As this blog comes to an end.....

 I thought that this poem that describes Denise would be a good way to close this blog.....

"A Parable of Immortality" by Henry van Dyke.

I am standing by the seashore.
A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze
and starts for the blue ocean.
...She is an object of beauty and strength,
and I stand and watch
until at last she hangs like a speck of white cloud
just where the sun and sky come down to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says, 'There she goes!
Gone where? Gone from my sight - that is all.

She is just as large in mast and hull and spar
as she was when she left my side
and just as able to bear her load of living freight
to the places of destination.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her.

And just at the moment when someone at my side says,
'There she goes! ' ,
there are other eyes watching her coming,
and other voices ready to take up the glad shout :
'Here she comes!'

Denise's Obituary

Denise S. Carpenter

Denise S. Carpenter July 25, 2011

VERONA — Denise S. Carpenter, 59, of Durhamville, went to be with the Lord July 25, 2011, while at home, peacefully in her sleep after a courageous battle against cancer.
Denise met her husband, Pastor Jeffery Carpenter, at the then Independent Baptist Church; and they were married there on April 23, 1983. She is survived by her husband, Jeff; children, Daniel Carpenter (Tiffany Carpenter), Melissa Quinn (Michael Quinn), Faith Carpenter, and Darren Carpenter; grandchildren, Daniel Dyce Carpenter Jr. and Declan Dean Carpenter; siblings, Duane Saari (Nancy Saari), Sheila Vernor (Jerry Vernor), Maureen Wildman (Kent Wildman), and Marc Saari; and many nephews, nieces and cousins.
Denise’s life was characterized primarily by her close personal relationship with the Lord. Much of her time and energy was devoted to using her talents in teaching sign language and art to serve in Friendship Baptist Church, of which her husband has been the pastor for twelve years.
Above all, Denise enjoyed spending time with her family. Some of her favorite activities included biking, working in her flower beds, photography, white water rafting, rock climbing and snowmobiling. She was a woman with a wonderful sense of humor who lived her life to its fullest.
Even during the difficult times of her illness, her strength truly came from the Lord. She was ready to be offered. She fought a good fight. She finished her course. Crowns of righteousness are laid up for her. She has left us to carry on with her torch.
The funeral will be held Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the Friendship Baptist Church. Burial will be in Rathbunville Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, Thursday 4 to 8 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Friendship Baptist Church.
Please offer online tributes or light a candle at: www.BarryFuneralHome.com

Funeral Arrangements for Denise

Calling hours:
Thursday from 4-8 pm at Barry Funeral Home 807 W. Chestnut St. Rome

Funeral:
Friday at 11:00 am at Friendship Baptist Church
Graveside service immediately following

There will be lunch available at Friendship Baptist Church following the graveside service - everyone is welcome.

Monday, July 25th

Denise went home to be with the Lord early this morning.  Please pray for her family during this time.  I will let you know arrangements when I know. 

Friday, July 22

It seems to get harder each time I post on the blog.  Finding the right words to say seems impossible.  Denise is failing.  She is only awake an average of 2-3 hours a day. She is down to 112 lbs. pounds.   She started having a lot of pain last night.   They said that she should be able to be pain free, so please pray that they will be able to make the necessary changes to keep her comfortable. 
Thankful that God is always faithful and that His grace is sufficient! 

Monday, July18th

It's been awhile since I've updated the blog.  Pastor or Denise usually tell me what to put on the blog but there really hasn't been anything new.   I visited with her today for a short time.  She was sitting up on the couch talking with me and a couple of ladies from church.  It was hard to see her so thin and so weak.  What really amazed me was her concern for everyone else.  I have to tell you that last week she was such a blessing to so many.  It was Vacation Bible School last week at our church.  Denise has always been very involved with VBS so it was difficult for her not to be there.  Instead of sitting home letting Satan discourage her she decided to make the best of it.  She became a VBS prayer warrior!  Everyday I would give her a specific list of prayer requests for VBS for that night including who was teaching.  She backed us up in prayer and let me tell you, it was the best VBS we have ever had and I attribute that to her faithfullness in prayer and of course God's faithfulness in answering them!  It resulted in many getting saved (which she asked for their names so that she could continue pray for them!)  As we talked today, she was excited to hear all that went on last week.  You could seem the joy in her eyes! I can't help but smile when I am typing this because that's what naturally happens when I think of her!  What an amazing example she has been to me personally and I know to many that are reading this!  Thank you for praying for her and her family.  Please continue to lift them up to the Lord!

From Denise, July 12th

Hello everyone:
I am rejoicing that there was one saved at our VBS last night.  He is so faithful.
As for me I seem to have a little more perk today.  Thank you for your prayers, and faithfulness.

Saturday, July 9th from Denise

I'm very tired and weak today, so call before coming over.  It was hard to wake with praise and thanksgiving today but God is gracious.  He gives us what we need.
Love, Denise

A Note from Denise, July 8th

Good Morning,

What a beautiful day. I am doing good, although I'm tired from my morning routine. It's a busy day today.  Faith and Melissa are having a party for Melissa tonight, so the place is buzzing with cooking and decorating. We thank the Lord for beautiful weather.

I want to open up more time for ministry and fellowship with the ladies.  We're finding that the weekends don't make a particularly good time for our immediate family to get together, so if you don't mind a busy time for your visit give a call on a Saturday. 
(Please, do leave Sunday's to us unless you've had a personal invitation though.)

Personal prayer requests would be that I could serve the Lord today somehow, and that I would know Him more and His will for me at this point.  I enjoy the fellowship I've had, ...  thank you to those who have stopped by. Thank you to those who wish they could stop by, but have fellowshiped in prayer and thoughts.

Love Denise

July 7th, 2011

Denise has been quite tired, other than that she said she is doing OK.  She thought that on a day that she was feeling good enough that she would post on the blog that she was up for company.  She desires to be used of God and wants to be a blessing to others even in the midst of her illness.  She thought it would be nice to get together with women and ponder some biblical truth, just talk about everyday things or even some situation at home that someone may be struggling with.  Because she can only take one day at a time (which is something we all need to do! : ), she said it would be best if she just let me know in the morning if she was up to having company that day. If so, I will post it on the blog.  If you are interested in visiting her, e-mail me at the address above or comment on this blog and I can personally let you know when she is up for a visit.

July 3rd. Update from Denise

Hello Everyone,
I am somewhat surprised to wake up this morning with energy! That has gotten to be a missing ingredient in my life!  It felt good to get up and do some things for myself. Now mind you, I've already taken a nap! So I'm not planning any hiking trips, although I do think in my dream I was on some sweet remote path up a woodland hill! It must be the sound of the birds outside my window!
Thank you for your prayers. Really nothing has changed. I believe this has been stated before: The amount of fluid I take in through the iv during the night has been cut in half, so the swelling in my legs and the pain because of that is gone. There are no other developments beyond that.
Spiritually speaking, the Lord is my refuge. This morning I listened to a sermon by Tom Styles which I've heard before. It's on Ps. 46. The Lord is my refuge in the time of trouble, and today I'm really feeling that. 
May God bless you all.
Love Denise