Thursday, July 3, 2014

A tribute to my mom Barbara H. Ford

This is what I shared at my mom's Memorial service. 
I want to thank you all for coming to share in this celebration of mom's life.  She really did have a very full long life. She had her priorities right. She loved the outdoors and took every opportunity to enjoy the waters, forests and gardens around her.  She shared that love with our family and the community through our annual cruise in the San Juan Islands, hosting sailing lessons in the back yard, and her work with the arboretum and botanical gardens. 

I also want to thank my brother Bruce for carrying the load this last year. Mom passed her adventurous spirit on to me and she always encouraged me to follow my dreams. I could not have done that without the support of all of my family.  I am thankful that I was able to FaceTime regularly with mom and was able to see her and talk to her (with Bruce's help) just two days before she went to be with The Lord, even though I was 5,000 miles away in the Marshall Islands, serving as the Captain of the Hawaii Aloha, a 74 foot Ketch for Youth With a Mission.

Three days before that I received a message on the Satellite Phone that mom  was not doing well. That morning we were drifting off Lib Island waiting for a local boat to take our medical team to shore.  There was a beautiful rainbow arching over the ocean. That sign from God gave me peace that mom was ready to go.

This last year has really stretched my faith. Everyday I face situations that I can't handle with my own strength or experience. It keeps me on my knees in prayer and through every circumstance God has proved himself faithful.  He is absolutely trustworthy.

I want to encourage you today, whatever circumstance you are facing take it to God, he is faithful.