A Farewell to John Fremling....

What a morning... the day to say Good bye to my beloved father in law John. It was sooooooo icy! We were so worried about people traveling from afar. We were preparing ourselves for this day... and it was here. One wonderful thing that happens when a loved one goes home to the Lord, is that the family gathers together. Vicki's (my mother in law) sister and her family were able to come from Colorado. Jill and Joseph stayed at Vicki's house, Jordan at Steve's, and we got the girls, Amanda and Alyssa, to stay at our home, as well as my parents. It is soooo wonderful to be surrounded by those you love!

Jere, Amanda, Alyssa and I squeezed into my parents car as ours was blocked in.... and we headed to Church. As we got closer to Church we noticed the flags of the color guard. We knew they would be there... but we didn't know so many (30 someone said?). It was absolutely amazing! John was very proud of his time that he served in the military. And these beautiful soldiers were lining the way for us. That caused me to tear up immediately. Jere let us out at the door, and a gentleman from the color guard opened the door for us. I told him, "Thank you so much for being here today. It really means so much." When we had talked to them on the phone. We were worried about the weather and how cold it would be... it was actually a bit warmer... hence all the ice, and we were assured that they would dress warm and take turns warming up. They were truly an "Honor Guard." If only John could've seen it... he would've been so very honored.

We got settled in at Church and I headed to the sound booth as I had a video that I had done a collage of pictures and also a segment of John's "Magic Pond". The "Magic Pond" was a soundless old 8mm video that he had made with his fishing buddy Chico. They had made it so that it went backwards, and the fish were jumping into their hands, into their hats, under their legs, etc... it was hilarious... and it was a perfect memory of him. I put the video in... it wouldn't load. Luckily for me, Pastor Dallas was standing there, as I started to panic... "It worked at home, I've done all these MOPS videos.... they all worked... I don't understand...." so we tried a different DVD player... and it worked. What a sigh of relief.

There were SOOOOO many people who came through, many who couldn't stay. The visitation went from 10 -12, with the funeral at 12. The Church was absolutely packed with only standing room, and they had overflow set up in the gymnasium. I keep wondering... if his funeral would be at a "normal" time of year, vs. Christmas time.... how many would've been there.... it was overwhelming and wonderful how all of these people were just pouring out their love to our family.

As the family walked in... it was incredible... Bryan was playing on the piano "He Lives!" it was so fitting, John would've loved it. We sat down. There were many representing the VFW on the one side of the auditorium... tons of wrestlers that were all very proud to have had John as their coach. I even met his first State Champion that I have heard about all these years. He was so proud of all of them. There were his fellow Gideons. One of my favorite memories of John was when he spoke for the Gideons at our Church last year, he actually got all choked up and was so angry with himself for doing so.... but you could TOTALLY see his passion for getting a Bible into the hands of those who do not know our Lord, so that they too may learn of his salvation, and come to know Christ. It was BEAUTIFUL! John touched so many lives for the Lord. It was such a blessing.

Then came a time for sharing. There was a song that was written when John retired from 17 years of coaching, "Big John"... it was a stitch... Noel Bailey read it.... It was a beautiful tribute to John. The last verse got us all though...

"Big John - Aitkin will never see another like this guy,
We don't have to say farewell or even good-bye
When you see him at the matches as a wrestling fan,
All will know there sits a big, big man - Big John"

And that was followed up with a lady who talked about how she thought she was married to her cousin, but then they weren't cousins... and John would tease her about that.... HUH?!! Talk about how to ruin a moment!!

The memories that people shared about John were precious. My daughter ended them all with the kicker.... "I went fishing with my Grandpa, and I got the biggest fish!" John was trying to say that his was pretty darn close to hers.... I could hear him mumbling something about it.... but he didn't do it in front of her.... competitive to the end... even with his own Granddaughter. I'm so glad that his last day was spent fishing with Jere and Kaila... he was so proud of how well she could reel them in, he spent REAL quality time with his wife cuddling and holding hands on the couch with NEVER happens, read through e-mails together..... one of which read... "be sure if you love someone to tell them before it's too late." So he told her he loved her and gave her a kiss. She went to bed as she had a cold... he went to bed later.... and woke up in the arms of the Lord. Can you imagine anything more beautiful?

A Morning I'll Never Forget....

As posted on Facebook:
My Status Read: Laurel thinks there is nothing like driving through a small town with a halo on. 8:24am - 3 Comments

Alyssa Hanson at 10:05am December 21
Now, see...this is the sort of Facebook status that requires illustration of some sort! ;)

Laurel Fremling at 8:40pm December 21
I know.... Unfortunately, no pictures, no performance... I got a frantic call the moment I arrove at Church this morning that my Father in Law had no pulse... we rushed to the house... but he had passed... He Loved the Lord with ALL his heart which makes it easier, but it was still so very hard.... and I still have glitter falling from my hair on top of it all.

My heart was absolutely breaking... but it had to make you smile to think of him meeting the Lord in all His GLORY! What an AMAZING event to look forward to... just so hard for those of us left behind who loved him so dearly....

Only in a Small Town

Today I had a deposit to make at the bank. Since my husband is gone to the Cities with the car, I usually end up driving his truck (I'm not good at parking the truck - but going straight forward I can do!). My daughter always is excited about going to the bank. She usually ends up with a lollipop.

I put my deposit in the little bin... and that's when I noticed it... I was higher and could see everything on the counter inside. On the counter, not only did they have the lollipops, they also had a bucket full of dog treats! Yes! Dog treats! I was so surprised to see them. I'll bet those dogs get just as excited to go to the bank as my daughter does! Only in a small town!

