Message Board

Unfortunately I come to you with very sad news of the passing of our great friend Ray Purnel. It goes without saying but I will anyway, we'll miss you Ray!! Now you're able to ride as long as you want and never crash. Ride on my friend and LIVESTRONG!

I'd like to wish our deepest condolences to Lyndya (Ray's wife) and Mara (Ray's daughter). Our thoughts and prayer remain with you now and always!

Below is a posting from Lynda:

Hello Loved Ones,

Thi​s morning, Feb. 18th, at 12:15am our Lord took Ray home to heal him in His arms in heaven. He had been deteriorati​ng over the last few days and we are glad that God showed mercy and took him sooner and opposed to later. Only God knows what is best and we have to trust that this was the best thing for all of us but most of all Ray.

Than​k you for your continued support. There is a “Celebratio​n of Ray’s Life” memorial service planned for Saturday February 27th at Southwest Community Church at 11am with a reception following. The church is located at the corner of Fred Waring and Washington in Indian Wells. You are all welcome.

​I could not have made it through this with out you-thank you.

Sp​ecial Message from Lynda

Mara and I are trying to take this all in. It has been a long 5 months and I think we are a little numb right now. But we are surrounded by family and friends and our Lord.

A month ago (Martin Luther King holiday, Jun. 18th) I spent the day with Ray when he was at the rehab center and watched and helped him go to his classes and different meals. He seemed to be coming along but by the end of the day I remember coming home and crying out to God saying “Lord, Ray seems so disabled and I don’t know if he or I can do this”. You see he was barely walking, could hardly feed himself and still was not aware of his situation. As I was crying out God said to me….. “Wait a minute, think about where he was a month ago”. I thought back to mid December and remembered that he was in ICU just after an emergency surgery. I realized how far Ray had come in just one month. Then I heard God say….. “ Now, let’s see how he is one month from now”. I also heard God say to me…. “he will be home sooner than you think”. At the time this gave me such peace. I thought that when God said he would be home sooner than I thought it was home here in the desert and I better get the house ready. Well I realize now it meant Home to heaven. I looked at the calendar and January 18th was the day I spent with Ray; the day I cried out to God and heard all of this. Ray died February 18th exactly one month.

All of this gives me such peace in a time of grief. To hear God so clearly and to know that this is all His plan and He loves us so much. God is good and he wants to be the King of our lives, all we need to do is let Him.

Thank you for listening.

​I will give a few more updates over the coming weeks.

We love you all

Lynda

A word from Mara

Please pray for my mom THANKS