We'll miss you, Vince.

Vince Bjorndahl was one of our first friends after our move to Calgary. Vince & Shauna were in our home Bible study group for the first two years after we arrived here.

We were lost people, in a way, Steve and I. New city, new church, new home, new beginning. Vince and Shauna, along with the rest of the small group, were a big part of our settling in that first hard year.

In December of 2004, Vince was diagnosed with a rare and aggresive form of cancer. Since then, we have been witnesses to a family grown strong with grief. After surgeries and chemo and radiation, Vince remained humble but not beaten. And his heart - what a joy to watch his heart grow strong with faith.

Being somewhat new and somewhat peripheral to the Bjorndahl's lives we have been among the many who tried not to intrude, who tried to be helpful and not harmful. I suppose we erred on the "staying out of the way" side of the equation. I know we never got the spend the hours of laughter with Vince that we wanted to. Selfishly we wish we had intruded more. We prayed for Vince, for Shauna, for the children, whenever God brought them to mind. God brought them to mind many times every day.

Vince went to Glory last night. As Shauna says, He is now the "In-Vince-able" Vince that God has in store for him.

Chris Rice - Untitled Hymn

Weak and wounded sinner Lost and left to die

O, raise your head, for love is passing by

Come to Jesus, Come to Jesus, Come to Jesus and live!

Now your burden's lifted And carried far away

And precious blood has washed away the stain, so

Sing to Jesus, Sing to Jesus, Sing to Jesus and live!

And like a newborn baby Don't be afraid to crawl

And remember when you walk Sometimes we fall...so

Fall on Jesus, Fall on Jesus, Fall on Jesus and live!

Sometimes the way is lonely And steep and filled with pain

So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then

Cry to Jesus, Cry to Jesus, Cry to Jesus and live!

O, and when the love spills over And music fills the night

And when you can't contain your joy inside, then

Dance for Jesus, Dance for Jesus, Dance for Jesus and live!

And with your final heartbeat Kiss the world goodbye

Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and

Fly to Jesus, Fly to Jesus, Fly to Jesus and live!

Bye for now, Vince. We're richer because you spent time here. See you.

Love,

Susan for the Bowens