"IN LOVING MEMORY"

"JOEL RAY HOWARD"

"BORN TO EARTH"
2~7~69
BORN TO HEAVEN
3~23~96

An Angel's Farewell

I am not here---
So do not fear.
I am the white dove---
That brings all my love.
I am the sun--that shines so bright,
I am the moon that glows at night.
I am the wind that blows a breeze
Do not cry for me--I beg you please!
I am the stars up high that twinkle
I am the rain--that sends a short sprinkle.
I am the bird that sings so loud--
I am the blue sky--never a cloud.
This place I now call home
Is full of joy--I am never alone.
So never worry again for me
For I'm in Heaven--a wonderful place to be!

Written for Joel
by
Diane Talley Knapp

Joel and Mom, Di

To Those I Love And Those Who Love Me

When I am gone release me let me go.
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears
Be happy that we had so many years.
I gave love, only guess
How much you gave me in Happiness.
I thank you for the Love each have shown
But now it it time I traveled on alone.
So grieve a while for me
If grieve you must,
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It is only for a while we must part,
So bless the memories within your heart.
Though you can't see or touch, I'll be near,
And if you listen with your heart you will hear,
All my love around you real and clear.
And then when you must come this way alone
I'll greet you with a smile and say
WELCOME HOME...

Aunt Estell
(86 years old)
1996

MY FRIEND

My friend, how are you?
No longer can you be blue.
The sky was dull and oh so gray.
But ther is coming a brighter day.
You sometime fell alone and afraid
But my promise to you those feelings will go astray.
For you see my friend,
You have people who care,
Who will do whatever-no matter the dare.
Someone as special as you are to me.
Things are getting better-I know you can see.
A few days rest-away from hassle,
A night out-with the ones you love
Is the greatest gift to you from above.
So rest my child and do not worry
For we'll all be here to help you through
Especially on those days when you are not sure what to do.
Because friends stick together-through thick and through thin.
I pray for you to feel better again.
So when you feel downhearted or gray
Just say hey-I can't feel this way.
If that doesn't work just let me know,
And I'll tell that feeling it needs to go away.
So take a deep breath and hold your head high
Because FRIENDS GO TOGETHER-SIDE BY SIDE...

Diane Knapp
1-19-96

Joel's Brother, Todd

OUR FIRST EASTER SPENT UP IN HEAVEN

Our first Easter spent up in Heaven,
Will be such a glorious day!
We'll bow down before our sweet Sav'our-
The genuine LIFE, TRUTH, and WAY!

We'll offer Glad Praises to Jesus,
Remember His Great Victory...
We'll shout when we see all His beauty,
For then we shall truly be Free!

We'll sing of the Old Rugged Cross, there-
We'll touch all the scars that he bore.
We'll tell Christ we all are so thankful-
the devil can harm us no more!

We'll say HOLY, HOLY-Yes, HOLY,
Unto the Lord God Almighty...
We'll cry out and Worship Him only-
The Lamb, alone, Who is Worthy!

We'll honor His Blood which was offered.
We'll yield to His ev'ry command.
We'll dance on those streets crystal golden-
Enjoying all things He has planned.

We'll know not a tear in that city-
All pain will have vanished, and gone-
We'll live in our Glorified body,
And each day will be Easter Dawn.

Amd each day will also be Christmas-
Thanksgiving, and Happy New Year-
We'll walk in a Love that is perfect-
and no one will ever, once, fear!

No one will e'er lie, or speak gossip-
No butting remarks will be heard.
No sadness will touch any spirit,
and no STINK will ever be STIRRED!

We'll Fellowship one with another-
Compassion will fill ev'ry heart.
We may have known death of a loved one-
But there we will never more part!

Our first Easter spent up in Heaven,
Will be such a glorious day!
We'll bow in the presence of Jesus-
Adoring the LIFE, TRUTH AND WAY!

by: Pastor Stan Craig