overjoyed.

last night was amazing.

i mean really, really amazing. not knowing what to expect from my friend/pastor, having never had the pleasure of being at one of his services, i didn't know what to expect which is good, in a way, so i could completely soak up all that went on around me without preconception.

first of all, there were a lot of people there - a lot. i think my biggest fear over things that i plan is that nobody will show up. it's happened too many times to me personally (family stuff) and it runs deep, but i didn't want people to not show up for bruce. they did and i was not disappointed.

the music was sweet, the 17 year-old girl who played the piano did so while crying the entire time. she did beautifully... the *personal reflections* were fun, truly speaking to who bruce was, what a character he was, but we were all laughing and dabbing our eyes at the same time.

i had the honor of giving the eulogy - i took from most of what i had blogged, changed it up, added a little scripture and bam - penni penned a eulogy. i held up until the end when i asked Jesus to hug him and tell him i said "see-YA!" which is how bruce always said good-bye.

pastor charlie's sermon centered around John 14 - five assurances Jesus gives:

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
2 "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
4 "And where I go you know, and the way you know."
5 Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?"
6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

in another post later down the line, i would love to do a study on that - wow, it was as if i had heard it for the first time. the assurances of heaven, really really beautiful.

when all was said, done and sung, people slowly filed out - but honestly, it took me 45 minutes to leave because i was being approached by total strangers and hugged. you heard me HUGGED - and i hugged back. i have my eyes filling up at the beauty of everyone expressing themselves, assuring me of how highly bruce thought of us, how much he loved us, and just felt so loved.

as i was about to leave, the little piano player just came up to me and stood by me, tears streaming down her face - told me that she saw bruce get baptized and it made her want to get baptized, so she did - that she was so sad because she missed him so very much. i think i hugged her the most. what a precious child of God.

we had coffee and dessert at the cafe afterward, and lots turned out for that, too - even some of my customers came, which i also found to be very touching.

i wanted to do a quick share, will be adding bits and pieces throughout the next few days, i am sure. just thought you'd all be glad to know, the invisible force field surrounding me and my space, much like that of the way cool pope mobile, came away and i received love, in full force and effect.

it was cool, because i was able to give love in return, unhindered. i think bruce would have been pleased.