Both at the memorial service, which was attended by over 500 people, and since then the Mulligan family has experienced God's grace in the form of the body of believers. The community of our local body (Crossway Community Church) and believers literally around the world have poured out their thoughts, well wishes, support, and prayers.
We have received kind words, cards, flowers, and hundreds of chats, likes, posts, and other forms of electronic encouragement. Some are just a few words, others are moving remembrances of Jenny's life and impact that she had on their lives.
The outpouring has been meaningful, moving, and has allowed us to further appreciate the lives that were touched by Jenny and the far reaching impact that those encounters produced.
We are doing well, God's grace is sufficient for each day for us, as it is for each of you!
Friday, June 27, 2014
Thursday, June 19, 2014
The ultimate outpouring of grace
Jenny is now experiencing the grace that surpasses all others, she is seeing her savior face-to-face. What was only able to be viewed dimly is now being experienced in it's full glory. The grace that we have enjoyed throughout this journey is now being fully expressed in being able to enter the everlasting kingdom of our heaven father without spot or blemish because of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross on our behalf. She is robed in his righteousness and she is worshiping like she never has before!
We will be celebrating Jenny's life which was full of grace and lived for God's glory this Sunday at Crossway Community Church in Charlotte NC at 2:00pm.
We will be celebrating Jenny's life which was full of grace and lived for God's glory this Sunday at Crossway Community Church in Charlotte NC at 2:00pm.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
An eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison
Jenny has spent the last 36 hours or so in bed, in a semi-awake state, as I observe her sleeping, in a state of transition from being on this earth to going to her eternal home, I wonder what she is experiencing. The sentiments expressed by Paul in his letter to the Corinthians come to mind.
"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
I am hoping that she is starting to get visions of the unseen, eternal things. She seems at peace, opening her eyes every once in a while, then she slips back into slumber. She has run the race well, preparing for that weight of glory...
Thank you all for your prayers and support.
"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
I am hoping that she is starting to get visions of the unseen, eternal things. She seems at peace, opening her eyes every once in a while, then she slips back into slumber. She has run the race well, preparing for that weight of glory...
Thank you all for your prayers and support.
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Sorry that I have not posted in a while
A number of you have given me some feedback that I haven't posted in a while, which is very true. We have had a busy month of May with the boys having the Movie premier in Charlotte last week and then n Portland OR this week-end. We also had the opportunity to spend a few days at the beach with most of the family, which was very nice.
Jenny remains about the same, she has a remarkable attitude towards all the changes that she has had to endure as a part of this journey. Last week we had the hospital bed delivered and moved some furniture out of my office so that we had the option of not having to try and make the assent up the 15 steps to get her to bed each night. She seems to like the new arrangements, since going up and down the stair was sometimes an adventure and always took a lot of energy. The options and flexibility of mobility, eating what you want, and being able to go where ever you want have all been taken away from her, but her attitude is always amazing, and not one of complaining or bitterness as I am sure mine would be. What a grace that God has given her to take this path.
One of the high spots of each day is when we do our devotions. We are reading through the bible and currently are in Isaiah 25, where he is painting the picture of the grand feast at the end of time, when the Lord brings his chosen people together and takes away the covering of death that was upon us.
He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken. It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”
(Isaiah 25:8-9 ESV)
When we get to the end of a passage like that Jenny just says "Amen"...I agree.
Jenny remains about the same, she has a remarkable attitude towards all the changes that she has had to endure as a part of this journey. Last week we had the hospital bed delivered and moved some furniture out of my office so that we had the option of not having to try and make the assent up the 15 steps to get her to bed each night. She seems to like the new arrangements, since going up and down the stair was sometimes an adventure and always took a lot of energy. The options and flexibility of mobility, eating what you want, and being able to go where ever you want have all been taken away from her, but her attitude is always amazing, and not one of complaining or bitterness as I am sure mine would be. What a grace that God has given her to take this path.
One of the high spots of each day is when we do our devotions. We are reading through the bible and currently are in Isaiah 25, where he is painting the picture of the grand feast at the end of time, when the Lord brings his chosen people together and takes away the covering of death that was upon us.
He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken. It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”
(Isaiah 25:8-9 ESV)
When we get to the end of a passage like that Jenny just says "Amen"...I agree.
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Looking Forward to Easter!
This is a time given to us on our calendars to reflect upon the resurrection of our Lord, the overcoming of sin and death, of the new body, and eternal life. I was thinking this morning about the shortness of Jesus' years on earth - only 33. It was not too short, there were not things left undone, he didn't have a "bucket list" with items still unfulfilled. It was perfect, His life was exactly as God his father intended it to be, just as each of ours are, for those of us who are submitted to His lordship.
