29 years ago to the minute I was standing behind the church door waiting to walk down the aisle to the love of my life. In what I believe to be one of the most beautiful wedding ceremonies ever we said “I do” and was off to our honeymoon and to the hopes and dreams we had often talked about.
4 years ago today Mark had one of his major surgeries to remove cancer. It was a rough recovery but I will always remember his great attitude and strength during any hospital stay that we had.
Usually every year during the July 4th week we are at FCA coaches camp at St. Simons, GA. It was a passion of both of ours but Mark loved that week so much!! I was thrilled to be able to go back down there this past week and even had the opportunity to speak. It was wonderful renewing old friendships and making new ones. Nathan and Kristen and their girls were able to go also which really made the week special.
As I shared what God has spoken to me about since Mark’s passing it cemented in my head the blessings that God bestowed on us and our family during the 5 years that cancer visited us. God allowed so much to happen in those 5 years and so many memories to be made.
While I may be lonely today and missing my man I can say with absolute assurance that I’m grateful beyond words that he is in heaven and totally healed and has attained what I will never understand until the day I join him. Heaven is so much sweeter to me now. I think of those who have gone before us that Mark is visiting with and the more I think of him in heaven the more peace I have. He suffered so much here on earth and while I wanted to grow old with him and to see him have many more years I didn’t want him to suffer not one more day.
I don’t know if I’ll feel like this next week or next month or even next year but right now I’m happy and joyful. I’m joyful that Mark is free and I’m happy for the years we had together. I think I’m privileged to have had the marriage that we had. Instead of being sad that it’s over I’m happy with the memories he left me with.
Overall we are all doing well. We all have our moments which is to be expected but I”m very proud of my family and how they’ve handled this. I’m very blessed to have my kids looking out for me – they are wonderful and I am so thankful that they are such a huge part of my life.
Jessica is getting closer to having that baby and I’m so excited about that. Just praying that all goes well and that soon we will have little Jackson Mark Coyle to hold and love.
I loved hearing stories of the ripple effects of Mark’s testimony and the Leave A Mark book – I heard someone say he was a glass half-full kind of guy! I love that and that’s the way I want to be.
I’m thankful for all the Lord has taught me and how He loves me unconditionally.
All My Love,
Lee
Psalm 103: 2-5
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 68:19
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.
Isaiah 30:18
And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.
Numbers 6:24-26
The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
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