Going Home ~ A Tribute to My Mom
A Heavenly Home
Up until a few years ago I had never really suffered a loss in my life of great magnitude such as a loved one. In a matter of a few days my life changed and so did my relationship with my family.
Things were spinning out of control and I had no way of
stopping them. I found that I had to deal with emotions I didn't know how to
and with situations that never crossed my thinking.
As the months would pass my family and I have had to cope
with the grief and sorrow of saying good-bye to a woman who truly loved others
to the fullest. In the sadness and pain, here I share how prayer, music and
love helped us grow closer to God and one another.
Have you a moment to sit a spell as I share our story?
In the Middle of the Night
It was 3:00 am and my husband was on the midnight shift at work when a loud knock came on the door. I didn't move a muscle as I heard someone walking around to the back of the house. A flashlight flooded my bedroom, sweeping across the windows in the front of the house.
Quietly I picked up the phone and
frantically dialed my husband. Over and over I punched in the numbers of his
cell phone, but he didn't answer. Then I heard a car door close. The man had
left and my panic subsided.
Once again I heard a knock on the door at
6:00 am. This time I was able to reach my husband and he was already on his way
home. It wasn't long before we learned that it was the police trying to reach
me with an emergency call from back home. It was about my mother who was taken
to the hospital hours before, and by now she was in emergency surgery with her
life hanging by a thread.
The entire family, all except me, was at
her bedside. Living almost 1,500 miles away I would do my best to get there,
but within 48 hours she was gone. It was too late.
(Poem written by my brother for the Home
Going Service)
How She Loved
My strength would come in small intervals as I remembered the details of my mother's life. What I clung to was her life, walk and testimony. Mom's faith in Jesus was more real to her than Earth, and her life told the story to all because of how she loved, "She Loved Much."
Her passion for her Savior, family & music is what
drove Mom in everything she did. "Going Home" is a tribute to honor
all she contributed in life, by how she touched millions of people around the world
with genuine love and understanding. Our family began to realize just how much
Mom did as her life story unfolded. Testimony after testimony came in about
what she had actually done for others literally around the globe.
Mom gave to anyone in need meeting countless physical,
emotional, financial and spiritual needs. She loved everyone and left judging
others to Jesus.
(Photo is my mom with my niece. You can see how tiny she
was.)
Never Said Good-bye
What do you do when there is no time to prepare? When a
storm comes unexpectedly and takes away all you've ever known; where do you
turn for help and comfort? Will you know peace that passes all understanding? I
found myself asking these questions and more when I entered into the world so
many others had crossed over to in their own lives.
Mom had moved to Heaven with no warning that she would be
going. I never got a chance to hold her or say the things that mattered most.
Screaming out to God as I sat up in bed, I pounded the covers over and over as
if that would help relieve the pain.
My Christian faith and prayers seemed to fail as my
husband sat there in denial also. He knew of my pain through past experience,
and that there was nowhere to go except through the fire. He would be there as
the Christ head of our home to pick me up when my fall would come …and it did.
The Early Years
Introducing “The Hilltop Serenaders”
Almost 60 years ago this picture of my mother with my
father (on the right) was taken. She was a tiny, 4'10" lady with a huge
talent to sing, write and play music. She was known as a one of the greatest
true yodelers from her half German heritage.
After her family grew, she rarely yodeled for anyone but
her children. With a bit of pleading and coaching, Mom would never let us down.
As we kneeled at her feet with finely tuned ears waiting in anticipation, mom
would yodel her glorious songs.
This is the only reel-to-reel copy of the band that has
been made public with permission.
German Yodeler
A Rare Find: Mom's Yodeling - Her rendition of "The
Ding Dong Bells Polka." This video contains rare photographs. Please keep
in mind the age of the recording. Thanks
Uniquely Different Don't You Think? No matter how hard we tried, none of us (the kids)
learned to yodel. It would be the funniest thing to hear as we tried to copy
the sounds Mom would make as she yodeled. Nothing came close. It clearly is a
talent and gift from God.
Something else, wasn't it? - Yodeling and then
some doodling.
Doodle Bug
On almost everything you found that had Mom's writing on
it was a bit of her doodling. She loved to doodle as you can see.
Precious Memories
We sang our way through Mom, just as
you would want.
Jim Reeves was one of my parents favorite country
recording artists. Sunday afternoons and early evenings we could hear the soft
sweet voice of Mr. Reeves as we settled down for the night.
Precious memories just seems fitting doesn't it? After all, memories are what we cherish most when someone moves on to glory. With that in mind, take a look at some of my mother's favorites.
Jim Reeves - Precious Moments
When I find that life is a little too much to handle, I
know that I need to slip away into a quiet place where I can hear that still
small voice inside me saying, "Everything is gonna be alright."
The voice of the Holy Spirit is hard to hear sometimes,
but when I go to my garden in prayer I can see God is still at work and in
control. I take a deep breath and sit still.
