October 18, 2015
Dear Friends and Family,
Thank you for praying for our family during this very difficult and emotional time. Our son, Chris went home to be with the Lord in the late evening of October 15. The melanoma cancer was too aggressive for the immunotherapy to get ahead of it. So after two months and ten days from the diagnosis of the melanoma, he entered into the presence of the Lord. God has given some of the most precious times during these last days. Chris was constantly telling people to love Jesus. He wanted people to know that he was not afraid of death because of his personal relationship with Christ. The last message he shared was the Christian’s view of life and ministry. I would encourage everyone to watch it. This is reality in its purest form. This is the address of that message – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4erm3CXH5U
Arrangements have been made for Chris’s funeral. It will be 10am on Wednesday, October 21st at Fellowship Baptist Church in Meridian ID. Information can be found on Caring Bridge at – http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/christopherleavell/journal/view/id/56211fdfaf3d79110483b4b3
Chris has been quoted many times because of the depth of understanding God gave him. I want to give again the reaction he had after receiving the news of stage 4 melanoma cancer.
“God is good and merciful to those that trust in Him. This news today has brought much tears and sorrow to family and friends. But all this sorrow is temporary. The reality is God has already had the last word on this cancer long before I was born. When Jesus rose from the dead and became the first fruits of the resurrection this cancer was defeated. It torments us for just a short time but soon will be swallowed up by eternal life. Even though it is a time of sorrow, our family is enveloped in peace that only comes to those whose faith and trust rests in the Lord.”
Chris lived in that faith and evidenced that peace through all his last days. Yes, there is sorrow and lots of emotion but we rest in the Lord. We know there is more to life than what we have on this earth. I like what C.S. Lewis said, that man was created for greater things than what we experience here. Chris knew there is much more ahead. He lived in anticipation of it. His greatest sorrow was for Michelle and his children and the rest of family, and all we would have to deal with through this time. He knew the reality of loss that death brings. Chris knew the sorrow we would experience, the tears we would shed. He knew we would find comfort in the Lord and was constantly pointing us to the goodness of God.
Friends, this is the hardest letter that I have ever had to write. But I find comfort in the truth of what Chris has said and lived. God is good and His will is good. There is so much more to life than what we see. Our light affliction on this earth is only temporary. This mortality will be swallowed up of life. This has happened for Chris.
In closing, thank you for your prayers and support. We are still on this earth. Chris has left a huge whole in the lives of many which will never be filled. But as we live, God has a reason for us to still be here. We find comfort in His will, even as Chris did. “May God’s will always be done for it is always good.” Jeneen and I will continue to walk with the Lord and do His will as He works in and through us for as many days as God gives us on this earth. We know one day our mortality will be swallowed up with eternal life. We pray that our lives bring glory to our God in all that we say and do. For each of us; walk in His will and we will bring glory to God.
Please pray for Michelle and Josie, Scott, and Colette. There are difficult days ahead for them and all of our family. Pray we will be aware and see the goodness of God as we move ahead in what God has for each of us. Thank you again for your prayers and support. We love you all.
Monte & Jeneen Leavell
Monte Leavell 