We had a beautiful Christmas. We made sure we had fun, she would want that. We exchangd gifts and took silly cousin pictures outside like we had since they were little. We played games around the table and laughed. We had a lot to be thankful for. What a wonderful day of us all taking turns sitting in with her. What a great family, everyone had a part in it.
In the morning she was pretty awake and aware of the day. She knew it was Christmas. She recognizes everyone around her once she focused on you. When Becky walked in in the morning, she said, "Hi Becky." She gave us detailed instructions on how to move her, complete with a "on 1 - 2 - 3." Through out the day she declined real fast. But she was very talkative. It seems as she was so busy in her brain. She was making plans. I like to think she was talking to her guardian angel. She kept talking about what they were going to do and where they were going to go.
One of the best parts, I think, was when most of her nieces and nephews were hanging out around her, and she was praying out loud. She keep saying the words to the old song we used to sing years ago. She had every word down.
"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
There's just something about that name.
Master, Savior, Jesus
Like the fragrance after the rain.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Let all heaven and earth proclaim.
Kings and kingdoms shall all past away,
But, there's something about that name"
There's just something about that name.
Master, Savior, Jesus
Like the fragrance after the rain.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Let all heaven and earth proclaim.
Kings and kingdoms shall all past away,
But, there's something about that name"
After that she just kept saying "In Jesus name, Jesus name, Jesus name."
What a great life and love for her Savior she was showing us all.
What a great life and love for her Savior she was showing us all.
Another time she was saying "she was going to the house" and "Brenda was in the house". No doubt to us where she was going and who she was going to see when she got there, Jesus and Brenda, among others.
I will post later details of memorial services. We'll have have one for her family and friends in Placerville and another for all her Montana family and friends in Kalispell. It shouldn't be too hard putting it together, Rhonda already planned it. You know, Rhonda the planner!
Precious family... it blesses our hearts beyond description to know that Rhonda was able to share Christmas with her loved ones, at home, just as she wanted. I have tears on my cheeks, but a smile on my face because her last Christmas with family "here" is also her first Christmas with family "there." To share how she knew "Brenda is in the house..." you just can't help but sigh with relief. Ron handed her hand over to Jesus and her Sister, how comforting is that? We are praying over all of you, knowing how emotionally hectic the coming days will be. We pray the confident assurance of the joy of reunion in your future will be your source of peace and strength. We love you. Ron's cousin, Karen and husband, Dan.
ReplyDeleteThanks Penny,
ReplyDeleteI have just read this to Grandma. She is glad that Rhonda is no longer suffering but we are prayig for all of you.
Love David (for Pam and the kids!)
What a beautiful Christmas story....thank you so much for sharing. I will continue to pray for your family. Katie Chamberlain - former employee of Flathead Building Association. They just had a spectacular home in our Parade of Homes last fall.
ReplyDeleteGod bless everyone who had the honor of knowing Rhonda during her brief visit here, especially Ron and the kids. I'll never forget our times of worship together.
ReplyDeleteRon, it's largely because of your faith that the news of Rhonda's passing seems 'right'-- not just because she has no more pain, but because of the peace it brings to know that you and Rhonda have brought your children up to rely on the Lord. You have provided the example, and you continue to do so.
Thank you for that. Thank you for living a life together that has been such real evidence of the Lord's peace and goodness. It shows that your peace will continue; that the Lord who has already given you his peace before, is able to do so now.
We love you very much,
Jeff & Julie Moon
Thank you, Penny! from all the Montana Catletts and Daltons. Your updates have been precious to us and have helped us to cope from day to day. We appreciate all of you taking such good care of Rhonda for the past month and then thru these last few days.
ReplyDeleteWe love you all,
the Montana Caletts and Daltons
Beautiful.
ReplyDeletePenny, Thank you for all the love that you put into each message/update on Rhonda.
ReplyDeleteBlessings from our family to yours
Ron, Ronnie & Becky, We are sending out love, hugs and prayers to you all.
ReplyDeleteWally & Betty, Our hearts go out to you. Know that our prayers and love are for you also and your boys and their families.
Blessings,
Thank you Penny and all of you as a family, for sharing this very private time with us. Penny's updates brought us right into your home, and for us who love you that was a precious gift.
ReplyDeleteRhonda's faith shined as brightly as the Christmas Star did on that first Christmas so very long ago. She was a shining example of Heb.11 "Faith being the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen."
