Monday, June 2, 2008
Monday's Update
We missed being with you yesterday. I can promise you we were with you in spirit. We were praying for the service in the mist of all Pastor's struggles. As many of you already know, we have been given only a few more precious moments with Pastor. He is sleeping a great deal. He is not in pain and I thank the Lord for that. Our family is so blessed by your words to us and all of the kind deeds. We have been able to spend every minute with him and not have to worry about other things. Always know we have not given up but we know that what ever direction God chooses to use that Pastor is a winner. His healing will either come here on earth or when he goes to heaven. Remember the sermon Pastor preached not to long ago on I know the plans You have for me. God has plans for Pastor and He also has plans for each of you. Always know we are in the palm of God's hand. Thank you for respecting our time with him. I cannot express how much we love you and are blessed to be or have been your Pastor's. Love Sherry
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29 comments:
Thank you soooo much for the update, always looking to hear from you. Please tell pastor we are still praying and that we are very thankful for everything he has done for us. We have not given up. Sherry, also know that we love you and we are also praying for the family. If you need anything please do not hesitate to call remember we are just across the street.
love always
Ines, Michael and Celeste Maldonado
ALWAYS LOOKING FOR UPGRADES. WE ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN PRAYERS. TELL PASTOR THAT I AM VERY THANKSFUL FOR EVERYTHING HE HAS DONE FOR HIS CHURCH.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
LOVE
IVONNE BAIXERAS.
Sherry,
I can't tell you how much I hurt for all of you..... I am still praying and holding out for that MIRACLE!! Please, Please, Please, tell Eric how much I love you guys and how thankful I am to have had you guys in my life. Ya'll mean so much to me and were GREAT instruments in my teenage years in molding and teaching me to be the person I am today. If I can do anything for you then PLEASE let me know. I will always love ya'll and NEVER forget you always being there for me when I needed you. You have touched and made a difference is so many lives. Keep the updates coming and take care of yourself.
I love you with all my heart,
Terry
My heart is just breaking right now. I know that God can still come through, but it doesn't stop the tears. I keep holding on to the story of Lazarus and know it is never to late for God to show up. Sherry I am always praying for you and your children. I pray that God continues to give you the strength that you have always shown. You and Pastor Eric have shown such strength and courage throughout this battle, just another example that you have set for others.
I love you guys so very much! Please tell Pastor Eric that I love him so much. That I say Thank you for all that he did in my life. Thank him for giving to the Lord. I am defintely a life that was changed!
I love you all!
Love & Prayers,
Cindi Gipson and family
Love you all so much. Peace, precious peace to you as you are in the palms of His hands.
The Peterson's
My dearest Pastor and Sherrie words can't express the sadness we feel for you and your family. You know how much you ALL mean to us. We are still believing in a miracle we continue to pray for you all. I know Robs trip to Miami was not the easiest but I am so glad he went. I hope you know that we are here for you and that no matter what time it is please call us if you need us. We will get in our car and drive no matter how far we are. You both mean the world to both Rob and I. We love you and your family very much.
Please hug pastor for us and let him know how deeply he touched our lives and Lucas life.
We love you...
Thinking of you daily and praying without ceasing for Pastor, you, your family and the entire Sunset family.
The Mestas from Texas
Pastor and Sherry, even though I am not there, I am in spirit. I continue to pray for a miracle. I am glad when there's an update about Pastor. I continue to pray for strength, peace and comfort for all of you. May his loving arms continue to hold you all.
Love Dawn
Pastor & Sherry,
I have wanted to share what’s in my heart with you for some time. Out of respect for your privacy, I have held back. However, I feel if I don’t get these words out I will live to regret it. My wife and I have thoroughly enjoyed your sermons. You have always gone that extra mile to make a point. You have made us laugh, but also reflect. However, what has most touched my heart has been the sincerity that always came through in your messages. You have always spoken with a passion and an urgency that encouraged me to act. What most impressed me was that the man on the pulpit was the same man off it. You and Sherry made it a point to be “transparent”. It meant a lot to Dianne and me. We see how much you guys love each other are after so many years of marriage. It gives us hope for our own relationship. We know of the hardships you both endured and yet you are closer than ever.
Without fear of patronizing you I can honestly say you are the best pastor I’ve ever had. You’ve been a mentor to many of the men in the church; me included. You and Sherry have taught us the greatest lessons in the past few months. I have learned more about love, dedication, faith, humility, grace under pressure, and courage than I have in a lifetime. Dianne had been serving the Lord a short time when you and Sherry arrived. I did not know how the change of pastor would affect her. I am happy to say that she loves you guys as much as I do. She is constantly bragging about you to our friends and family. Thanks for always having an open door and mind when I have approached you. Thanks for providing me with sound advice and encouragement. Thanks for being a spiritual father to me. Thanks for believing in me. I am truly blessed for having known you. Please know that your life has impacted far many people than you could ever imagine.
