As I think about Lucy, I believe she and her children have been examples of a
"chosen lady and her children whom I love in the truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, for the sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever. Grace, mercy and truth will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love." II John 1-3.
I began to learn about Lucy eighty years ago, from a man named Marv who would shortly become her husband. She was then a student at Buffalo Bible Institute, and he a student who became my roommate at Baptist Bible Seminary. That began two friendships which have blessed me and mine ever since.
Marv didn't feel called into full-time Christian ministry, so he returned to New Berlin to take over the family dairy farm from his folks and to soon marry his love, Lucy. In those early days, before they wed, I have memories of Danny having his nightly snack of popcorn in milk, and Ethel, who though often looking tired, gently cared and loved the group of special-needs ladies from Rome School who lived in their home. (Canellia was the one I remember most when I'd go home with Marv for a weekend.) Later, Ethel could have never continued to manage all of the work they required if it was not for Lucy who then lived in their small house out front. Sometimes she was as tired as Ethel, but Her gift of hospitality and love for God gave her strength, and has often blessed me and so many others. Lucy and Marv later continued that labor of love by continuing to shepherd a group of those special-needs ladies in their new home in New Berlin after Marv retired from farming. Every visit with them always made me feel welcomed, as I enjoyed their busy home of joy.
It wasn't long in their marriage before Marv and Lucy had brought their two daughters Dawn and Sharlene into their world. I recall that Lucy "really labored" to bring them to birth. Then a few years later, I remember the day when Marv confided to me that he and Lucy had and were dedicating both of their daughters to the Lord's work,even at their early ages. Their prayers have surely been answered as Dawn with Barry and Charlene with Glen have now been serving our Messiah for several decades as full time missionaries. I'm quite sure that Lucy and Marv often thought about them as they often sang duets together in church (often after Marv had cleared his throat a little.) Mary Jane and I were honored to later have them sing in our own wedding some 54 years ago. .
Dawn and Charlene, you have been blessed by your Godly parents' prayers, and today especially by the memories of your Mom. I want to thank you now for your faithfulness to the Lord Jesus and your friendships to not only Mary Jane and I these many years, but the countless others you have ministered to around the world. We're so glad that you could be near and care for her in her senior years. You're both good demonstrations that you are serving the Living God and His Son.
In Christ,
Allan and Mary Jane Weise
