Peyton's Going Home Service

We didn't really have to plan it. God's active grace made the service perfect. I knew the songs I wanted played, I Can Only Imagine, & History Makers. I had asked several of Peyton's friends & cousins if they would like to speak. The casket had to be wood. Peyton had come out of his room a few weeks earlier telling me how much he loved the shirt he was wearing. It was a Christmas present from us. It was hunter orange. Tom called the funeral home to ask measurements of the inside of the casket. I was going to Wal-Mart to buy some camo fabric to lay inside it. The funeral home said they could get a camo drape. It was perfectly Peyton.

Pat Medeiros had people bringing pictures to his shop and the AiredaleNation guy put together the DVD for the funeral. I picked out “When I Get Where I’m Goin” by Brad Paisley & Dolly Parton for the song. Then I changed my mind and wanted Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dyin’” because I knew that was how Peyton did live. It turned out they needed two songs for the DVD because there were so many pictures. The kids picked out a really sad song, but I wanted them to have a part in it so I was going to use it. Then Steven Medeiros told Pat to use the Paisley/Parton song. He didn’t even know that was my original pick. I know God used Steven and the perfect songs were played during the DVD. It was a perfect representation of Peyton’s life.

The DVD was played as people were coming in. The church was overflowing with people. The funeral director estimated 1300 people. It was amazing. Peyton's former employer spoke. Three friends spoke and then the three cousins, they were all amazing. We laughed at all the stories told. I was so proud of them. Kayli sang There You'll Be, by Faith Hill. I was so touched and impressed, she was awesome. Our church praise team ROCKED the place with History Makers. We had people standing up and clapping!! What else could we do? Our son was in Heaven!!!!

I remember coming out of the church as the pallbearers were loading the casket into the hearse. There were hundreds of people standing in the parking lot waiting to go to the cemetary. I will never forget that. It was very hard when the funeral director asked who we wanted for pallbearers. How could I ask these 15 - 20 year old boys to do this? But of course they did it and let us know they were honored to be ask. Again, I am amazed at these young people. I love them.

We were told by many people they felt better after Peyton's service. People that hadn't seen him since he was little said they felt like they knew Peyton the teenager. Everyone who left that service knew where my son was and that they would see him again if Jesus was Lord of their life. Isn't that what are lives should be about, pointing people to Jesus?