She showed us all, especially those of you that were there with her on her journey, a glimpse of what we can confidently hope for.
Please know that we are praying for you and let us know if there is anything we can do.
Love
Byron, Chris & Jeff
Ron and Family - Wow what a Christmas Miracle you have all experienced. Rhonda is now walking with the Angels. What a gift Jesus gave to Rhonda and each of you with the special moments that took place leading up to her release from her earthly home to her eternal home. May you and all your family find peace in those special moments and time shared. Your faith has truly been felt by all of us who are sharing in this journey and will be remembered and cherished. Becky couldn't have said it better with her text. Life is precious and God given. We all will continue to hold you and your entire family up in our prayers over the next minutes, hours and weeks to come. We love you all and will surely miss Rhonda. God be with all of you - Sue Ellyn, ClaraEllen, Jeri and Emma Anderson (Kalispell)
ReplyDeleteI have a memory of Ron and Ronda leading worship at the Christian Center years ago...the song was "Better is One Day in Your Courts than a 1,000 Elsewhere" - taken from Psalm 84. Verse 4 says "Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising You." I am praying that Ron, Ronny, Becky, and all of us touched by Rhonda's life, would find a measure of comfort in knowing Rhonda is singing praises in the courts of God to the King of Kings. We are praying that God's grace, peace and strength will uphold you during this time.
ReplyDeleteThank you Penny. Your loving attention to keeping us informed is much appreciated. I updated Luanna and we both hold you and the family in our prayers. I was with my Dad when Jesus took him home and I hold that precious memory as though it were today. Please express our sorrow for the loss and our Joy that she is home in Heaven. Again thanks
ReplyDeleteTo all of you wonderful people:
ReplyDeleteAlthough my heart tears for the pain of your loss, Rhonda is a shining example of the power of faith and the existence of the hereafter with our Lord. It is for us to carry on down here, however we need too, in order to maintain some level of sanity. Rhonda is at peace, alongside Brenda and Jesus, waiting for the day when her family will again be reunited. Kathy and I love you all deeply and our prayers go forth in all of your names. God bless and big hugs
Michael and Kathy
Thank you so much Penny for allowing us to be part of Rhonda's journey of faith by keeping this blog.
ReplyDeleteOur hearts break for Wally & Betty, Ron and rest of family, but we are also filled with joy because Rhonda is now in Heaven where there are no tears or sorrow or suffering. That's our goal...to finish the race and have Jesus say "well done thou good and faithful servant". I'm sure that Jesus said those very words to Rhonda.
Our prayers and love are with you all,
Sharon and Don
Those we love, we hold in our hands for a little while...but they live in our hearts forever.
What a journey this has been! With our Family scattered from California to Montana, Minnesota to Virginia, we were ALL able to take it together ...because Penny created this Blog! You couldn't have given us a better gift Penny! Thank you sooo much!!
ReplyDeleteRon and kids...We're feeling your loss today, but we're also focusing on such good memories of Rhonda. Our hearts are heavy, and we're looking forward to seeing you in a few days.
Hugs/Kisses and prayers for you today!
Call us if you need us for anything!
Love,
Aunt Betty & Uncle Bob
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints," Ps. 116:15.
ReplyDeleteKind of jealous..Jesus and Brenda...How I long for that day; but not quite yet. How amazing to think that Rhonda is more alive now than she ever was. Praying for the rest of you Catlett's and Burkey's. Love you so much.
barb
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ReplyDeleteI’m so thankful this morning for the Presence of His Grace in my life, and for the inspiring example it in of Ron & Rhonda's life.
ReplyDeletePenny, Nelda and I thank you for your faithfulness in your beautiful and loving expressions. It is truly a gift of God to us through you.
In my devotions this morning: Is 25.1 "Oh Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago."
Understand each step in the path? No....
Recognizing His Faithfulness along the way?...
Priceless!!
What a beautiful, peaceful passing. It is a precious example of the beauty of the transition from this life - how it should be. There are those who are not prepared - those left behind struggle because of things that were not dealt with and things that were left unsaid. Then there is the RIGHT way; thank you so much for allowing us to understand, even if from a distance, what it should be like. Even in her passing, Rhonda was teaching, with a shining example of Christ in her and through her. Thank you for your faithfulness in posting this blog, Penny, and allowing those of us who have loved Rhonda and have been touched in some way by her life, to be included in the intimacy of this time with your family, while still maintaining your much needed privacy. My heart is with your family, it is heavy for your loss as I know the coming days will be difficult ones for each of you in different ways. I continue to pray for you all, for strength, for God to continue to cover you in his grace and mercy, to wash you in his peace and that you will continue to feel the comfort of his palpable presence. Your family is loved by so many.
