South Dakotan Satterfields: November 2008

Most of you already know that my father-in-law, Rev. Ray Satterfield passed away on Friday, November 7. He collapsed with a massive heart attack. He was so young-only 55. Dad was the best father-in-law a girl could ever ask for. He really was a second dad to me. I don't know what we are going to do without his wisdom, counsel, support and just love. He loved his family with a passion and we loved him back the same. He was the best with his Grandkids. Brianna talks about him constantly--even in the bathtub this morning! He read and played with them, babysat and got them to sleep, or maybe I should say slept with them :-) while the ladies went shopping and Glen & Jordan zoned out. He was an incredible lover to his sweetheart and their marriage was a great example to us of what God wants in a marriage. I feel that even since his death our own marriage is stronger. Words cannot describe the kind of father that he was to Pam & Jordan. Jordan has lost his best friend. (Besides me :-) He was constantly calling his Dad for advice and just to talk. He was wanting to call him right about the time he died and ask him about a computer problem, but knew he was in the middle of Family night at IWS.

He was also one of the best pastors ever. The dear people at Indiana church are devastated and hurt deeply. I knew he was a good pastor, but living so far away, I never realized how good. I can't tell you how many people said things like-- "He is the reason we are here." "He prayed for me when the doctors gave up on me." "He visited us every week." "He came every day while my daughter was in the hospital when she was hit by a car." "He loved with an unconditional love." & etc... We all miss him greatly and are looking forward to being reunited with him someday in heaven.

We got the devastating phone call that changed our lives forever somewhere between 9 & 10 pm. Jordan came upstairs, told me the news and fell on the couch. (We weren't sure if he was gone at that point) We began praying for him to live. After his mom called and told us he was gone, we were in total shock and felt our whole world was crashing down. I cannot adequately describe the helpless feeling of being so many miles away and not being able to be there for Jordan's mom. After what seemed constant phone calls, throwing our clothes in our suitcases, trying to decide whether to fly or drive, (cheapest ticket they could find was $1300 at an airport 6 hrs away) and much crying, we pulled out of our drive at 1:00 am CT Saturday. We drove straight through with minimal stops and arrived in Indiana,PA about 2:01 am Sunday. A memorial service was planned for just his church people that morning at 9:45. By the time we comforted each other, talked and talked some more, got the kids to bed and tried to get things ready for the service, I ended up with only about 1 hour of sleep!

It was amazing to sense the comforting hand of the Lord through all of this. We had never experinced anything so heartbreaking in all of our lives, but God was right there with us through every minute. We were also comforted by family and hundreds of friends. There was a non-stop line at the viewing from 2-9 pm. There were over 400 people at the funeral and over 70 ministers in the honor guard. The funeral director said it was his largest funeral to date. The presence of the Lord was there in such a special way; it was just a wonderful service. Between the memorial service, viewing hours, and funeral, we were reminded once again of what a wonderful man he was and how many lives he touched for the Lord.