Here is this morning's post at Wil's Caring Bridge site. God bless Wil Mills. --Tim
Friends and Family:
Kathryn asked me to write a journal entry to update you. She is constantly very busy with Wil.
I went down to the kitchen this morning to fix coffee around 7:00 a.m. I was greeted by Jenny. She encouraged me to "get Phoebe Agnes and Benjamin".
Wil appeared to have reached a new place, having very labored and infrequent breathing and being somewhat detached in his awareness. (Over the weeks, Wil has lost a tremendous amount of weight, yet he has continued to request, and receive, both food and drink.)
So, the word went out through the house to surround Wil, as the end seemed near. The hospice nurse was paged. We sought advice on what was happening.
Gathered in the room were Kathryn, who has been faithfully by his side, and Wil’s family- Parents Wilmer and Betsy Mills, parents-in-law Mary Ann and Raymond Oliver, Sister Jenny Gueltig, brother John and his wife Greta-Barbour, sister Kate Irby and I, her husband, Kathryn's brother Nathan Oliver; as well as Wil and Kathryn's children Benjamin (13) and Phoebe Agnes (11).
It was very special time together as we prayed fervently for Wil and his immediate family. We sang together many hymns- "For the Beauty of the Earth", "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence", Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee", "Fairest Lord Jesus", "Go Tell It on the Mountain", "How Great Thou Art" and “Amazing Grace”.
Betsy Mills sang Wil a song that she had written, with which Wil was familiar- "Just Wait and See What God Will Do". She also read aloud some of Wil's poems from his book, Light for the Orphans.
Wilmer read Revelation 21 aloud. Kathryn read Psalm 139 in French and in English.
The hospice nurse arrived and conferred with Kathryn. We learned that Wil was near the end. He is soon going to be with the Lord. We trust God’s timing; we know that Wil is in His hands. We are also so grateful that Wil has been so peaceful in his resting. Overall, it seems that his pain has been managed well.
The family has been watching and waiting with Wil all day. Tonight, we are taking shifts in an all-night vigil.
We appreciate all of your prayers, encouragements in the CaringBridge guest book and all the wonderful calls, visits and food! We have truly felt God’s presence and His peace.
Charles
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