Heavy Hearts, Heavenly Homes

 Less than 36 hours ago Holly's uncle, Alan Keifer, went home to be with the Lord. Although we are saddened with his passing we also rejoice that here was a godly man and there is no doubt in our minds that he is now in the presence of Jesus.

 I first met Alan just over two years ago at my wedding to Holly. He had heard from family members that I was "born again", and how I had grown while listening to Thru the Bible with Dr. J. Vernon McGee. He was also a fan of Dr. 's and we shared a few moments at the reception reflecting upon his unique style of Bible teaching.

 As Holly and I prepared to relocate to North Dakota, we made a road trip to the Fresno, CA area to visit Alan and his wife Phylis, some of their children and grandchildren. Many had not attended our wedding and wanted to meet me before we moved from California. While spending two nights at Alan's home, I attended an "Iron Sharpens Iron" men's conference with Alan, his son-in-law Larry and two of Larry's son's, Justin and Christopher. This was the first men's conference I had ever attended and I must confess that it moved me. The sensation of singing praises in a room of 500+ men, praying and sharing our love for God is something hard to put into words, yet that feeling has never left me and I use it to get me through various trials of life.

 The last time I saw him, Alan & Phylis stopped by our home on Palomar Mountain for an afternoon visit before we left California. We talked of the conference and of how we enjoyed each other's fellowship. This truly was fellowship, encouraging, uplifting and genuine.

 3 months ago he became ill and doctors told him that his heart was weak. He had surgery to repair clogged arteries and remove unknown spots from his lungs, but his body had become weak in the process and a full life had come to and end.

 I am a better Christian because of the short time I spent with Alan. He never verbally taught me anything, but he lived his life unashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that message rang true at all times. He was the "Abraham" of the Keifer clan. A man who stood out and above other's in a crowd, yet his humility was constant and warm.

 Thank you Alan Keifer. Thank you for living your life in a way that Jesus was seen. Heaven will be a fabulous destination and eternity is going to be so wondeful...