This morning I was to read Isaiah 55:8-9 but it just seemed the whole chapter spoke in different places...
Isaiah 55
New King James Version (NKJV)
An Invitation to Abundant Life
55 “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. 3 Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you— The sure mercies of David. 4 Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people, A leader and commander for the people. 5 Surely you shall call a nation you do not know, And nations who do not know you shall run to you, Because of the Lord your God, And the Holy One of Israel; For He has glorified you.”
6 Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
12 “For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; And it shall be to the Lord for a name, For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”
I was drawn to this song this morning and I have always loved this song but this morning just seemed to be a song of praise...Songbird by Eva Cassidy...
Happy Birthday to one little Firecracker as I have called her since before we even knew if she was an Isabel or a Tim!! (haha) Happy Birthday to Peanut as her daddy always called her and still many call her that as well. Happy Birthday to Izzy Bella as she has been calling herself as of late. No matter what we choose to call her...we are all blessed that she is a part of our lives! We headed up to Limon and dined at the Pizza Hut...will update more of who was there...just wanted to put on a Happy Birthday!
Just putting a short one up as I have many pictures I may do something with...but thought of tonight and how often I feel Izzy's daddy with us...Oppy was lighting the candles on her cake as her and Maria Louisa looked on...and it just made me think of how Jay Bird is with us always...looking at the t-shirt "Limon 4 ever in our hearts." As we sat around and Heather and Gordon telling Jesus about Jay getting locked out of the Mustang...and how we all rolled with laughter though we have heard that story before and they were laughing that Jay would tell the story on himself. And I thought to myself for moments like this...Jay loved to make us laugh and he continues on...
So little Miss Izzy...as you ran around the Pizza Hut laughing so hard...I was thankful for your laughter...so Happy Birthday! You are such a precious gift from God to all of us!!
This morning the shepherd in the other room says that the officer who lost her life...her daughter was 12 years old...my heart felt for her...and I began to pray...and it is that reason I ask others to hold them up in prayer. I remember when we lost Jay and that time after that you have that numbness but there seemed to be something that holds you up...I choose to believe that it is others that are praying for you...praying that you will make the day...that you will put one foot in front of the other that you might find something of joy in the day...and so I urge others to think of this young girl...I did a search and found a good story by the Denver Post...Friends, family remember Denver Police Officer Hollis .
I read things that describe her and I also think of Jay..."She brought a smile to everyone's face"...they have a picture they posted of her. Such a young woman...and as I read the article...I seen that her parents and sister had recently moved here and I was so thankful...thankful that this little girl who has lost such an important person in her life has "people". People that though will never replace her mother...people that will love her and be there for her.
So please take time out of your day...send up a prayer...asking for their comfort...their healing at such a time...
I seemed to have been given a special scripture...besides of course Psalm 23 again...but this morning Matthew 11:28 comes...
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Thank you Officer Hollis for your life...for being willing to give of yourself...I pray that you are in a better place...I pray that your daughter come to a better place...in part because of your willingness to make it better. God watch over those that are left behind...give them rest...give them hope...
I came across this song Heavenly Day by Patty Griffin yesterday...and it just seemed that it should go with this...I would pray that the family of Officer Hollis would feel her love...a love that can transcend all lines...and may they have a day of peace...a heavenly day.
Rest in Peace Officer Hollis and thank you for your sacrifice!
This morning I stayed in bed a tinch longer than usual and so was out of whack and so instead of heading to my kitchen table first thing...we headed out to do chores. The heat has been pretty unbearable and so my shepherd is on the mend and ready to "gitter done" and so we did chores. When I came back in, I read some of my devotions but didn't read My Utmost for His Highest...
I had thought of my friend Phyllis who turns the big 5-0 today! So sent her a text...we texted back and forth but have her in my thoughts and prayers. Her mom is in the hospital...and appreciate all putting up prayers for her...I had people at work...each dealing with their own challenges...those of life issues...their family...either health issues...life issues...I think of another police office killed in the line of duty...a single mother I have heard...my heart aches for the little one!
I thought of the fires that seem to be burning our state. I feel for those that are being evacuated...losing property...losing so much precious beautiful vegetation that will take time to replace...and those that are on the line...risking life and limb as they say. I think of the hot heat...multipied by the winds...equipment the firefighters wear and/or carry...and if you think too much on it...you almost feel consumed from the drought..
