not a dry eye

For Easter this year, Brandon decided to try something new during our church's worship service. He recorded the testimonies of three different people from our church body and then synched their testimony to be told interwoven into different songs during out service. It was a great idea and while it took a ton of work on his part it turned out perfectly! As a member of the worship team, I was proud to be a part of it!

One of the testimonies Brandon chose to record was Doug and Jill Everaard's. As I'm sure you know by now they are our friends who lost their 4 year old son to cancer almost one year ago. Not only were we using their testimony as a part of our Easter service but their testimony would be intertwined into the same song played at Gray's funeral, "We Will Overcome". Talk about a tearjerker.

The day Jill was going to give her testimony for the cameras she invited me to come to her house and sit while the recording was taken. I was honored to attend but I knew it would be a difficult afternoon. Three people from the church came to take Jill's interview. Jacob ran the camera, Doug Wyatt asked questions and made sure the story was told in sequence and Brandon ran sound. About halfway through Jill's testimony it became clear that Gray's life not only touched the world while he was here but is still touching lives to this day! When Jill asked to take a break it was obvious that there wasn't a dry eye in the room! Not...a...single..one. It was hard to relive the details of Gray's life again but it was also a great reminder of who he was, what he brought to this world and to my families life personally and all the things I learned during his short time here on Earth. He truly taught me more than my 30 years have taught me collectively.

Jill's testimony was beautifully said and she can deny it all she wants but her wisdom amazes me. Through it all, through the death of her son, the worst tragedy anyone can imagine, she has remained tender to the Lord and has so much inspiration to offer. It just permeates from her.

Once Brandon was finished editing Jill's video and ultimately when we played it live on Easter morning the result was unbelievable! Truly unbelievable! You can watch a video of the entire presentation at The Bridge Church Facebook page. It is well worth your time.