A beautiful home-going, and a time to share memories!

Lori's "home-going celebration" (a.k.a. funeral) was beautiful!  The church was filled today with family and friends from near and far who came to honor and say goodbye to a woman who touched many, many lives.  Bouquets of flowers surrounded the altar, as did the stories that were shared by some of those closest to her.  Stories about fun times growing up with her cousins, aunts and uncles.  Stories about the incredible, life changing impact she has had on some of her honorary grandkids' lives.  And stories about fun times with friends who thought of her as a sister, and about the way that she and Mike used to banter back and forth with eachother in their own love language (I think the words "shut up" and "weirdo" were among them :)  Lori's cousin shared about the last words that Lori spoke to him, and possibly the last words she spoke here on earth...."take care of Mike".  Even though sometimes they both drove eachother nuts (I can attest to that!) Mike was first and foremost in her mind and heart, even up until her last breath. 

Many people have shared their stories and memories of Lori, and now I'd like to share some of mine.  I met Lori and Mike at a homegroup/bible study at the Peaslee's home, about 5 years ago.  To meet Lori was to instantly become her friend.  She wouldn't have it any other way.  We attended homegroup together for several years, encouraging eachother through the valleys of life, and celebrating the victories.  Lori was so open about everything in her life - good and bad - she made it very easy to be real.  We shared hugs, lunches after church on Sundays, movie nights, bon fires, and more hugs. 

One bon fire night in particular ended up changing my life in an unexpected way.  At the time, my mom (Dorothy) lived about 2 hours away, and had come to visit me and my sons for a week.  I brought her to Lori and Mike's that evening, and I think that was the first time they met.  Mom stayed up on the deck talking to Lori while I joined the party around the fire in their backyard. After about an hour, I went up to the deck to check on Mom - only to find that in that hour Lori had not only met and gotten to know my mom, but she had  talked my mother into moving to Winona!  And if you know Lori, you know that she doesn't just talk about things, she does them.  Not only did she talk my mom into moving here to be closer to us, but she and Mike helped me organize the entire move, including renting a uhaul trailer, commissioning people to help, and driving with me all the way to western Minnesota to move her here only a few weeks later!  I'm not sure that would have all happened had it not been for Lori.

I have many more memories of Lori that I cherish, including the day on the river last fall when she tried to get me to go tubing (not!) and when we saw and photographed an eagle.  And on my wedding day - when I'm pretty sure she stepped right out into the aisle during the recessional to hug me!  She did not hold back her emotions, that's for sure, and for the past few days I have not been able to hold mine back either.  I have learned something from Lori's life, and that is to make time for friends and family.  Lori cherished relationships...not from afar.  She and Mike made time in their lives for those they cared about.  Whenever possible, they traveled to visit family and friends.  They invited people to their home, and to go places together.  And now I am inspired to do the same.  I'm not going to wait anymore until my house is perfect to invite people over.  I'm going to call friends that I haven't seen in a while and make plans to visit.  I'm going to buy a plane ticket and go visit my sister in California.  I'm not going to wait...for we never know how many tomorrows we have left on this earth. 

Thank you, Lori, for teaching me some things about living...and some things about dying.  And most of all, thank you for being my friend.

Please share your memories of Lori - leave a comment by clicking on "comments" below!  If you have a picture that you'd like to share, email it to me and I will post it - takemetomaui (at) hotmail (dot) com.  This blog will remain here as a place for friends and family to come and share memories, and as soon as we teach Mike how to use the computer, he'll be able to see them too =)

Come to Jesus

This song will be sung at Lori's funeral tomorrow...I don't know if she knew the song or not, but I know she would have loved it.  Lori had a heart for those she loves to know Jesus, and if that is you, I pray that her prayers for you are answered.  Lori knew that hope is only found in this life when we come to Jesus...

(You'll need to turn off the music player at the bottom of this blog before you play this video...scroll all the way down and click on the "pause" button on the stereo.)

Come to Jesus (Untitled Hymn) - Chris Rice

Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live!

Now your burden's lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain, so
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live!

And like a newborn baby
Don't be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk sometimes we fall...so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live!

Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!

Oh and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can't contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live!

And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!

In the Arms of Her Savior

Lori has made her journey and is in the arms of Jesus.  She passed away peacefully this morning, with Mike and her cousin Chris by her side.  I can only imagine the joy, the reunions, and the beauty that surrounds her now! 

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."  John 14:1-3

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."  Philippians 3:20-21

"Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."  Isaiah 40:28-31

We will miss you, dear friend.  But until we meet again...walk!  Run!  Dance in the presence of the Lord!  Soar on the wings of the eagles that you loved so much!  We'll be there soon...

Lisa

Nearing the end of the journey

Lori's health continues to decline...she is nearing the end. 

Even though Lori is not experiencing physical healing as we have prayed for, God IS answering our prayers for her to be comfortable and to hold back her pain.  Her nurse has said that she has never seen someone in this stage be relatively pain free and as comfortable as Lori is, so PRAISE OUR GOD for answering our prayers for her! 

