Most Beloved Friends and Family,
Late last night, our Lord and Savior chose to take Andrew to Himself. We are comforted by the knowledge that Andrew is now well and without trial in the presence of his Lord. For those of you who knew him well, you know that Andrew is certainly enjoying heaven with great zeal, probably interviewing ancestors about family history and asking his most gracious heavenly Father a myriad of fascinating questions. His faith was true, his salvation sealed.
Of course, we are saddened to lose Andrew's presence here among us, but we know the Lord's timing is always perfect and purposeful, even in death. He has planned and given us every moment He intended us to have with Andrew, and we are grateful. We will miss him together now but be reunited with him again in the life everlasting.
Your outpouring of love and support these last months has been both moving and strengthening to us. It is wonderful to know how many people Andrew has touched in his life. We thank you for letting us know what he meant to you and for loving us for his sake. Whenever he had good days, we would tell him often of the support and encouragement you all sent his way. He knew he was not alone, and we were not alone either.
Now, let us thank the Lord together for giving us the time he has with such a remarkable person, comfort each other with the knowledge of Andrew's salvation, and pray that the Lord would lift us up to continue to serve His purpose on this earth while we yet remain.
Thank you for everything you have done for Andrew and for us,
Andrew's Family
If possible, we will post funeral information here soon.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
39 comments:
I was blessed to know such an amazing person even for a short time. I konw you are missing him deeply - my prayers are with you.
love.
I am constantly amazed by the love Andrew showed me. He was my friend when I almost had no one.
I can never express how thankful I am for knowing him and look forward to seeing him again.
Found by Grace,
Josh Wilkinson
My brother was friends with Andrew at Belhaven, and my close friend Jonathon was his roommate. Through them, I was blessed to make his acquaintance and enjoyed seeing him on several occasions on my visits to Belhaven. He was such a joy to be around, and I know he will be sorely, sorely missed. I will be praying for you and yours during this difficult time.
- Cara Johnson
I am quite sure he had no idea how much he was loved and admired. I prayed this morning that he would know now. He has made such an impact on me personally. He taught me to look beyond what we could see to discover immeasurable treasure. He also set an example for me to persevere through difficulty, without complaining. (I'm still working on that one.)I remember him laughing, being exasperated, his sarcasm, and his genuine love and grace for people. His intelligence, his writing, his love for the Lord were disarming wrapped in his humility. He was voracious to learn, and motivated to help others to do the same. I was in classes with him, shared meals with him, and was always blessed to be in his presence. I'm sorry that I will have to wait to share his presence again, but I'm rejoicing that he is free from the constraints of his body and this world. Loving Andrew still, and praying for you all.
Love in Christ,
Angela Arnold
I will miss Andrew's wisdom and wit immensely--they were a blessing both at college and later as I enjoyed his blogs from afar--but I rejoice with you that he is in heaven--I have no doubt but that he is indeed enjoying it fully, as you described and beyond.
I will also be holding all of you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Praying for peace and comfort for the whole family.
Rick and Rachel Capezza
All of us here at Gunter Library feel very keenly the loss of one of the most amazing human beings any of us have ever known. Your family is in our prayers and thoughts. If there is anything we can do please call and let us know.
I am speechless. How do I begin to describe Andrew's impact on my life? What an amazing person and gift to the world! Andrew's extraordinary presence will be felt forever. I am so blessed to have shared such a beautiful friendship with him. I'm thinking and praying for you all! Much love!
Dear friends, I want you to know that my prayers are with you during this difficult time. My family and I will be thinking of you as you remember Andrew and the memories you made with him. God has a perfect plan for everything. May He give us the grace to understand it.
Much Love,
Vickie Orr
We are truly blessed to have known Andrew. His great sense of humor about life and his quick wit will always be rememberd. We will sadly miss him. He is comfortable in his heavenly home, surrounded by choirs of angels singing his favorite hymns. Our prayers continue to be with each of you.
Love, Noland & Marsha
Andrew greeted me almost every semester with a good put down to get the semester off to a good start. I will really miss that. I don't usually think of Andrew as an inspiration, simply because I forgot that he had problems. I forgot that he looked different from everyone else. I think anyone who became friends with him could say the same thing - you didn't think of him as "Andrew, my deformed friend", but more like "Andrew, my scholarly, sarcastic, intelligent friend". You didn't have to try very hard to look past his disease, because his character overpowered it. I have every confidence that when Andrew gets his brand new, perfect body in the resurrection, he'll still be the same old Andrew we have come to love. When I get to heaven, I want him to introduce me to all of the reformers and other great men of history, because Andrew's probably keeping a running list right now of the one's he wants to meet. We'll miss you Andrew.
