Goodbye

Candii,

Through the hand of God, I met you almost six years ago. It has been one of my greatest blessings and most precious gifts to know you, to laugh with you, to share with you and to love you. Sometimes life doesn't seem fair and this is one of those moments. How I wish you were here to watch Evie grow up, to see Brandon & Laura marry, to meet your future nieces and nephews, to share a special joke or tease Shawn once more. It is great comfort we have that someday we will walk with you and talk with you in ways we were never able. That "In Christ, there are no goodbyes, And in Christ, there is no end, So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have to see you again." While you wait for us, know that the lessons we've learned and the joy you have spread are far reaching. Our children will know you and our children's children. Though you've hardly uttered a word, your testimony and witness of Christ have been loud. I know that you have heard the words that we have all longed to hear "well done, good and faithful servant." I miss you, Candii Cane. I will continue to miss you. My heart and our lives will forever ache for you. Goodbye.

Love you forever,
Tawnda

P.S. The words in quotations above are from lyrics from the MercyMe song: Homesick. We played it at Candii's funeral today, and it encompasses many of the emotions we are going through right now.


You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

In Christ, there are no goodbye
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
To see you again

And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now