Lori has now requested not to have visitors.  She just wants Mike by her side, and seems to prefer the room to be quiet.  We still do want to support Mike, so if anyone is willing and able to go up there and wait in the waiting area, you are encouraged to do so.  Mike needs our support, and he also needs a break sometimes, so it would be a blessing if someone was always there and available to encourage him and sit with Lori when he needs a break.  He is not planning to leave St. Annes anymore and will be there overnight.  I told Mike that I would ask people to stop in and let him know they are there, but give them this time together.  Also, Lori's nurse has said that she is restricting children from coming up at all, as it is no longer appropriate for children to be there. 

Mike and Lori, we are surrounding you with love and prayers, as our Heavenly Father is surrounding you.

Lisa

Almost home

Lori is nearing the end of her journey. She is very weak and sleeps most of the time.  It takes a great deal of effort for her to talk, and even then it's not much more than a whisper.  Her nurse said that her body is showing signs that it is shutting down.  I spent a few hours with her this afternoon, along with many other friends and family, and Vince and I went back up there tonight along with my mom.  I just really felt God calling me to go back tonight, and I'm glad I did.  I had the opportunity to thank Lori again for her friendship, remind her that she is loved, and most of all that God is with her.  I asked her if she knew that, and she whispered "all the time." 

She is ready to go, and is longing for that now.   This afternoon as I was getting ready to leave, I leaned in close and told her I loved her.  She looked me in the eyes and said "Lisa, I have to go."  I told her it's ok for her to go.  She said "Is it?" I said yes...we will take care of Mike.  You can go to Jesus, it's ok.  I reminded her, as I know others already have, that Jesus is waiting for her and that she will never be alone.  I told her not to be afraid, that she can just rest now.  She nodded, told me "thank you" and drifted back to sleep. 

Psalm 116:15 "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints."  It is a precious thing to be with Lori during this time.  She is at peace, she knows what awaits her, and she feels the presence of the Lord very strongly. 

Please continue to keep Mike in your prayers.  This is so very hard for him as he watches the one he loves drift away.  Don't let his quiet demeanor stop you from reaching out to him, he very much needs and appreciates the reassurance and support of the body of Christ.

I Can Only Imagine - Mercy Me

I can only imagine what it will be like, when I walk by Your side.
I can only imagine, what my eyes will see, when Your Face is before me!
I can only imagine...

Surrounded by Your Glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you, Jesus? Or in awe of You, be still?
Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing 'Hallelujah!'? Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine! I can only imagine!

I can only imagine, when that day comes, when I find myself standing in the Son!
I can only imagine, when all I will do, is forever, forever worship You!
I can only imagine! I can only imagine!

Surrounded by Your Glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you, Jesus? Or in awe of You, be still?
Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing 'Hallelujah!'? Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine! Yeah! I can only imagine!

Leave more comments!

Lori looks forward everyday to hearing the comments that people are leaving for her, so keep them coming!!

I talked with Mike around 3pm today.  He said that Lori had slept alot today, and is still dealing with nausea.  Even though she is tired much of the time and drifts off to sleep, she still enjoys visitors and honestly I don't think she wants to be alone.  Sometimes she does not have the energy to talk much, but she is comforted by having people there and says that she likes just listening to conversations between her visitors.  The swelling in her legs and abdomen continues to increase and cause more discomfort.  Let's continue to pray for her to be relieved of her pain and nausea!

Mike says he is doing ok, and is glad that his mom is here.  He has to work tomorrow, so will not be able to attend church, and he's very dissapointed about that.   I wish there was a way for both he and Lori to come!  I know they miss it terribly, so we'll just have to bring church to them!  Lori has been comforted and encouraged by those who have come and read scripture to her and prayed with her. 

Vikings game tomorrow!  And Lori is ready!  See??

I'm not sure what the plan is, but I know Lori has been excited about the game and would love to watch it with friends!  Hopefully she will be feeling good tomorrow and can enjoy it....maybe a phone call tomorrow afternoon to see how she's feeling would be good before we all invade? 

More blessings!

Mike's mom arrived yesterday from California!  Both Lori and Mike have been anxiously waiting her arrival and I'm sure they will be blessed by her support.

Lori got her nails done yesterday morning!  Who can guess how she got them done?  I'll post pictures later.  My friend Janice did them and told me how much it blessed her to do it.  She refused to be paid for it and said she was paid in other ways...she felt honored and humbled.  She said that even though she didn't know Lori before this, she can tell that Lori is strong in her faith, and has a heart of gold - she could sense that strongly.  Janice told me that she could see the Lord in her and that she looked beautiful, even in the midst of tragedy.  Praise God!  How many others is God touching through Lori's life, especially now?  Lori, your peace and your strength through this time is a testimony of Jesus in your life.  He is shining through you now.

Janice also shared with me that her cousin passed away from liver cancer at the age of 52, and that God held back alot of his pain.  I was so encouraged by that!  Let's continue to pray fervently for Lori's pain to be controlled, and even be so bold as to ask for her to be pain free!  And healed!  We can still ask for that...God is able.  Whether she is healed on earth or in Heaven, we know for sure that she will be healed.

"Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed;
save me and I will be saved,
for you are the one I praise."  Jeremiah 17:14

"Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me;
O LORD, be my help."
You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever."  Psalm 30:10-12

Lord, I ask You to put a song in Lori's heart today.  A song of praise, hope and joy as she is surrounded by Your spirit and by those she loves.

Lisa