With all my love,
Douglas Flores
Dearest Pastor, Sherry & Family,
My prayers are with you all for
God's will to be done.
As Doug Flores said his Thank You,
I too have one. My thank you goes
back to the beginning, of the time
you first came to Sunset Chapel.
At that time I was on the board
and my fondest memory of Pastor is
when he prayed that very special, of all prayers for the forgiveness of mishaps of the past at Sunset, and that God's Holy Spirit would lead in the way of the Father from
that day forward. Well Eric, he
did. The Holy Spirit used you in
so many ways from that prayer
forward. Thank you for the prayer,
and your leadership. Well done.
With all my love in the Lord,
I will continue to pray for you,
all, for patience, power, and peace
during this difficult time. Life
is hard, but God is good. ALL THE
TIME!
I love you,
Judy Kreidman
Pastor,
You are in my heart, my mind and my prayers. Thank you for being a great Pastor. I have total respect and admiration for you. We know GOD has A PLAN for you! We are not giving up on you and we are still believing in a MIRACLE!!! Sherry please know that we are here for you and your family and that anything you need we are only a call away. Are hearts go out to you and your family, please please please tell Pastor we love him. With lots of love, Junior and Michelle Suarez
Dear Pastor and Sherry,
Almost everyday I think of you both, and your family. I pray for God's embrace and love to hold you and your love ones. In the challenging times in my life, I ask myself, "How would Pastor handle this?" It brings me peace to know a man that loves others with God's love. I can only begin to hope to show that love and kindness to everyone I meet daily. This hope has only been made easier by having you both in our lives. I thank you for being there for my sister and I in all our times of needs. We love you very much, and I still look to you both as spiritual role models and as a family in Christ.
With much love,
Odell and Maria R.
Hello,
I used to attend church in Charleston, SC and I heard this past weekend about what was going on. I want everyone to know that God is in control and it is by His grace that we will be victorious over all things that come against us. My prayers are with you! I have nothing but high respect and fond memories of Pastor, Sherry and the family and I praise God for that!
God bless!
Tim Anders
HI Pastor Olsen and Mrs Sherry!
May the God we serve continue to hold you and carry you in these times of greatest need. I just want to let you know what an honor it is to call you my pastors and spiritual parents as well. I have to tell you my children and I continue to lift you up to the throne because we are family. I have been blessed so much by you.You have no idea the impact as examples of parents and pastors you guys are to us. We hAve felt the hands of love as a Pastor, father and friend. Even my kids when they get dressed for special ocassionS they say "I want to dress like Pastor Olsen" Pastor we love you and Mrs. Sherry very much. I know the pain seem forever but I also know it is temporary because it is "WELL With our soulS". May God grant us the desire of our hearts for you, may we abide under the shadow of His wings until the storm passes thru, or may we soar as eagles as His Spirit leads us on in the Power of His LOVE.
AT HIS FEET,
Damaris, Andrew, Christopher and Timothy Malik
Pastor,
My Dad moved down and immediatly starting looking for a church. Searching and searching...then God led him to Sunset Chapel. Jose and I were going to a church by our house(it was ok) and my Dad kept saying come down here spend a Sunday with me. Finally we said ok. We walked into a bubble of warmth. We worshipped, grooving along, liking what was around us and then Pastor from the moment you opened your mouth we knew we were home. Yes I know, you've told me before Pastor, it's not you it's God through you, you are just his instrument. What an amazing instrument you are.
We are at a loss. We don't understand. We are so angry and to make it even worse there is no one to point the finger at. How do you be angry at God's plan? The sadness is undescribable. It is consuming. My desire to fix it for you and your family is unmeasurable. I can't for the life of me imagine what it is like on your end. And yet through it all, there you stand a pillar of faith, an example of unwaivering faith like nothing I have ever seen.
It is because of the example you are and the strength of the Lord that you have instilled in us and taught us to use in our fight Pastor, through all of this that we don't understand we are able to pray without ceasing, continue to share God's word, hold on to God's grace and firmly stand in the gap for you, our beloved Pastor, and your family.
We love you
Jose and Jennifer
Pastor Olsen and Family:
We love you dearly and we are praying for you and your family.
Carla & Sevastian Santamaria
I have a hard time rolling back the tears. Pastor and Sherry, you have welcomed me to your home and have re-opened my heart to faith. You have given me and my family so much hope and so much love - God knows I wish I could do the same for you to ease the pain and lift your spirits. I hope that these few words are enough to let you know that I will always be thankful for all you do. We love you. Be strong - you are in our prayers.
