Message of Salvation Given at the Funeral

The staff at Fox Creek were very saddened to hear that our dear friend and colleague, first grade teacher, Mrs. Smiley, was no longer going to be seen throughout the hallways of our school again. I was elated to know that she was saved and with our Wonderful Lord and Savior, but sad for all of us that are left behind and those dear little first graders that don't quite understand everything that has transpired. We found out that Joyce had cancer in May and now, only 6 months later, she is no longer suffering, but is praising God at this very moment!

When I was at the visitation this past Thursday I found my way up to the casket and cried tears of sadness for her wonderful husband, Jim, her daughters, sons-in-laws, dear grandchildren, and for myself too because she was such a sweet blessing and I will need to wait to see her when I am also with our Lord. When I got to her one son-in-law, the one that was going to be officiating at the funeral on Friday, I asked him if he was going to be preaching the plan of salvation and he replied, "I will and that is what Joyce wanted. She didn't want us to spend time talking about her, but to tell others about the Lord and how they can spend eternity with him." Well, on Friday, our ENTIRE staff, except for one teacher and one of our administrative assistants, was in attendance and they were presented with the plan of salvation. Thank you, Joyce, for allowing us to give this message loud and clear to those who so desperately need to hear it and don't seem to understand how important it is to take that leap of faith NOW. There is NO time to wait . . . we never know when our last breath on this earth will be. Please pray for the teachers at Fox Creek and for their hearts to be opened and willing to submit themselves to our gracious and loving God who is also a good and righteous judge.

Please also pray for Jim, her loving and devoted husband, who now goes home to an empty house. May he find comfort and peace during this difficult time, as well as the staff and students at our school.