How fitting that Andrew went to be with our risen Lord and Savior on Resurrection Sunday evening. Though I didn't know him well, I grew to love and appreciate his sense of humor, his voice, his intelligence, wit and just willingness to talk. I heard about the fun and banter that went on between him and Jonathan as they roomed together. Obviously from what I have read here, he had a big impact on people because he was living out his love for Jesus, showing that love and acceptance in tangible forms to those he met. He is now with my sister and other loved ones who have gone before completely whole, completely pain free, perfectly loving, praising, in the company of our Savior. I look forward to meeting him again someday and pray for you all he has left behind. Thank you all for your example of steadfast love and care for him that you have expressed here. I am grateful. Debbie Bassett
I praise God for taking Andrew home and I ache will the knowledge that we will not see him here on earth again. He was such a blessing.
What I always admired about Andrew was his complete comfort in being himself. He wore no masks, made no pretense to be anything other than what he was. There was never any reason to hide yourself from Andrew, because he never hid from you.
I will miss him. And I fully expect to enter eternity, hug Jesus and then get pegged in the back of the head as Andrew tells me to keep the line moving.
In Christ,
-Jonathan Lowery
We are saddened to hear of your loss. Andrew was such a joy to work with on the occasion he came to the Main Library to sub with us. We will miss hearing him say "sweeet". Be comforted in the resurrection hope. - Revelation 21:4 - "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”
"Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment." - John 5:28 - 29
I did not know Andrew very long but the short time I associated with him was a pleasant time. I very much beleive what the scripture says here at John and look forward when I will see Andrew again. When he is ressurected he will not have any more pain and he will be able to become perfect. I recognized how much you and your family loved Andrew and thank you for sharing so much of him with all of us.
I am so sorry to hear of Andrew's death. I have been praying ever since I heard that he was not well. I knew him at Belhaven and I appreciated among other things his remarkable intelligence, conscientiousness, and his dry wit. I had a few conversations with Andrew that will always remain with me. It was always pleasant to see him walking around on campus. I wish I had known him better. I will be praying for you all.
In Christ,
Trey Owens
Dear Ones,
We are so saddened to hear of your loss and are praying for your comfort. Andrew was that priceless person whose impact will never be forgotten by any who knew him. He always amazed me and I quite frankly am jealous of my children who knew him so much better than I. May you feel God's hand in every thought of Andrew in these coming days.
Love,
Debi Upshaw
My thoughts and prayers are with you, dear Hilleke family, in the loss of Andrew. I am thankful that he is now in the presence of His Savior. I pray that the Lord would wrap His arms around you and comfort you during this time.
In Christ,
Katie Yelverton
(I graduated with Andrew from Belhaven and am thankful that I was blessed to know him.)
Dear Hillekes-
You are in our thoughts and prayers. We know and rejoice that Andrew is in the presence of the Lord and loving it. We also know how much you will miss him. It has been amazing to see all that he has done with his life. He was a very gifted young man who was blessed with a great family. Daniel truly loved having a friend who enjoyed so many of the same things he did and always kept him entertained. May God continue to give you strength and faith.
With love,
The Moores
Dear Hillekes,
I am so sorry to hear of Andrew's passing. I have been keeping tabs on him since he fell ill. Andrew certainly does not need my sympathy because he is enjoying the beginning of his life everlasting, yet, I do feel compassion for those that most definitely will feel the emptiness that his departure brings. Memories of his time with you will bring momentary sadness & mourning, but they will also provide great comfort & joy as you reflect on the precious moments that our loving Father gave you to enjoy together. May God be the "strength of your heart & your portion forever" especially during the days ahead. Much love & many prayers, Aimee Gibbs (jarrod's cousin & sarah's too!:))
Andrew was in my class at college and we found early on that we were two of the very few OPC guys at Belhaven. We took many classes together, attended a few of the same Bible studies, worked together (in the Belhaven Library) for several years as well. Andrew challenged me to be a good student (I could scarcely surpass his marks in any class), to seek the Lord with my whole self, and to simply enjoy the life that God has given us. I can't wait to behold Jesus someday, with my brother and friend there, worshiping. You are in my prayers for the days, weeks, and months ahead.
In Christ,
Joel Bassett
My prayers are with you all. Praise God for the gift of Christ, and the glorious hope of the resurrection.
- Brad
I learned so much from Andrew - he was patient in affliction and a model of the thinking Christian. I have missed him deeply since he left Belhaven, and I miss him more deeply now, since my wait to see him will be much longer than anticipated. May the lord of all hope grant you grace and peace to bear your grief and sorrow:
"After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
"Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb." All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:
"Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!"
