This was spoken by a close friend of our family.

He wrote it the night before Mom went home to be with the Lord. My dad read it to her as I combed her hair which I did every few hours each day I was with her.

Her response was, "That is beautiful."

Thank you, Rick, for putting into words what each of our hearts felt.

Dream or Reality?

I arrived home on Tuesday evening from Tennessee and my emotions immediately hit me head on.

I felt as if the last 3 weeks have been a dream of some sort...like everything would be back to normal soon.

This is not to be. Mom is gone forever from this earth and I am sad. Every day I think of something I need to tell her and desperately want to call her, but she will not answer her phone.

Although I am melancholy, I still have hope eternal. This hope comes from knowing the Creator, my Sustainer. He has given eternal life to all who come to Him by faith. Mom is experiencing joy and peace everlasting.

I am sad. So sad, I cannot express it at times. But I know deep down inside that I will see Mom again.

She isn't dead; she is alive. She didn't die forever; she just moved from one home to the next.

And I know I will be with her again.

One thing mom's death has done for me: I fear death less and hope for heaven more.

May these thoughts remain forever.

Hoss' eulogy of Mom

Last Thursday, I received a letter from "Hoss" that he wanted read at Mom's memorial. Those of you who have followed my blog know "Hoss" is not home right now. He is at Agape Boys' Ranch. God has done and continues to do a miraculous work is his life. Here is his eulogy he sent:

"Dear Family and Friends,
Many of you may not know me. My name is "Hoss". I am one of eleven grandchildren in our family. You may wonder why I am writing. Well, out of eleven grandchildren I was the rebel. Right now I am in a boarding school in Missouri. I found out my grandmother was dying around 3 weeks ago when my dad called the school from his job in Florida. He told me I should pray for her because she wasn't doing well and she was not expected to live very much longer. I prayed for her every morning before I got out of my bunk and before I went to sleep every night. Two weeks ago today she called me and talked with me for around seven or eight minutes and told me that this would be the last time I will talk with her until I get to heaven.

Saturday, the 17th, my dad talked with me and told me she would not live through the week. The morning she died I prayed to the dear Lord that I could see her and talk with her one more time. After I got done praying, one of the staff at my school handed me a letter she had sent me. After I read that letter, I knew that God had answered my prayer. I got the call later that day that she had passed away into heaven early that morning. Friends, my grandmother loved everyone. It didn't matter what color or race you were; she loved you anyway. I know she loved me because she helped me get sent to this school. She really lived the life of Luke 6:36, "Be ye therefore merciful as your Father in heaven is also merciful."

I know that when someone dies we are to cry and all that, but my grandmother told me not to cry, but to rejoice! For she knew where she would be. She was wanting to get off this wicked earth as soon as she could, and she did in the early morning of April, 21, 2010. My grandmother saw Jesus and I know that right now she is singing and rejoicing.

She will go through no more pain. She will never cry unless it is for joy. I think my grandma is very happy with her new home and one day, one day you and I will see her if you are saved. As I end, I know she would want me to ask you all a question.
' Where are you going? Hell? or are you coming to see me in heaven?'

A tribute to mom

Today is the day of Mom's memorial service. This is intended to celebrate her and the life the Lord gave her. Words cannot express what is in my heart. This is my attempt.

Loving, caring, energetic, focused, determined, selfless, overcoming, lover of God and man, lover of God's Word, passionate about the Gospel, organized, organized, organized, loyal, truthful, merciful, joyful, hardworking, beautiful, giving and I can't forget organized, or did I already mention that?

These are the attributes of a very special woman. This woman is my mom.

Mom loved life, but most of all loved the Lord. She had a passion to share Christ with other, even up to the very night Christ took her home. Though she really struggled to breath in the end and had alot of medicaiton in her, she was still determined to let anyone know who called or came by that they, too, would die one day and could be assured that they could also go to heaven if they had a relationship with her Savior.

Her Savior is my Savior. Jesus has taken Mom home to be with Him. She is free from pain and rejoicing with her Lord. This is what brings me comfort. You can be sure that I miss Mom very much. My children miss their Gran, too.

I have so many wonderful memories. Mom loved her children and grandchildren to the fullest. I am who I am mostly because the Lord provided me with a Mother (and Father) who exemplified what every mother should be.

From weekly visits to nursing homes to summer 5 Day Good News Clubs in our neighborhood, my childhood was provided with so many things that helped to frame who I have become. The most significant being the salvation of my dear mother. Without Christ intervening in Mom's life, she wouldn't have been the Mom she was, and I wouldn't be the mom that I am. I miss my dear Mother, but I know I will see her again. I know she has been given a perfect healing. I have cried many tears, but my gracious God has given me the peace that passes all understanding.

I was able to spend the last 2 1/2 weeks of Mom's life with her, helping to take care of her. As we talked about her memorial service, she was firm about one thing. Mom wanted all of you to know how you, too, can have a relationship with Christ. This was the most important thing to her and it should be to you, too.

Cry out to your Creator. He will hear and save.

~ spoken at Mom's memorial

Memories in Pictures

This is mom and my brother, Chris.

This is mom and my sister, Jenny.

This is mom and me.

This is Dad and Mom.

This is the tiara sent to mom by my sister in law the day before the Lord took her home. She is now wearing her crown of life.

With Jesus

Today at 4:30 a.m. mom went home to be with the Lord. We are all grieving and hurting, but we know that our precious mom is not hurting and sitting at Jesus' feet.

Yesterday, my sister in law sent a care package to mom. She had a note with lots of love. Amber had also included a beautiful tiara that sparkled and shone. We put it on her head and spoke the Word to her:

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Although this crown was earthly she is now wearing her heavenly crown...for she is a princess, child of the king.

She will be missed greatly...but we will see her again.

We love you, mom.

You have left an eternal legacy.

He is Mighty to Save...

and, praise Him, that He has saved Mom.

Her testimony continues, even as she suffers.

The words she speaks even in a whisper convict.

"Thank you, Jesus."

"Praise you, Lord."

"Help me to be thankful, Lord."

"Help me to praise you, Father."

"Hallelujah."



Thank you for continued prayers.

God is Working....even Through the Hard Times

I am still up in Tennessee taking care of Mom.

She received a letter from my precious big man. He is showing so much great progressin developing godly character.

She was encouraged by the following words of God that he included in the letter. This gave her assurance before the Lord takes her home that her grandson is growing in his love for the Lord.

Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."

Revelation 14:13 "And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, 'Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!' 'Yes,' says the Spirit, 'so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them.'"

Update on Mom

God has provided grace beyond measure.

I have arrived safely in Tennessee to help to take care of Mom.

Hospice will be started today. She still is free of pain, but is getting uncomfortable. But God remains faithful.

Thank you for all of those who are praying.

My Dear Mom's Prayer

This is Mom's prayer.

May this prayer come from all of our hearts.

Meditating on Scripture

I have been using this to help me have Scripture before my eyes as much as possible.

The Word of God is a light to our path. I find myself in a very dark valley right now.

Again.

I need this light desperately.

By Her Side

I will be leaving home for a while to help take care of Mom as she waits for the Lord to take her home. This is a privilege that I would have given my life for, but thanks to my wonderful Man and other believers, they have made it possible for me to do this.

I will attempt to update you all on mom's condition and many random thoughts.

There is much pain...in my heart.

BUT, I am more thankful for the Resurrection than ever before, for whatever happens to mom on this earth, I KNOW without a shadow of doubt I will see her again BECAUSE of His resurrection.

Thank you, Master and Lord.