TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

“Be joyful always, pray continually and give thanks in every circumstance for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

How thankful we are for the blessings of family and friends who supported us during these past months and recent weeks since Paul’s decline, hospitalization and death; and then at the internment and two Memorial services. The first one was held at Paul’s family’s home church, The Reformed Presbyterian Church, in Winchester, Kansas, where he grew up in the foundation of his faith. The second one was at our current church, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, just this Thursday, here in California. At MPPC and through Bible Study Fellowship, both of us grew in our knowledge and understanding of what and whom we believe. This was through the teachings and study of God’s Word so faithfully preached by our many pastors and teaching leaders.

Paul’s brother, Rev. David Hensleigh, gave the message in Winchester, which focused on “For I know in Whom I believe”. Rev. Rick Langeloh and Rev.,John Ortberg conducted the second service, which focused on 1 Corinthians chapter 15, passages of which were read by Vip Patel earlier. Son Drew and 3 friends and colleagues spoke next. (Dr. Ted Fainstat, Dr. Suellen Miller who brought a message from Dr. Dosu Ojengbede, of Nigeria, and Dr. Hudd Targgart.) They reflected on their many years of seeing Paul’s love and service to his friend, Jesus Christ, and how he was called to serve both here in the Stanford area, as well as in so many worldwide places because of his faith.

Our entire family have been uplifted by tremendous gifts of love, calls, visits, cards, e-mails and food, which helped us walk through this process. It’s hard to believe Paul is gone; with his many trips overseas on missions, it seems like he should soon be returning, but there isn’t a call reminding me to go to the airport to meet him. Drew and family, as well as Michelle and her family, have been here helping with all the multitude of details, arrangements and direction of things next to do. Michelle and Drew also put together the obituaries, the program and the multimedia show of pictures of Paul with family, friends and events over his 68 years.

Invaluable also was Paul’s sister, Joye Huston, who was here visiting when Paul collapsed. After his death, we made arrangements to take his ashes to be interred in the home family cemetery plot by the church. Joye then returned home to begin all the details for make arrangements for the return of all six out of town siblings/ families and extended relatives who came home to say farewell to Paul and support us. Brother Robb and wife Peg had the family farmhouse ready to host two days of dinners and company, so they made for a very special family reunion out of such a sad situation.

If you would like a copy of the beautiful program and obituary, with pictures of Paul, please e-mail me at paulhens@stanford.edu and I will send one in due time. With Drew back in Elk Grove now, and Michelle and family returning to London Sunday, it will be a new era for me. The joy is that I also have Jesus as my friend and the Lord has given me so many friends here to walk with me in these next days. We know prayer has sustained all of us and we do give thanks that Paul is released from his pain and is with our Abba Father in heaven. To God be the glory! In His Peace and Joy, Bonnie