Our family arrived home yesterday after being in the valley for the week. Five of us are sick, while the rest are just exhausted. So this post may be a bit disjointed, but I’m sure you understand.

 
Eric Davis went home to be with the Lord this week. I still can’t believe my “little brother” is gone from this earth. We will all miss his quick wit and smile, and his determination to accomplish many tasks. The Davis family is one of our closest family friends. Eric, Heather, Dave and I have shared many adoption, parenting, church and godly conversations. We have much in common with their family. We have traveled together, played together, worshiped together and now grieved together.

 
I was truly blessed to be able to serve the Davis family in whatever capacity they needed this week.  When I was at the house, and not blood related, I didn’t always know if I was a help, but I tried to do what needed to be done. Perhaps that was part of my grieving.

 
The memorial was Saturday. I would say it was the best memorial service I have ever attended. Everything about it pointed to Eric’s love of the Lord and how he lived that love out in his life.

 
The service was attended by somewhere around 300 people. It was a real testimony as to the impact Eric and all the Davis family has on people. The service itself lasted over 2 hours, but you just wouldn’t have known it, everyone was so intent on the goings on.

 
Eric was in the Navy Reserves, so a Color Guard attended. They played Taps and Heather was presented with a flag. I admire our military so much. The presentation was beautiful.

 
The slide show, photos done to the song “How You Live” by Point of Grace, was wonderful. I don’t believe there was a dry eye in the building.

 
One elder of our church, a very close friend of Eric’s, had heard from Eric just 45 minutes before he collapsed. Eric's call was about service projects he was doing as a deacon and also about helping an elderly lady in his community. Our elder's question for us was to ask ourselves, “What will you be doing 45 minutes before you die?” It’s quite a challenge.
 

Most people I talked to both cried and laughed throughout. The most poignant part was probably when our Pastor, while reading letters from the children to their father, stopped and could not go on. We all waited. Heather, with her abundant grace and gracefulness, stood up and proceeded to read the rest of the letters.

 
Many people got up and talked about Eric. Most had a funny story and a loving memory to tell. Their message and that of our Pastor all pointed to Eric’s love and service to Christ. The gospel message was delivered, loud and clear. I know that would have made Eric jump for joy.

Eric was my little brother in Christ. I will miss him. But he is in the holy presence of God...