House to House
Family of Hope House Church November 2023
My Sister Maggie Schrock 1936-2023—Graveside Reflections 10/28/23
Today we lay to rest our precious Maggie here beside her husband of so many years in a space shaded by trees, a place inviting to some of Maggie’s favorite things—birds and wildflowers, bees and butterflies and all things beautiful. She loved nature, loved people, loved her family and friends and neighbors far and wide, and above all she loved God. I’ve been so blessed by growing up in the circle of her loving kindness and sweet spirit, blessed by having a next older sister who looked after me, loved me, worked and played with me, had many conversations with me, sang hymns with me and with others as we got older, encouraged me, and sent us wonderful letters and cards laced with her faith and hope and love.
For our wedding she gave us a priceless gift of an oil painting of a nature scene she did as a special gift for Alma Jean and I nearly 70 years ago now. We’ll miss her talents and her many gifts freely shared with family and friends and neighbors and with the students she taught and loved at the Oak Hill School.
Since we grew up just 3 years apart we shared many first things together, our first big train trip to Virginia when our family moved to the Valley from Kansas, our first school bus ride to the Stuarts Draft Elementary school, so big compared to the one room school we attended together in Kansas. Childhood and youth were full of first things, and now we are experiencing last things, last children leaving home, last paying jobs, last years of robust health and energy. Maggie has been just ahead of me in experiencing good hearing, 20-20 eyesight and good heart health for the last time. We are here today for this last farewell because she has drawn her last breath. The days and years between first things and last things have gone by “swifter than a weaver’s shuttle,” as Job laments.
As we and her beloved children became more and more aware of Maggie’s failing health and a great heart that finally just gave out, we were becoming prepared to see her go, yet not prepared to see her gone, even though we know she is with God. She has gone ahead of us but she will always be with us, will live on in us through all the ways she has blessed, enriched and influenced our lives for good. May God be forever praised. - Harvey Yoder
For our wedding she gave us a priceless gift of an oil painting of a nature scene she did as a special gift for Alma Jean and I nearly 70 years ago now. We’ll miss her talents and her many gifts freely shared with family and friends and neighbors and with the students she taught and loved at the Oak Hill School.
Since we grew up just 3 years apart we shared many first things together, our first big train trip to Virginia when our family moved to the Valley from Kansas, our first school bus ride to the Stuarts Draft Elementary school, so big compared to the one room school we attended together in Kansas. Childhood and youth were full of first things, and now we are experiencing last things, last children leaving home, last paying jobs, last years of robust health and energy. Maggie has been just ahead of me in experiencing good hearing, 20-20 eyesight and good heart health for the last time. We are here today for this last farewell because she has drawn her last breath. The days and years between first things and last things have gone by “swifter than a weaver’s shuttle,” as Job laments.
As we and her beloved children became more and more aware of Maggie’s failing health and a great heart that finally just gave out, we were becoming prepared to see her go, yet not prepared to see her gone, even though we know she is with God. She has gone ahead of us but she will always be with us, will live on in us through all the ways she has blessed, enriched and influenced our lives for good. May God be forever praised. - Harvey Yoder
Notes, Prayers and Praises
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR MARGIE VLASITS improvement after being hospitalized for a serious form of spinal meningitis.
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Neal Nelson 11/2 (in absentia), Paul Swarr 11/10 and Guy Vlasits 11/21. Neal and Elly Nelson’s anniversary is November 26.
FOR OUR NOVEMBER BIBLE STUDIES leaders may again choose a passage from the book of Acts or one of their own choosing.
November Services, 3:30-5:00 pm
5 Location: We will meet in person with Jim and Ruth Stauffer in the Redbud unit on the second floor of Crestwood for a time of singing, sharing, and praying together.
12 Location: online
Worship and sharing: Lois Rivera-Wenger
Bible Study: Dick Dumas
19 Location:
Worship and Sharing: Kent Palmer
Bible Study: Ellie Nelson
26 Location: online
Worship and Sharing, Lois Rivera Wenger
Study: Harvey Yoder
5 Location: We will meet in person with Jim and Ruth Stauffer in the Redbud unit on the second floor of Crestwood for a time of singing, sharing, and praying together.
12 Location: online
Worship and sharing: Lois Rivera-Wenger
Bible Study: Dick Dumas
19 Location:
Worship and Sharing: Kent Palmer
Bible Study: Ellie Nelson
26 Location: online
Worship and Sharing, Lois Rivera Wenger
Study: Harvey Yoder