We think of the lack of rain...how the rains would help so many...and so over lunch I decide to peek in at My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers...I had felt the pain of so many and so when I read it...I was almost overwhelmed.
Receiving Yourself in the Fires of Sorrow
June 25, 2012
. . . what shall I say? ’Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. ’Father, glorify Your name’ —John 12:27-28
As a saint of God, my attitude toward sorrow and difficulty should not be to ask that they be prevented, but to ask that God protect me so that I may remain what He created me to be, in spite of all my fires of sorrow. Our Lord received Himself, accepting His position and realizing His purpose, in the midst of the fire of sorrow. He was saved not from the hour, but out of the hour.We say that there ought to be no sorrow, but there is sorrow, and we have to accept and receive ourselves in its fires. If we try to evade sorrow, refusing to deal with it, we are foolish. Sorrow is one of the biggest facts in life, and there is no use in saying it should not be. Sin, sorrow, and suffering are, and it is not for us to say that God has made a mistake in allowing them.
Sorrow removes a great deal of a person’s shallowness, but it does not always make that person better. Suffering either gives me to myself or it destroys me. You cannot find or receive yourself through success, because you lose your head over pride. And you cannot receive yourself through the monotony of your daily life, because you give in to complaining. The only way to find yourself is in the fires of sorrow. Why it should be this way is immaterial. The fact is that it is true in the Scriptures and in human experience. You can always recognize who has been through the fires of sorrow and received himself, and you know that you can go to him in your moment of trouble and find that he has plenty of time for you. But if a person has not been through the fires of sorrow, he is apt to be contemptuous, having no respect or time for you, only turning you away. If you will receive yourself in the fires of sorrow, God will make you nourishment for other people."
I read this and it just seemed to speak to me...sorrow...I think of one of the guys that I work with...his grandmother has hospice and she is staying with his parents...he spoke so lovingly of this 98 year old woman but it spoke to me when he told a story of family that came to visit and I took it that it had been maybe a little while because the family lived away...but she knew their names. She could not see their faces but she felt a face and spoke of one of them being a big man. But then he spoke of how each morning she would be up at 4:00 and pray for the ENTIRE family...a large family...but he respectfully called her a warrior...and I thought of how this family was going through sorrow...of that bittersweet of watching someone that has always been a part of your life and knowing that they will not live forever...but you cherish time with them...and though you do not want to lose them...you know that they are ready to go be with their Lord. But I wonder how much "nourishment for other people" she was...inspiration for many...she has many grandchildren and great grandchildren.I think about the "fires of sorrow". Of so many fighting their own personal droughts...of the heat and winds that seem to consume our being as well as our fields and pastures...I think of the 23rd Psalm...The shepherd and I went and checked on cows...there is a tree that sits by the water. It is partially dead yet it still has life to it...sometimes I think many of us are too much like that tree...
I took all of the color out of this picture but it still has the outline...it is one that I may play with many times...but for tonight I leave it as this...and I pray for all of those fighting whatever "fires" they are fighting...God be with us!
I heard an old favorite by James Taylor...Fire and Rain...and it just seems to fit with what we pray for! I continue to pray for rains...I wrote where I had heard a preacher who spoke of people getting tired of Noah saying it will rain...I do not claim to be Noah and I pray that we do not get that much...but I do believe we will get rain...I would hope sooner than later...but it will come in its time...
Today was the first day of summer...Summer Solstice...the longest day of the year they say...well I guess technically still a 24 hour day...BUT--in the Northern hemisphere the longest day and shortest night. Here in Colorado we actually were much cooler than we have been all week. We have been over 100 and some days getting closer to 110 if you were rounding. A couple days when I was working in the "shack" it felt even warmer than that. But that's another story...
This morning I read Jesus Calling by Sarah Young...I loved it...
"I SPEAK TO YOU CONTINUALLY. My nature is to communicate, though not always in words. I fling glorious sunsets across the sky, day after day after day."
And so I put in a picture of tonight's sunset which I played with a little bit...was funny how last night was another beautiful sunset and I thought since I didn't take a picture...am I taking them for granted? This morning I thought more on that at my kitchen table and I wrote...Do not let me take for granted--Do not let me stop seeing the beauty that surrounds us everywhere...
