richardsons, Huffmans, and Robert Nichols. She loved fellowship after service- sitting with many of you having coffee and treats. She loved hearing Ms. Mary Alice Weber giving Mike and me much needed advice.

Music was a favorite part of church. She loved Maxine on the organ. She loved the choir, Marsha’s and Stan’s and so many others’ solos; Larry Bay’s bands that would play were probably one of her favorite times in church. She loved that Larry taught Austin and Brycen to play guitar and loved to hear when they played together in church. She loved the children bands and loved watching all the Faust children- whether it be singing, playing instruments, acting in a Christmas play or preaching from the pulpit. She loved Gabby and her hugs. She loved seeing all the kids at church. She loved to see the kids succeed outside of church.

Mom loved joys and concerns- she wanted to hear the praises and needs of others. She wanted to celebrate and pray for you. She loved sharing joys about her family and often gave Kelsey updates. She loved each preacher that has served during her time at St. Andrews. And as of late, David had been a constant in her failing health. One of the most precious moments was when David brought communion to Mom’s bedside at her home and over 20 family members were able to take part. That would be her last communion and I can assure you it was one of the most special communions of her life.

I am so grateful to be part of such a loving place. Your loved shined through (visits, cards, calls, food, unsweetened tea, hugs and prayers) during some of our darkest moments as a family. I was able to be with her as she left us and was wrapped in the arms of Jesus. I kissed her head and prayed the prayer she taught me, and we said nightly when I was a young child. I went in the same order she taught me…The Lord’s Prayer and continued with “Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. God bless every buddy, help me be a sweet girl. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.” After the Amen- mom’s breathing stopped. It was peaceful. It was God’s timing, and it was perfect.

Mom would say after the prayers, “Sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite!”, and end with, “I Love You Bunches.”

Thank you, St. Andrew’s, I also “Love You Bunches.”

-Kim Kingsland