Isabelle, Victor and Alexandre
As I sit with tears in my eyes, I have peace in my heart since I know God is in control and miracles never cease. I pray for a miracle as well as for comfort and peace for you and your family. I love you all.
Linda Reasons Crump
Dear Sherry and Pastor Olsen,
I want you both to know how special you both are to me. You both have been such great examples of what love is all about...and for that, I thank you. You have given hope to all of us and have taught us to treasure every moment we have with our family and friends.
Through your struggle, I have been able to reflect on my own life and have learned a great deal. Not only to treasure my immediate family, but to treasure my husband. God has really opened my eyes as to how I need to treat our relationship through the example that you have set forth through yours.
Sherry, your strength through all this is mind boggeling to me because I see you with such calm and grace, knowing that probably inside you are hurting in a way no one can imagine. I thank God for the peace He has given you and pray that He continue to give you peace that surpasses anyone's understanding. I encourage and support you because I know that this, although difficult to bear, has reached and inspired a multitude of people.
Pastor, you are such a calm and graceful man. Your sermons are so filled with emotion, and that says a lot about the pastor and man that your are. Your dedication brings me joy in that I know that your words are sincere and come from the heart. I thank you for being an inspiration to all of us. In the midst of your pain, you found strength to do the "normal" things that perhaps took an incredible amount of will to do. Thank you for your honesty, sincerity, dedication, but most of all, thank you for being such an inspiration to all that have had the honor of knowing you.
I will continue to pray for God's will in your lives, but know that we are all here to support you and your family. Hope is something that we will never lose, but know that you are all in the palm of His hands, and nothing is too big for Him to conquer.
Be blessed and I love you both!!
Daisy
Sherry,
Please tell Eric that we love him. Thank him for his faithfulness and his integrity and honor through the years. He had such an impact on our lives. You both did. Know that you and your kids are in our prayers and our hearts. We know that Eric is in the hands of the one he has served so faithfully all these years and one who loves him more than anyone on earth can. What better place to be? We will all walk the path he is walking someday and I pray we do it with the same passion and faith and perseverence that he has shown. He is teaching us all. I'm still praying for that miracle but trusting God knows best. I'm praying Eric and for you dear friend and wish I could give you a big hug right now.
I love the words that Randy Alcorn wrote in his book about heaven. I'd like to share it here in case someone has not read the book. It was a great comfort to me.
WE LOVE YOU BOTH.
Cathy and Joe
Heaven
Imagine someone takes you to a party. You see a few friends there, enjoy a couple of good conversations, a little laughter, and some decent appetizers. The party’s all right, but you keep hoping it will get better. Give it another hour, and maybe it will. Suddenly, your friend says, “ I need to take you home.”
Now? You’re disappointed—nobody wants to leave a party early—but you leave and your friend drops you off at your house. As you approach the door, you’re feeling all alone and sorry for yourself. As you open the door and reach for the light switch, you sense someone is there. Your heart is in your throat. You flip on the light.
Surprise! Your house if full of smiling people, familiar faces.
It’s a party—for you. You smell your favorites. The tables are full. It is a feast. You recognize the guests, people you haven’t seen for a long time. Then, one by one, the people you most enjoyed at the other party show up at your house grinning. This turns out to be the real party. You realize that if you’d stayed longer at the other party, as you’d wanted, you wouldn’t be at the real party—you’d be away from it.
Christians faced with terminal illness or imminent death often feel they’re leaving the party before it’s over. They have to go home early. They are disappointed, thinking of all they’ll miss when they leave. But the truth is, the real party is underway at home—precisely where they are going. They’re not the ones missing the party; those of us left behind are. Fortunately, if we know Jesus, we’ll get there eventually.
One by one, occasionally a few of us at a time, we’ll disappear from this world. Those we leave behind will grieve that their loved ones have left home. In reality, however, their believing loved ones aren’t leaving home, their going home. They will be home before us. We’ll be arriving at the party a little later.
From “Heaven” by Randy Alcorn
I’m standing on the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She’s an object of beauty and strength and I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and the sky come down to mingle with each other. And then I hear someone at my side saying, “There, she’s gone.”
Gone where? Gone from my sight, that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side. And just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of destination. Her diminished size is in me, not in her.
And just at the moment when someone at my side says, “There, she’s gone,” there are other eyes watching her coming, and there are other voices ready to take up the glad shout, “Here she comes!”
And that is dying.
Dear Pastor and Mrs. Olsen,
Thank you for taking time to keep us informed and updated in this difficult time for you and your family.
No one knows what God has planned for each of us but we continue to believe and trust in Him and in His decisions for us.
