Words November of Donald 16, 2007 Mann at the funeral of Hal Newall John 14 (New International Version) Jesus Comforts His Disciples 1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going." 5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, SO how can we know the way?" 6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." For the last few weeks I have kept two picture postcards. One is of Southwest Harbor, looking out across azure blue water onto the vibrant fall colors of Great Cranberry Island. The other is a peaceful picture of four empty canoes, all docked together at the harbor Whenever I look at these, it brings back memories of visiting a place that I had been invited to come for many years, but up until recently, never visited. I remember that once I arrived, my only regret was that I had waited SO long to come. For the past few weeks, I have kept these postcards and their timeless pictures nearby, because they remind me of Hal Newell now, more than any other memory. I now understand why he loved this spot, God's pocket, nestled on the coast of Maine. I saw a glimpse of the beauty that he had known much of his life. If you have never seen it, it's hard to describe; if you have seen it, you don't need a description. 1