Hunting Opener

I woke up with much anticipation on Friday. It was the weekend that I was going to go and hang out with my friends from Crystal Free! We were on our way to the Hearts at Home Conference in Rochester. As the morning started, it was a typical morning.... Joel was up and playing quietly... and then Kaila joined him. I went and got them breakfast, got them dressed and went to take Joel to school.... that's when I realized.... it's HUNTING OPENER!

We don't live very far from the school, but far enough when it's cold to drive him to school.... OK who are we kidding... I drive him to school everyday because I'm always late and perhaps a bit lazy? As I drove to the stop sign that hits the main highway in our town... there was a parade going on... trucks, SUVs, ATVs, trailers.... all the manly vehicles ready to go and hunt! So I gunned it at a small opening to get across traffic. As we got closer to the school, we were stopped by the local traffic cop to let the busses out... I couldn't see behind me how far the vehicles were backed up... it was "as far as the eye could see"! I finally made the turn to the school. Luckily to return home, it was a right hand turn, and the opposite way of all of the City traffic that was coming.

I took off at noon, went to get Joel from school, I actually made it across decently... but the parade was still going! As we left town, I noticed something.... in a lot of the trucks/suvs they had placed their orange hunting hats in the front window. Is this a "rite of passage" for all the hunters? I don't think I've ever noticed hats in the front windshield like that before. Or is it just because they so bright that I just happened to notice them now?

It was a wonderful weekend, hunting traffic and all... I had a blast at the conference, my kids had a blast at my sister's playing with their cousin. And as we were traveling back.... some of the hunters had given up for the weekend... some were successful, some were not, and some with their orange cap in the front window.

FEET!

Today I was to have lunch at the local coffee house with my friend Lisa. Shortly before I left, Nikky called and asked if I would like to have lunch with her and Sandy. We all met together at the Coffee House. We were having so much fun, laughing and just having a good time.

Then Nikky looked at me. "Do you have the pictures for Tuesday?!", I was not following her at all….

"What pictures?"

She said "Sharon’s pictures"

"Huh?"

"Do you remember? The feet?!"

"OHHHH! YES!"

Then I looked at Sandy, "Quick! Take off your shoe! I need a picture of your feet!" Once we explained that we were preparing for April Fool’s Day. She took off her shoe so I could take a picture of her foot, and Lisa let us do the same, they both know Sharon.

Sharon has a foot phobia. She can not stand feet in any way, shape or form. How I found this out was last summer. I had sandals on, and was in the Church Office. My feet were really sore from working a funeral dinner that was being held. I’m like, "Nikky! Rub my feet! They’re sore!" and she said "Ok!"… she never did touch my feet…. It was said in a "joking" moment. Looked to over where Sharon was, and she looked SICK! Like she was going to gag or something and she was doubled over. Somehow it came out how she really hates FEET! Just the mention of feet can throw her over the edge.

So Nikky and I have been taking pictures of feet. We are planning to go in and post the pictures everywhere in Sharon’s area at Church. Put them in folders, in books, around her office… anywhere where she will find them… and hopefully no one else!

So anyhow! Back to lunch. We were cackling away and the local Sheriff came and sat down by us. He’s like "OK ladies! Now you have to start behaving yourselves!" And they all said that they weren’t the problem and proceeded to point at ME! So he told me he was watching me because I looked like trouble. I’ll tell you this… I am as innocent as they come!

So as he was leaving… he was harassing us a bit more (very nice fellow!) and I don’t know why but, I all of the sudden blurted out "Can I take a picture of your feet?!" Sometimes my mouth can be a problem… can’t get the words to go back in after they are spoken! He gave me the oddest look (wonder why?) to which I tried to explain "why"… my friends were cackling away…

Then after he left, my problem with my mouth happened again. We were talking… and they said "Now he’s going to find out where you live! And I said, "Oh… he’s already been to my house." Didn’t think at all about how that would sound.

"OH REALLY?!" they asked.

"Yes," I said, and then realized about how that sounded… and then the words just didn’t come at all! I couldn’t explain at all why he had been to my house!

After stumbling for awhile, I finally mentioned that he was at my house while campaigning… and that I wasn’t home… and…. UGH! Why don’t I just have a "shut off" valve on my mouth!

So shortly after the sheriff left Nikky’s Dad saw us and came to say "Hi!"… I wanted to get some packing peanuts for another friend in California for April Fools day…. So I was to go to his studio after we were done eating to get some, because he has TONS of them! So as I go to leave, and opened the door, all of the sudden the sheriff was walking by… and my friend Nikky? Yelled something, so he came in! With my hand still on the handle of the door. I tried to duck, but it was way too late! He’s like "I knew you were trouble! " and yelled back jokingly to the ladies in the back "Do you want me to take them out of here?" And then he asked me what I was driving… and my friend Nikky ACTUALLY GAVE HIM MY FULL NAME! (He’s her mom’s cousin) I’ll get her later!

So after all of that… I went to get my two HUGE garbage bags of packing peanuts! And was carrying them down the street. Waved at my friends in the coffee shop, was watching for the sheriff the whole time… I looked a bit odd carrying two big bags…. Hurried to the truck…. And WHEW! No Sheriff! Made it home, and now I think I’ll hibernate for a LONG time! Well… till I have to decorate Sharon’s office and mail the box of packing peanuts. Does anyone have a LARGE box? Oh…. And I never did get a picture of the sheriff’s feet! BUMMER!