As I had raced to the house...okay I didn't race...in fact the shepherd was telling me he would take the buckets so I could go get my camera as the intensity and color was amazing...He says run...run like the wind...that he hoped he could run like me some day...I believe I referred to how smart a particular part of his body was!!! But I did get my camera...but by the time I got there...the color had already changed...it was fading quickly...but it still held a beauty. This is the view from where I do chores each night. The hill in the distance tends to hide the mountains in the distance and so if I want to see mountains I turn to the south and look at the beautiful Spanish peaks...
And so I continue on in Jesus Calling as the next part I loved...
"I speak in the faces and voices of loved ones. I caress you with a gentle breeze that refreshes and delights you. I speak softly in the depths of your spirit, where I have taken up residence.
You can find Me in each moment, when you have eyes that see and ears that hear. Ask My Spirit to sharpen your spiritual eyesight and hearing. I rejoice each time you discover My Presence. Practice looking and listening for Me during quiet intervals. Gradually you will find Me in more and more of your moments. You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me above all else."
I speak in the faces and voices of loved ones...isn't that the truth...If we open our ears...our hearts...our minds...there are words...lessons...all around us. After I had read this devotional and the amazing scripture that accompanies them...I moved on to God Calling...It was titled "Miracles Again". It read...(God Calling much like Jesus Calling is written as though God is speaking...the God Calling is the Two Listeners.) So I share it...
"Wait to hear My Will and then obey. At all costs
obey.
Do not fear. I am a wall of protection around you.
See this. To see this with the eyes of faith is to cause it to manifest in the
material.
Remember I long to work miracles, as when on earth I
wrought them, but the same condition holds good. I cannot do many mighty works
because of unbelief.
So only in response to your belief can I do
miracle-works now."
MIRACLES...and all that comes to mind for me right now is RAIN...how desperately we need the rains and though some have got it...many have not...we have fires out of control...that the rains would give some relief to the parched land as well as the parched souls fighting the fires...some have lost homes...I know at least one life lost...I refer back to my writing this morning after reading this...
"I keep being reminded of rain...We are in unbelief destined in our faith of what will be instead of believing God will not bring us rain. We are fearful that it won't come true and there in lies our unbelief...Our God could open the skies pour waters from heaven--but He has not...why do we walk upon this parched land with our souls wanting to follow suit...giving up on thinking it will come...Believing--Hoping--I must hope but the "voices" say the forecast says no rain so why set myself up...I have not diligently prayed for rain...Please Lord I ask for showers upon a dried or drying up land...Provide for our needs and in saying that I realize that the rain may not be the provision...The Lord knows...but I do ask for belief in my unbelief that I would have abounding faith...speaking to a mountain to move..."
I read in My Utmost for His Highest..."Whenever God puts you in circumstances, pray immediately, pray that His Atonement may be realized in other lives as it has been in yours. Pray for your friends now; pray for those with whom you come in contact now."
And I think of many that are facing decisions as to what will they do if the rain does not come...selling at least part of their livestock...almost like a part of themselves...and feeling the drought in our souls. I wrote after thinking on this..."I think again on the rains and think of our appreciativeness (not sure if that is a word??) if we always have we do not appreciate as much as when we have gone with out.
Again the word GRANTED comes to mind...taking for granted and I think what does that mean? Often I like to look up the official definition of a word and think on it...so when I put in "granted" one of the choices was taking for granted and so I look at it..."to expect something to be available all the time and forget
that you are lucky to have it. We take so many things
for granted in this country - like having hot water whenever we need it."
I think of complacency...of taking for granted...of faith...and I think of the rain. So I pull out my mustard seed and encourage you to do the same...as we pray for rain. I do not know if we will get rain...but I know that this is an exercise for me in obedience...of putting something out there that is out of my comfort zone...I realize it is part of this journey I am on...I have a new journal...in case I haven't mentioned...I love journals and this one may be one of my favorites...
And so I think of this beautiful journey and I think of a song that the Shepherd and I think of as our song...it has played at many different times in our life and so I include it..."I love a rainy night" by Eddie Rabbit...we heard it on the night we met...he and his friend Randy had just came back from Cheyenne seeing Eddie Rabbit...it rained that night...it played randomly many dates...and rained many of them...it played when we went out to eat on our wedding night...I heard it in the hospital the night Heather was born...very 80's but I love the words...
