If You Told Me That Secretly Jill Had Found a Cure for Cancer I Wouldn't Be Surprised

This was in a comment below...


My name is Sparky Hamilton. I am from Lufkin, Texas. I knew Jill and Scott very well. When I heard the news, I was very, very hurt. Jill and my sister, LaTonya Hamilton, played on the same softball team when I was little. I must admit that if it wasn't for Jill, I wouldn't be here today. I was playing by the pool one night when nobody was loooking and accidently fell in and I couldn't swim. I drank so much pool water it wasn't even funny. Jill got there at the last minute right when I saw my life flash before my eyes and jumped in grabbed me. My parents and my sister couldn't stop thanking her that night. Since then, I couldn't forget her. The last time I saw here was in Arkansas at fan day when I was playing in 2003. She still had that pretty smile like always. If you would please pass this email on to her husband Scott and tell him to call me or email @ Larry.Hamilton@erac .com or 832-443-2334. Thankyou so much for doing this.

God's Provision

It was amazing to see two guys who were obviously devastated by this to be able to get up in front of a crowd of 700+ people and give such amazing messages. They were truly carried along in those times. If you were there you know what I'm talking about. God gave a special provision of his grace to them to get them through the most difficult day in either of their lives so far. I always thought very highly of Clif Johnson and considered him a great friend, but he has truly become one of my heroes this week. I have loved Adam Thomas like a brother (still do), but I've seen a side of him that I haven't seen before, and I'm anticipating God doing great things through this tragic event.

I've never been to a funeral where the person actually preached their own funeral. If you were there, that is what you witnessed (more on this later).

I just wanted to say thank you to all of Scott and Jill's friends that came. The friends they have are any indication of the type of person Jill was, and she was certainly honored by a great group of people.

The Funeral

The funeral service was phenomenal. There were two of the best sermons I have ever heard. The service will be up on the Wyatt website in the next few days. Scott did very well throughout the services, and on the way back to his house he said that the visitation, the funeral and the graveside were very helpful for him. I am amazed and thankful for God's provision of grace during this time for Scott. He's got a long way to go, but there will be a ton of people around him to support him.

Jill's Memorial Service At Keltys First Baptist

Click here.

The Visitation

A quick note before I begin working on the service for tomorrow.
The visitation went very well. There were 400+ people (my guess) at the funeral home tonight. There was so much love and comfort poured out on Scott, his family and the Jarvis family. I know they were very appreciative. I got to meet many of the people who came, and it was such (another) testimony to the far reaching effects of Jill's life.

I had so many people thank me for the blog and I want to say again how much of an honor (and therapy) it has been for me to be able to serve during this difficult time. I think I have been more helped than anyone else. I found that when I wasn't able to talk, I was able to type, so that's what I did.

Jill's Family Is Here

They are here now and Scott is greeting them. They will go from here to the funeral home.

Today So Far

Scott got a good night's sleep last night. They had the family viewing today at 1:30. Emily and I were privileged to be able to go with him and his parents. Scott and his parents went in first and we stood outside and prayed for comfort and peace for Scott in that moment. Scott was very strong, stronger than I was. She was beautiful and peaceful.

Afterwards, Scott, Clif and I went for a walk around the block and were able to talk about how we might minister to him in the coming days, the fellowship was sweet.

Earlier we found out that Jordan Thomas will be preaching at our church this Sunday, what an incredible act of love for a hurting brother.

The Jarvis family is on the way in and will be here around 5. They will have time to go to the funeral home and see Jill.

Scott is holding up amazingly well right now, and I pray that God would continue to sustain him. I've heard of God giving an extra measure of grace to people in difficult times, now I can say that I've seen it and perhaps even experienced it some.

A Video of Scott

I asked Scott if I could take a video or two of him for those of you who cannot be here with him.
Enjoy.

A Post By Jill's Brother On the Memorial at Lufkin

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.

A Day of Mercies

I was talking with Scott a little while ago and he said that today was good. I felt like he had some much needed emotional rest from the turbulent past couple days. I know there are some really tough days ahead, and I'm thankful that he had a day of rest before tomorrow and Wednesday.

Scott is going to get through this. It will not be easy, it will require many of us rallying around him, and ministering to him selflessly as he and Jill have ministered to us so selflessly in the past. He will be changed, and he will have a deep wound that will never heal, but I believe God will grant him the grace to bear it.

I have had one verse William Cooper's song God Moves In a Mysterious Way going through my mind all day.

His purposes will ripen fast
Unfolding every hour
The bud may have a bitter taste (this bud certainly has an immeasurably bitter taste)
But sweet will be the flower

Some of us were praying before Scott got home today and I prayed that verse. After the prayer Clif and Adam both told me that they had been thinking of that song today. It is very appropriate, and it would do you much good to meditate on it.

I saw first hand what it looks like to bear one another's burdens today. I am so proud to be a part of a church that takes that task seriously. I can't brag too much on our deacons, they can deac with the best of them. I was so encouraged by the way people have gathered around Scott and began working on the church, and worked together to make sure Scott doesn't have to worry about anything. Our church is showing an incredible amount of love for their pastor. Keep it up.