in Stephanies life and we too will carry the " TORCH of  FAITH."

STEPHANIE WINGARD / Passing The Torch Of Faith.

The 2 prior posts on "Devoted2him / xanga are of Stephanie Wingard / The Cross Made The Difference and  Stephanie Wingard / Teach Us To Keep On Loving.

I have been pondering for days the final tribute to Stephanie Wingard. Some of us hold close family ties - others deep friendships - others a passing aquaintance but no matter what our connection was, we all share the same heartfelt appreciation of how she touched our lives. And yet one stands out above all the rest to me ..... Stephanie in her own way .... "Passed Her Torch of Faith On To All Of Us."

Her life work as we know it is finished here on earth, but really it could be only beginning for all of us through HER TESTIMONY.  

A TORCH is a portable light .... something that illuminates, enlightens and guides.

A TORCH-BEARER is one that imparts knowledge, or inspiration on to others.

As I stop an think about it her smile, her living life fully on the run, but most of all that she had a deep personal moment when she asked Jesus to cover her sins with the Blood of Jesus. Thats where her heavenly beauty started to truly illuminate deep within her heart. Her soul started to burn with a Passion to follow after God. Allowing Him to enlighten her pathway and to guide her future. Not only that as many places she traveled to in visiting friends, family and events she became a "portable light." She was truly an inspiration to all she met as I veiwed the 200 photos of the funeral. The evidence was on your faces.  

I know we all miss her terribly and always will. She put this "heartprint of love on our life, that we can`t erase." And we wouldn`t want to. But then I think of Stephanie dancing around the Throne of Heaven in all its splendor and WHAT WOULD SHE TELL US ????

We`re still here and have a race to run to the finish line. Thats a bit disheartening to me especially when weighed down with grief. My heart and feet feel heavy.

I think Stephanie would want us all to put on our "running shoes" and hold our Torch Of Faith up high for all to see, that we too " Stand Redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb" and get running hard after God. This isn`t quittin` time its hard runnin` time and if Stephanie could stand in the bleachers of our lives she`d be on the side lines screaming us all on to the finish line. She knows what awaits in the beauties of Heaven and she wouldn`t want one of us to miss it for the world.

So its putting off all the weight of anything that is weighing us down and holding us back from running our race hard after God. I ask myself the question, "If I would stand on the threshhold of eternity like Stephanie what would be holding me back in meeting Jesus??????"

Please take a moment and view the website following this and see HOW GOD STILL CHANGES LIVES ..... It will change yours too. You`ll see.

This is a live link: Website ( www.woosterchurch.org )  Top lefthand link: "Videos on Demand"  Click and Scroll on: Cardboard Testimonies. This happened in one of our local Wooster churches on Easter Sunday 2009. God is able to meet your every need and deliver you from your sins. THE CROSS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE. Don`t wait. He stands ready with arms open wide with a look of love on His face. Come to Me, I will give you rest. Lay your sins at the foot of the Cross and be set free.

Grab a Firm Hold of the "Torch of Faith." Get in Position.....

Stand / Leaning Forward / Feet poised / Ready to RUN.

Stand - Be on your guard, Stand firm in the Faith, be men and women of courage, BE STRONG! I Cor. 16:13

Leaning Forward  - But to Him that is able to keep you safe from stumbling, and cause you to  STAND in the presence of His Glory free from blemish and full of exultant joy. Jude 1 :24

Feet Poised - I Can Do ALL things through Christ which stengthens me. Phil. 4:13

Ready to RUN - He holds Victory in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Proverbs 2:7-8

Stephanie has passed her torch of faith onto us and is waiting just inside the "Eastern Gates."

BUT WE`RE NOT "HOME" YET ..... RUN WITH ME TO THE FINISH LINE! ( Heaven)

STEPHANIE ANN WINGARD

What can I say that tells everyone what an "incredible angel you are dancing around the Throne of God?????"  The difference? Is the Cross! How do we know that? Its the Hope of the Born Again Child of God. In your beautiful Robe of White. Makes me jealous, but I know you are waiting for all of us and how beautiful Heaven must be with streets of gold.

She flew up to Heaven

on wings of angels

By the clouds and stars

and passed where no one sees

And she walks with Jesus

and her loved ones waiting

And I know shes smiling saying

Don`t worry about me.

