Joe in Gatlinburg Tennessee, our first trip there together
April 13, 2013
I met Joe in December of 2005 one year after the loss of my husband Bart who died of a brain tumor. Joe and I met on Christian Mingle in a prayer room early in the am. I was not looking for a mate, but found it comforting to chat with those who were going through similar trials as myself. I was actually in the process of running from the pain of the many losses and crisis situations I had encountered within the last 5 years before meeting Joe. However, he was determined we were to be together and pursued me!! We were married in October of 2007 almost two years after we met. I know now that there was a purpose for both of us being together as he died so shortly after we were married.
This was my Father's Day tribute to my husband Joe in 2011. He was going through a particularly difficult time then and needed some encouragement. Little did I know at the time that this would be his eulogy. Joe passed away suddenly and tragically on February 1, 2013 from complications due to gallbladder surgery and subsequent liver failure. He went through so much the last few weeks of his life ... His remains will be buried at the ocean ...I miss you Joe.. Rest in peace.
June 19, 2011
My Dearest Joe,
You are loved more than words can say. I want to thank you today for being not only husband, friend, companion, wonderful cook, the best of listeners, and man who tries to do his best, but the one I have the blessing of living with! You are someone who holds on to his dreams and aspirations, but most of all, you are a man who I can truly say loves God. There are so many stories I could tell about you, the man I love.. but for today I will have to leave some stories untold for another time!
In the depths of woman's being, is a desire more than anything, for a man who loves God and loves her. A man who knows how to "father" his wife is a wise man indeed. One who has the attributes of The Father is a treasure in life and should not be taken lightly. You are one such man. I am so grateful to God for you and so appreciative of all the things you do, but most of all for who you are.
This gift to you is the story of YOU from my point of view! There really isn't any order to how I wrote it, just thoughts that came to my mind as I started writing, so it may seem a bit mixed up, but I hope you get the gist of what I am trying to convey to you. You are a gift to me my friend. My heart is also that you would see how much of the Father's heart I believe you have not only for God, but for others. I know you have been feeling very down lately, but it is good to look at the good things when that happens.
We bring out the best in each other (sometimes the worst too! LOL) and I know I would not have survived these last few years if it had not been for you beside me, my love ... being patient, Fathering me and loving me, and never judging me for all the emotions I was going through from losing so many people in my life just before I met you.
Thank you for being there when the pain was so great of losing Bart, only you were able to reach down into my heart and touch me with life again, I will forever be grateful for that. You spoke tenderly to me and comforted me greatly .. just like a loving Father would do at such a time. You let me run from all I was trying to deal with in such losses and stayed close by as a safety net for me.
Here is a quote from an im I sent you when we were dating:
Donna: you DO know how to win a girl's heart I do believe, my Expresso Rhett!
I thought you might find it fun to take a little walk down memory lane with me. I have known you now since December of 2005 when you came into my life a year after Bart's death. We have been through many difficult times together, and yet we have withstood insurmountable storms, and awesome sunshines haven't we? Many times we were going to part our ways, but somehow we overcame.
With God leading, He helps guide us through the storms
The first pictures we ever saw of each other on Christian Mingle. You said you liked my earrings.. "Yea right!!!!" But, even back then we had an interest in jewelry together .. Amazing! Who knew that we would be creating jewelry designs together?
But, you never let me totally fall in despair through all the time I have known you .. you watched over me and continue to do so. I could get so easily derailed in life.. thank you for keeping me on track~ What blessed qualities of the Father's love you have displayed in my life.
August 27, 2006
Lord God.. I thank you for all you are doing in Joe's life.. you are putting all the pieces together and as you told me today.. you are causing a perfect fit..
Donna: Lord.. how you work together divine connections.. it always amazes me.. thank you for the wonderful way you are putting together the ministry you have for Joe.. I don't know what it is .. but You will reveal it.
Consecrated to God
Donna: Joe's heart is so full blown on fire for you and your people, he even did sermons for youth on having a passion for God.. please Father, take care of all his concerns... and thank you for your direction for every step... precious Jesus.. please meet all of his spiritual, emotional, financial and physical needs with your agape love.. Let there be nothing missing. Be with him today in everything he does in Jesus name. Amen
Even before I met you years ago, and far away when you were a young man .. you had a desire to do what was right my Eagle Scout.. He had placed the Father's Heart in you to live a life of honor. There have been times when you fell, but you have picked yourself up again by God's grace and pressed foward. Now, THAT is the Father's heart!
