Changes…

Diane Kellogg 2/14/36 — 4/26/24

It is with a tender mix of sorrow and heaven-facing joy that we tell you about the homegoing of Diane, Andy’s mom. It’s sad to think about our lives without her wisdom, laughter, and faithful prayers. It is glorious to think of her in heaven, whole in body and spirit, together with her beloved sister, Marilyn.

Diane went into the hospital in late March due to an infection in the bones of her foot. For four weeks we were assured she could go back home, “when we take care of this one issue.” The issues seemed to change every other day. After four weeks mom was exhausted. She declared she was ready to go to heaven. That day, several family members went to see her in person. That evening the rest of the family, as well as her best friend and three of her sister’s children, called in by Zoom. Diane could hear us and talked to us and thanked us for blessing her. We sang together and prayed for her. Two evenings later she was able to see Jesus, face-to-face. What glorious joy to know that, without a shadow of a doubt, she is now with her beloved Savior.

We Are On The Move

It is also with a mix of joy and sorrow that Andy and I tell you we have sold our home in Orlando. This decision did not come lightly. We’ve been in Florida since 1991. This is the home where we have launched our three girls into the world. For the past two years we have been thinking about a move to the Charlotte area to serve Andy’s mom and dad. Now the plan is clearer, we want to help Andy’s dad adjust to life without his wife of 66 years.

We are NOT NOT NOT leaving Cru.

Andy and I are both able to work remotely (thank you, pandemic, for helping us to recognize that). Knowing that we may move north, Andy has been traveling to Charlotte once every three months or so to check in on his parents, and spend time with brother Bruce, his wife Tonya, and their two children. With some of our grandchildren still in Orlando, we will reverse the “flow” and be traveling back often. Cady, Kevin, Khloe, and Rylie are staying in Orlando (for now, said the hopeful grandmother). Zach, Becca, Murphy, and Jameson are planning to move to Greenville/Spartanburg, SC. when we move to NC. They will be right near Preston and Rachel, and they all will be about 2 hours away from us. “Close enough for dinner, not close enough for breakfast!”

A Sandy Gift From the Lord

Ever since 2018, the extended Kellogg clan has been planning a family gathering for spring 2024. And so, as God’s timing would have it, two weeks after Mom’s homegoing, we all gathered at Murrell’s Inlet near Myrtle Beach. In many ways, God blessed our socks off.

We stayed in a stunning beachside home, the property of Jeff and Jenny’s close friends. There were 36 out of 39 extended Kelloggs. As you can see in the picture below, sixteen were under the age of 10! We ate great food, played in the sand, swam in the pool, played Cornhole, read books and watched Bluey (lots of Bluey!).

We were ecstatic that Doug Kellogg, the patriarch of our tribe joined us. Many of us called to encourage him to come down. During our time together Diane’s three boys helped dad plan Mom’s service. The time together allowed many of us to process Diane’s death with one another, support one another, remember family games and trips and traditions, and in general, enjoy sharing memories.

On Saturday, May 11, we all drove to Charlotte and Carmel Baptist Church where we celebrated Diane’s life. Doug and Diane’s Sunday School class was amazing hosts for this event. They were the hands and feet of Jesus! We recounted the many fingerprints of God in her life. We talked about her faith, her love for each and all of us, her support, her wisdom, and her amazing cooking. The service was very glorifying to God!!

All of the changes at once seem a bit surreal. We will keep you up-to-date on where we settle. At this point we have to be out of our Orlando house July 31st. Please pray that God will be in the details, for us and for Becca and Zach!! Thank you for partnering with us and keeping us in the work of God’s kingdom.