A Note from The Kendrick Family.....

Forward to 2014......Dad's been gone now three years. Not a day goes by that we don't miss him! This blog was created to update you about his sickness, then his death, but now with our tribute to him. For 18 months we have been capturing and digitally recording our emotions and sincere desire to honor Dad. Yes, he has gone on the be with Jesus, but his love of music lives on in his family.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Funeral

Thursday, December 1st
Viewing & Memorial Service 7:00PM
Viewing 5:30PM-6:30PM
{This time is reserved for the Lompoc Church Family & Immediate Family. Please honor this time.}


Friday, December 2nd
Funeral 11:00AM


*Service Location:
1418 W. Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA


Monday, December 5th
Graveside 2:00PM
National Cemetery in Bakersfield

Beulah Land

Today at 12:05AM we lost and Heaven gained a wonderful man of God. Dad caught a glimpse of Heaven and there was nothing to hold him here. We are thankful for such a man sent from God to be a Husband, Father, Papa, Brother, Friend, Pastor and Mentor to all of us left behind. Today we mourn but Heaven rejoices. We thank all of you for the prayers and support you have shown to the Kendrick family and the Gospel Lighthouse church during the past year and a half. We will update sometime later today as to when the funeral will be~

Monday, November 28, 2011

Update: November 28th

I wish I had good news....Dad has been struggling today. The doctor made a house call to check on Dad. We need a miracle.

We trust you Lord during this difficult time. Comfort Mom....be her strength. Also be our strength. We're relying on you In Jesus Name.


Family and Friends

Dad has had some visitors the last few days.....

 They gathered around Dad today and sang, 
"How Great Thou Art".
Very touching.......

                                                          
Winfred, Noni, Kenny, & Cheri
{Mom's Brother, Sister in Law, Nephew, & Niece}

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Sunday: November 27

Dad has drank a few shakes that he requested last night and today. We are happy he has shown a desire for these. If we can get dad to drink the Lactulose, it will hopefully lower the ammonia levels in his body and sort of clear the haze he's in. (ie. staring, hard time swallowing, etc.)This will hopefully help him to be able to communicate a little better too.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Saturday: November 26

We got a hospital bed for dad today, which will be much easier for mom to care for him in. He is dead weight and it has been a little challenging lifting him for drinks of water. Yes, he has still been drinking water and we even got him to drink a fruit smoothie last night.
A family in the church has a family member who was able to get an electric hospital bed for free for as long as we need it. (Thank You Parra family for being a blessing!!!)

Friday, November 25, 2011

Spending Time With Dad

Love Offerings

Many have asked how they can help Elder & Sis. Kendrick during this difficult time. We have set up an account through the church for love offerings. Just click the donate button....or you may use the church address below in the right column.

Dad's Siblings

Dad with Siblings and Families: Uncle Kenny, Uncle Tommy, Uncle Larry, Aunt Pam, and Aunt Beverly.


November 10th, 2011

A Special Day

Happy 19th Birthday to Amber!!
{Mom and Dad's grandchild #3}


The family loves this sweetheart bunches!!:-)

So beautiful and grown up!!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Longing For Home

Dad asked to see his kids and older grand kids this afternoon, said he was ready to go home to see Jesus. He asked for us to let him go....he said Paul said it was better. We have had a very emotional day, but we let him know we'll leave it in the hands of God who is the author and finisher of our faith. He was content with that. Said he does not desire to do the chemo on the first of December, and will not hardly eat or drink. Please continue to to pray for our family. We need strength....and so does Dad.

A Very Happy Thanksgiving to You!

We are very thankful for our friends and family.  Your prayers and support during this difficult time have been very appreciated.
We wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Pictures, Comments, Images, Graphics

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Latest pics of Dad

Dad & I on my birthday last week {11/15}


Elder White was able to come and spent some time with dad

Some Long Time Friends.....

Update: Wednesday, November 23

Surgery was a success!  They were able to put the Nephrostomy tube into the other kidney.  Dad will likely be returning home soon.

Wednesday: November 23

Dad is currently at the hospital in Lompoc having a Nephrostomy tube put in on the left kidney. His kidney has not been draining well since Monday and we assume it is because the cancer has now blocked the left ureter. Please keep him in your prayers. We will update after the surgery.

July 4th, 2011

Papa & Camille ~ 1st Great-Grandchild for the Kendrick family~ Such a little beauty and joy to our family~


Papa always takes the grandkids to feed the duckies when they come into town. Something our kids always look forward to when we visit Papa & Nana.


