In Memory of Kathy

Our friend Kathy went home to Heaven today. My last two posts have been about her to pray for her. I ask that we still pray in rejoicing, for Kathy is no longer in pain. I ask that we still pray for the family and friends that loved her so much. She was a strong woman of God that I have admired since I was a teenager.

Mike's blog post after her death was short, but powerful. The post was titled "Victory" and he said, "Her battle is won."

She fought a great fight with more faith, grace, and courage than I could ever imagine. 
                                                   
I am so thankful that I was able to visit her this past Saturday. My friends Amy, Kelley, and I were able to chat with her and Mike about good memories at church and laughed a lot too. Honestly, I was nervous about going to see her because I did not want to act any differently around her or say anything that I should not. It was a wonderful visit and I praise God for that 40 minutes I was able to spend with her. I knew it would probably be my last time to see her on earth, which was difficult.

I cried on the way home that day. I am crying right now. My tears are tears of both sadness and rejoicing. At this moment, I got a text from my dad who got a text from Kathy's father, my former pastor, saying that she appreciated my visit.

I do not have much else to say but that my heart goes out to this family right now in their time of need. Continue to pray for them to be comforted in this difficult time. May God wrap His arms around Mike and their children Maddie, Sarah, and Colin.

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" Hebrews 4:16

Kathy will be greatly missed.

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12)

I found this verse to be very fitting for right now. As I write to you write now at 12:30 a.m. through tears, my heart is aching for the Brutton family. Mike has just updated their blog. He told the kids the news about Kathy because she is still in the hospital. Hopefully she will get to return home tomorrow to be with her family as long as possible. I see this incredible faith continue to shine through the tragedy. It almost confuses me as to how they can be so strong in such a sad time for them. But then I realize - it is God. God is the only one who can get me, Kathy, or anyone else through our pain and suffering. Living on this earth is not to build glory for ourselves, but to the Creator. He is the only reason I am breathing right now. So why not praise Him for it? The title of this blog is "Living Intentionally". The Brutton's have brought me back to remembering why this is so important. We need to be living each day with intention. We never know when our last breath will be, so we should live each moment as our last and be thankful to God that we are still breathing life.

What I find most comforting in the midst of the sadness is how the Brutton's have looked at their situation as an opportunity. Rather than dwell on the sickness, look to the One above. Mike wrote that he hoped that Kathy's story would turn people to the Kingdom. I believe it will. It already has for me. God has a purpose for everything that happens on this earth.

Please keep Kathy, Mike, their children, and the rest of the Brutton/Hessel family in your prayers.

Where are the words?

I found out last night that a friend of mine's cancer has returned. She had her stomach removed due to the cancer but it has shown up again after having tests done in the last week. The doctor's prognosis is grim. There is nothing more that will be done for her. Kathy Brutton is 32. She is married and has three children. Her husband Mike updated their blog last night. It brought tears to my eyes reading these unimaginable words. Mike said, "Please pray for Kathy and I as we tell our children that their mommy is going home to heaven." I cannot even imagine having to process this. My heart breaks at the thought. This really does not seem right. After reading the blog (which I hope you will read it as well), I had no idea how to respond. Where are the words? I ended up writing on her wall among the dozens of other posts that I will be praying for them. Prayer is all we can offer to them now. That is all they ask for.

Even in the midst of this painful news, the Brutton's are still remaining strong in their faith. I believe many who have undergone such things as cancer have questioned God's presence and meaning to why He would allow such travesty. The Brutton's do not live this way. They understand that God still has a purpose for them in all of this. They hope to further the Kingdom because of Kathy's cancer. Pretty amazing, huh? I am truly in awe and inspired by Kathy's courageous outlook she has had all along. She is a wonderful woman of God that I have had the privilege of getting to know. Kathy and Mike were my Sunday school teachers when I was in high school. I don't want to play favorites, but I have to admit they were probably the best Sunday school teachers I have had.

So please help pray for the Brutton's as they endure this time. Pray that if these are the last moments of her life that she will be able to live them out happily without pain. Pray for comfort to the family.

May God wrap His arms around Kathy and the Brutton's.