I am Andy, Jill's brother. The memorial service for Jill at her home church, Keltys First Baptist, in Lufkin, Tx was wonderful. The sanctuary was filled with probably 400 plus people, all of whom were heartbroken as we [mourned] over the loss of such a special person. Pastor Mark Livingston preached about the things that Jill loved - Jesus, God's Word, discipleship, missions, her church, her family, her husband Scott, and her son Bryce. It was an opportunity for those in attendance to hear the word of God preached boldly as I'm sure she would have wanted. We then had a time for several people to publicly share some memories they had of her followed by a time of prayer with as many as wanted all gathered around our family at the alter. We dismissed with 2 verses of Amazing Grace, sung accapella by everyone and what a joyful noise it was! For nearly another hour, folks waited to speak to all of us, greive with us, and encourage us. So many have offered so much to see that our needs are met and for this we are very thankful. I described Jill's life in an email earlier today as 34 years of high impact on the people she was around and the crowd tonight was just a small sample of the numerous ones she touched in some way or another.
Thank you Andy for your report, and please know we love your family and have been blessed beyond measure by your sister.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
A Post By Jill's Brother On the Memorial at Lufkin
Posted by JB at 7:59 AM
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5 comments:
I'm Robyn, Jill's first cousin, and I wanted to say also what a wonderful memorial service it was at Keltys. During the service, I found myself so intrigued and amazed about my "cuz" and the impact that she had on so many people. How I wish I could be like her! My mind wandered into the realm of memories that I have about Jill and my other family members that are in heaven with her now. Jill was the little sister that I never had and I'm so proud of her! It was a joy to watch her grow into the wonderful and amazing woman that she was. I will remember the times that we shared together playing at "Mimaw's" house...playing with barbies, dressing up in Mimaw's costume jewelry for our fashion shows, making up songs on the piano, recording sillyness on the cassette player which we turned into our own radio show, and so many other memories that make me laugh out loud as I sit and write this. Jill was so very talented in so many ways. I will miss her deeply, but I know that one day I will see her and my other loved ones again... Oh what a blessed day that will be when the Lord takes me home!
I think it would help add meaning to this if we could see some reasons why God took Jill from us. I was just talking on the phone to a friend of mine who was at the memorial service last night. He said there was a man there that he & I both know who by his lifestyle is not saved. As the word was preached, he became very unconfortable. When the church gathered in the alter to pray, he began to ask others around him what was happening. That man heard the Gospel message last night (maybe for the first time) and he witnessed the love of Christians as they ministered to my family. A seed has been planted in his mind and I know that he personally is in major personal struggles at present. I ask this question to those that knew my wonderful sister - Would she have sacrificed her life to bring others or even just one such as this man that she barely knew to Christ? I know she would want to be used in a mighty way, even in death. It would be wonderful for others that may see how God uses this to further his Kingdom to relay details back so that Scott, Bryce, my mother & father, Janice & Charles, my sons Aaron & Adam, and my wife Lea & I along with a host of other family and friends could know. Early Sunday morning while we were waiting on what looked like would be the bad news, we gathered together and prayed for a miracle that would shake the foundations of that hospital. I see now that God may be working a greater miracle, many miracles that could reach across several states and even into other countries. We prayed small but I thing God will answer BIG!
Just wanted the family to know my husband, Jason Aultman, preached Sunday morning at Antioch in Conway and shared Jill's wonderful life testimony all through his sermon. Then when the inviation came, we had a young woman come to the alter and accepted Christ in her heart right there.
God is at work and souls are already coming to Him!! Praise His name!!! Jill lived her life for Him and now even in her death, her love for Him is bringing others to the Father!
Toya Aultman
Toya, thank you for sharing that story! That is a WONDERFUL testament to the sort of life Jill lived, but also the God we serve. Nothing He does is in vain!!
Andy, you and your family are in my prayers. What a beautiful little sister you have - inside and out - and what blessing she has been to so many - in life and in death. My husband is a chaplain at the Baptist hospital in Beaumont, and organ donation is such a special way to pass on the gift of life. I pray for each person who receives that gift from Jill.
Joy Freeman Schwartz
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