"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm
46:10a
Our loved ones ... They simply outran us. — Dottie
Rambo
They Simply Outran Us
Mom caught a glimpse of Heaven ... While watching a television program, I heard a voice say,
"They just outran us". It was Dottie Rambo speaking of her lifetime
friend, Vestal Goodman. Her statement was comforting and full of hope, I
thought, as it reminded me of what Kenneth Hagin, Sr. said: "If I'm gone,
you know that I was satisfied," meaning he had finished his course and
race successfully. He left, so he must have been satisfied.
How fulfilling it must be to know you have been faithful
to the race God has set before you. They were not sad leaving here, but looked
forward to the prize at the end of the race to see King Jesus. Mom felt the
same way and longed for when she would see her Lord.
Maybe a loved one of yours has left this earth and gone
home, leaving you behind to continue the race. Mark Lowry once said,
"Don't be sad for them, they're home. Be sad for me, I'm still here."
He was joking in a sense, but in reality he was making a statement all
believers feel deep down inside. This world is not our home, we're just passing
through until we reach our real home in Heaven.
While others may have outrun us in this life's journey
race, those of us remaining still have a job to do while waiting to be caught
up with Jesus. We are to stay focused on the prize and on the race. Don't
worry, eventually, we'll catch up!
"Let us run with
patience the race that is set before us,
looking to
Jesus..." (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Photo: Mom with her sister a month before my Aunt left
for Heaven. One month later Mom would join her sister. (Copyrighted/permission by
author.)
We all will have one last Hallelujah.
The life paths we all take on our journey doesn't always
lead to the same place. We will all have one last hallelujah so to speak. Will
your life path lead you to Heaven? There is only One God, and one way to Him -
through Jesus Christ. He is worthy of all our Hallelujahs!
When it's time to say good-bye to this world, who will
meet you on the other side?
Saying Good-bye
There are people in your life that you never think about not being there one day, like your mother. My mother was a person who was the strength of her family. She was Mom, counselor, spiritual guide and friend. When she decided to let go, and move to Heaven, I didn't realize the vast emptiness that would be left in my life. It is to all those that have lost someone they care about deeply that this page was written.
What we have learned, especially me, is that Mom did
prepare us for life's unexpected changes. She lived her faith and taught us
about God, salvation through Jesus Christ, to embrace music and most of all, to
love one another.
The other thing we learned is that we didn't really need to say good-bye to someone we will see again, and that our sorrow will one day be turned to gladness. The way it all comes together is through a relationship with God and His Word. You cannot do it any other way.
The other thing we learned is that we didn't really need to say good-bye to someone we will see again, and that our sorrow will one day be turned to gladness. The way it all comes together is through a relationship with God and His Word. You cannot do it any other way.
Sharing Mom's story is probably the hardest thing I have
ever written. Tears run down my face as I have tried to map out what I needed
to say. Perhaps you can relate to this home going story in some way. I hope I
have shared it with compassion and grace, for it's one we all share along our
journey.
Psalm 23 - Roses will bloom again, just
wait and see.
In times like these, it's hard to believe
life will ever be the same again. Well, in many ways it won't, but because of
the love of God, in time we will experience the wonder of a new spring in our
lives. For some it may take a little longer, but my friend, roses will bloom
again, just wait and see.
Throughout the years many have found God's
peace and great comfort in this Song of David. It reminds us of the promises of
God for us here on Earth and in Heaven. May it be an encouragement to you as
you listen and dwell in His arms.
Artist Note: Original psalm 23 music by
Gerd Noya. Music playing, composing, arrangement, and vocal by Gerd Noya. Home
recording, with our pictures of Oregon's beauty. You are welcome to use this
song and slides for God's cause (send us a note if possible to let us know; it
will encourage us). God bless you. Praise The Lord.
Take a stroll with us down life's path as
we share the last hallelujah, by viewing the photographs as you listen to this
song. Or perhaps you just want to sit back with some precious memories of your
loved ones, as you watch the beautiful view of the life paths we all take on
our journey.
Psalm 23 - The Lord is My Shepherd Original song Mazmur 23
It's What She Lived
It's More than Giving...It's About Changing Lives
Besides her family, nothing came close to my mother's
love for her Lord Jesus. As a tribute to her, Living Legacy Bible Foundation
was founded and sends bibles all around the world.
Believers in Jesus Christ know that every Christian
passes from life-to-life (life here on Earth to life eternal in Heaven). Living Legacy Bible Foundation is a ministry that honors the life of a loved one now
living in Heaven. Many donate (so we can purchase Bibles) to sow in honor of
special events of an organization or accomplishments of an individual.
All proceeds from this site are donated to Living Legacy Bible Foundation a non-profit 501c3 outreach/organization.
Thanks for spending some time with me. May the God of peace comfort and keep you in your time of need.
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Legacy Bible Foundation.
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“HE WHO HEARS MY WORD AND BELIEVES IN HIM WHO SENT ME … HAS PASSED FROM DEATH INTO LIFE” (JOHN 5:24 NKJV
“HE WHO HEARS MY WORD AND BELIEVES IN HIM WHO SENT ME … HAS PASSED FROM DEATH INTO LIFE” (JOHN 5:24 NKJV
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