Dad was incredible yet again! He had a rough day but was still able to see a couple of close friends and visits from extended family. Dad seemed to really enjoy seeing Chris, Cassie, and their boys. At one point he asked to hold Kade (Chris’ son) and seemed to beam as he did – he even fed him for a bit! Dad did not get much sleep as he wanted to spend time with his family who where there.
He was very weak through the day and even had to have Chris feed him in the afternoon. It did not look like there was any way he could go to the Zak’s Court of Honor. When Chris was feeding him, Chris asked Dad if he wanted some carrots and Dad said, “I’ll eat anything to help me go to the Court of Honor.” He is amazing! As the clock quickly moved forward we were all worried that he wouldn’t be up to it. When it was time to leave he said he was going.
The Court Of Honor was a great event. Zak was one of 13 scouts in our troop receiving their Eagle Award. There was a live eagle as well as a fun video paying tribute to the scouts. After the Eagle presentations were made, the audience clapped as all 13 scouts and their parents were on the stage. Then unexpectedly people began standing up to give the scouts a standing ovation. I started to cry as I looked in the audience and saw Dad standing and clapping (I am crying right now thinking about it). This man continues to amaze us with his strength and love for his family. It was the perfect night!
Mom and Dad after the Court of Honor
Grandpa and the new Eagle Scout (Zak)
Kirk and family, Alicia and family, Teague and family,
Dan (Teague's brother in law) and family,
Dan (Teague's brother in law) and family,
Joe (Teague's brother in law) and family,
Jaxon and Brenna (Cory's kids), and Mom and Dad.
Jaxon and Brenna (Cory's kids), and Mom and Dad.
The 13 New Eagle Scouts
(Zak is on the far left and Teague is at the podium)
Gary & Raynee,
ReplyDeleteDave & I are so grateful that we were able to attend such a special evening with such wonderful friends. Congrats, Zak on a job well done! We are proud of you!
We were so glad that Gary was able to make it. What a tender mercy! I'm continually amazed by both of you! I feel so blessed that the Lord has blessed our lives with such incredible friends! Your faith, your strength, your determination, your example is simply inspiring.
Gary, I wanted to talk to you more last night but I was really having a hard time seeing you struggle and was having a difficult time controlling my emotions. It's hard to see those you love suffer. I hope you both know how much you mean to us. We are here for you every step of the way. You are constantly in our thoughts and prayers. Our children are praying for you too. Prayer is powerful!
I hope you have a Happy Valentines Day, you two little lovebirds! I hope that you will feel an abundance of love today. You guys are so special!
Thanks again Bengtzen kids for sharing this blog with the rest of us! I am touched to the core by the love you have for both your mom and dad. You are all incredible!
Love you all!
Tammy
Happy Valentines!
ReplyDeleteYesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And Today? Today is a gift. That's why we call it the present.
-Unknown
Congratulations Zak - so proud of you!!
ReplyDeleteAnd...happy Valentines Day to all the Bengtzen clan, especially to my sweet uncle Gary and aunt Raynee...your timeless and precious love was so very evident in the few sacred moments we shared yesterday. As with so many other times, you teach me by how you live each minute, and I am eternally grateful. I love you so very much!
Love,
Lezli
I am so amazed at the strength and love! Wow. I stand in awe of how many miracles are occuring in your lives right now. For Gary to have such inner strength to go to Brittani's swim meet and Zak's Eagle Scout Court of Honor.. wow. I'm speechless really.
ReplyDeleteToday's the day for sweethearts and who could be a better example of true love than Gary and Raynee. What a miracle that is in this world!
Romeo and Juliet ? Anthony and Cleopatra? Lancelot and Guinnevere? Sampson and Delilah?
None of them can match Gary and Raynee's love for each other.
I hope your Valentine's day is full of love and peace. I wish for you both a day of joy together, reflecting on your committment to each other all those years ago, and how proud you must be to stand hand in hand together, still madly in love, still devoted to each other, still pushing forward together, still smiling, still fighting, still believing.
That is a true miracle.
God bless and keep you today and I am praying that this day will be the best one ever!
Sally
Hi gary and Raynee
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine Day. We miss our Home Teacher. You both are truly amazing and we hope the very best for you and your family.
Love Donna and Jim
As I lay in bed last night I continued to think about what an amazing family the Bengtzen family is. And is it all because two people fell in love. I often think about Gary and Raynee and how I hope that my marriage reflects the love and tenderness that they have in theirs. Thank you Gary and Raynee. Just now as I was reading the comments that have been posted today the words to a song came to me...I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me. Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me. Today I stand amazed at the tender mercys that a loving brother and father give to each of us. Gary I am so grateful that you have been able to attend all of the family events that you have wanted to. I am sure it means so much to your kids and grandkids. Memories they will always treasure. I look forward to hearing more of the "little" victories as they come.
ReplyDeleteI love you guys.
Bethany
Happy Valentine's Day! Cupid knew what he was doing when the boy next door and the girl next door fell in love!
ReplyDeleteLisa, Kirsten, Tim & Michael
Happy Valentines Day to two very wonderful, special,amazing sweethearts : )
ReplyDeleteWe love you both so much and are praying for you daily.
Way to go Gary for going to the swim meat and the court of honor,I am so very impressed !!
I am sure that your grandchildren will never forget that their most wonderful Grandpa loved and cared so much about them. That he went to that special event in their life. That he did not give up, what an inspiration you are to all of us. That is forever going to be a special memory for them.
Love from Mike and Linda Barlow.
We are loving the pics with hat #1! Looks the that one won the voting! What a cute couple!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove you! Dean and Joan
I was happy to be able to see both Gary and Renae at Zak's Court of Honor. You are both incredible grandparents to all of your grandchildren! Their eyes light up when they see you and when they talk about you. I think that if your life is measured by how much your grandchildren love you then you guys reach all the way to the moon! I know Zak was so happy to have you both at his Court of Honor to support him. What a wonderful night for everyone!
ReplyDeleteHi Gary Happy birthday!!! Love you and always will, you were my favorite person to work with so considerate and polite you always came and hung out with us you are fun!! And always apologizing for Teague LOL!! We miss you very much, hang in there I know God is with you :) I think my favorite Gary story would have to be when he came up to Snow, Carter and myself after buying a new machine and and Gary said, :
ReplyDelete"so easy a woman can do it huh?" Right when Carter was working on it LOL!! Carters face was priceless, he thought you were serious LOL!! But you were just being a rascal LOL!! Miss working with you and wish you and your family the best God can give you deserve it,
MUCH LOVE
JENNIFER WILL (Zufelt)