Mount up with wings as Eagles
It was Father God's heart that you be here against all odds.. and dedicated to God even before you were conceived.... I am so happy you are here Joe.. you have been a blessed example of the Father's love in my life. My world is richer because of you, and even though we are different in age, upbringing, culture and in so many ways in personality, we are learning how to merge.
You were named JOSEPH
Meaning and Origin
Destined to bring the food- the bread of life/the word of God to those in a land of famine. For such a time as this. Highly favored of God, wearing the mantle of God's many colors.. the Promises of the Lord upon your shoulders.
Even as a young child you invited Jesus into your heart and began to learn about the Father's love
 |
| JESUS LOVES ME THIS I KNOW FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO |
Oh, and you are such a clown...
you even have the capacity
to laugh at yourself!
You displayed the Peace of the Father
for me even from when we first met
midnight Dec 31, 2005
midnight Dec 31, 2005
A poem you sent to me June 6, 2009
What a good friend you are Joe..
and what a blessing in my life
For Donsie:
A Poem for my Best Friend
A Poem for my Best Friend
Standing close,
All the way.
I am here to help you with your day.
I will hold you up,
When you are weak,
I will help you find what you seek.
Catching your tears,
When you cry.
Pulling you through when the tide is nigh.
Just being there,
Through thick and thin,
All just to say, you are my best friend
All the way.
I am here to help you with your day.
I will hold you up,
When you are weak,
I will help you find what you seek.
Catching your tears,
When you cry.
Pulling you through when the tide is nigh.
Just being there,
Through thick and thin,
All just to say, you are my best friend
I Love you Sweetie!
(very much),
Your Loving Joe
We had a wonderful courtship... a blessed romance... Thank you for wooing me into your life Joe .. even when I tried to run.
Kissed by God and You!
Kissed by God and You!
You are my "Sonshine"
And, you continue to share the truth about Jesus and His coming return, the Father's heart is for people to know the truth so it may set them free
 |
| JOE, THANK YOU...YOU KEEP THE WONDER ALIVE |
Thank you honey for keeping romance in our lives..
Remember dancing to "Who's Your Daddy" in the living room when we were dating?
Who's your Daddy, who's your baby, who's your lover, who's your friend?? You are getting set free and learning how to have fun!!!
And you for sure have an entrepenural spirit .. one who strives for excellence and is always looking for how to improve in all areas
CHRISTMAS KISS PERFUME CREATED BY YOU!
YOU PURSUED ME LIKE THE BRIDEGROOM PURSUES HIS BRIDE.. and even from our first conversation we were destined to be together.
Kansas City and IHOP
Meeting my family
In Kansas at JoAnn's Moms home
Seeing your love and the Father's love through you in so many ways captivated me totally.. my friend said to you while you were pursuing me.. "win her spirit and you will win her heart".. you won both!
WHAT AN INCREDIBLE HONEYMOON
Our Wedding Day 11/17/07
Our Honeymoon Cabin, Pigeon Forge
Our best friends Jerry and JoAnn spent a few days with us, we had a super time!
our darling country girls Gidget and Chanel
At Patti's Settlement in Kentucky what a place!
At Patti's Restaurant
Your father's home
Iowa buffalo, do you remember the buffalo
stuffed animal you got for me?
Your old stompin' ground! You used to swim here
Some of the prettiest trees I've seen in Autumn
like a picture out of a magazine .. corn field
the blushing bride
the happy bridegroom
Grand Floridian Orlando,
Gingerbread House at Thanksgiving
Epcot Orlando at Thanksgiving
Minnie/Donsie bride at Disney
You delight me that you are interested in learning and seeing new things and can appreciate fine art and culture too!
You also intoxicate me when we dance slow and romantic.. I feel safe and loved in your arms, my friend ... thank you for fanning the flames in our marriage.
No one can make me laugh the way you do.. you have a way of making me giggle from the inside out!! You made me laugh when all I wanted to do was cry.