Our family prays daily for Pastor, you and your family. We love you Mrs Olsen and it saddens us to see you, Pastor and your family going through so much. Whatever we can do to help you and your family, please let us know. You, pastor and your family are in our hearts always. We love you.
Karen, Lauren Chin & Family
Dear Pastor,
I am so sorry that it takes something so heartbreaking and tragic for me to finally express all the love and gratitude that I have for both you and Sherry. It wasn’t long before moving to Miami that I lost my Father. I was very angry with God for taking him. Sherry invited Nicholas to church and told him to bring his family. I laughed out loud and I’m sure something crossed my mind like “no thanks, another church full of phony people pointing there fingers at me and all my faults, I’d rather drink bleach.” Well, with much persistence on my son’s part I did go to church, and I was amazed at what I found. I found hope and love like I had never known before. I found forgiveness; I found a desire to not only come to church but a longing to be with people who loved the Lord. I found a family, and eternal friends who said it was ok to just be myself. Most importantly I found out that I have a father up in heaven who loves me and knows my name, who died for me so that I could live with him forever. You taught me that Pastor! You introduced me to My Lord and Savior and I could never thank you enough. I do not want to say Goodbye to my Pastor, my role model and my friend. I want to come to church on Sunday and see your smiling face and hear the message that God has prepared for me through you. I pray and cry to our Father night and day for your miracle healing and I still have faith that it can be done. Not my will though but Gods, he has a master plan, you taught me that too, Oh Pastor, you and Sherry have taught me so much, I will hold you both in my heart forever.
Love,
Joanne LaPietra
Dear Pastor Olson, Sherry & family,
Our family has been blessed and enriched since coming over to Sunset Chapel this January. It has been a pleasure to spend time with all of you on Sundays and we have just begun to get our feet wet with the Home Group ministry. Personally, I’ll never forget the very first conversation we had with the Pastor. It wasn’t our first service, but it was the first time Rosy and I went up for prayer. The Pastor approached us, and looked at us with his deep eyes that seemed as vast as the ocean and rich with understanding. For a moment, we caught a glimpse into the man’s soul, one that was and continues to be dedicated to meeting the needs of his flock. In that brief encounter, the Pastor said to us that we should have lunch, to chat and get to know one another. That was the second indication of his unselfish desire to give of himself in spite of what he was obviously going through. We could not understand at the time how he, while going through the battle for his very life, could even consider taking the time to hear about whatever issues we may have. It is clear to us now, that the Pastor has a servant’s heart, and he thinks of others first.
Pastor, we want you to know that we love you and cherish you. We thank God for you and we know that He has great plans for you.
Love always,
The Garcia Family
Joe, Rosy, Jacklyn and Jacob Garcia
Pastor Olson and Mrs. Olson
Even though I am no there I think of you and I still pray and wish so hard for a miracle. My heart hurts so bad. I will never forget the friendship, love and concern that you two showed to us. We love you.
Please Mrs. Olson give Pastor Olson a big hug and a kiss from us. Alvaro Luisa and Daniel Reyes
Eric and Sherry, just wanted to let you know that you've been in my thoughts and prayers. With love, Diane Hall, Lexington, SC
Hi Sherry, I haven't been able to build the courage to see you lately but Pastor Olsen's condition has given me sleepless nights. I am so sad. I wish I could change all that is happening and there is not one single day that he as well as you and your family are in my prayers. I wish I could see you. If you need anything right now or at anytime I am here for you. You have always been so special to me! I love you very much. Please send my love to Pastor Olsen as well as your children. Lili (Jacob's mom) 786-395-4907. I will try to call you. I hope that I can talk to you. LOVE YOU!!!!!!!
Eric, "Thank you" will never be enough. There are just not words to say adequately how much you meant to me. I only wish my own children would have had youth leaders like you and Sherry. If we had leaders today that poured as much love and time into the kids that the two of you did I don't think there would be so many of them struggling even within the churches today. You are truly a "diamond in the rough." My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Cheryl Barker Dekker
Sherry,
Words can never express how deeply sorry we are for what you guys are going through. Since we found out that Pastor was ill we have never stopped praying and continue to pray. I apologize for not being there for you guys but whatever you need on our end please let us know. You and Pastor have been great role models for us and have always shown us what a true Christian is. I still remember sitting on the board and interviewing you and Pastor and saying to myself how "real" these people are... Sherry if you get a chance please let Pastor know that it was an honor to serve with him on the board, he has been an inspiration in my life in many ways.
We Love You Guys,
Ralph, Ofelia, Ralphie, & Chachi
Hi Mrs.Olsen...
I miss you guys im soo sad..How are you guys? I hope everything is fine. Please say hi to everyone for me. Be safe!
XOXO
Tabitha and Family=)
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