I listened to many, many of my Father's messages over the years and a consistent theme that brought tears to his eyes was the joy and hope of eternity with Jesus.  Dad entered that eternal joy tonight at 6:35 pm Pacific time....not that time mattered to him at that moment or ever will again.  I was blessed to be with him in his final moments and it was striking just how peaceful his transition was.  A few deeper breaths with longer pauses....and then no more.  It was truly amazing to witness how slim was the line between this world and the existence we were truly created for.  We are sad in personal and profound ways but thanking God for answering our prayers - to take him gently and soon.  Our whole family is unspeakably grateful for the love and support expressed on this website and in so many, many ways.  We will post more in the next few days but for now join us in giving thanks for the gift Albert was to us all and even more for the presence, love and life of Jesus Christ.   [...]

Dad moved to Laurel Place Hospice four weeks ago today.  He has been so well cared for there by all the staff and visited by so many friends and family over the weeks.  Thanks to you all.  When I went in this morning, I found Dad pretty much unresponsive.  Even yesterday afternon when Sharol and I were there, he looked at us, mouthed a few words squeezed our hands when we spoke to him and when we prayed with him.  Today there was no response to my words or touch.  He seemed to be in a very deep sleep, breathing deep and regular.  I was back tonight for a few hours and things were still that same way...even when both of his great grandkids were crying in his room!  (The rest of the time they were great though).  We ended the day with a few Psalms including this great verse from Psalm 17: [...]

Dad had a mix of good friends and family visit on Friday including two of his great grand children.  What a rich life full of love given and received.  As we left last night, I told Cooper that Great Papa was sleeping and he walked over and gave him as good a hug as he could from beside the bed.  Love given and received.  That has been Albert's life and still is.[...]

Dad was peaceful today.  When I slipped out tonight, he was snoring lightly while some swedish hymns played in the background.  He continues the slow walk home.  Thanks for the prayers and support.[...]

We have a request for Albert's close friends and family:

We are putting together a little PowerPoint montage of Albert's life and realize we are lacking photos from the earlier years of his life. If you have one or two photos of the Josephson siblings, the years on the farm, Bible camp, CBC commencements, Covenant annual meeetings, reunions, etc. that include Albert we would be so appreciative if you would email those to us. I know it's a hassle to digitize those old photos but if you would be so kind as to send us one or two, we would so grateful and it would help us fill in some gaps in his story.  You can email them to me at: [email protected]. Thank you so much.  [...]

Sweet hours with Albert tonight...

Joan spent most of the day with her dad and has been sleeping on a cot in his hospice room at night.  We gave her a break for a few hours this evening and had coffee with him (he sucking it from a sponge - a Swede till the end), watched a bit of hockey, read messages from loved ones and sang some hymns.  We can't tell if he appreciates the singing or not....but we do.  We find comfort - and we pray Albert does too - in the sweet words of the old hymns. Tonight we ended with:[...]

It has been a few days since the last update...sorry for the delay.  Dad had a pretty good day on Saturday with more energy for his visitors that day.  He enjoyed friends and family (including grandkids and great grandchild) and an extended piano concert from Richard Strom.  Since then he has been slowly weakening and growing even harder to hear when he does try to speak a few words.  He is still taking some fluids but eats very, very little.  It is a pleasure to read him notes, cards and posts from so many of you his friends and he is clearly touched by what you have said to encourage and bless him.  We spend our time with him singing, reading or simply quietly keeping him company.  Joan has been sleeping on the cot in his room the last few nights.  He seems comfortable most of the time and we are praying for a gentle ending for this slow walk home.[...]

It was a quiet day for Dad yesterday.  He was tired but seemed reasonably comfortable.  As mentioned before, Dad isn't in a place to engage in conversation but he does hear well...so I spent quite a bit of time reading scripture.  I was particularly moved with Psalm 40 - some of the verses seemed to speak to the moment so perfectly. [...]

Albert had a pretty quiet Sunday, resting most of the day and enjoying visits from his grandaughter Kara and her family (Tyler and their two boys Carter and Everett).  I brought my Mom up to visit Dad right after dinner and they spent a quiet hour together, sitting and holding hands.  To be honest, I was personally hoping for a "moment" -  an unexpected capacity in one or both of them to say something significant - but that didn't happen.  But what I did see was two people faithful to the end simply being together...and that was enough.[...]

Its been almost two weeks since Albert was transferred to hospice.  During that time we have seen his energy and capacity to communicate diminish but still no significant pain.  His eldest son Alan and his wife Jeri have been here most of the week and enjoyed lots of special time with Dad.  Two of Albert's great-grandchildren visited today and that is always a sweet time.  A few visitors came by today which was great. It is important to know at this stage, however, that you won't be able to engage in much conversation.  Dad hears and understands so to come with some scripture or a song or simply to express your thoughts to him will be the best.  Asking a lot of questions of him, not so much.  And please be prepared for him to doze off even in your visit.  Nothing personal - his energy reserves are just that low.  Thanks for your prayers and posts.  And don't forget that the best way to honor Albert is to live for Jesus and for others - just like he did.[...]