The Lord Giveth...The Lord Taketh Away...Blessed Be HIS Name

Thursday, July 12th at 2:32pm my beloved husband of 30 years Timothy Edwin Berndt met Jesus face to face. Although my heart is broken I have an unwavering peace in knowing that when I found Tim Monday night at 11:04pm gasping for air...we connected eye to eye as he took his last breathe and he went from seeing my face, his earthly love, to seeing the face of Jesus, the love of his soul! 

Tim never regained consciousness, nor could he breathe or sustain a heart beat on his own after his final breathe in my arms and I'm eternally grateful for the efforts the staff from the U of M Medical center performed to keep Tim with us so our children could gather to say their final good byes! 

Tim has been an amazing leader, provider and protector of our family. Our children Ashley and Andrew are the amazing people they are largely due to Tim and his example. He loved them well and was so proud of them. I see so much of Tim in our children, and my heart is blessed to know that I'll be able to see glimpses of him in our children as our family walks this road set before us.

Tim loved our son-in-law Joe, and daughter-in-law Rachel as though they were our own.  He was so thankful and proud that they married our children and are building beautiful lives together.

Tim truly was my best friend, and I'd often teased him that he was the best girlfriend I could ever have! He loved me well, and honored and preferred me above himself. He guarded my heart, and he loved and cherished me well.  He often send me scriptures via text messages to encourage me throughout the day and he was my biggest cheerleader and always told me how proud he was of me! 

Tim was a man of little words, but when he talked, I listened because he always had something profound to say.  He'd often say 'still water runs deep'....and he was right! 

Every weekends he would ask me 'what do you want to do'? Or, 'where would you like to go to eat?' He was always selfless and put me first.  He's the only guy I know who would tag alone with his wife shopping and never get impatient.  He'd spend hours walking around Hobby Lobby just to be with me.

Our marriage was built on a firm foundation which is at the center of our faith, and I’m so thankful that I’m already seeing how Jesus has been preparing me over the past 5-6 years for my new norm.

Tim was an amazing Papa to his 6 precious grand children: Aviyah-4, Jackson-3, Norah-2, Ellie-1 1/2, Judah -3 months and grandbaby number 6 coming in August.  He looked forward each week with great anticipation to seeing or face timing the kids. He would sit by the hour playing and talking, and he'd patiently answer all of the toddler 'why' questions.  One of the hardest questions asked repeatedly this week has been 'when is Papa coming over? He needs to help me build a tower, with a STRONG base.'  My heart aches knowing they will now grow up without their Papa, yet I know Tim's influence will continue to shape and form the hearts and lives of our precious grandchildren thru his impact and influence in our lives.

I've prayed a lot this week that the Lord would help me walk with much grace, honor, and a knowing that HE will take care of me! My heart is not asking God 'why did this happens', but rather 'what do you want me to do next?' I SO want to honor Tim in my actions as I mourn him, and lead our precious family thru the most devastating loss we could ever imagine.

Thank you for all of the prayers, encouragement, texts, calls, and just being there for us.  You've truly held us up and we are so blessed to have such amazing people in our lives. 

Gripping the hem of his garment,

Kim ❣️

Isaiah 61:3 says, "he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for HIS glory."