Well, I love a rainy night I love a rainy night I love to hear the thunder Watch the lightning When it lights up the sky You know it makes me feel good
Well, I love a rainy night It's such a beautiful sight I love to feel the rain On my face Taste the rain on my lips In the moonlight shadow
Showers washed All my cares away I wake up to a sunny day 'Cos I love a rainy night Yeah, I love a rainy night Well, I love a rainy night Well, I love a rainy night
Ooh-ooh
I love a rainy night I love a rainy night I love to hear the thunder Watch the lightning When it lights up the sky You know it makes me feel good
Well, I love a rainy night It's such a beautiful sight I love to feel the rain On my face To taste the rain on my lips In the moonlight shadows
Puts a song In this heart of mine Puts a smile on my face every time
'Cos I love a rainy night Yeah, I love a rainy night Ooh, I love a rainy night Yeah, I love a rainy night
Ooh-ooh
[Instrumental Interlude]
Showers washed All my cares away I wake up to a sunny day 'Cos I love a rainy night Yeah, I love a rainy night Well, I love a rainy night I love a rainy night Well, I love a rainy night You can see it in my eyes Yeah, I love a rainy night Well, it makes me high Ooh, I love a rainy night You know I do, yeah, yeah I love a rainy night
I love a rainy night You can see it in my eyes.
So I wonder if we will get rains on the land...or just rains on our souls...but I will not take for granted...and so my friend...I pray for you as I hope you do the same for me...and above all do not let us take for granted and let us be ever thankful!
I woke up early this morning ready to go...a wonderful night of rest...wondering what the day will hold. Yesterday the heat was intense hanging out in the little ditch shack working on computer equipment...but you know I survived...some even pay for such sauna's...me I got paid to hang out there! And so today...a new day and as I wondered what it might hold...conference call first thing...ahhh budgets...but I read in my devotional Jesus Calling...did I say I love that one...and as I read the part that is written below I looked up at that very moment to have this view looking me straight on...I started to read the scripture that accompanies but as I kept reading...this was what seemed to go on my pic...as though it was hand picked for a reason...so I leave you with this and as the Firecracker would say, "Have a dood day!" lyp
So I am still on chore duty though the shepherd keeps doing more and more...sometimes probably more and more than he should...but what can you expect from a shepherd...so anyway last night we had a ewe that died. As it was almost dark when doing chores we decided to load it up this morning...which I called in a much better loader driver than I...thanks Great Grandpa Pfeiff!
After we pulled her out and read the number I sent a DRT text (Dead Right There) to Lance. His reply was, "She was old". I am sure he will say that about me some day...and I thought you know that's how I wish it was...after many years...that is part of the whole circle of life cycle...I realize we all have a 1 in 1 chance of dying...but hate it when some don't get to use their whole time...guess it is not my call...but I thought about today being my favorite son-in-law's 29th birthday...Hardly what one would call old...but today it seemed to hit me...you should think more about how he lived! And so my thoughts were of him probably making fun of me...but I swear I could almost hear his laugh...you know the one where it came right up from his belly...
On my birdcage by my kitchen table...I have different pictures hanging...one of which is Jay with the Yowell boys...Micheal and Ty...I guess Izzy is an honorary Yowell...got her pic taking with the clan...even though Ty has told her he was her boyfriend pretty much from the day she came home from the hospital...but this picture always makes me smile...
Okay I may have got distracted...but in this picture...it is where Jay is laughing so hard...I am not sure Tyler is seeing as much humor in it...but this one just shows that laugh that was contagious...you couldn't help but laugh just at Jay laughing...This was at Izzy's first birthday...but really I think if you listen close...you can hear that belly laugh!
I had seen many had posted Happy Birthday to Jay...Heather had dedicated George Strait...Here for a good time...I was thinking of him singing Roxanne...if you never heard Jay's version of Roxanne...you missed out. But Jay definitely left a large part of himself behind...his Peanut!
Miss Isabel Marie Sheridan seems to be a reminder often of her daddy. That girl has lots of her daddy in her...I am thankful that she has so many people in her life that continue to keep her daddy with us...one of which is her Grandad Sheridan...Recently they went fishing...yes in Limon...and making memories indeed...
I love this pic...one fish two fish red fish blue fish...so I hear that her and Grandad say that she caught them all...but I love that she is sharing with Jay's dad and I think of that song...she thinks we're just fishing...but probably one of the things that makes me think lots of Jay in his Peanut is her story telling abilities...