Jenny spend many hours a day sleeping, she doesn't have many items on her to do list, her calendar is not full of appointments, she is at peace. I take great comfort that She is right where God has placed her, in this place, at this time, totally at peace, knowing that on the other side of this life is one far better and forever.
As we mark this weekend as a time of remembering the death and resurrection of our Savior, I am so thankful that he has removed our fear of death and is our model of complete trust and acceptance of the grace and love shown by our loving father in heaven.
May all of you enjoy God's peace this easter....
Jenny spend many hours a day sleeping, she doesn't have many items on her to do list, her calendar is not full of appointments, she is at peace. I take great comfort that She is right where God has placed her, in this place, at this time, totally at peace, knowing that on the other side of this life is one far better and forever.
As we mark this weekend as a time of remembering the death and resurrection of our Savior, I am so thankful that he has removed our fear of death and is our model of complete trust and acceptance of the grace and love shown by our loving father in heaven.
May all of you enjoy God's peace this easter....
Friday, April 4, 2014
Jennypalooza!
It has been quite a week - we celebrated Jenny's 52nd birthday in grand style. We started out the celebration with a family dinner with a few friends and a huge quantity of shrimp and grits, spending some time recanting all of the things that we so appreciate about Jenny. It was a meaningful and wonderful time.
The 2nd night of the Jennypalooza was spent with another group of friends, worshiping together and thanking God for all of his goodness and grace that He has shown towards us. It allow allowed us to all be together as a family, a rare occurrence these days, so we had an impromptu family picture taken.
The 2nd night of the Jennypalooza was spent with another group of friends, worshiping together and thanking God for all of his goodness and grace that He has shown towards us. It allow allowed us to all be together as a family, a rare occurrence these days, so we had an impromptu family picture taken.
On day three of the celebration, we went out to eat with some friends and again enjoyed the Jennypalooza with ice cream and fried tortillas at a local mexican restaurant.
So, it has been a wonderful week of celebration, family gathering, and worshiping the Lord. Also this week we have started meetings with hospice and will be getting together with them today to map out a plan for the future, as always we appreciate your support and prayers. Thank you all for your birthday cards, facebook notes, emails, flowers, chocolate covered strawberries, and all of the other birthday related kindnesses we are overwhelmed at your love poured out in so many ways...
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
A week to remember
Last week we participated in the Charlotte Brain Tumor Race, which was an event to raise money to help find cures for brain cancer. We had over 70 people sign-up to be a part of the "Running for Jenny" team.. Collectively we raised over $7,500 towards the cause. Below is a picture of Jenny and one of the sweet nurses from the infusion center that joined us on Saturday.
The week-end brought many people together including workmates, family members, neighbors, and church members as we enjoyed the beautiful day together. It was a blast to be together. Jenny's brother was also able to arrange a lay-over in Charlotte for a couple of days on his way back to PA from a business trip in TX. It was wonderful for them to be able to spend time together.
Getting everyone together also allowed us to have some really good discussion about the treatments approach that Jenny has been following and the best direction to go from here. Based on discussions with family, friends that are in frequent contact with Jenny, and our oncologist, Jenny has determined that the benefits of the current treatments no longer outweighed the time, energy, and side effects, so we are not going to continue the infusions and chemo any longer.
Please continue to pray for us, for strength and peace for Jenny, and wisdom for the all of use, and we continue along this journey. We had a wonderful encouragement from the pulpit on Sunday from Psalm 78, where we were reminded that we should "...put our trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands."
Even now, we do not forget God's deed of grace and mercy which has be showered upon us, so we keep his command to trust in his goodness and kindness towards us.
The week-end brought many people together including workmates, family members, neighbors, and church members as we enjoyed the beautiful day together. It was a blast to be together. Jenny's brother was also able to arrange a lay-over in Charlotte for a couple of days on his way back to PA from a business trip in TX. It was wonderful for them to be able to spend time together.
Getting everyone together also allowed us to have some really good discussion about the treatments approach that Jenny has been following and the best direction to go from here. Based on discussions with family, friends that are in frequent contact with Jenny, and our oncologist, Jenny has determined that the benefits of the current treatments no longer outweighed the time, energy, and side effects, so we are not going to continue the infusions and chemo any longer.
Please continue to pray for us, for strength and peace for Jenny, and wisdom for the all of use, and we continue along this journey. We had a wonderful encouragement from the pulpit on Sunday from Psalm 78, where we were reminded that we should "...put our trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands."
Even now, we do not forget God's deed of grace and mercy which has be showered upon us, so we keep his command to trust in his goodness and kindness towards us.
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