My Grandfather still defines Faith even though he left us in 2006

Today like most Sundays this month I made it to church. I made it to the eleven o’clock service this time, which was Grandma and Grandpa’s usual service. It’s quieter and there is an elder crowd than the 9 am service. Odd thing though today, I was not alone in the pew, I grabbed a bulletin and sat down, I had actually taken two. So I think Grandpa was sitting beside me at the service today.

After the service a couple of folks recognized me and said hello to me. The ones who did not asked my name. “My name is Jessica”, I told them. “I’m Cal and Marie’s granddaughter.” They were so happy to see me and had questions about Grandma. One man came up and said “You are talking to a Coats. Her grandfather was a fantastic man; he in himself was the definition of faith!” He exclaimed. I thanked him through some tears. I was so honored that I was from the same family of a man that is spoken so highly of especially from some folks that I am not really sure who they are. I am sure I will learn everyone’s names soon again but I could not remember them now. She told me that when she became a member of the church that Grandma and Grandpa showed her the ropes. He had helped her a lot. I left there this afternoon so proud and honored by the words of these folks. I would love to be just like Grandpa. In many ways I am, but he moved so many people and so many lives that his reputation precedes him. Anyone who knew his has fantastic things to say about him not just in the church, but in the community and in the Masonic world as well. His work is still being done and he left us the summer of 2006. I can only hope to be half as good as my Grandpa. It is such an honor to think of him these days and this day in particular.

Today we also had Communion. One more memory I have to share about my church and Grandparents is one about Holy Communion. Grandma used to do the flowers in the back. Every Sunday that church did communion Grandma would come home with the leftover bread and grape juice. That was always a nice treat. I always felt a little silly that we had the body and blood of Christ in our refrigerator but it was always really yummy. Also the smell of fresh cut flowers in the back room and the coffee cans that were piled in Grandma’s house so she could put the flowers and Grandpa could run them to the people that they were set aside for after the service.

My grandparents were very special to the church and they are so loved there and very much missed. I can only hope to be that strongly connected to my faith and my church family. I am working on it. It is week 4 now and I have not missed a service. I love getting back to my roots it feels good.
~ JLC

Talking to an angel's Mother

Steph, Me, & Jayson Samuel Conrad 1983 - 2006


Sunday Church as always was welcoming. I said hellos to everyone at the service and after the service went to Rhoda Hall for the Sunday Morning Brunch. I sat and Talked with Mrs. C for hours over coffee, memories and stories galore. I even heard about Jayson's Potty Training Horrors. Mrs. C and Jayson's sister and father, My brother and I all have a common Bond with one another. k and my Grandpa passed 4 days before Jayson that year so my brother and I had it rough just like they did. K and I lost a good friend and a foundation all in one week. Jayson's family lost a son, grandson, a brother, cousin, and a best friend. It eases my mind a little because I know that Jayson and Grandpa are out there doing work for Heaven now, and Grandpa is helping Jayson maybe just as much as Jayson is helping Grandpa. I told Mrs. C that I want to start coming over on Friday nights so we can Watch one of J's favorite Shows, Ghost Whisperer together. I shared some of my favorite parts of J and my friendship with Mrs. C that day. I think it was amusing that J and I had the same taste in guys, but I always got them because because they were straight. lucky for me my Navy boy was not J's type so we never had a fight over him.
God I miss Jayson!

Sunday Morning Church, It was nice to be home.

It has been a goal of mine to start going back to church. No matter where I am I want to make it to a service on Sundays. This is my second Sunday in a row so I think I am doing good with my goal. There are so many days these last couple of months I had promised and promised myself I would go because I needed to pray and I needed to badly.

It's always good to go home.

I went to my church CUMC and I found home. The smiling faces and the welcoming I received warmed me. I don't go there often because it is hard for me not to see Grandma and Grandpa C there. but it doesn't matter. The two of them are part of the church. Grandpa will always be there for me and it will always be home. The sermon was all about being thankful for who you are and what you have and saying thank you for it. I always thank God for the things I have and the people I know.

And the Prayers. I prayed for Grandmom and Pop Pop and the long year this family has had. I prayed for J and his family and the trials his family has had this year. Uncle C and Aunt F and the gang. And always in my prayers Grandma C, Aunt G, and the rest of the family out west. all my cousins and extended family and that their lives will work out with his help. for the boys out in Iraq and the boys that are on their home bases in the states and working hard here.
That all would be okay and if it will not please give us the stength to pull through. and my daily thank you's for a fantastic family and wonderful people as friends.

I have a lot to be thankful for.

~ Jessica Lynn