This past Saturday, we said good-bye to our friend, Merle Smith. Merle was our sister-in-law, Lou-Anne's father. He was diagnosed with liver cancer this past fall, and completed his journey on earth last Tuesday. His wife Annabel sent the most inspiring message titled "Merle has reached his goal".Through the past 3 months, we received regular email updates, and praying daily that God would heal him. He is healed now, taken to heaven by his saviour. The funeral in Kelowna had at least 500 people there. I can't remember a more inspiring celebration of one person's life. As we sat waiting for the service to start, Mark and his sister, Nancy, and I could hear the people behind us talk of Merle's influence on their lives. Each of the pastors at the church spoke of Merle's friendship and their deep respect for him, looking to him as a mentor. We learned that in the past 8 years alone, Merle had counselled 500 couples, many attributing the fact that their marriages were still intact to Merle's influence and counsel. Blake, Mark's brother, gave a very moving and emotional eulogy. It was a great tribute to a life well-lived.
We spent time with friends and family who had travelled from many parts of the province and continent. We feel blessed to have known Merle in the half-dozen visits we had with him. We pray that his widow, Annabel, his daughter, Lou-Anne, Blake, Shalynn, Brandon, and the rest of his family find comfort and peace in their time of sorrow.
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