Release

I was able to see my sweet friend, Kristi, just a few days before she was welcomed into the arms of her Saviour. 10 weeks from diagnosis to death, exactly 4 months shy of her 40th birthday...



Due to the gracious generosity of my friend Susan, we packed my 4 kids and her 3 kids and drove 8 hours to Florida. Susan went with her friends to stay in St. Augustine while I stayed with my friends Will and Gail. I was thrilled to meet their new addition, Carter, who is 4 months old. We arrived on a Thursday and on Friday, I was able to leave my 4 with my friend Angie, who we knew in Spain, so I could go and sit with Kristi for a couple of hours. The military sure makes this world a small place! (Actually, little side note, the day Angie had her son, was the day I found out I was pregnant with Aidan.)



I have never known peace until I stepped foot into Kristi's home. I don't even know what I was expecting but I almost had to catch my breath when I was there. It was amazing. There is a verse in Genesis that says "what an awesome place this is, it is none other that the gateway to heaven." That is the only way I can describe their home. There is something incredible about being around people who love the Lord so much and are trusting Him in every way imaginable with this precious life, and knowing that she is on Heaven's doorstep. I felt as those I was on the brink of Heaven just by being in the home. It was breathtaking...what an Awesome God we serve.



I knew that she would look sick but I was not prepared one bit when I saw her. Her hair was gone and her peaches n'cream complexion was grey. She had labored breathing and was on an automatic pump for pain. The only way I knew she recognised me was when I came in, she held her arms open and when I hugged her she whispered "Shea-Shea" which is what she always caled me. I just sat in that quiet peaceful home and stared at her while she slipped in and out of consciousness. My mom had prayed right before I got there that God would bind my fleshly emotions and that I would emulate the fruits of the Spirit that would be good for Kristi. I am so glad that she prayed that because it would have been so hard otherwise.



Before I got there, I was trying to figure what I could do for her. I'm not so good in the gift giving thing and all of the sudden, God told me to wash her feet and annoint them with oil. He gave me the time to do that and it was such an honor and a blessing and just an incredible experience. I realised, when looking at Kristi's face, I could see the reflection of Christ in her face. I have never been so close to death and yet...never felt so close to God.

When we left on Sunday (early, due to weather), I was able to stop by briefly. Aidan made a beeline for her, crawled right up onto her bed and just held her and told her how much he loved her. It was precious. Mattea held her hand and kissed it.

She passed then on Tuesday, the 11th. 950 people attended her memorial...and amazing tribute to Kristi and the Lord she served.