It’s a hard life. On the 25th of August, 2008 my grandmother, Hanny, died to this earth and passed on to eternity with Jesus. I have this sense of jealousy inside of me. When the call came that she had died I was actually back in the bathroom again with diarrhea. That may be too much information but it will help you understand my point that I am here suffering in the heat to bring the kingdom of God to India and she is entering The Kingdom for eternity. Don’t get me wrong my overall feeling is JOY for her. My mom and I tried to imagine who was waiting for her when she got to heaven. Surely her mom and dad and family but it brought a smile to my face to think that Tim Ryan definitely greeted her, he’s probably even more welcoming in heaven than he was on earth.
I am so thankful for her life. Throughout everything she never stopped loving me and caring for me. She loved giving gifts. She loved the dollar store. She loved make-up and perfume and she loved to look nice in bright colors with a matching scarf or hat. When I was young and I would stay at her apartment she would cook me chicken strips with corn and mashed potatoes and gravy. I loved spending the weekend with her when they would have dances, there’s nothing better than some older people dancing to country and western and bluegrass. On Saturday mornings she would take me to the Pit-Bar-B-Que for breakfast, she always thought is was fascinating that I liked syrup on my bacon. My mom even says I may not be potty trained to this day if it weren’t for my Hanny!
I think the most valuable thing she taught me about was love. Unconditional love and how families must love no matter what they are going through. She showed me that everyone desires to be loved and that many people will go to great lengths to find it. She showed me love through the friends and family she cared for. The last time I saw her she wanted to know all about my life and what I was going to do this year traveling around the world. When I spoke to her two days before she died I must have told her that I loved her at least 25 times and she said I know you do. She told me how much she loved me and how proud she was of me and the mission work that I was doing. As I gave her my blessing to go be with Jesus I really was joyful and peaceful as I told her I would talk to her when I could. As strange as it is that is why I am on the World Race to make sure that the world knows love and that they can spend eternity with the one true God. As jealous as I may be of her entry into communion with Christ I am also thankful for the opportunity to help others know the one true God who is love!
My Hanny will be missed greatly, but I thank God for the time I had with her! I don’t understand why I have lost two of my grandparents and one adopted parent this year while I am away from home. But I know the Lord has perfect timing and I am thankful to have my brothers and sisters here with me in India to love and care for me. Please pray for my family, especially my dad as he has lost both of his parents and his best friend this year. I love you all and look forward to seeing most of you soon!