ReplyDeleteRon Becky and Ronny;
ReplyDeleteWe are so grienved by the loss of your beloved wife and mother. We are releived to hear she is no longer in pain and flying high with the angels. Our love to you all as you face life going on. Blessings
John, Tami, Hope and Grayce
Rhonda was so blessed to have such a kind,caring family. You created such a warm, wonderful atmosphere for her final days here on earth. You have enriched all our lives by sharing this experience.
ReplyDeleteRhonda can now look forward to her next adventure in Heaven. She will always be watching over all of you just as you so tenderly cared for her.
Penny, thank you for all the inspiring updates. You surely are an "Earthly Angel".
All our love and prayers to all of you,
Rosie, Deshel, Debbie & Cindy
The "Off Broadway Familly"
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ReplyDeleteWe are heavily grieved that the Catlett's and the Burkey's have had to say their temporary goodbyes to yet another daughter, wife, sister, and mother. We are also elated in the knowledge that Rhonda sits with Jesus and Brenda and Grandpa Ken in their heavenly home.
ReplyDeleteThank you Penny for this continuous information you provided for us all on this blog. It must have been very hard, but also a bit cathartic as your love for Rhonda and our Lord was so readily apparent.
God will continue to bless all of us who call ourselves His believers, and our grieving processes will strengthen our faith.
Dan and Sherry
To our dear friends:
ReplyDeleteThe blessing of this blog site is so precious to all those of us who have enjoyed the friendship and fellowship of so many throughout the years in this body of faith, and what a joy it is in the midst of sorrow to speak of all the many memories shared by so many in times of joy and sorrow. We want to express our heartfelt thanks to all of the Burkey's and Catletts for the shared gifts of faith, hope, and love which has been so abundantly poured out in these pages, and the shared expressions of love and concern for Rhonda, Ron, Becky, and Ronnie as well as the other lives who have been and will be impacted by Rhonda's homegoing in the days ahead. To each of you we want to let you know that the Holy Spirit will be faithful in surrounding each of you in the love of God, and will be the source of strength for every moment. "We sorrow not" is a contradiction of terms only believers can appreciate, and what a glorious hope and promise we have together.
May the peace of God dwell richly in each of you, and be assured we'll have you in our thoughts and prayers in the days to come.
Penny, your faithful labor of love has been a blessing to all of us, and we thank you so much.
Larry & Linda Krogedal
Thank you for sharing the last days of the BEAUTIFUL Christ-centered life of Rhonda, and her precious family's love. What an incredible testimony to all of us! Our love and prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteNoel and Marilyn
Kalispell
I am saddened about Rhonda's recent passing, but I am also excited that she is now with Jesus, her Savior! Her faith has been so strong and it was reflective in her life... even to the end! I'm so thankful that she had her family close by her side... what a comfort! I will continue to hold all of her family & many wonderful friends up in prayer & keep you close to my heart! I love you! PSALM 62: 5-8 NIV
ReplyDeletePraying for your precious family. So glad that all of you have Jesus to hang on to during this time.
ReplyDeleteJudy
Our prayers are with your entire family ~ Rhonda has her sweet reward ~ She was such an inspiration and demonstrated her Faith & Dedication to her Lord and Savior... May the Holy Spirit be evident to YOU ALL ~ through Strength, Wisdom, Help, Hope, Comfort, all covered by HIS amazing LOVE ~ Thanks for sharing your family and faith ~ It has strengthened all who have been praying and standing with you all... Love and prayers in Christ, Karl & Dorcas (Tabitha Truka's parents in OKC,OK).
ReplyDeleteRon and family,
ReplyDeleteWe are so sorry for your loss. Thank you for your testimony of faith in a most difficult time. Our love and prayers are with you.
Stan & Janie
Kalispell
Ron and Family:
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for the loss of Rhonda. We love you.
-The Varros
Ron, Ronnie and Becky,
ReplyDeleteWe are so sorry for your loss.Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. We are here if you need anything. Please don't hesitate to ask.
With much love,
Terry, Alice, Ashley and Tyler Judd