Ridgell's Originals

 I don't write about every friend that passes from this life to the next.  But I have to write about Fern Hill.  She and her husband Jerry founded Timothy Hill Children's Ranch to help young people and to honor their son Timothy who died in an accident.  Wrote a best selling book about Timothy.  Graduation To Glory.

She was a preacher's wife, an elder's wife, a Mom and grandmother.  A hugger, a listening ear, an advice giver.  A friend.  Their are a lot of people who will be in heaven because they were impacted by the faith of Fern.  And Jerry.  You really can't think of one without the other.  They were the couple we wanted to be when we grew up.

I have eaten at their table.  Been blessed as they sang over me.  Shared stories.  Cried together.  Laughed together.  Prayed together.  

I have seen the fruit of their work.  Spoken at the Ranch.  Spoken at their church.  Spoken at a campaign on Long Island.  Met people they brought to the event.  Rejoiced when I heard those friends were baptized.

Fern was a gracious, sweet, loving Jesus follower.  She made you feel special.  Because to her, well... you were special.  She was fierce in living out her faith.  Worked without ceasing right up until she couldn't.

And now she has graduated to glory.  Now she is with her two sons that had already gone before.

What a legacy.

So I am going to work a little harder for the Kingdom.  Sing a little more.  Pray more.  Tell more people about Jesus.  Open our home to others.  

Her legacy is in the people she touched.

And in the Timothy Hill Children's Ranch.  Check it out.  We have given to the Ranch.  Yes, partly because of Jerry and Fern.  And their boys.  But also because we share in their dream.  I have spoken at Fund Raising dinners for them.  

So we will write another check in honor of Fern.  You should too.

And we will live every day to the fullest.

Thanks Fern for the inspiration.

And thank you God for the life of Fern.  For her faith.  For her marriage and her family.  You did good work thru Fern.  Bless Jerry, the boys, and the Ranch.  Thru the one Fern served.  Amen.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM