I have just read about the death of Carla.Thank you B for the tribute and Becca for attending the funeral.My sincere thoughts to Carla's family at the difficult time.
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Stunned. Carla was a bright spot to me too. god bless and safe journeys to her.

Barb

I just found out about her death. She was a blessing and my prayers are for her family.

For those of us with MG and have noted the passing of many DS members, this is a sober reminder of our own mortality.

Here are some words of comfort that I have use while preaching many, many funerals of 37 years of ministry. May these words comfort all of us.

Revelation 21:1-7 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true." Then He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. "He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son."

I am looking forward to that day.

So sad. Also thinking of her family and friends here. I was always glad to read her contributions. Big love...

Carla's daughter, Chelsea, wrote this amazing message to me this morning:

"My mom, our mom is giving us so much courage and strength it's Almost unbelievable. My 3 sisters and myself went and dressed and did her hair yesterday morning. She wasn't in her body, but her spirit was no doubt In that room with us. A moment that started out sad and very difficult, quickly turned into a happy, once in a lifetime, unforgettable experience. It was something we never thought we could do, and something my mom would have done in a second. It was our last daughter mom makeover party, and she looked beautiful. And I know she is so proud of us and she loved her cute hair. ;-)"

When I asked if it was okay for me to share this with DS or if it was too personal, she responded with this message for all of us:

"Of course you may share it. And i would like you to Share all you can. My mom lived for sharing not only her love but also her life experiences with people, whether they be bad or good. She always knew that it was so important to let others know that no matter what trials you might be going through, there is a light at the end of that dark dreary tunnel, and she reassured everyone that she'd be right there by your side, whispering words of encouragement the whole way through. My mom always said " the right path is always the one less taken. That is because it is always the hardest, darkest, and at times the scariest road. And the wrong paths we sometimes walk down, seem easy at first, until we realize we've only walked in circles." Her teachings, advice, and love will never die. A part of her will live inside the hearts of many many people. I am so happy and proud I was able to share her with so many wonderful people. She has truly left an amazing legacy here on this earth. And I'll bet she is for once in her life able to see how amazing and wonderful she was/still is. She was loaned to us by our Heavenly Father for a little while, now its his turn to experience her amazing gifts. We love you all so much. And we truly thank you for your continuous support. I will keep her Facebook open. Maybe even post some silly short, an extremely long messages, just the way she always did. :-)"

My deepest sympathy and sincere condolences on the passing of your dear friend Carla. Today is her funeral and my heart is heavy for her family, friends, and all of you. Thank you B for the earlier tribute, and thank you Rosie for sharing her daughters words...amazing in so many ways.

May Thirteenblessingss strength and courage continue to give strength to her "daily strength" family.

I put a note to Carla's family and to Carla on my facebook page last week. Posting it here now for you and her family.

Sending my love to your family Carla!
The first time I met you I felt as if we had been friends forever.
I will miss the random texts and messages you would send. I will miss your sense of humor and your silliness. I will miss seeing the love that shined in your eyes. I will miss our conversations that would jump from one topic to the next as time would fly by.
The last thing you said to me is that you wanted to go dancing with me... I plan to keep our date! You told me recently that you love sunflowers because they symbolize life to you. Your spirit gets to dance with sunflowers now... free of limitations!
I love you my friend, Becca

Carla's funeral

I had the honor of attending Carla's funeral yesterday.

The crowd was large and it was difficult to tell which people were friends and which were family. Knowing Carla, and the way she connected with her friends as if they were family, this was not surprising.
I took your condolences and love to her and her family. Thank you for all the love you shared. I took notes at the funeral so that I will be able to share it with you. I was going to rewrite it... but now I feel that the words deserve to be shared the way I wrote them yesterday. The messages are a little random and come from different speakers (a lot of her children and some other family and church leaders) but random and word for word is Carla's way anyway.
Carla had two cousins that were born the same year she was and the three of them grew up very close. The three amigos, in a way.
Carla rode a motorcycle to High school and knew that she was very cool. She had a lot of friends and was popular with the girls... and the boys.
She found happiness in helping others.
Her joys in life were her husband, 13 children, 9 grandchildren, and many many animals.
She called her home her "Circus" and her children her "Thirteen Blessings".
Her family feels comforted in knowing that she is able to watch over them all now, all the time, as their guardian angel.
Carla and her Mother would fight over paying the check at dinner until a big scene was caused and the waiting person would give the check to the one that seemed the most intimidating.
There was a man in a wheelchair crossing the road once and Carla was afraid he was going to be hit by a car. The next thing they knew, the children were making room for him and his chair in the back of the van. He did not have use of his arms either, so Carla told her children to feed him french fries as she drove him home. His name was Dennis and he became a friend to Carla. She visited him often in the care center he was in.
Throughout her entire life, Carla picked up and cared for stray animals and people.
She taught love, forgiveness, acceptance and not to judge others.
Carla genuinely cared about everyone.
Her family often played practical jokes on each other and there were stories of throwing each other into the pool and a communal sock basket that became a sock filled snowsuit which Carla mistook for a son with a concussion until the socks were flying everywhere as she shook it in panic.
Carla had a lot of friends and a trip to the store for milk would take three hours because she talked to everyone.
She told one of her sons that she could not wait for him to grow up because she was excited to see what God had planned for his life. She wanted "Mama hold my hand" played at her funeral. She wanted her son to sing it. He did not thing that he would but found himself wanting to stating "If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." (He then sang like an angel, solo acapella and the entire room was full of tears... it was AMAZING!)
She made her children promise to "Choose the Right" and this conversation with one of her daughters the day before she passed away.
Carla was always taking in the little details of every single moment.
She would take walks in the cemetery near their home and she would read and reread the names and information on all the headstones. The friends and family in the room laughed as her daughter said she will probably know exactly where she is and even which row and plot she is buried in.
One son found a book she had given him years before and opened it after she passed sensing that there may be a note in it. He said there was a note in it, and of course, it was four pages long. The note answered the question he had been struggling with.
They expressed gratitude for having such a large family and know that they will always have someone to be there for them when they need it.
They repeated that she was a guardian Angel to everyone and can do it even better now.


Thank you again for all the messages and love you sent. It was all felt!
Love Becca

Becca, thanks for the notes they were sooo Carla. I always thought she was a wonderful soul and you just reaffirmed this and so much more!! I feel honored to have known her even for such a short time but look forward to meeting her in my next life!! (hopefully i get where she is.)

Very heartwarming, thank you. I did not know her, but can feel the love others had for her.
Be well,

Thank you Becca, for going for all of us. I agree. Always new Carla was a wonderful soul!
Luv ya Annette

It is always a very sad time when we have a loved one depart but hopefully they are in a far better place.
My thoughts go out to the family in there time of sorrow.
Chuck

Becca,

Thank you so much for going to the funeral. It really does mean so much that we can support each other, along with the families, during times like this.

Sharing the comments and description of Carla really provided in greater detail just how wonderful of a person Carla was. I really enjoyed reading the comments...again thank you for sharing this.

Bruce

You are very welcome!
It really was my pleasure and a complete honor!

Becca, thank you for your notes from the funeral. That was very thoughtful of you. I must say, though, that it took me quite a while, and two very wet kleenexes to get through it. The rememberances of her were very touching and showed the kind of person she was.