And I can make you laugh too... so we are a good medicine for one another
I love that you are willing to learn to be young at heart and never lose the magical quality of youth
You have a good sense of humor too!
Cape May/Delaware Ferry.. finally relaxing!
I love it that you can relax and have fun too..
And even though your children live far away, I love the way you are putting an effort into getting to know them better ... they hold a very special place in your heart..
I will always love you for taking my family into your life. Their triumphs are yours, and their sorrows are yours too.. what Father's love.
You are the best Daddy in the world to our baby Gidget.. she adores you and our little "SQIRRBILS" world revolves around you!
GIDGET OUR BABY!
GREATER LOVE HAS NO FATHER THAN TO TAKE
HIS GIRLS IN A SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARADE ALL DRESSED UP IN 90+ DEGREE WEATHER ! GOD BLESS
YOU JOE
You draw living water for me and for others from the well of Salvation... His Presence... Thank you for having the Father's heart .. I was thinking tonight the tape ministry you had while in college was just that .. drawing water for others to be filled with His word
You love to see new places. God has given us so much on this earth to enjoy, After losing so many people I had held dear in my life, and seeing so many others almost lose their lives, I look at life differently.. I think life is very short and needs to be lived to the fullest.. Thank you for being willing to grow in that area and I see that you are beginning to share that with me and others.
I love your teachings and how you bring the word alive to me and to others
Thank you for beginning to learn to hold God's hand when times have been rough.. with Him we can walk on water
You have caused me to see Father's love more clearly in nature and to appreciate the beauty all around me in your pictures. Thank you for sharing them with me
And you have studied to show thyself approved.. a thing that makes the Father happy... that is the Father's heart for all of us
It makes me want to hug you seeing that you have made my people your people.. your love for me has caused my friends to be drawn to you
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MY PRAYER WARRIOR TOUCHING GOD'S HEART FOR ANOTHER PERSON
With Rick Saver at Jerry and JoAnn's
Pastor friends Mark and Joy England
Julie and me
You are interesting to be around, and you have a heart to learn about other cultures
The Father's heart is that we know He is the one who parts the sea for us to pass when Pharoah's Army is coming in on all sides against us.. thank you Joe for endeavoring to trust God in those times. We are learning to be grateful and to trust Him more and more each day aren't we?
I also appreciate the fact that you are a good steward of our finances, you do not ask for a lot and you do not indulge or overspend and barely ever get anything for yourself. I wish you did though... ! and I love to see you on the calculator figuring out money matters!!
You put up with ALL my "girlie" things .. and not only allow me to be all I can be, but you encourage it .. Thank you for having such Father God qualities my Expresso Joe!
I also appreciate the fact that you really listen to me and know what I like and don't like.. such as oatmeal.. hahhaaha
and you do tolerate me and all my silly interests... You so display God's love when you long suffer with me!
Replicas from Drive in Movie Days
APRON FROM FUN WITH DICK AND JANE MY FIRST READING BOOK IN KINDERGARTEN
I love it when you surprise me when I am not expecting it.. like when you surprised me to take me to my favorite place in the whole world.. the Smokey Mountains after the Fall Gold Rush Show in Dahlonega, Georgia for three years. ... that is so much the Father' Heart thank you honey..
Gidget says: "I want to go to the mountains and find a bear"! LOL
Jewelry Show Dahlonega Ga ~ October 2008
"So you'd like a surprise ?.. we're going to the Smokey Mtns"!
One HAPPY lady.. "you are my Prince, Joe"
GOD DISPLAYS HIS GLORY IN THE MOUNTAINS
Your Father's heart for the orphans and little ones is so touching, it makes me realize God has much for you yet to do
Your desire to spread God's word to the nations causes my heart to sing such as wanting to put teachings on New Zealand Radio
Just as Jesus Fathered multitudes and reached out to the ones others would shune, you have reached out to those others would turn away from
You have a heart to see the Harvest come forth, something that touches Father God's heart so much
You were fathered by a man who was wholesome, clean stock something you can be proud of, and your mother too, who prayed for you
You are of good heritage of hard working people. You are an example of a hard working man. Thank you for that.
What a joy to know your family loves you .. that is the Father's heart towards you my dearest one.
