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First I want to thank God for blessing us with another day. My family is in the kitchen right now, cooking breakfast for dinner. (Zach's Favorite, and mine)and the first meal my husband made for me was breakfast, scrambled eggs with canadian bacon and cheese. Zach and Abby are fussing as usual. :) But they love each other. My wonderful husband is cooking while the kids do dishes. I worked so hard today, and they are trying to give mommy a break. I love my family. They are the best. We have so much fun together. It's making me cry just to sit and listen to them work in the kitchen. Maybe my hubby will give me a foot rub later. What a great way to end a long day. I hope my last day isn't any time soon, because this is the best possible life God could have given me here on earth. I can't imagine how much greater these moments would seem, if I was dying. Every moment would be magnified times ten.
Now to my parents, my mom, what a Godly woman she is.I don't know what I would have done without her. She is a great mom, with a big heart. She loves and cares for my kids almost as much as I do. I know she loves my husband as if he were her own son. We are a team in which we call upon each other whenever needed. I'm there for her, she is there for me. I would say to bury me in one of those crocheted blankets you have made for us, but I want my kids and my husband to cuddle up with them when I'm gone. I want them to be passed down to my grand kids. I want them wrapped around my future grand baby's. I know each one of them were made with love. Mom, I love you, tell my kids and Matt all of the stories you can remember about me. Look at pictures with them, and you will never really have to live without me, because you know I live within all of them.
My dad, I am definitely a Daddy's Girl. I know you are the person in which I could always rely upon. I love you Daddy. Thank you for being a Christian Daddy and great papa. My kids get all of their nuttiness from you, and you know that. You love to joke around with them. I remember you always spoiled us a little more when we were sick. It always required a trip to the store, and you would bring back some Sprite, some chicken noodle soup, and maybe even some chocolate. You still do that sometimes even though I'm 35. My dream was to one day have an old car that my daddy worked on just for me. But I know if you did it for me, 2 more would have to be built for my brother's. Thanks for teaching me to forgive, and that family is always important no matter what stupid things they do. You proved that over and over again, that our mistakes, although they disappointed you, never changed your love for us, or your willingness to help us. I could say the same about mom, you both are awesome parents, and I know that you pray for all of us. Thanks for being a Dad to Matt. You are the only Dad he is had for the last 9 years, and it means a lot to him.
To Danny, My older over protective brother. I love you more than I could ever show. I know that life has been rough. Get back to your roots. We can have 3 jobs to help us pay the bills, and we can work and do our best. But you will never life will never be what it can be, until you get back to church. You never lose your salvation, but you will be miserable if you are not close to God. Let him be the leader of you life. Find a way to spend time with all of those wonderful kids in your life. You know they pray for you, and they would love nothing more than to see their daddy back in church. I know how it feels to be the kid that prays for their family to get in church. Only you, can answer that prayer for your kids. The key to a good marriage, and being a good daddy, is being a good son to your heavenly father. I'm not sure how time has passed so quickly, but it has. I love you big brother. Even when I'm at the end of 10 people you are jumping over with your bike. I would do anything in the world for you or Dave.
To Dave, My little 6'5" brother. what I said to Danny goes for you as well. You will never be happy in this life, until you find happiness in Christ. He needs to be first in your life above all else. You know this, it is not new. You can't lose your salvation, it is yours for all eternity, I know that is not what were taught, but that is how i read it in God's word. That doesn't mean you don't go to church, or dont't read or pray. I remember when you were 15 and you read your bible every night. Your life changed when your walk with God changed. He never left you, and he never will. Lead those kids to church, I want to see them in heaven with you some day, and you are responsible for taking them to church and teaching them the word or God. I love you, despite the fact you think I act to much like your mom and not like a sister. I'm just trying to look out for my little brother. Even when he frogs you on the arm, right on a muscle, to where you can't move it for a week.
Ok, that wonderful dinner my family made, is now waiting for me on the table. Zach has been talking to Matt non stop the entire time they are cooking in the kitchen. I know he is loving every bit of it. Tomorrow, the last words for my nieces and nephews. I love you all. Now, I'm going to have family time.
God Bless
Love Always Angie,
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
My Last Words Continued.........
So why now you ask? What brings up these last words I want to share? We just ended a sermon series called The Last Message. It really made me think, I need to share my last words because we have not promise of tomorrow. I want to share them with everyone, because in the event I do die, I need my friends and family to be family for my husband and my kids. I need them to remind them of these very words that I shared with you.
