Derek writing: Earlier tonight the Lord called my grandpa home. Jon Rouch, my mom's dad who lives in Sebring, Florida, was 81 and his health had been deteriorating more quickly in recent months so it was not entirely unexpected. Grampa's pastor and the pastor's wife were with him when he passed and although he had been in significant pain over the last day or two, they reported that he went in peace.

From the Word of God - John 14:1-6
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."

Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Earlier in his life, my grandpa was a missionary doctor in Africa. He always was very interested in my life and in what was going on with my family. He loved Jesus and he was always sharing his faith with others. In fact, I know that he would want me to take this opportunity to ask you, "Would you like to know God personally?"

I will always remember him fondly and be thankful for the way he desired to see me grow in my relationship to Christ. Most of the books in my collection of Bible reference books and commentaries that I have used extensively throughout my few years in ministry, came as generous gifts from my grandpa. When I was young he started referring to himself as "Grandpa on the Lake" and sign his letters GOTL because he lived in a cabin on Lake Chautauqua in New York. I have great memories of a trip that Jaron and I took to visit him there when we were young. Amy got to meet him when we took a trip to visit him in Sebring several years ago. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to have a great conversation with him on the phone not too long ago. It was definitely a conversation that grandpa thought could be our last. We reminisced, shared stories, he encouraged me and I was able to thank him for what he's meant to me.

I'm definitely sad... and it just seems a bit strange right now to think that he's gone... but I am so happy that he's with Jesus! Bye Grandpa... I'll miss you... but I'll see you again someday.

The words of an old hymn:
"When We All Get To Heaven"

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus;
Sing his mercy and his grace.
In the mansions bright and blessed
He'll prepare for us a place.

[Refrain:]
When we all get to heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We'll sing and shout the victory!

Onward to the prize before us!
Soon his beauty we'll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open;
We shall tread the streets of gold.
[Refrain]