LH, age 60, died for the second time on July 31st, 2009. His first death occurred on May 16, 1978, when he died to his own agenda and by faith asked Jesus Christ to become the Lord of his life. That was a glorious death and resulted in new motives, new desires, new attitudes, and new priorities. Great joy, peace, and fulfillment began to replace the restlessness, aimlessness, and self-absorption of a life previously lived with self at the center. Jesus gave him a love for God's Word, the Bible, and he set out to memorize as much of this wonderful book as possible (more than 192 chapters). One of his greatest joys was to meditate on those eternally life-changing words while out walking, driving, doing the dishes, or during a host of other activities. Seven years after his first death, and with many wonderful and important changes in progress in his character and perspective, LH married AL. She survives. Five children followed, all surviving. LH enjoyed teaching in the public schools. His teaching assignments included science, physical education, health, and driver's education. One of his favorite Scriptures was: "Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:2-9). This second death, resulting after a battle with pancreatic cancer, has claimed LH's physical body, but his soul is now in the literal presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ--where he is no longer living by faith, but by sight! Praise be to the one and true living God!
