Tribute to Lynn Williamson Father, friend, and dedicated servant. This week, on Monday, July 28th, 2008, Lynn Williamson met the Lord face to face, as a result of a heart attack. He was doing something he truly loved -- swimming. We are all shocked and saddened, and will miss him terribly. But his life and service gives us courage and hope. He was a dedicated father, wonderful friend, and a true disciple of Christ. Many of you met Lynn in person or talked to him over the phone this year. Please pray for his wife, Joy, and their six children. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lynn showed up at the HLA office about a year ago, having just moved here from California. I was actually buried with work and had been praying for some help. We instantly hit it off. He told me stories of his work with the Department of Children Services in California, and his years of teaching math before that. Within three weeks he was traveling with us to Chattanooga for a curriculum fair. I'll never forget the tremendous relief I felt and how I thanked God for such a blessed friend. During the first hour of the fair he listened to me tell folks about HLA and picked it up so quickly that within two hours I could confidently walk away from the booth and trust he had it covered. When no one was visiting our booth he would play with my little girl. It was so sweet. I'm sure all of you who met or talked with Lynn this year will agree: He had a warm heart and a tremendous spirit. He loved God and served Him through serving HLA. He was my right hand man in the office, really. And though God is providing all our needs in his absence, his absence will always be felt. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lynn was also a big part of our family outside of work. He and Joy always took time to be with us and showed genuine interest in our children and our life. Here we are at the Chattanooga Aquarium with Lynn and some other friends. In so many ways he was like a father to us. Though we only met him a year ago we feel as though we knew him most of our lives. He was so quick to laugh and joke, making him always pleasant to be around. His lighthearted nature attracted children from every corner of our little Christian neighborhood. My boys especially loved "Papa Lynn." When I told our three year old he went to heaven, he replied, "Well, we just need to go there." "We will," I quietly replied. "But first, we have some more work to do here."  Lynn loved this life because he lived for the next one. Everyday he served those around him, taking up the tasks that others did not want, and never asking for anything in return. In fact we had a little nick name for him:  "Get'er done, Lynn." He truly did love to "get'er done." In fact, it's quite possible God called him home because he needed his help with some things and Lynn was the only one he could trust to "get'er done." It wasn't just tasks which Lynn took up; it was people. I watched him lay his life down for people who were struggling, listening intently to their problems, and offering whatever Godly wisdom he might have. It was his way. He was a servant disciple. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What can we say of this tragedy and loss? We feel it. But to God, it is no loss. In fact, Joy decided that since the heavens are rejoicing we will too. So on Saturday we are having a celebration service, complete with worship, bright clothing, and stories. It's the way Lynn would want it, because it is the way God sees it: Death has been swallowed up in victory. And victory calls for a celebration! "The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.       If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body...Death has been swallowed up in victory.     Where, O death, is your victory?       Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 15) Lynn's life was a victory. And now, many of us are committing ourselves to adopt the very best of Lynn's life and serve others as he has served us. As we move into this new school year may we never take for granted those precious souls in our life. Hug them everyday and serve them like there is no tomorrow. May God be forever praised in our lives and in his Kingdom. We thank Him for Lynn. Lynn and Joy Williamson   I know many of you will have responses. Please know we thank you in advcie for your wellwishes and comments. However, please understand we cannot respond to every email. If you would like to send a note to our office or to Joy please mail it to HomeLIfe Academy, PO Box 34758, Memphis, TN 38184. Thank you again for your kindness and prayers.