When Peter first came to Trinity, Baytown, I was amazed at the speed with which he became involved in our activities--single, male: that didn't usually happen. Of course, he didn't stay single long! I was always so impressed with the love that was evident between Peter and Donna--something special.
I haven't had the privilege of being around Peter in the last few years. I'm glad to have known him and know in my heart that he has touched the lives of many since the move to Austin.
All my love (and Al's) to Donna, Bekah, Sean, and Caleb.
Natalie
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
CRHP joke
I was out running yesterday and I remembered one of Peter's favorite jokes(made up by a bunch of exausted spiritual directors at the inreach weekend) : How many spiritual directors does it take to change a light bulb .?........."Don't know ... but we love you just like you are lil' light bulb .......Dark and worthless !!" (last rejoinder is Michael Donegan's contribution)
I miss you my brother......Josh
I miss you my brother......Josh
The Door
From your Brothers of CRHP Team II. We love you. You knocked and the door was opened.
Matthew 7:7-8
7 Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.
8 For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
Till we meet again, my Friend
I will forever remember your kind smile and gentle ways. You have been such an inspiration to me. You were one of a kind, Peter Attwell. Your faith and love for your family and Jesus Christ absolutely radiated from you. I know that your spirit will remain with us always. I have missed you, Peter, and will continue to do so for some time. My prayers, love, and support go out to precious, steadfast Donna and the children.
God Bless,
Carole Clester
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
He Found it!
Peter, a gentle man who lived life to the fullest and shared his wisdom with many. He was a joy and an example for us all.
" But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
Matthew 7:14
HE FOUND IT!
Peace to you my friend.
Dave
" But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
Matthew 7:14
HE FOUND IT!
Peace to you my friend.
Dave
Farewell Peter
I've come to know Peter in a CRHP II as a member of the 12 man group. I'd never thought that few years later I'd be saying goodbye to this gentle man, who like me enjoyed music and singing songs for others to enjoy. Peter was just an embodiment of peace and grace on earth.
I had never truly realized how serious his condition was. He had mentioned that something was awry with his health, but as I get older that seems to be a story with everyone around me. I myself began to think that I am falling apart with having gout and sciatica and Peter was just part of that group that has something non life threatening but of different nature then what I was going through. I felt that death by gluttony (too many steaks in my diet) and to bottom of hell I went downed by one the 7 deadly sins. So I changed my diet and recovered and I believed that everyone can do the same. All you had to do was to just fix this or fix that and you're good as new or close to it.
For Peter the answer was not that simple. His illness was real and extremely severe. It was a real wake up for me when faced with mortality of yet another friend. Peter's path is clearly with God in heaven and he is well on his way there.
As a spirit he probably enjoys the freedom of being able to visit all the places he always wanted to see in his life, but could never get to it. All the best wishes on your journey Peter. Maybe one day they'll let me go where you are now and although we'll be missing air for string vibrations we can play celestial harps of subatomic particle and carry on the spirit of joy of love you had brought to this material world. Peace be with you my friend.
Daniel
I had never truly realized how serious his condition was. He had mentioned that something was awry with his health, but as I get older that seems to be a story with everyone around me. I myself began to think that I am falling apart with having gout and sciatica and Peter was just part of that group that has something non life threatening but of different nature then what I was going through. I felt that death by gluttony (too many steaks in my diet) and to bottom of hell I went downed by one the 7 deadly sins. So I changed my diet and recovered and I believed that everyone can do the same. All you had to do was to just fix this or fix that and you're good as new or close to it.
For Peter the answer was not that simple. His illness was real and extremely severe. It was a real wake up for me when faced with mortality of yet another friend. Peter's path is clearly with God in heaven and he is well on his way there.
As a spirit he probably enjoys the freedom of being able to visit all the places he always wanted to see in his life, but could never get to it. All the best wishes on your journey Peter. Maybe one day they'll let me go where you are now and although we'll be missing air for string vibrations we can play celestial harps of subatomic particle and carry on the spirit of joy of love you had brought to this material world. Peace be with you my friend.
Daniel
Family
These photos are from our family visit with Donna and Peter several weeks ago. We will share with Andrew lots of things in his life, one being Peter - the kind of person he was and how he lived his life. We are so blessed to have known Peter. We all lost a brother today.
God Bless You
Words are hard to come by - and I'm usually pretty good with them. So here is a reading from the Lectionary for today:
Psalm 40:1-11
1I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog,and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
3He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.
4Happy are those who make the Lord their trust,who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods.
5You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts towards us; none can compare with you.Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted.
6Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt-offering and sin-offering you have not required.
7Then I said, ‘Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me.
8I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.’
9I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation;see, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.
10I have not hidden your saving help within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.
11Do not, O Lord, withhold your mercy from me;let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe for ever.
Brother Peter - the Lord is waiting for you. We love you.
Brother John
Psalm 40:1-11
1I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog,and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
3He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.
4Happy are those who make the Lord their trust,who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods.
5You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts towards us; none can compare with you.Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted.
6Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt-offering and sin-offering you have not required.
7Then I said, ‘Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me.
8I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.’
9I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation;see, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.
10I have not hidden your saving help within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.
11Do not, O Lord, withhold your mercy from me;let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe for ever.
Brother Peter - the Lord is waiting for you. We love you.
Brother John
Peter had a deep impact on me as a friend and someone who I looked up to spiritually . We were both spiritual directors on our CRHP teams and loved to support each other and compare notes. We had a running joke about the "curse of the spiritual directors" ( seemed like turmoil entered your life the second you said 'yes' to that calling ) Our Kids played together and Donna and he were both loving presences in Heather's and my lives and the lives of our children.I particularly remember him as the 'team Chaplain' on the Outreach team to Shepherd of the Hills. I was giving a witness that frankly, scared me more than any presentation I'd given in a life of teaching /public speaking. Peter's soothing words and divinely imbued presence gave me the courage to speak and give my whole heart to a very challenging witness. He had a sneaky deadpan sense of humor.He and I met on Saturdays during the last couple of months or so and we talked very frankly about his death . He was fearless. At one point there was a big confusion over who was going to make or decorate the box for his ashes ....he looked at me and said "Let's make three boxes and play a shell game , people can guess which box has the ashes." I loved him for that .....his quiet low- key guts. His gentleness was probably the 1st thing you'd be struck by when you met him. The beautiful thing was there at the end he told me he had a found a joy and peace that had eluded him his whole life . God had come to him in a dream and had allayed his last fear the only thing he was truly worried about , which was a place for Caleb in Heaven . I am hoping he puts in a good word for me with God because I may have a bit more trouble getting in than him . I miss him terribly..... Love and prayers to Donna ,Caleb , Shawn and Rebecca...Josh
Peter always greeted me with a smile and a big hug. I found him encouraging, inspiring and full of love. I will miss seeing him every week. I know he touched countless lives, such as mine, and was a huge inspiration in faith and unconditional love. My thoughts and prayers are with Caleb, Donna and the whole family. I love you all very much.
To Peter's brother-in-law, there's plenty that he's still aware of. When another friend of mine was nearing the end of her journey, her estranged daughter came to be with her during the last week of her life. When my friend was no longer communicative, we started reading the Bible to her. Her daughter wanted to read too but didn't know the Bible very well. I sent her to I Corthinthians 13 and after reading a few verses she looked up at me and said with a surprised tone in her voice, "Why, this is about love!" I replied affirmatively and looked up at my friend to discover a tear escaping from the corner of her eye. There's much that Peter is aware of still...especially the spiritual.
Everyone remains in my prayers! Sharron
Everyone remains in my prayers! Sharron
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