Three years ago today Elisa’s beautiful and kind mother finished her journey on earth. As a tribute to her kindness and love, we share one of her most favorite songs “My Kindness Shall Not Depart From Thee.”

This song comes from one of Julia’s favorite scriptures, marked by a green tab in her well-worn scriptures, found in the Book of Isaiah, chapter 54, verses 7-8 and 10.

“For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer… For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.”

Julia was a kind soul. She loved her children, her grandchildren, and children everywhere. She was an uniter of people as demonstrated by her frequent “cousin lunches.” Her greatest gift of kindness was how she saw potential in everybody, a gift I am personally most grateful for. Click here to read more of how Julia saw potential in everyone.

O DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING

Losing one we deeply love to the mortal finality of death can feel like we have been forsaken by the Lord.

“O death, where is thy sting?” we might cry out in anguish. “O grave, where is thy victory?”

While the sting of death is very real, it’s a temporary state of separation whereas the victory wrought over the grave is permanent because of the atonement and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ.

As you seek the gift of hope that fills the empty void, heals the pain of anguish, and delivers on the promise that life does exist beyond the grave, may you also experience the “everlasting kindness [that] shall not depart from thee.”

We share with you this beautiful arrangement of “My Kindness Shall Not Depart From Thee” performed by Dallyn Vail Bayles with pianist Paul Cardell.

Have a beautiful Sunday!

We love you!

Les & Elisa