Ways to help ...

Just a quick note to all of you that have been asking for ways to help. Thank you all for contacting me about helping. I was with Linda until about 5:30 last night - between yesterday and this morning, we were able to handle the "pressing" matters that required her immediate attention.

So,for now, there is a great need for Linda and the girls to have some quiet time to just "be" together. As you all know, this has been a LONG journey (that is not yet over) -- there were many family and friends that lovingly walked with Skip and his family through his last days here .... the past several days have been a whirl wind of visitors, calls, and things that must be handled. Now, they can stop for a little bit and just try to get some rest and love each other through. Pastor H encouraged Linda to let the answering machine take calls and get rest whenever she can. I have encouraged her to put the "world" on hold for a few days and just concentrate on those 3 sweet girls.

There are several ways that you can help in the immediate future:
First, meals -- I am still coordinating meals - this would be just a nightly meal for Linda and the girls. (When I left yesterday - the fridge, freezer, and cupboards were well stocked with easy foods they could prepare for breakfast, lunch and snacks.)
Second, house cleaning - this could be done either by actually coming to clean the house or by contributing into a cleaning fund (small groups have pooled together in the past to cover the cost of cleaning service).
Third, Houisng for out of town guests - there will be many people traveling from out of town for the Memorial on Tuesday - so,if you have a guest room or casita available - that would be great.
Finally, many have asked about financial assistance - there is an open account at Downey Savings in La Quinta,CA -- deposits can be made into this account by referencing "Kevin & Linda Osgood". These funds will be used to cover immediate financial needs and medical bills.

I also encourage you to write to Linda and the girls - both jointly and individually - I have found during the struggles of my life -that written encouragemnet is very valuable. There is something powerful about receiving something "nice" in the mail (not a bill or a notice or an advertisement) but just a gentle reminder that someone is thinking of you, praying for you, and loves you. And, I have seen in my own daughter that mail is exciting and brings joy to children even in the midst of great sorrow. It is also lasting - it can be saved and read again and again -- many of the moments, conversations, and happenings of these first days will become a blur or will not be remembered by Linda and the girls -- but, a written word can be kept for a long time to come.

As always, keep them in your prayers - - pray for peace and gentleness and love to surround them.

If you would like to assist in any of the above ways and/or need/want more information, please e-mail me at loans.bydebbi@verizon.net

Blessings to you all,
Debbi (friend of family)
loans.bydebbi@verizon.net

There will come a day...

There is a song by Jeremy Camp that speaks of a "day with no more fear, no more pain, no more tears..." for Skip that day was yesterday. For the rest of us, it has yet to come. Yesterday was a day like no other I have ever spent; and, it had a huge impact on my soul. There were so many things that resonated in my heart and mind yesterday - I will share just a few so that you can grasp the continuing journey of this family that we all love. There were tears, from those who know and love Skip; these, of course, fall naturally as we think of our loss of a loved one. There was laughter as stories of "Skipisms" were shared - some old, some new -- Skip's sense of humor will remain with us as we each remember the funny things he did to brighten our days. There was gratefulness as his loved ones and friends remembered how he had entered, impacted and changed their lives. And, there was peace .... yes peace... as we talked about the "fact" that Skip is with the Lord - rejoicing, celebrating, worshiping.... what a thought... what a promise for each of us to grasp. The peace of knowing this brought comfort to Linda and the girls - and, for that I was very grateful.

My reflection of the day was two fold.... first, I rested in the fact that because of my faith I can be certain that my life as I leave this earth will be beyond anything I can ever imagine..a time when I will once again see all those that I have loved but have gone before me... I have prayed for each person that reads this blog that your heart can rest in the same certainty... second, it was a time of awakening for me regarding my time here on earth --- what can I do differently? how can I love more? how can I be a better wife, mom, daughter, friend.. It was a humbling day as I concluded that there were so many things I could do differently, so many things I could do better, so many small things that could be set aside to focus on the things that are truly "worthy"...

Please continue to pray for Linda and the girls and the rest of Skip's family as the reality of this great change begins to unfold in their lives - there will be many emotions that will come upon them and the faithful prayers of those who love them will be priceless to them in these coming days.

...I pray that peace is with each of you today... that you will take each day here as a gift and that you will find strength to handle the struggles of this life.

(For those of you that are desiring ways to lend a hand - I will be sending out another post and e-mail later today to address that.)


Blessings,
Debbi Garcia

Service Time

Hello,
Just a quick post to let you all know that the Memorial Service for Skip will be held on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at 3:00pm at Southwest Community Church located at 77701 Fred Waring Drive in Indian Wells. The service will be held upstairs. I will post a more detailed post later today or tonight.
In Christ,
Debbi

Skip is Home

I just spoke with Linda --- and, she simply said "He is Home." It is so hard to write this post ---I know without a doubt that Skip loved the Lord and is with him as I write this; yet, my heart is sad for the loss that those of us who loved him will feel. He stepped into eternity this morning - he was surrounded by friends and family at the time. Linda was at peace as I spoke with her - and, I am comforted by the faith of this family - what a gift to KNOW where Skip is and to have confidence in the fact that he is in a place "beyond anything we can imagine". Please pray for peace and comfort over his family. Now more than ever, they will need our help, support, love and prayers as they continue on their journey...
In Christ,
Debbi (friend of the family)

Precious Moments

I spoke with Linda at length last night. Skip has "turned a corner" according to the doctors. They feel he is in the midst of his final days here with us. Linda asked for you all to please keep their family in your prayers -- asking for special covering over the girls. They are taking "precious moments of communication" from Skip as they get them and leaning on each other as they walk these steps in love. (Skip's sister and Dad are here with them now.)

As a friend/family (as most of you are) it is so hard to know what to say or do in times such as this... so, I encourage you first and foremost to pray to our Lord who can move mountains, part the sea, and heal our hurts -- cry out to Him on their behalf -- the gift of our joint intercession is so valuable to them.

Trusting in Him,
Debbi
loans.bydebbi@verizon.net

The boys...

It was an early Christmas at the Osgoods on Sunday, November 9th. Led by Coach Janeen Bahr and Team Mom Nancy Walker, the Palm Desert Boys Water Polo teams arrived at the Osgood home in LaQuinta and proceeded to decorate the outside of the house with lights, wreaths and ornaments, while another group decorated the inside with ornaments and ribbon, another group decorated the christmas tree, while still another group wrapped christmas gifts inside the garage. It was like watching a scene from a Christmas movie. All the while Skip was watching from his bed and enjoying the Christmas Spirit that was abuzz right there in his family room.He greeted each person who went by with an outstretched arm and a big thank you in between catnaps. Linda was overjoyed and a little overwhelmed, having 25 teenage boys in her home at one time is a lot to take in. She just smiled and thanked us with a great big hug each time she saw us. Bronwyn was so in her element, teaching the "big boys" a song about a unicorn. That was priceless. Hannah & Kailey were both so helpful and fun! Another team members family brought a catered dinner and dessert that was out of this world. I think I would have skpped dinner for the gourmet desserts, there were so many to choose from. Yum! Lots of stories to tell, like 4 of the boys who went shopping the night before for a "Glamor Barbie" and having to call their coach and ask what a "Glamor Barbie" was and where do we find it in the store? Lots of memories made for all that were there and hopefully much Joy for the Osgood family to soak in for their special time with Skip. As the sun set the lights came on outside and inside,and the house just sparkled...as did the eyes of all who were there. some tears were shed and prayers spoken and thanks given,as for the team, they will never forget the day that Christmas came early for the Osgood Family.


Linda's take on the day ...
Oh my. How do I even begin to describe the incredible events of yesterday. Believe me, I wanted to take names and numbers (for future "potential" reference, if you know what I mean, coming from a mother of three girls :-)) of these sweet boys who so lovingly descended upon our house and wrapped, stapled, and decorated with the utomost attention to detail and then once they were finished, joined together, arm in are for group prayer!!! Our house could easily compete with Minerva street! As for the inside, baubles and bows are everywhere and the beautiful tree is complete with loads of presents that were purchased and wrapped by the boys themselves. You should have seen little Bronwyn, dressed in a leotard and dance skirt, outside in our cul de sac and later in the partk, smack in the middle of her "adopted brothers" (about 25 of them!) as a football sailed over her head and the guys dodged around her to catch it, careful not to mow her down in the process. Then there was the feast - provided by the Westin - prime rib (with au jus, horse radish and onion gravy), brussel's sprouts (I love them, weird, huh?), pasta and shrimp salad, Waldorf salad, green beans, this other veggie (I forgot the name but it was to die for), mashed potatos, rolls and bread all in a gorgeous presentation. Then to top it off, the pasterie chef made a cheescake, apple and pumpkin pie decorated to the 9's and another sweet lady handed me a fresh baked, still warm apple pie. I called Nancy Walker inviting them back to eat once I realized how much there was. Fortunately, the Shok's were able to join us along with the full house we already had. What a blessing beyond your wildest imagination!
In these last few weeks, I have been constantly reminded of Luke 2:19 where the Shepherds visited Jesus and it says, "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." My heart is overflowing! I'm so unworthy and still he loves me - how truly great He is!

A Prayer for Peace

Hello to you all --

Well, things have not changed much over the past few days -- and, Skip is feeling pretty good today. He is alert and happy according to Sherry (his sister). They are enjoying moments of fun together.

Linda's prayer requests for today are ...

Can you please put out a huge thank you for me for the incredible outpouring of love. We are also in need of prayer for patience, resting in the peace that we are within God's timing and that His timing is perfect. I pray that we may look at each day as an opportunity for God to work through us and that we surrender to His leading, standing on His encouragement and promises of Joshua 1:9, "Be strong and courageous. do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Thank you for the reminder, Stokes' family!)

Please pray for Linda as she is juggling working, the kids, and trying to spend as much time Skip as possible.... she is exhausted - especially mentally -- please pray for peace of mind for her.

Blessings,
Debbi (friend of family)