Thank you

 - December 7

   We wish to express our heartfelt thanks for the many prayers that have been prayed on behalf of our family. Your prayers, words of encouragement, and support, with God's grace, have sustained us during this difficult time. We sincerely appreciate each and every one of you more than we have the words to express. As we return to our lives, there is an empty place in us all that only His love can fill, and this is being done through you - the Believers around the world - that perform God's work here on earth.

   In the past week, there have been outpourings of love and sympathy like none of us have ever witnessed, and this has made us realize how deeply this special child of God touched so many lives. Among the many beautiful tributes paid, we would like to share an excellent slide presentation, set to Sister Rebekah's own piano playing, that was compiled by Voice of God.

   There is also a guestbook that many believers have been using to leave their thoughts and notes of condolences. We have been pouring over them, and are humbled to read the words of so many people that shared her life with us.

   Thank you and God bless you.
 

The Smith Family

 

 - December 14

   Dearest friends and loved ones,

   We humbly write to you today in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whose grace we can face each new day. We love you all! You have served as a balance, before, and during these days since Rebekah’s Home gathering. Your cards, emails and calls have been such a tremendous encouragement; I have them all and they continue to inspire me. Thank you also to those who have sent gifts. God bless you!

   We want to thank all those of you who were able to be with us in Tucson for the visitation on Dec. 3. It was wonderful to see all of you. I understood that there were over a thousand visitors that afternoon. I trust you understand it would be impossible for us to write to each of you individually.

   During the last few months as I witnessed Rebekah inching closer to the river each day, all of us were praying for a miraculous recovery. Those prayers were not in vain, that is what we have been instructed to do until God shows us otherwise. We walk by faith, not by sight! But the Prophet Isaiah wrote: “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

   Indeed His ways are best because He knows the end even before the beginning. We serve a God that is constant and faithful, and He is never surprised at how things turn out. And that has been my consolation and rest. Like Mary said, “Be it done unto me according to thy word.” Whatever God says or does, it is the very best! So, no, I do not question, I just say, “Yes Lord.” Heaven is now sweeter and nearer; this earth is loosing all of its attraction.

   Although I will now be very busy with missionary work and some travel, my main focus is beyond the curtain of time. And as you well know, no one will enter there without perfect love. God has been good to all of us and He has given us the materials wherewith to attain the promised goal. We will now regroup, gather strength from one another and press on. We have so much more to live for and so much more reason to put down the little things and focus on the glorious resurrection. God bless you all.

   Brother George Smith & family

  PS: Even though it was Rebekah’s request for a private internment, we thought that by sharing these photos it may be a blessing to you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas, 2004

left to right: George, Angela, Rebekah, William & Renell, Rebekah & Stephen
children: William, John Moses, Noah