This weekend she and her mama hitched a ride with LaLa on Father's Day. She was intrigued by the frog story I had told her...but she said she seen a frog and so she makes her mom...who is talking on the phone...go with her to find the frog...so mom carries her out there...Well one little Isabel begins to tell her Uncle Lance about Bo eating the frog and then going to his stomach and then it would come out his butt. Well the story was funny enough in its own right...but her actions went with it...
And her uncle "LaLa" laughing at her story...and taking it all in...
I know that Jay was on many minds today and so I say Happy Birthday to one who was the life of the party...and think of how much he lived in his short years with us...an inspiration to make those around us enjoy just a little bit more...without a lot of thought of what others thought...we are who we are. I came across this picture and just made me think of PARTAY JAY how he brought fun to life...to those around him...
I included a dragonfly...as I have stories...not sure I have shared...but I read a little blurb on them...kind of made me think that maybe sometimes we should live a little in the moment...
Focus on living ‘IN’ the moment The dragonfly normally
lives most of its life as a nymph or an immature. It flies only for a fraction
of its life and usually not more than a few months. This adult dragonfly does it
all in these few months and leaves nothing to be desired. This style of life
symbolizes and exemplifies the virtue of living IN the moment and living life to
the fullest. By living in the moment you are aware of who you are, where you
are, what you are doing, what you want, what you don’t and make informed choices
on a moment-to-moment basis. This ability lets you live your life
without regrets like the great dragonfly.
Not sure why I include that...I guess sometimes many of us go a life time without being aware of who we are...so I say Happy Birthday Jay Bird...We love you and miss you...and I heard this song today for all of us that are still here "chugging along"...A Luke Bryan song...I know I know...pretty random...but what else would you expect! lyp
So last night we finally had another lamb...have been waiting...and the good Lord looked after me and was an easy delivery...other than the mother thought she was a dear and wouldn't stay in the jug...oh well. Actually the shepherd had came out on the porch to check things out and while I am filling buckets with corn says...you are going to have a baby right there tonight...sure enough...
I think he (the shepherd that is) is doing pretty good considering. He had a rough night with some pain in his hip but his swelling in the knee was down today and the bruising is better. So here is too healing...was funny as the Jesus Calling for those of you who read it says for today...
"RELAX IN MY HEALING, holy Presence. Be still, while I transform your heart and mind. Let go of cares and worries, so that you can receive My Peace. Cease striving, and know that you can receive MY Peace. Cease striving, and know that I am God."
So had to take a quick break as I heard the shepherd call my name. I went running in because he is doing the CPM and was afraid something was wrong...just about busted my tail end rounding the corner...okay I really wasn't traveling that fast...just not real graceful...but thought that would be a sight...me sprawled out in the kitchen...but it was fixable...just has a leaky staple...I guess 1 out of 24 isn't too bad...
Anyway the writing above just seemed to fit...as RELAX isn't really one of the shepherd's favorite words...Be still is kind of a tough one as well. But so proud of how well he is doing.
So that's about it from here for now...morning chores are done and waters filled as it seems like it might be a hot one. But 40% chance of rain we seen. We pray for rain. Tim's cousin Ed came by this morning and we were discussing infomercials and we got on the subject of something that was supposed to help grass or something...he says yeah I know what our grass out north needs...RAIN. We talked of having an infomercial...for RAIN! Perhaps you had to be there...but was funny...
So I say have a good one...went out to check on the new baby and the moon was amazing so I was messing with some different settings and so my shutter was left open longer...needless to say I didn't stay completely still...but more still than on another one in which the moon looks like it is falling...but was funny as the scripture for the Jesus Calling this morning was Psalm 46:10 and it begins..."Be still, and know that I am God."
So this is a little playing with the actual photo...as close to a painting as I might ever be...but I read on in Psalms.."The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge..."
And I also include a pic of my little baby last night...I think it is a cute one...still a little dirty...but cute all the same!
And I smile as I think it is going to be a good day...after all they have on all John Wayne movies...Lance is coming home...and this baby lamb is still alive!!!
I read the end of Jesus Calling...
"It is through knowing Me intimately that you become like Me. This requires spending time alone with Me. Let go, relax, be still, and know that I am God."
Today they will lay to rest Jeremy Bitner...another police officer killed in the "line of duty". That line! Many of you have seen the blue line and if like me you did not know what it was until someone close to you is part of that blue line...
I had found this writing...
"What does the Thin Blue Line represent?
