Hug your babies

Yesterday during church I was hugging my girls really hard. Bethany and Jenna were working in the toddler nursery, so Parker was in there playing with them. Communion time was quiet and all I could think about was the Rine family in Searcy and about their great loss. I know that they are hurting so much and missing their sweet Micah.

I'm sure that Susie thought I was about the hug the life out of her, but it just made me reflect on how very thankful that I am for the love we have in Christ. He loved us so much that he went to the cross and then defeated death and rose again! WOW....Micah is with him and singing with the angels in Heaven because of Christ. Hug your babies extra tight today and be thankful for what Christ did for all of us.

Below is the article that was sent out to the Harding friends and alumni this weekend:

The Harding family mourns, and our hearts ache over the tragic loss of Micah Rine (‘06) Pate on Thursday, April 30, in Bartlett, Tenn. She is the daughter of Dennis (’78) and Terri Pittman (’82) Rine and the sister of Casey (’01) Rine. Micah’s roots are deep in the Harding family, and she was a joy to everyone who knew her. Dennis is the baseball coach, teacher and guidance counselor at Harding Academy. Terri taught in the family and consumer science department at Harding for many years. Her grandparents are Floyd and Patty Rine, who retired from Camp Tahkodah, and Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Pittman of Proctorville, Ohio. Her aunts and uncles are: Mel (’84) and Lori Pittman (’85) Sansom , John (’98) and Penny Rine (’82) Hitt and Tim (’02) and Becky (’94) Rine. She is also survived by a host of cousins and friends.

Micah was a graduate of Harding Academy and the College of Nursing at Harding University. She was a member of Zeta Rho social club. Always thinking of others, she recently cut her hair for Locks of Love. She was a nurse’s nurse and the best of the best. On Tuesday, she celebrated her 26th birthday.

One of her high school friends, Justin Mueller, told her once that she was so kind that he knew she had a full scholarship to heaven. We believe that is true. When Darren Mathews (’90) drove her truck back to Searcy, he turned on her CD player and wondered what was the last song she heard. It was “Blessed be the Name of the Lord.” Our hearts are heavy, and the rain has fallen since her passing like tears from heaven. Through our grief and sorrow, we rejoice in her victory in Jesus. As an avid runner and a Christian, she finished the race, kept the faith and will receive her crown of righteousness.

Visitation with the family will be on Monday, May 4, from 6 – 8 p.m. in the Heritage Lobby at Harding University. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 5, at 2 p.m. in the Harris Gym at Harding Academy.

Memorials may be made in memory of Micah to the Harding Academy Wildcat Trust Fund, Box 12238, Searcy, AR 72149

The Rine family sends this message, “Love your children and cherish your time with them...” Please keep the Rine and Pate families in your prayers during this difficult time.