We only knew Stephanie and her family 3 short years and yet they left such a touch of LOVE on our lives and to our daughter, Louetta. Its obvious how much you meant to all your friends and families at the funeral. Many tears of sadness were shed because of you moving HOME before us. Your family, friends and cousins were sad and altho they miss you so much they wouldn`t want you to come back to the world of sin and sorrow. They just want to be with you enjoying your friendship, love, and good times together. Since you can`t come back to us, that means we have to come to you.

UNDER HIS WINGS: Oh, What Refuge in Sorrow..... There Will I Hide Till Lifes Trials Are O`er!  Resting in Jesus, I`m safe EVERMORE.

Olen Wingard Family

Father ( Olen) and Son helping to cover Stephanies Grave.

Emily (Mother) helping to cover Stephanies grave. Dear Emily, tears are a language .... God understands.

Stephanies Brothers side by side covering the grave.

YOUR ROSE WILL NEVER FADE! BEAUTIFUL FLOWER FOR THE MASTERS BOUQUET!

Stephanies Brothers placing their roses!

 Lean on the Everlasting Arms. Jesus has grace and strength enough to hold and carry you thro.

.... WITH JESUS BY YOUR SIDE !

I`M FREE

Don`t grieve for me. for now I`m free;

I`m following the path God laid for me.

I took His hand when I heard Him call;

I turned my back and left it all.

 I have taken flight to a beautiful city .... not made with hands.  (Heaven)

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work, or play.

Tasks left undone must say that way;

I found that place at he close of the day.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow;

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My lifes been full, I savored much;

Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.

Perhaps my times seemed all to brief;

Don`t lengthen it now with your grief.

Lift up your hearts and share with me;

God wanted me now, He set me FREE.

As Pastor Donny Swatzentruber was sharing during the service he mentioned over and over how we need to stand on the Rock of Jesus Christ. And thats why the Cross made such a difference to you, Stephanie and to those of us still behind. Because Jesus died for our sins we can have this Rock to stand on, lean on, hold us steady in the storms of life. These kinds of storms. Storms of grief, and extreme sadness. Moments that we think we can`t go on one more moment, but gently Jesus leads us on because HE IS OUR HOPE.

And then there is Dave Miller .... the weight he must feel in his heart. During the funeral service Pastor Donny, requested Dave go to the front of the church and put his arm of compassion around Dave. Pastor Donny then spoke to us about acknowledging our forgiveness to Dave by standing to our feet. What tears of forgiveness flowed from the sanctuary to the fellowship hall and a beautiful moment as a testimony to the power of Gods love.

To those of you that read this post on either xanga or FB and if you meet this young man in person give him a hug and wrap him in prayer. Pray a "Prayer Shield" over his life that Satan doesn`t get a stronghold on his life because of this tragedy. He needs your love and encouragement to keep on BELIEVING that God still loves and forgives. Dave, was the young man driving the motorcycle on which Stephanie was riding. My personal message to Dave: Jesus cares! We are praying!

 Remember what the Cross stands for. FORGIVENESS! The Cross makes the difference. Without the Cross and Jesus shedding His Blood for us, there would be no forgiveness for Dave or us. Stephanie, since you have experienced the sweet peace the difference the Cross made in your life.... you would agree with us and shout ..... Amen!

Don`t worry about anything, Pray about everything, Tell God your needs, and don`t forget to thank Him for the answers. Philippians 4:6 This was on your Face Book Wall. And I think this is exactly what you would tell all of us here on earth ..... Quit worrying / Pray about everything / Tell God our needs / Thank Him for the answers. Thats a tall order on any given day .... but when the emotions of grief assail us, we tend to get off track. Thanks Stephanie, for the reminder that can be our guide on any given day, but especially now.

Holy, Holy, Holy  to the Lamb! Worthy is His Name! Imagine Stephanies voice in the choirs of Heaven. How Beautiful.

Now, Stephanie, I want you to keep on your DANCIN` SHOES, Get that Violin tuned to perfection and start the Chorus of Praise " Oh! When The Saints Come Marching In" because were comin` soon. Its just till "We Meet Again."

In respect to Olen and Emily Wingard no photos of Stephanie in the casket are posted. If you would like a CD of the photos taken at the funeral, contact Alice Weaver sacredevents@aol.com 330-264-2107, or Face Book Alice Weaver.