You have a heart of giving and have a deep heart for worshipping God. You know how to help others come into a greater place of worship too. I am pasting an im conversation we had years ago into this post for a small example:
blessandbeblest: I am listening to a song and I would like to type in the words for you to see
donnatrex: good
blessandbeblest: For I know the plans I have for you
blessandbeblest: And I know what you are going through
blessandbeblest: So when you can’t see what tomorrow holds
blessandbeblest: and yesterday is through
blessandbeblest: To give you hope for tomorrow
blessandbeblest: Joy for your sorrow
blessandbeblest: Strength for everythin gyou go through
blessandbeblest: Remember I know the plans I have for you
blessandbeblest: He Knows
blessandbeblest: He Knows
blessandbeblest: He Knows
blessandbeblest: You will know it will be alright
blessandbeblest: He’s pouring
blessandbeblest: Himself out right now for you
blessandbeblest: That is the basics of the song
blessandbeblest: but you can expand on it on your own
donnatrex: crying.......
blessandbeblest: It is such a wonderful song
blessandbeblest: She sings it over and over and then I have it on replay
donnatrex: thank you Joe..
blessandbeblest: Hold on He knows the plans
donnatrex: it was exactly what I needed..
blessandbeblest: Yes He knows
blessandbeblest: Oh our God is making a way for you
blessandbeblest: God is so precious
donnatrex: yes.. for sure
donnatrex: thank you Joe..
donnatrex: bless you..
blessandbeblest: I love this song on this CD b yMartha Munizzi
blessandbeblest: This is so powerful
donnatrex: martha muizzi.. where can i get it?
blessandbeblest: I got it from a CD club I am a member of...
blessandbeblest: Munizzi
blessandbeblest: I am checking it out online and I will order a copy for you
donnatrex: oh.. i don’t want you to do that.. if you can give me the website.. i can order it..
blessandbeblest: I would like to send it to you, it would bless me
You are an adventuresome, wild at heart man
just like Jesus was and is!
And you are my friend no matter what.. even when the world turns their back, you are there just like Father God.
You are such a servant, I so much appreciate that in you .. what would I ever do without My Expresso Joe getting me coffee and Continental breakfast everyday, and the hundreds of other things you do for me? Shleping me here and there in the wheel chair, and so much more.. Thank You honey!
You bring me flowers too!!
how thoughtful and loving
You plant and bring me fresh herbs from our garden
You are always getting things for me to show me you love me.. like my wampum necklace you blessed me with in Cape Cod Provincetown.. you took me out to the water in this beautiful setting ..and said "here, in case you run out of money".. !!!! You bless me so much and make me laugh too
WE MAKE A GOOD TEAM!
Here are some pictures of us together:
HAPPY HAPPY FATHER'S DAY MY DARLING... I HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY FILLED WITH LOVE
When I asked the Lord why you had died He told me: "God giveth, and God taketh away, blessed be the Name of the Lord". So I bless the Lord for allowing you to be in my life.. I have learned much about loving from being with you dearest one, and I thank you Lord for taking into Your loving arms of love to be with You forever...
These are the last pictures taken of Joe .. He took me on a surprise trip to Disneyland a few days before Christmas December 2012 ..Little did we know at the time it would be our last trip together.. It was a wonderful, peaceful and blessed time together. We didn't go into Disney proper, but spent the day going from Disney Resort to the next. Fun!
In Memorium:
I will cherish the times we have had together my friend and husband. You fought the good fight to live. I release you to God to find JOY in the Father's presence .. you loved to dance, and so many people talked about how they saw you dancing in heaven... I saw you filled with JOY ... so I will hold on to that and look forward to when we will meet again one day .. Thank you Joe for all you have been to me. I love you .. Your Donsie
Written for Joe in thanksgiving for his life
by ... Donsie
Mom, I read thru the blog and memorial tribute. It's nice to see the many pictures of you and Joe. Thank you for putting this all together. Y'all sure did visit MANY places and have a good time together. It is so very sad that your time was cut shot... LIERALY!!! :-( God must certainly have a plan and purpose for this all. "Pappa Joe" ... PEACE Be With You Brother In Christ Jesus ... I Miss You ALLLLL The Time.
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