When I die, I will need my church family more than I have ever needed them before. Melissa Hendrix, my daughter Abby will need someone to be there to teach her about those girl events in her life. She will need a Godly woman to teach her how to be a Godly woman. She will need you to teach her how to cook, and sew, and how to be good wife, and a good mother. I need you to be there in every big event in her life, and remind her how much her mommy wishes she could be there.
Eric, my husband will need more TV time, and hiking trips, and guy stuff to get his mind off his sorrows.
Shane, Matt will need you now more than ever. He will need you to be the that friend that lives close by who will call him up and keep him in check. He will need your love and support.
Ryan, this is when I need to know that you will call him and check on him as often as possible. I love this man, and I would do anything to wipe away his hurt, but I won't be able to. You are his best friend, promise me that your friendship will be stronger than ever before. Promise me that you will be here to sit beside him on this day.
To my Fuel Cell Family, I need you. I need you to care for my family. Help my husband and my kids. Strengthen them in prayer and love. Eric, if Matt is overwhelmed with emotion, I need you to be able to talk to Zach and love him and help him through this time. I know that Matt will be strong, but they will need all of you to make it through.
I will rely more upon my church family when I am gone, than I do now. I need to know that I am in a place that will stand beside my family. That will hug them, and call them, and drop by and visit them. Promise me, you will do that for me.
Doc, Matt really looks up to you. Your friendship means so much to him. I know that you will look after him when I am gone.
I am glad that God has placed us in a church full of people that I know will love my family. I am so blessed to be surrounded by so many special people. I love my church. You guys are the best.
Love In Christ
Angie Duke
When I die, I will need my church family more than I have ever needed them before. Melissa Hendrix, my daughter Abby will need someone to be there to teach her about those girl events in her life. She will need a Godly woman to teach her how to be a Godly woman. She will need you to teach her how to cook, and sew, and how to be good wife, and a good mother. I need you to be there in every big event in her life, and remind her how much her mommy wishes she could be there.
Eric, my husband will need more TV time, and hiking trips, and guy stuff to get his mind off his sorrows.
Shane, Matt will need you now more than ever. He will need you to be the that friend that lives close by who will call him up and keep him in check. He will need your love and support.
Ryan, this is when I need to know that you will call him and check on him as often as possible. I love this man, and I would do anything to wipe away his hurt, but I won't be able to. You are his best friend, promise me that your friendship will be stronger than ever before. Promise me that you will be here to sit beside him on this day.
To my Fuel Cell Family, I need you. I need you to care for my family. Help my husband and my kids. Strengthen them in prayer and love. Eric, if Matt is overwhelmed with emotion, I need you to be able to talk to Zach and love him and help him through this time. I know that Matt will be strong, but they will need all of you to make it through.
I will rely more upon my church family when I am gone, than I do now. I need to know that I am in a place that will stand beside my family. That will hug them, and call them, and drop by and visit them. Promise me, you will do that for me.
Doc, Matt really looks up to you. Your friendship means so much to him. I know that you will look after him when I am gone.
I am glad that God has placed us in a church full of people that I know will love my family. I am so blessed to be surrounded by so many special people. I love my church. You guys are the best.
Love In Christ
Angie Duke
Sunday, August 23, 2009
My Last Words.....
I've often wondered what my last day would be like. How old will I be? Will I have lived long enough to see my kids graduate, get married, and have kids of their own? What will people whisper on my funeral day? Will they say that I was a gossip, will they say that I helped others, will they say I was a good mom and good wife, will they know my love for Christ? I could go on and on. I've sat in many funerals, some were saved and some were not. For those who were not, I'm not sure who had the most regret. Was it the one who no longer had a chance to receive Christ in their life, or was it me. What did I not say? What could I have done differently to have changed this day.
If I died today, at age 35. I would be survived by my husband and the love of my life, Matthew Duke, my son Zachary Duke age 9, daughter Abby Duke age 7, my parents, Ray and Sandy Erwin, my brother Danny Erwin and his wife Jamie and their kids, Shanea, Chris, Michael, Danielle, Lucas, Cain, Abel, and Shay. My brother David Erwin, and his kids Coleton and Taylnn, My brother-in-law Chuck Duke and his wife Kelly, and their kids Adam, and Katie, My mother-in-law Lelah Duke, and many Aunts,Uncles, Cousins, friends and co-workers, My Fuel Cell Family, Melissa and Eric Hendrix, Mike and Melissa Schoeppey and their kids Amber and Isaac.
