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| Gray Suit = Stephen, Deb's youngest son. Vern in blue suit,Vern's parents behind Stephen |
Momʼs final years-By daughter Amanda
I like to share about my mom and these last three years. She was transformed in her suffering.
I will never forget the days after mom was diagnosed. It was a scary confusing time, and my mom was in so much pain. Each day she lost mobility and got worse. Many of you came around us, and saw her as she suffered with seven crushed vertebra. But even in those moments she was trusting Jesus. The day we decided to go to Arkansas for treatment Gary came over and prayed with us. Mom said “make it clear Jesus”, and at that moment the phone rang with a message from her insurance company that they would cover the treatment at UAMS. That seemed clear to her.
That first trip she was fearful, in pain and scared of more pain. Iʼll never forget that she “didnʼt do needles” She was trying to be in control in a very out of control situation- and insisted on being sedated for the painful bone marrow
I feel momʼs life came into sharp focus. Mom always loved the Lord, but she changed over the course of these last few years. If you talked with her then you know what I mean. She stayed fully engaged in our lives, and would always asked about me first. It didnʼt matter what was going on she wanted to know everything that was happening in my life. Rarely did we hang up the phone without her praying. She slipped from conversation to prayer and back into conversation so seamlessly. Mom had learned to rest completely in Jesus. Iʼm really going to miss her.
I donʼt know how to describe these last few years other then everything seemed so much richer. The moments with her were rich.
She stayed fully engaged in life here. As her world got smaller due to her illness she filled it up. Whether making jewelry, picking out side tables for the condo, or dreaming up the perfect Christmas gift for her grandbabies. She lived fully with the strength she had. Dad was right there with her. They delighted in little trips for take out or to a favorite restaurant. They would drive me around to look at pretty neighborhoods in Little Rock. She pushed herself to stay involved and lived with hope. Mom was full of joy, and spread that to everyone she came in contact with. Mom and Dad spent 100% of there time together especially this last year. They still liked each other. Being around them was fun. They were content to sit together and laughed about so much. They made rituals and had little names for everything.
Mom kept saying dad was in the LWC for example like I should automatically know what she was talking about. Ah... of course their Little White Car that was so generously given to my parents.
This was infectious and all the nurses and medical staff entered into their fun. Mom would pray with everyone. People told her so much, and loved her deeply. Wherever I
I like to share about my mom and these last three years. She was transformed in her suffering.
I will never forget the days after mom was diagnosed. It was a scary confusing time, and my mom was in so much pain. Each day she lost mobility and got worse. Many of you came around us, and saw her as she suffered with seven crushed vertebra. But even in those moments she was trusting Jesus. The day we decided to go to Arkansas for treatment Gary came over and prayed with us. Mom said “make it clear Jesus”, and at that moment the phone rang with a message from her insurance company that they would cover the treatment at UAMS. That seemed clear to her.
That first trip she was fearful, in pain and scared of more pain. Iʼll never forget that she “didnʼt do needles” She was trying to be in control in a very out of control situation- and insisted on being sedated for the painful bone marrow
I feel momʼs life came into sharp focus. Mom always loved the Lord, but she changed over the course of these last few years. If you talked with her then you know what I mean. She stayed fully engaged in our lives, and would always asked about me first. It didnʼt matter what was going on she wanted to know everything that was happening in my life. Rarely did we hang up the phone without her praying. She slipped from conversation to prayer and back into conversation so seamlessly. Mom had learned to rest completely in Jesus. Iʼm really going to miss her.
I donʼt know how to describe these last few years other then everything seemed so much richer. The moments with her were rich.
She stayed fully engaged in life here. As her world got smaller due to her illness she filled it up. Whether making jewelry, picking out side tables for the condo, or dreaming up the perfect Christmas gift for her grandbabies. She lived fully with the strength she had. Dad was right there with her. They delighted in little trips for take out or to a favorite restaurant. They would drive me around to look at pretty neighborhoods in Little Rock. She pushed herself to stay involved and lived with hope. Mom was full of joy, and spread that to everyone she came in contact with. Mom and Dad spent 100% of there time together especially this last year. They still liked each other. Being around them was fun. They were content to sit together and laughed about so much. They made rituals and had little names for everything.
