The Love of my life is with the Lord...
As some of you know, Preston Newby, my beloved husband and best friend went to be with his Savior and Lord on Monday night or early Tuesday evening. We were driving up to B.C. to see my family. As we were somewhere in the middle of Washington all the cars in front of us came to a quick stop and began to swerve to the left to go around a giant elk who had just been hit. Just ahead of the moose was the car who hit the moose. Front window smashed and no one was getting out of the car. So Preston being the amazing man he is said we had to stop and help. He ran across the road and began to call 911 because someone in the car was bleeding when another car who didn't see the elk swerved left instead of right, and hit Preston. It was by God's grace that I had turned my head at the time he got hit. But after I heard the crash I turned around to find my beloved laying on the road. I ran to his side and just held him, he still had a heart beat but was unconscience. He looked so peaceful. As I held him I sang to him, prayed and cried out to the Lord. I began to shake so intensely that I lost his heartbeat and I do believe that he passed away in my arms. Because when the paramedics got there they began cpr right away, but it was the Lords will to take him home. As terrible as this is I have such a peace that this was Preston's time to go home to be with the Lord. His life motto was, "TO LIVE IS CHRIST, TO DIE IS GAIN" and he is with Jesus, his Lord and Savior!!!! He has escaped this world and I think we're all jealous of him!!! And I have the incredible hope that I will see him again.
The Lord really prepared me for this, the last few days when I read the Bible I kept opening it to the Psalms. And four times in three days the Lord lead my eyes to verses that spoke of finding your strength in the Lord and that the Lord is my strength. I actually thought it was so unusual that I asked God if he was preparing me for something and then told him, "I hope you're not!!!" But He was and now I am grateful. From the first moment Preston got hit God filled me His absolute and perfect strength. It was such an intense and very real feeling . Never have I ever felt closer to our God.
Preston's passion was always to serve the Lord with all his heart. He did this everyday being a youth pastor and just a Christian in general. He died serving the Lord and what more perfect way to go? I know the Lord welcomed him into his arms with such Joy. We joked that in Heaven he went straight up to Jonathan Edwards, CS Lewis and Paul and was like, so what did you mean when you wrote this.... although I'm certain just being in the presence of our God he knew far more than he did on this earth!
Preston was the most incredible person I have ever known. I've said this even before his death. He touched SO MANY lives, everywhere he went. Everyone who met him just loved him. He had a short life, but a full life.
One of his goals in life was to write a book and the other night I asked him what he was going to write about. He said that if he could get one message out it would be that we NEED to have a passion for the Lord, a real and constant daily passion, we need to find our joy in the Lord, in the good times and the bad. And that in every single moment of our day we do we need to glorify the Lord. His life was evident of this passion that I hope we all can put into action. Believe what we believe and live it out LOUD.
This is the hardest thing I have ever felt, the pain is endless and my life will never be the same, but God is good, he has a plan for our lives, for me, for Jacob and for our unborn baby (I am 10weeks pregnant, due in April) I put my strength and hope in God every second and it has made this far easier than without. I am reminded of Isaiah 40:28-31
Do you not know, have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God
The Creator of the ends of the earth
He will not grow tired or weary
His understanding no one can fathom
He gives strength to the weary
And increases the power of the weak
Even youths grow tired and weary
And young men stumble and fall
But those who hope in the Lord
Will renew their strength
They will soar on wings like eagles
they will run and not get weary
They will walk and not be faint.
Comments
You are one of the most amazing women I have ever had to privilege of being friends with. Our hearts and prayes go out to you. My you find rest in the peace Jesus has given you. My you feel His loving arms around you.
If there is anything Jeral and I can do now or anytime in the future please let us know
We love you guys!
Leanne
lots of love:
Tyler & Charity
I am so sorry for your loss, I hope you keep strong and never stop relying on the Lord.
Our prayers are with you and your family.
Amber and Jeremy Arnold ( Walde)
Our family will be praying for you. I admire your strength and faith!!
you may not remember me, or my husband, we were at BBC with you, we now live in Ontario. Please, just know that we are praying for you, we are so moved and touched by this, it may very well change our lives forever also. Our prayers will be with you.
"For i believe WITH ALL MY HEART, that earth holds no sorrows that heaven cannot heal"
-Barclee and Stuart Huggins
I praise Jesus for his tender mercies to you and how he is keeping you together through the power of the holy spirit. But don't forget to cry. Jesus cried because of death - even though he knew he'd conquer it. Hang on to your faith facing your pain. If you didn't know already, you're about to find out how real our saviour is.
Your post reminds me of Paul's words as he echoes the prophets Isaiah and Hosea;
I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
"Death is swallowed up in victory." "O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?"
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:50-58
A sister in Christ who will pray for you.
Love you!
-Shelly
You don't know me, but I am a teacher at West Hills Christian. Some of my students go to Lake Bible and knew and loved Preston. There is definitly a heavy cloud in the classroom, but also a hope because they all know he is with the Lord. I have been praying for you and will continue to pray for you. My eyes fills with tears as I write this because my heart hurts so much for you.
Blessings, In His great love & care.
Ranae
Can someone (or you) email me funeral times, etc.? address of where to send money, cards and flowers?
Ben's parents are in Portland and I know they would like to attend the funeral if it is in the area.
It's is true, "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength"
My prayer is that people will come to know Christ in all of this. That Preston's legacy will encourage people to have passion for the Lord.