Papa & Chandler

{Dad & his girls}

Dad's 60th Birthday

Mexico Trip

Dad loves missions....Mexico Trip February 2010

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Tuesday: November 22

We went and saw an Oncologist here in Lompoc today and she gave us a bit more hope than we have received since dads visit with the VA Doctors the end of last month. She said she feels dads condition, his weakness and inability to carry a good conversation, is not due to the cancer but due to the ammonia levels currently in his body. She is having blood drawn tonight to see what the levels are exactly and then going to start him on a medicine called Lactulose to lower the ammonia in his body. According to the Doctor, dad should be feeling a bit better and not so weak. Of course, this is not a cure, but to help him feel better and give him a desire to fight for his life. On December 1st she is going to start him on a drip chemotherapy in her office. She understands that since the liver function is critical, he can only handle a very low dose of the chemo. She is thinking about 10% of what he would normally receive. The chemo probably won't make him feel the greatest, however, the Doctor didn't think it would make him feel any worse than he already does. He is currently having trouble with the left kidney draining so we are trying to get him in to see a Urologist in Santa Barbara to see what he feels is needed at this time. We continue to pray and believe God to work it all out. Dad was ready to get back in the bed as soon as we arrived home from the Doctor today, we told him we were going to sit him in the front room and feed him some more shakes...he just stuck his tongue out! :) We feel his spirits were lifted some today. He has been weary of feeling so bad and just knowing he could possibly get some relief, was good news.

Mom and Dad

Mom and Dad have been our strength.......

The Family

December 2010

Dad's Birthday 2010

Dad's 64th Birthday....December 12th,  2010
Almost one year ago......

Mom and Dad love their children and grandchildren......they sacrifice and are always there for them.

His Grandchildren are precious to him.....

Baby Chandler

 Making Memories......
I love this picture of mom and dad.....so happy and on top of the world. (Well, The Stratospere)

The Weaver

This poem is on a plaque in Dad's office.....

Monday, November 21, 2011

Monday: November 21

Dad went to the primary Dr today and he told dad there was nothing he could do for him. It looks to him like the cancer may be blocking the other kidney now, however, this is not for sure. The Dr today said he wants to see what the Oncology Dr says and thinks. Dad goes to see the Oncologist tomorrow at 4PM. He has been in pain the the last few days and has not been very comfortable. We will update tomorrow after the appointment when we know more.

Praying for Dad at West Coast

Dad loves Westcoast.......we knew he was sick when he couldn't attend any of the services.


Here his friends gather to pray for him at West Coast 2011


He Loves His Kids

Dad loves his kids with all of his heart!  Most importantly....he prays for them!

The Guys

The guys....they love being together!! They've had the best of times!!

Dad and Jennifer

Dad and Amber

October 30th, 2011

What Cancer Cannot Do

Cancer is so limited....
It cannot cripple Love
It cannot shatter Hope
It cannot corrode Faith
It cannot destroy Peace
It cannot kill Friendship
It cannot suppress Memories
It cannot silence Courage
It cannot invade the Soul
It cannot steal eternal Life
It cannot conquer the Spirit.

Dad and his Boys

April 2010

Graduation

June 3rd, 2011
October 8th, 2011

Going home from the VA Hospital.

Harvest Party

October 30th, 2011

Dad was looking pretty good here....

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Sunday: November 20th Update

It will be a week tomorrow that Dad came home from the hospital. He is still very weak and just resting a lot. His creatinine (kidney function) has improved slightly, however, the PSA numbers (prostate cancer count) has gone extremely high. Due to his weakened state, it is very difficult for him to communicate very well, thus the reason he is no longer excepting personal phone calls or texts. There have been numerous cards that have been sent to him and my mother is able to read them to him. This is the best way to communicate to him at this time. Majority of the liver has been taken over by cancer tumors and we have been trying to feed him foods that don't need to be processed too much by the liver. This is to keep the toxin levels down in his body and yet keep him from malnutrition. Due to his lack of appetite, he doesn't eat enough, but we get in him what we can. Mom is holding strong, thankful to a great God that gives her strength. We appreciate ALL the prayers and fasting. We know God is absolutely in control of everything, and in this we find strength and comfort. We will continue to update this blog daily or if there are any changes in dads condition. Dad has an appointment Tomorrow at 2PM. We will update after that.

Thank you,
Elder Kendrick's Family