Mom kept saying dad was in the LWC for example like I should automatically know what she was talking about. Ah... of course their Little White Car that was so generously given to my parents.
This was infectious and all the nurses and medical staff entered into their fun. Mom would pray with everyone. People told her so much, and loved her deeply. Wherever I
went with my Dad people would stop and talk to us. It could be the hostess at a local
restaurant, a lady at the bakery she loved, the pharmacist, techs, orderlies. Mom would
be in pain or have just received news of a setback, but she wouldnʼt focus on that. She
cared deeply about others, and would smile and hear what they had to say. She truly
melted away and Jesus came shining out.
Mom talked about heaven a lot, and that was a special topic this last month in the hospital. She told me she would close her eyes, and could see beautiful lights. Of course she said this could just be because her eyes were old, or some reaction to all the meds she was on. But the next trip out she was so excited to share a youtube video of Louis Giglio preaching on Psalm 148. In it he talked about the Stars and how the US listens to what is happening in the universe and the stars have songs. We watched the videos and worshiped together. Heaven felt so close.
When I arrived last week she excitedly told me she could see Mrs. Owens and her Dad cheering her on. We talked about the stars and what she would see again. It was clear that we were in a holy space. I canʼt describe her passing with any other words then awe. It felt sacred. Moms eyes were moving, and I know she was seeing what is described in Psalm 148.
Mom always said “Either way I win” and I most definitely won having her as my mom. I wanted to share Psalm 148 with you, and then we will watch a clip of the video that mom loved so much.
Psalm 148
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his hosts! Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the Lord!
For he commanded and they were created. And he established them for ever and ever;
he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and mist,
stormy wind fulfilling his word! Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars! Beasts and all livestock,
creeping things and flying birds!
Mom talked about heaven a lot, and that was a special topic this last month in the hospital. She told me she would close her eyes, and could see beautiful lights. Of course she said this could just be because her eyes were old, or some reaction to all the meds she was on. But the next trip out she was so excited to share a youtube video of Louis Giglio preaching on Psalm 148. In it he talked about the Stars and how the US listens to what is happening in the universe and the stars have songs. We watched the videos and worshiped together. Heaven felt so close.
When I arrived last week she excitedly told me she could see Mrs. Owens and her Dad cheering her on. We talked about the stars and what she would see again. It was clear that we were in a holy space. I canʼt describe her passing with any other words then awe. It felt sacred. Moms eyes were moving, and I know she was seeing what is described in Psalm 148.
Mom always said “Either way I win” and I most definitely won having her as my mom. I wanted to share Psalm 148 with you, and then we will watch a clip of the video that mom loved so much.
Psalm 148
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his hosts! Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the Lord!
For he commanded and they were created. And he established them for ever and ever;
he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and mist,
stormy wind fulfilling his word! Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars! Beasts and all livestock,
creeping things and flying birds!
Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and maidens together, old men and children!
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his majesty is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his saints,
for the people of Israel who are near to him.
Praise the Lord!
Young men and maidens together, old men and children!
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his majesty is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his saints,
for the people of Israel who are near to him.
Praise the Lord!
From my very first post-Vern
VernonMarch 31, 2010 4:44 PM
How quickly life can change!
A few days ago, we were helping Deb thru a suspected back injury with all sorts of treatments. All of a sudden, the 'C' word!
Where did that curve ball come from ?
I've found that all thru life, the big events, the disasters,the emergencies, the temptations, have all come on suddenly: turn a corner and there they are ! Face to face with it.
The other observation I have is that when I don't know where I'm going, it is important to have a guide or a map, and it is encouraging to have friends along on the journey with us.
Fortunately, we have all three.
Thanks friends!
A few days ago, we were helping Deb thru a suspected back injury with all sorts of treatments. All of a sudden, the 'C' word!
Where did that curve ball come from ?
I've found that all thru life, the big events, the disasters,the emergencies, the temptations, have all come on suddenly: turn a corner and there they are ! Face to face with it.
The other observation I have is that when I don't know where I'm going, it is important to have a guide or a map, and it is encouraging to have friends along on the journey with us.
Fortunately, we have all three.
Thanks friends!