Amen. I love you guys.
Edwin
It was a blessing to know someone like Andrew. He will be missed, but I know that he is in the arms of the Lord.
What blessing for Andrew to go to Jesus on Easter Sunday, but I am so terribly sorry for his family.
God bless you in the days ahead.
Nancy
"In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death and to guide our feet into the way of peace".
Luke 1
I can only echo what I have read 26 comments down. Andrew was a person who is not only lovingly remembered in his death, but he was loved and respected in his life. Phil and I are praying for your family, but are so thankful to be certain of the freedom from earthly pain he now enjoys in the presence of Christ and all those who have gone before him. I pray that God comforts you in a most real way in this time. Love, Christine
I crossed paths with Andrew both at Belhaven and at many Sunday dinners in various homes. I echo what many have already said- that in Andrew we saw the Lord at work, and it was a beautiful thing to behold. I know this time is incredibly hard for all of you--Andrew's family and friends--and I pray that the God of all grace and comfort would hold you close. "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." Deut. 33:27
In Christ,
Sara Phillips
Going to school with Andrew through Jr. high and highschool was a blessing to me that I'm sure everyone who knew him could understand. To me, he was an outstanding example of what it is to pursue Godliness. The only times I ever saw him cry, he did so for other people. On 2 of the 3 occaisions, it was for people that nobody else liked. I just wish I could have seen one more time.
Every time I saw his sweet smile, it really was a testimony to God's grace. I know he was a remarkable man of God and very loved and admired by many. He will be very much missed! We love you all and you will continue to be in our hearts and prayers!
Just as Andrew's life was a testimony to the glory of our King, so is his death. Andrew truly exemplified "To live is Christ, to die is gain."
Love,
The McPhearsons
Andrew was a brilliant man whom I remember well from Jr. High, as well as Kung Fu lessons. His wit and wisdom were impressed upon me daily and i cherish that. Upon hearing, I was deeply saddened, but quickly realized that Andrew could not be in a better place right now. Faith does not come stronger than Andrew's. My heart bleeds for his family and you are all in my prayers.
~Jon Nasser
Sarah, Jarrod and family,
We received your message via phone and email this morning. We didn't know Andrew, but hope that you and your family know that you are in our thoughts and prayers as you take Andrew to his resting place and journey onward.
Your friends in the School of the Performing Arts at Tech.
God Bless
Dear Ones,
You are in our thoughts and prayers during these days. We continue to pray for you all, as we have since January, that our God will be your refuge and strength and that He will supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. May you sense God's comfort and peace.
Much love,
Don & Donna Sprowl
When I started attending Pineville Presbyterian, Andrew was away at Belhaven most of the time. While I can't say that I knew him well, he always seemed to be full of joy and he invariably had something profitable to say. Every time I spent any time with him, I always came away encouraged and quite often having learned something I didn't know before. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Pro Rege,
Chris Poe
And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. 1 Cor. 6:14
I attend Auburn Avenue Pres. Church and saw Andrew occasionally at different functions but never had an opportunity to actually get to know him. Now I regret not having gone out of my way to visit with him. Another example of how important it is for each of us to take the time to really get to know one another, not just people in our age group, but ALL. As believers we all have a story to tell and I know Andrew could have told me a thing or two!
Andrew
I knew an amazing man, imperfect in body to be sure,
But in character and heart so incredibly pure!
The very sight of his smile,
Made my world so much brighter for awhile.
His mind so sharp and quick of wit,
Often amazed and made me laugh quite a bit.
Some days I looked his way,
And found myself totally amazed.
When others would've given up and run for the door,
He dug his heels in and did a little more.
In spite of his physical adversity,
He continued on with awe inspiring tenacity.
So my dear, amazing friend Andrew,
My desire is to learn to be more like you.
I miss you like crazy,
And pray our memories of you never grow hazy.
So until that day,
When we meet at Heaven's gates
Goodbye
I am thankful that God allowed me to know Andrew for most of his life. God gifted Andrew in so many ways. Being one of his many cousins, I am thankful for all of the fond memories that I have of Andrew.
One of the amazing things about Andrew was that while he always possessed an amazing level of maturity (even from youth), he always knew how to make others smile and at times laugh uncontrollably.
God definitely used Andrew as an instrument of joy in the lives of me and my family!
We love you and are praying for you all!
I worked at Belhaven from April 2004-end of 2005.
I remember Andrew. He was always such a sweet student. Like the other posts say, he would say some funny things.
It really saddened my heart when I read about this on the Belhaven website.
Patricia Martin
Post a Comment