Along the Journey--note from Anita Easter 2008

Along the Journey at Easter 2008

Bleakness and Blessings

Life without Jack is unimaginable. I miss his touch, his affirming smile, the warm laughter, our deep conversations, his warmth during the cold winter nights, his caution of my overenthusiastic projects, the light in his eyes in a passing look, his enduring care—and we all miss his hugs! The loss is so huge there isn’t an adequate analogy. There are still moments of numbness, and times of despairing guttural sobs. I am making it slowly through this journey, but there are still times when it is most difficult. I don’t mind living alone, but I miss Jack like crazy! I can finally cry and feel good about shedding tears. As public as I can be about so many things and as much as I need to verbalize thoughts and feelings, my grief has been very private. Thank you all for your loving care throughout this time. I have a year of letters and phone calls in my mind to send out. You have all been such a blessing to me and our family!

The Memorial services at Hendricks Avenue Baptist and at Second-Ponce de Leon were so very special and such a tribute to Jack. Thank you all for your generous participation, hard work and creative gifts in putting them together. The last Memorial service was in Singapore in January at the Thomson Road Baptist Church and I was overwhelmed with the beautiful service and the love and affection poured out on us. You are all such a special blessing! This was a turning point for me. You wonderful Singaporeans helped me come to terms with the fact that I could mourn and still go on and celebrate the good memories and find joy in life!

This is the time of year that Jack always sent out an Easter message. Although I cannot live up to his legacy, I want to share my thoughts this year. It is Good Friday and a time of bleakness when reflecting upon the agony of the death of our Lord. Through the years I have struggled with the unanswerable questions that we must face as we make the journey of the cross, but this year I am not at all concerned about the unanswerable questions. I am completely at peace concerning life after death and the hope and promise that our Lord has given us. In my life Easter is not only coming, it has come!!! Resurrection and New Life are all around us!

As bleak as life can be in loss, there have and continue to be many, many blessings:

Happy memories continue to be a treasure, yet living in the moment and observing God at work is bringing joy. Our family is doing well and is surrounded by loving, nuturing friends and extended family. Nature unfolds joy every day with the sunrise, the sunset, or an unexpected spring snow, a crashing thunderstorm bringing needed rain, a crisp new moon, beautiful flowers and new growth emerging on trees and bushes like an impressionistic painting. There is a resurrection of hope in our world with precious young children, emerging idealistic young adults who envision a world of justice and care for all, and there is a dawning of new mission in churches as we are all called to be the presence of Christ.

I am constantly encouraged by the aha moments of life: a breakthrough in teamwork, the paragraph in a book that contains the thought that I was never capable of expressing, courageous artists who challenge the heart as well as the mind, the young, technically savvy, co-workers who see life in exciting, new ways and continue to patiently stretch me…I, too, am looking at life in a new way and although it is challenging, it is also very exciting. I am finding goodness and a tangible presence of God surrounding me.

Friends and trusting relationships is at the top of the list! Thank you all for hanging in with me and with our family during Jack’s illness and following. Your care has been sustaining and enriching. I continue to love working with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. It was Jack’s hope that I would continue and help to build the work that we both so fervently supported. My work is multi-faceted and will keep me challenged. You may write to me at this address: asnell@thefellowship.info

Love and Blessings to you all,
Anita

A CD Offer from Jack's Jacksonville Church

I received this kind offer from Julie Mason from Hendricks Avenue Baptist church and thought many of you would want to know. - Cindy

I wanted to let you know that we have a DVD available of Jack Snell's last sermon at HAB -- he preached it on Jan. 7 of this year, just a week before he was diagnosed with the cancer. It was an excellent sermon, and he looks good, he's in a robe, etc. I believe it was Epiphany.

If anyone wants a copy of it, we will be glad to provide it. They are $10 each, and that covers the cost of the DVD plus mailing, there is no profit in that figure!

Send an email to Vickie Landers, our church administrator at

financial@habchurch.com


Mark on your check "Snell sermon DVD." - JM

Jack passed away this morning

As Cindy stated below, we are sad to announce that Jack passed away at 5:30am. The entire Cooperative Baptist Fellowship family mourns the passing of Jack Snell while celebrating his life's work as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are grateful for his faithful service, humble leadership and unparalleled commitment to being the presence of Christ. Information on services will be updated at www.thefellowship.info/Landing/JackSnell.icm.

Karyn

The sad news

I just received the call that Jack passed on this morning about 5:30.

As I receive more information, we'll make sure we post it, but as I understand it now, there will be a memorial service for Jack at Hendricks Avenue in Jacksonville this Saturday and another here in Atlanta the following Saturday at Second Ponce.

- Cindy

Sunday afternoon update from Anita

I just spoke with Anita on the phone. Her cell phone has been lost - probably wrapped up in some linens. If you need to talk with her, use Jack's cell # - 404-428-6165.

They have had a very difficult weekend. Jack continues to get weaker. They are trying to find the best medications to help with the nausea as well as the restlessness.

They all appreciate the prayers, but have requested no visitors.

We will keep you posted as there is more information.

Grace Powell Freeman

Jack admitted to hospice facility

I just talked with Anita awhile ago. Their family enjoyed a night of memories and laughter on Friday evening. Saturday morning, the hospice nurse recommended that Jack be hospitalized after his condition worsened. There is a problem with liver function so he was transferred to a hospice facility later on Saturday. Hospice can make him more comfortable there. Anita reports that his appearance is different but he's still the same Jack - wanting to be in charge of everything, knowing when it's time for his meds, etc. The family is together with Jack and are at peace knowing that their time together is growing shorter. They are comfortable and their needs are being met in the facility. While we were on the phone, the family was gathering for a meal. Anita assured me that they feel the love and support of CBF and all their friends and family. Cindy has been away on a retreat and has not been able to check email. I will continue to keep the blog updated.

Karyn Hurry

A word from Anita and a new Along the Journey from Jack

Jack has posted a new Along the Journey for us and Anita has these words of update:

As usual, Jack’s week has been a roller-coaster with good and bad days.

The more difficult times seem to be gaining ground as he continues to lose weight, grow weaker and experience a constant queasiness. A low-grade fever has indicated some infection and although it has been treated with antibiotics, it still lingers.

Through it all, Jack’s spirit has not diminished and he is still wanting to care for me and the world. He continues to walk in the morning, but now is using the selection of canes that he or friends have collected from over the world. He also has found many resting spots along his short journey to collect the morning paper. He is now unable to walk in the evening and is resting more frequently throughout the day and the long nights.

He and I both send our love and gratitude for your love and faithful prayer.

Anita and

Words from Jack

There continue to be signs that I am slipping in my battle with cancer. It is beginning to rob me of more and more of the normalcies and joys of life. But I refuse to let it take away the gifts that God has graciously bestowed on me. So, I look for joy in each new day, and I count it joy when I receive correspondence from you, reminding me of the value of friendship.


Our daughter and son-in-law have unexpectedly arrived for the weekend, and already I am filled with encouragement! Keep me in your thoughts and prayers. They’re the only thing sustaining me at the stage.


Here’s my latest installment of Along the Journey. It deals with God’s faithfulness, which will be a theme at my memorial service. “Great is Thy Faithfulness” will be sung at the service. But, as we await that, let me share a few words about God’s faithfulness.

-Jack