The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Timothy 4:6b-8, “…the time of my departure has come.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;

8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

Much like the Apostle Paul, Rose Marie knew that her time on Earth was short. One day in the ICU at Regional, she said to me, “We may not get out of this,” meaning she might not survive. I tried to talk her down on that issue, but she knew her time was shortening.

When the LORD’s time came to call her Home, He let her know. She had a B-Pac on to force oxygen into her nose and lungs, and she said to Teri, “Call Alicia and have her come.” Alicia one of our closest friends. She arrived at the hospital in a matter of minutes. Rose Marie then wrote what she desired: “Circle of Life Hospice.” She wanted to go there.

She was at Circle of Life for less than a week, when she yielded to the LORD’s beckoning to leave this Earth for a Heavenly home. She was surrounded by family when she breathed her last. It was exactly what she wanted because she obeyed the LORD to the letter. It was His will and she was compliant.

She had ‘fought the good fight.” Saved at age 16 (the first in her family), she was instrumental in leading her sister, Lou, and her mother, Gladys, to faith in Christ. I have always believed that the LORD answered her prayer for her father’s salvation. Whether that is true is something that she alone now knows.

Her departure from this Earth was indeed the LORD’s timing. She had indeed “fought the good fight”; and her “course” had been faithfully run. She had “kept the faith.” That which our LORD had for her to do was finished. It was time for her to rest, and now she is at rest.

My sweet and lovely wife was a beautiful lady inside and out. Her love for the LORD allowed her to love me and me to love her. She was possessed of a delightful humor that was sometimes revealed through a mischievous wink. We lived a happy and joyous life together for 64 years! In a similar manner, what was said of President Lincoln, can now be said of her: “Now she belongs to the ages.”

Dado III

( Gene )

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

2 Corinthians 5:8, “…absent from the body … at home with the Lord.”

At 85 years of age and with multiple physical complications, her frail body had had its toll.

She was a vibrant witness of the LORD Jesus Christ right to the end. Every nurse, every doctor, every therapist that attended her learned of the LORD Jesus Christ.

“I know the LORD Jesus Christ as my Savior, and I know where I’m going,” she said.

Surrounded by family and a few, close friends, she drew her last laboring breath and awoke in the presence of the Savior.

Funeral service preparations are underway, where once again the message of the LORD will be hearlded. May those who have ears to hear come to the Cross for His Salvation.

Your prayers for me and my family (Richard, Teri, and Robert and their families) will be most lovingly appreciated.

Dado III

(Gene)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Ephesians 5:16-17, “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise,

16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

In earlier verses, the Apostle Paul denounced evil, pagan practices. It’s important to remember that only one rotten apple will spoil an entire barrel of apples; but one good

apple can never redeem a barrel of rotten ones.

So, be careful how you walk, how you live. Be wise, not foolish, thinking that somehow you will overcome evil if you just associate with it only a little. That never works! It’s the devil’s trick. And why is this alarm from the apostle so important? It’s because the days are evil.

Listen, when I was a boy (granted that was quite some time ago), the biggest evil known in our neighborhood was that the woman who lived across the street smoked cigarettes! That’s not what’s going on today!!! Don’t kid yourself! Be wise!

What’s wise? Understanding the will of the LORD is wise. But how do I know what His will is? How can I discover it for my own life? READ THE BIBLE DAILY! Spend tiem in PRAYER! If you don’t understand what you read, ask someone you trust to help you. But,

For the most part, the Holy Spirit will reveal the meaning of the Bible to you.

Go for it! Believe! March humbly, but proudly for the way of King Jesus!

We love you and continue to pray for you,

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

P. S. Rose Marie is comatose. She cannot (as far as we know) utter the smallest prayer.

Yet, I know her habits. She would be praying for you and she would be urging you

to act exactly as described above. I miss her already. Please pray for me.

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Acts 21:14, “And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, ‘The will of the Lord be done!’”

Dear people from here and around the world have prayed for Rose Marie. We are so blessed to have so many friends –praying friends, friends who care. Yet, in the Providence of Almighty God, He has elected to take her. She has not left us yet –only deeply in sorrow at the thought.

She is receiving the very BEST of care at Circle of Life hospice. The doctors and nurses are “top notch,” loving and tender. I cannot describe how well she has been treated. We rejoice in that.

Your prayers and support have meant so much more than you could possibly know! Richard, Teri, Robert and I are so grateful.

Resurrection Sunday was an enormous time of praise and worship. Rose Marie’s room was filled to capacity with family and close friends. We sang and sang and sang the great hymns of the Faith! And when Teri leaned in and asked Mom if she could hear the singing, she nodded yes.

Her body is simply worn out. She has so many balancing issues that all of her doctors were nonplused. Yet, she witnessed to them when she was so ill. “I know the LORD Jesus Christ as my Savior,” she said; “and I am ready to meet Him.” Christian and non-Christian doctors and nurses were astoounded at her boldness, despite it being spoken between quick short breaths. What a girl I married!

Notification from Teri just came. She is ready to go and see Mom. More later….

God bless you! And thank you all for your faithful prayers.

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

2 Chronicles 7:6-7, “And the priests stood at their posts and the Levites, with the instruments of music to the LORD, which King David had made for giving praise to the LORD– “for His lovingkindness is everlasting “– whenever he gave praise by their means, while the priests on the other side blew trumpets; and all Israel was standing.”

Someone once wrote:

Music resonates within the human spirit. At the heart of humanity is a song of the soul.

The spiritual significance of music can transcend communities, cultures, and creeds.

Music continues to inspire spiritual expression as sound reflects and affects faith and values. Beliefs and perceptions will transcend the very nature of music and lyrics.

As modern and up-to-date as this quotation sounds, many years previous were the words of our Scripture above. Solomon was dedicating the Temple, and the priests and Levites stood in place with instruments of music which were dedicated to the LORD for His everlasting lovingkindness.

Such was experienced again today, when relatives and loved ones gathered around the

bedside of Rose Marie and sang praises to the LORD for His love and care for His faithful

servant. How long she will be with us, it is impossible to know. Occasionally, she opened her eyes and gave clear indication that she had heard and enjoyed the music. Indeed it

resonated within her human spirit. She was not blessed with great musical ability, but she

loves what emanates from those who are.

Moreover, she loves the LORD and immerses herself daily in serious prayer and Bible study. Having come to the LORD at age 16, she has walked with Him and spoken to others about Him for 70 years. Now, she comforts herself in the fact that she is soon to meet Him.

Face to face with Christ, my Savior,
Face to face—what will it be,
When with rapture I behold Him,
Jesus Christ who died for me?

Face to face I shall behold Him,
Far beyond the starry sky;
Face to face in all His glory,
I shall see Him by and by!

Our entire family dearly loves you. We have been blindsided by what has been thrust upon us! Yet, it is a situation of fact that comes ultimately to everyone. While we grieve, we do not see ourselves as any less deserving than many families. We simply solicit your earnest prayers for the comfort of our Heavenly Father. And may God bless you abundantly!

Heartily in Christ,

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”