I love you Tara. You are such an inspiration.
Lindsey Spiegel
Lindseyspi@gmail.com
I dont know you but i was reading BigRed and i came accross a link to the journal article and your blog. I know how it feels to loose someone that we care deeply about. I am amazed at how your blog is full of praise towards God instead of complain and resentment.
I will be praying for you :)
Audrey
I found your blog through the facebook page for Preston. I am a friend of Claudia's. When I heard about what happened my heart hurt for everyone involved, especially Claudia. As I heard more about what happened, my prayers grew because I am in a very similar place in life as you. I have a 15 month old son and am 12 weeks pregnant with our second. So I wanted you to know that even though we are strangers, this sister-in-Christ is lifting you up in prayer. I pray that the Lord will continue to sustain you through this. So people from all over are praying for you.
Sarah Hammersborg
I didn't have the strength at church last night to say something about Preston, I'm weak and can't stop crying I know he is dancing with Jesus right now and probably telling me to stop crying.
I just wanted to say Preston brought joy and excitment to my daughter each Thursday she looked forward to youth group and she would be sad and mad at me if she missed a night. Now, I regret not taking her to youth group every Thursday. We sure miss him, and I would have to agree with everyone "Behind every GREAT MAN is a Great Woman"
xoxo
God Bless,
Perla's mom
I've never met you or Preston, but my parents know you through church. When I heard about what happened I broke down and cried for you.
As I look through search pages and all the news stories, I can already see how God is using this for good. As many people Preston helped in his life, he is helping even more in his passing.
I can't begin to imagine your pain, but I want you to know that your family's story is reaching all the way to Boston and affecting us here. You are amazing people, and I hope someday I'll be able to meet you. I'm praying for you.
Melanie Morris
I lift my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from. It comes from the Lord.
Its Kim Connelly I worked with you at the Credit Union. When I heard about Preston's passing I felt compelled to let you know how sorry I am and to let you know you are in my thoughts and prayers. I was in shock and had to rewind what I just saw on TV to make sure it was real. I am hurting for you and Jacob and the rest of your family right now. Your strength and courage through this is amazing and very encouraging. You are truely an amazing person. I know your strength and faith will carry you through this tough time along with friends and family. From what I have seen and read already I can see how much both you and Preston have and will touch the lives of others. Take care of yourself you will be in my thoughts.
Kim
kimncaleb13@aol.com
All this is so I can tell you that many are praying for you and your loved ones. Many people you don't even know. Praying God will continue to make His presence known in your heart. Praying you will feel Him carry you on those days that are harder than the others.
May the Lord Bless you and keep you Tara......Blessings ALWAYS!
Malissa
Woodland Park Baptist Church
Jolene Knapp
See you at church, hon,
Reuben
You may not remember me, but Preston and I were friends at Briercrest back in the day. I am so very sad for your loss and could not help but cry for you. May others see that the Lord is truly real as He comforts you.
Lowana (Wallace) Porter
Though we may never understand the depth of your pain and sadness, please know that myself and SO MANY OTHERS share your pain and sorrow. Paul said in the book of Romans, chapter 12, "To look out for one another in preference and honor, not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints. And you are one heck of a saint my dear Sister! ;o] If you need anything Tara, please let me know. We at church are all here for you and Jacob. Our hearts and souls still ache for you. May GOD just love all over you & Jacob and your new baby! Take care, Kent
Seems like God's removed his mighty hand.
When all we have are tears and pain,
And memories are all that do remain.
How could this happen to us?
Who for His sake have given so very much?
How much can one human heart bear?
Where is God, is He really there?
But then I see a picture of a cross,
See a Father mourning his own loss.
As His only Son hangs there and dies
The slowest, cruelest death they could find.
The tears are welling up in His eyes,
As he covers his ears to muffle the cries
Of His precious Son being crucified
By the very ones He was bringing life.
I'm sure He wished they would have finished fast
That way the pain and torture would pass.
But the Father understood and had a plan
And had to remove His mighty hand.
The story doesn't just end there…
Even though the night was long and hard to bear.
Morning came and so did new life,
And death was conquered; the son was alive.
So death was defeated and has no more sting;
Because of this Father's precious offering.
Yet I know He still remembers the pain,
Of seeing His only son be put into that grave.
He understands the pain and loss we feel;
And how this all just seems so unreal.
Though now we might not see His mighty hand,
It's there holding us in His perfect plan.
-Alicia Hadley 5/5/07
as they did. This is what keeps me going. Some days are better than others, as we walk through the pain and grief, but after a time the intensity will lessen. You will find that what once was normal, will now be defined in a new way. I am encouraged by your walk of faith through this time, and will pray for you and your children to have the continued peace of the Lord, and that you will know that "..my grace is sufficient for thee..." 2Cor.12:9 God will see you through, he will see me through.
God Bless,
Jody
I was just recently accepted into Farmers "Reserve Agent" program.
I am a Christian and I really enjoy helping others. Like your husband, I have crossed highways many times to assist others.
I have tears in my eyes as I type this because I pray I can carry on the Blessing that was shared with your family. I pray I can be that person that makes a difference not just an income.
I know God brought me to Farmers.
Enjoy a Blessed life Tara.
Mike R. Roland
Bakersfield, CA
https://www.mawazna.com/compare-life-insurance/family-protection-plans