The Blue represents the officer and the courage they find deep inside when
faced with insurmountable odds.
The Black background was designed as a constant reminder of our fallen
brother and sister officers.
The Line, the line is what cops protect, the barrier between anarchy and a
civilized society, between order and chaos, between respect for decency and
lawlessness.
Together they symbolize the camaraderie we all share, a brotherhood like none other."
I did not know Jeremy Bitner...but I almost feel as though I do...but I seen something this morning from someone who did...how the Jeremy's and the Jay's...though just "ordinary" guys...they are not...they are those that leave behind a legacy...not just in their children but in how they were to others. I feel a connection to this family even though I do not know them and I pray for their peace. As they lay this officer to rest...I am taken back over a year ago...and just the honor of such a day. I think that Chief Yowell and perhaps my daughter may be going...it is as though it is something that touches them deeper...that in honoring another...we continue to honor our own. We know what they are going through and hope that in just being there we show that their life is honored and worth it! I pray for his children and his wife...for his family and friends.
I go back and include what I had came across earlier...so that others might know Jeremy Bitner a little better...and also realize that we do not know how much time we have...and there are those that are willing to go out there and try to protect us even when we do not want to be protected. I also hope that many will take note that they say it was a drunk driver...keep this in your mind and your heart...it is not worth it...and so I share the words...
Our Jeremy Bitner . . . husband, father, friend, patriot and police officer. He was taken from us far too soon. It's so hard to say goodbye to this wonderful man who was so loving, caring, funny, courageous, loyal, tender, strong, fair, dedicated, protective, and most of all - giving. Those are the words that will always come to mind when I remember my very special Cherry Park neighbor.
In our neighborhood, the guys, kids, wives, dogs (yes, dogs too) always gravitated toward Jeremy's spirit of unconditional love, support and joy. He was the best!!! Talk to anyone in Cherry Park who had a chance to know him and they will have a special story to tell. Jeremy and the guys' "brewsky nights" stories will forever be a part of our fond memories.
The last day of his life, as usual, Jeremy came over to help me do some heavy lifting. He moved a cement bird bath for me with such ease. He was strong in so many ways that always amazed me. His last words to me were, "Now if you need any more help, just call me." I always knew I could because he never minded helping.
When we had a power outage a few years ago, we were in the dark for hours. Jeremy called me to make sure I was ok, and he invited me to go with his family to a restaurant where we could eat and have light. Jeremy also came to my home in the middle of the night to help me take my dog, Coco, to the vet to be put down. He always "had my back," as he would say.
Since I never had children, I always thought that if I could choose a son, Jeremy would have been the one. I loved him and would have been so honored to have had Jeremy as my son. He always treated me like I was family.
I'm glad I'm writing this by computer because my tears for our loss would have stained and smeared the words I am writing now. Even at the end of Jeremy's short life, he gave the gift of life by donating his organs to others in need. That's the kind of person he was. I take great comfort in knowing that our Jeremy's loving heart will continue beating to give hope and love to another family.
Jeremy's death is going to be hard for his beloved Tina, Annabelle and Asher -- but knowing how wonderful our Cherry Park community is, we will take a cue from him and always "have their backs."
Jeremy loved living with his family in our community, and when he saw the need, loved doing what he could for us. He loved us and we love you more Jeremy!! Goodbye, our dear Jeremy.
by .....Terie Miyamoto
This was also included in the e-mail...
Jeremy Bitner
With heavy hearts, we want to let you know that a cherished friend and resident of Cherry Park has passed away. Jeremy Bitner was killed in the line of duty as an Englewood Police Officer on Memorial Day.
Jeremy and Tina Bitner, along with their two young children, Anabelle (4th grade) and Ascher (1st grade), have lived in Cherry Park for over 10 years. Please keep the Bitner family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
If you want to help the family, we will be organizing meals and other ways to help Tina and the kids in the coming weeks. We will keep you posted. Also, you can donate to the Jeremy Bitner Memorial Fund at Bellco Credit Union in Colorado. You can either stop by a branch office to donate with cash or a check, or call 303-689-7800 (option 6, option 3) to transfer funds over the phone. All transfer fees will be waived.
The funeral service is open to the public and will be held this Friday at 1pm at First Church of the Nazarene (3800 E. Hampden Avenue, Denver 80113).
And so I say Rest in Peace Jeremy Bitner...and may those left behind...LIVE in PEACE...
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