(E-mail from my Grandparents because they are amazing)

To the Family-
Usually at the beginning of the month we as siblings have written an
E- Mail, taking the place of what at one time was the Round Robin. But
with brother Kurt's illness I didn't get to that ritual. Yesterday many
members of the family and friends gathered to celebrate his victory in
Christ and be strengthened even as we mourn our loss. We will sorely
miss him, his phone calls and E-mails which were unique and special. In
his last E-mail he taught me a new word, (phrenology) a study of the time
schedule of plants and insects etc. As I think of Kurt I think of him as
a gentle spirit with solid convictions who rested in the grace of God in
Christ Jesus and enjoyed fully the gifts and granduer of God's creation.
We will sorely miss him but are grateful that he is at home with his Lord
and Savior. We pray for you, Betty, and your whole family that you may
know comfort and peace as you mourn your loss.
Recently Dorothy and I attended the funeral of one of our former
members. The pastor had as the title of his sermon, "Passed from death
to life." He emphasized that the one who had departed was now in the
land of the living while we are still in the land of the dying. The words
of Paul reflect that thought when he said , "I have a desire to depart,
and be with Christ, which is far better," When our youngest brother,
Lester, died our father told us of his departing with the words, "Lester
ist im Himmel" (Lester is in heaven). That thought was re-inforced with
what became for us "Lester's hymn" - ( Christ the life of all the living,
Christ the death, of death, our foe, Who Thyself for me once giving to
the darkest depth of woe, Madest reconciliation and didst save me from
damnation. Thousand, thousands thanks shall be, Dearest Jesus, unto
Thee). Some of you know it in a bit different translation but that is
the way we had learned it in the old, old, old hymnal. I couldn't help
but think of Grandpa Fred Bickel when Karen (Neuendorf) phoned me last
Saturday evening to tell of her dad's departure and shared these words,
"Uncle Eldor, Dad, is home with Jesus." She was following in the faith of
the Apostle Paul and her Grandpa Bickel. It was a comforting and faith
strengthening word for me. (In that vein I do want to thank brother
Kurt's whole family for their witness and faith strenthening E-mails and
in person sharing during the diffcult ordeal of Kurt's illness.) Kurt has
now joined all the saints of the Fred and Lydia Bickel family that have
preceded him. We wait for the reuniting.

A hymn verse that is reminder and comfort for me and hopefully also
for you during these days and always.
Oh. How blest are you whose toils are ended,
Who through death have unto life
ascended!
You have arisen from the cares
that keep us still in prison.

Come, O Christ, and loose the
chains that bind us;
Lead us forth and cast this world
behind us.
With Thee, the Anointed,
Finds the soul its joy and rest
appointed.

Of First Importance - Christ died for our sins!
Christ rose again for our
justification!

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia
Because He lives, we shall live also!
(The words printed on the memorial stone
at the entranceto the Amelith cemetery-
purchased by the children and spouses of
Fred and Lydia Bickel)

With love, Eldor and Dorothy

(Pass this E-Mail to any of your family members who you feel
might desire to receive it.)

-I am aware these names don't mean anything to any of you. But my Grandfather wrote this the day after his younger brother's funeral and sent it out to the family. This is what God meant when he said in
Joel 1:3- "Tell it to your children,
and let your children tell it to their children,
and their children to the next generation."

and

Psalm 78:1-7- " O my people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.

I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter hidden things, things from of old-

what we have heard and known,
what our fathers have told us.

We will not hide them from their children;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
his power, and the wonders he has done.

He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our forefathers
to teach their children,

so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.

Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands."