MY BLOG POSTS

My mother passed away on October 6.

She was 62.

Eight months ago, her only health issue was recurring kidney stones. Eight months ago, she had so many plans for the future: She had her Retirement countdown clock going. She planned to return to the courtroom as a lawyer, once she finished her tenure as an elementary school principal. She had her art room ready so she could devote more time to that gift. She talked about traveling to Japan, where she was born, and to SE Asia, to visit my younger sister. She was going to come out to  Emma’s graduation in May and visit my youngest sister in Texas. She was going to live part-time in Tennessee, to be closer to family and friends there.

All those plans came to an abrupt halt when, on March 26, she was diagnosed with primary peritoneal cancer. We all had to look it up – no one had heard of that cancer before. It is rare. And it is lethal. She knew within hours of the diagnosis what doctors didn’t confirm until a few days later: this type of cancer leaves no survivors.

Mom fought it with everything she had – she endured heavy doses of chemo for three months. She continued working during those three months because that is who she was. And, when she began losing her hair, she bought pink, blonde, and red-headed wigs to match her fancy dresses for school. Because that, too, is who she was: Strong, capable, and fiercely independent.

She also had a great sense of humor. Days after her diagnosis, I  sat in the oncologist’s office with her. Several old ladies came in, wearing their loose flowerly dresses and thick white orthopaedic shoes. Mom pointed to one of them, nudged me said, “You know, I never wanted to be an old woman. At least now, I won’t have to be!”

I was able to return to Florida the last week of Mom’s life. And, as I told her best friend and caretaker, Susan, the woman I saw that week didn’t even look like my mom. Sometimes it’s hard to believe she’s really gone because of that. Cancer had robbed Mom of more than just her hair and weight. It trapped her in a body that, by the time I returned, prevented her from moving, from speaking, and ultimately, from breathing.

I am processing this loss. I don’t think I can fully express all the emotions I am experiencing – though all of them, at different times in different ways, come forward. More will come, I know, as time passes.

What I do know is that my mom is no longer trapped in a body that is betraying her. I know that even her best day here on this earth is nothing compared to that first breath she took in heaven. I know that her regrets, her mistakes, even her aspirations have been forgotten in the face of Jesus, in the reality of living daily in a body that is sin-free and a Home that is eternal…

“Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its days I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ””

-C.T. Studd

My son, Thomas, and I spent an amazing two weeks on the other side of the world. Because of where many of the folks I saw there are working, I have to be careful how much I say. So forgive me if I seem vague. It is not because I want to be, but because that is necessary for these precious brothers and sisters.

Part I – Fun with Family

Our first stop was the country where my sister and her family lives. It is a beautiful, though humid, place filled with amazing people. There were also some strange sights. Like this:

That’s a toilet. ON THE FLOOR. And if you’ll look around, you’ll see there’s no toilet paper. Just a water hose and a floor drain. Thankfully, there were also “western” toilets. I am not ashamed to say that I waited until the latter were available.

There were also some really neat sights – markets and malls and rivers and so much more…

Thomas discovered that soccer is a universal language. Behind my sister’s house is a large field where neighborhood  boys play nightly. They have to dodge cow patties that are deposited throughout the week (and some of them play with no shoes. Yuck!!). But they play hard and they have fun. And they accepted Thomas right in. He became one of the gang in the week we were there. He even got up early on the weekend (Friday and Saturday there) to run.  And he rode on a motorbike – with 3 other boys! – to local food vendors where he tried foods that I did not have the stomach to try. Some of the boys spoke a little English, and between that and hand signals, they all got along just fine. Thomas was sad to leave these new friends.

Part II – Sisters in Singapore

My sister and I got away for a few days and visited the amazing city/country of Singapore. Wow. If Disney World and NYC had a baby, it would be Singapore. It is beautiful, clean, and so very modern. Like visiting the future.

Part III – Teaching in Thailand

Our last few days were spent in Chiang Mai, Thailand. My sister attended a Homeschool Conference with fellow workers. The folks there came from all over SE Asia. Some, like my sister, live far from any other American families, and so this time was refreshing on so many levels. My niece got to see friends from the states – she even got to have a sleepover! A rare treat for her.