To my husband, Matt, God knew what he was doing when he placed you in my life. I made so many wrong decisions until I finally made the right one. You have been an amazing husband and father. You have provided a wonderful home for our family. We have had a good life together. No one will ever know, understand, or love me the way you do. I know that our marriage hasn't always been perfect, but our love for each other and the forgiveness in our hearts pulled us through those times and now we are closer than we have ever been before. I know that when I am gone, it will be hard on you and the kids. But you are the spiritual leader in our home. You will need to cling to Christ, and not drown in your sorrows. Our kids need you, they need your leadership, they need your love, and they need your strength. It is OK to mourn, but it is not OK to let mourning overtake your life. I know you will never forget me, and I know there will never be a love greater than ours, but know that it is OK to go on, to find a Godly woman to stand beside you through the rest of this life. A woman that will be a mother to our kids, but will allow them to never forget their mom. Neither one of us ever want or desire for this to happen in our life. Always remember that as long as you have breath in your longs, there is work to be done for God. Stay in your quiet time, and your prayer time, and continue to do anything that God leads you to do.
To my son Zach, my first born. You stole my heart from day one. There is so much love inside of you and always has been since the day you were born. We cuddled so often, you would play with my hair, and want me or daddy to rock you in our arms. Even now at 9, I will be cooking dinner, or just sitting on the couch watching TV, and down the hallway you would come,just to tell me you love me and give me that ever so famous Zach Bear Hug. You know those are my favorites. Use that love to serve Christ, and to serve your wife some day. Be a good big brother to your sister, no matter how much we may be annoying, us little sisters look up to our big brothers. Be a Godly example to her, be strong for Daddy, he will need you. I'm sure there will be many hikes, and you will be able to remember the day you found my keys, or you would pull the branches back and allow mom to walk through. I'm sorry for any time that I ever yelled at you. I hope you know how much I love you, and I tried my best to raise you in the way God would want me to. Thanks for the love you have given me. Let your Daddy teach you how to be a good Godly husband. I promise, he knows what he's talking about it.
To my daughter Abby, my little me. We share so many stories, I'm sure you will relive more of my life as you grow up. You will always remember the scars on our foreheads, our broken arms, and lets not forget we were both born breach. I will always live inside your heart, I will be there on your wedding day, when you are putting on your dress and remember the day when you were 7 and we pulled my wedding dress out of the closet and your tried it on and modeled it for Daddy. You will remember when you are fixing your hair, and remember every morning that I fixed your hair before school, and when you paint your nails, you will remember our girl days. When your kids are driving you crazy and you sit and relax in a hot bubble bath in a candle lit bathroom, you will think of the days we had our special girl time. Never stop laughing, which is why you have those precious little varicous veins in your cheeks. Use your smiles to make a difference in other peoples lives. Never let a guy use you or take advantage of you. You are a beautiful girl who deserves the very best. A guy that will lead your home, provide for you and your family, and keep you faithful to God. He will tell you how beautiful you are, and make you feel like the only woman on the face of this earth. They do exist, i have one of those guys.
I love all of you so much. It is all three of you that has made my life the most wonderful life I could ever imagine having. Never, upon never, lose touch with each other. Never let distance pull you guys apart. Promise me to stay close together, to love each other, and to talk to each other often. Never let anything change that closeness. Stay in church, keep working for Christ and do all you can do. If dad ever remarries, love is wife, and allow her to be a part of your lives. Allow her to be a part of your kids lives. I know Daddy would never choose anyone, unless they loved you guys. But know in your hearts, that even if Daddy remarries, doesn't mean he has forgotten me or lost his love for me, he just doesn't want to be lonely when you guys are out of the house.
This is only part one of my last words. But they are the most important part of my life. So if tomorrow was my day, I would have at least wanted to share this with them. I love my family. I wished I had not wasted my life and made so many mistakes. But going forward, I promise to do better, to walk a better walk, and to show my love you to guys daily.
With All My Love
Angie
Sweet
Mom
If I died today, at age 35. I would be survived by my husband and the love of my life, Matthew Duke, my son Zachary Duke age 9, daughter Abby Duke age 7, my parents, Ray and Sandy Erwin, my brother Danny Erwin and his wife Jamie and their kids, Shanea, Chris, Michael, Danielle, Lucas, Cain, Abel, and Shay. My brother David Erwin, and his kids Coleton and Taylnn, My brother-in-law Chuck Duke and his wife Kelly, and their kids Adam, and Katie, My mother-in-law Lelah Duke, and many Aunts,Uncles, Cousins, friends and co-workers, My Fuel Cell Family, Melissa and Eric Hendrix, Mike and Melissa Schoeppey and their kids Amber and Isaac.
To my husband, Matt, God knew what he was doing when he placed you in my life. I made so many wrong decisions until I finally made the right one. You have been an amazing husband and father. You have provided a wonderful home for our family. We have had a good life together. No one will ever know, understand, or love me the way you do. I know that our marriage hasn't always been perfect, but our love for each other and the forgiveness in our hearts pulled us through those times and now we are closer than we have ever been before. I know that when I am gone, it will be hard on you and the kids. But you are the spiritual leader in our home. You will need to cling to Christ, and not drown in your sorrows. Our kids need you, they need your leadership, they need your love, and they need your strength. It is OK to mourn, but it is not OK to let mourning overtake your life. I know you will never forget me, and I know there will never be a love greater than ours, but know that it is OK to go on, to find a Godly woman to stand beside you through the rest of this life. A woman that will be a mother to our kids, but will allow them to never forget their mom. Neither one of us ever want or desire for this to happen in our life. Always remember that as long as you have breath in your longs, there is work to be done for God. Stay in your quiet time, and your prayer time, and continue to do anything that God leads you to do.
To my son Zach, my first born. You stole my heart from day one. There is so much love inside of you and always has been since the day you were born. We cuddled so often, you would play with my hair, and want me or daddy to rock you in our arms. Even now at 9, I will be cooking dinner, or just sitting on the couch watching TV, and down the hallway you would come,just to tell me you love me and give me that ever so famous Zach Bear Hug. You know those are my favorites. Use that love to serve Christ, and to serve your wife some day. Be a good big brother to your sister, no matter how much we may be annoying, us little sisters look up to our big brothers. Be a Godly example to her, be strong for Daddy, he will need you. I'm sure there will be many hikes, and you will be able to remember the day you found my keys, or you would pull the branches back and allow mom to walk through. I'm sorry for any time that I ever yelled at you. I hope you know how much I love you, and I tried my best to raise you in the way God would want me to. Thanks for the love you have given me. Let your Daddy teach you how to be a good Godly husband. I promise, he knows what he's talking about it.
To my daughter Abby, my little me. We share so many stories, I'm sure you will relive more of my life as you grow up. You will always remember the scars on our foreheads, our broken arms, and lets not forget we were both born breach. I will always live inside your heart, I will be there on your wedding day, when you are putting on your dress and remember the day when you were 7 and we pulled my wedding dress out of the closet and your tried it on and modeled it for Daddy. You will remember when you are fixing your hair, and remember every morning that I fixed your hair before school, and when you paint your nails, you will remember our girl days. When your kids are driving you crazy and you sit and relax in a hot bubble bath in a candle lit bathroom, you will think of the days we had our special girl time. Never stop laughing, which is why you have those precious little varicous veins in your cheeks. Use your smiles to make a difference in other peoples lives. Never let a guy use you or take advantage of you. You are a beautiful girl who deserves the very best. A guy that will lead your home, provide for you and your family, and keep you faithful to God. He will tell you how beautiful you are, and make you feel like the only woman on the face of this earth. They do exist, i have one of those guys.
I love all of you so much. It is all three of you that has made my life the most wonderful life I could ever imagine having. Never, upon never, lose touch with each other. Never let distance pull you guys apart. Promise me to stay close together, to love each other, and to talk to each other often. Never let anything change that closeness. Stay in church, keep working for Christ and do all you can do. If dad ever remarries, love is wife, and allow her to be a part of your lives. Allow her to be a part of your kids lives. I know Daddy would never choose anyone, unless they loved you guys. But know in your hearts, that even if Daddy remarries, doesn't mean he has forgotten me or lost his love for me, he just doesn't want to be lonely when you guys are out of the house.
This is only part one of my last words. But they are the most important part of my life. So if tomorrow was my day, I would have at least wanted to share this with them. I love my family. I wished I had not wasted my life and made so many mistakes. But going forward, I promise to do better, to walk a better walk, and to show my love you to guys daily.
With All My Love
Angie
Sweet
Mom
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