Volunteers from all over the US came to teach the students, care for the babies, and speak to the parents. I spent most of my time with the older kids, and I loved getting to know them and hearing their stories! I enjoyed getting some time with their parents, as well – moms who have so many jobs, not the least of which is homeschooling, and who do it with such joy. I got to see the excitement on each student’s face – 200+ – when they received the books that so many from here helped provide. Books in English are hard to find where many of these folks are, so it was a blessing for them to get these.

Thomas got to ride an elephant while we were there, and we were able to get away one night to visit a market not far from where we were staying. I would have loved to see more of this beautiful country, but there just wasn’t time.

It was an amazing trip, filled with more stories and memories than I can possibly fit into one blog. I am so thankful to have been able to go. What a blessing to step into my sister’s world and get time with her and her precious family. And what a blessing to meet other members of the bigger Family, who, like my sister, are serving and shining in some dark, difficult places.

I was humbled and challenged and awed by all I saw and experienced. And I am SO thankful to have had the opportunity to go.

Friends, I could use your prayers: My son, Thomas, and I leave tonight for a two-week trip to SE Asia! We are super excited and a little bit nervous. It’s a LONG way away!

Our primary reason for going is to visit my sister and her family. They serve in a closed country in that region. Alexis and I will take a short trip to Singapore, just for fun. Then we’ll all go to Thailand: My sister and niece will attend an educational conference there, and I will teach a few classes to high school students and parents on college prep writing skills.

We are excited to go, and amazed at all the provisions the Father lavished on us along the way. The Conference Director told me she would love to have a new book for each student at the conference. All 250 of them. I can tell you the Enemy worked hard to keep that from happening! But in the end, the Body came through in amazing ways. Every single child has a brand-new book coming to them!

We have been planning this trip for more than six months, and it is hard to believe it is finally time to go.

We have a few specific requests we’d love for you to remember as we head out:

• Pray we are a blessing to all we come in contact with – especially my sister and her family
• Pray we stay healthy and safe throughout the trip
• Pray all our luggage gets through customs without any problems
• Pray all our luggage makes it to the final destination!
• Pray for our family – my husband Dave, and daughters Emma and Ellie – who will be staying behind while Thomas and I travel
• Pray we know the Savior better as a result of this trip
• Pray we can be a Light in every place we go

Thanks for praying, friends! I will post pics on my social media accounts, and I’ll write a post about the trip when we return.

~Krista

Remember when you were a kid and you hated what your mom served for dinner, and she’d say something like this: “I know you hate broccoli, but there are starving children in Africa who would love this meal.”?

I hated that speech.

I know, Mom was right. But you know what else? I hated broccoli (still do – there’s not enough melted cheese in the world to make that veggie palatable*). I literally gagged it down. I would have gladly given every serving of broccoli I had to the starving children of Africa. But that wasn’t an option.

I don’t make my kids eat broccoli, but I do find myself saying things like that.  And not about food, but – worse – about life: “Sure, things are tough right now. But it could be worse: You could be in the path of a hurricane. Or have terminal cancer. You really shouldn’t complain.”

It is a terrible thing to do. When we are struggling, we need to deal with the struggle. We need to look at that nasty broccoli sitting on our plate and recognize we have to eat it. Mom’s not letting us up until we do. We can cry and whine and complain and fake gag, but when we’re done, the broccoli will still be sitting there. Getting even more slimy and bland. Might as well eat it while it’s hot so it’ll slide down faster.

In life, sometimes things happen we just don’t like. Tough stuff. Pretending it’s not tough doesn’t make it easier. Recognizing other people have it worse doesn’t help either. Our tough stuff is still there, waiting to be dealt with.

So we need to deal with the “broccoli” in our lives. We need to cry out to God about these struggles. He’ll get you through whatever difficulty you are facing. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. His purposes for us are great.

We don’t get a “pass” on trials. But we do have a gracious heavenly Father who will guide us through every step, making us stronger and more like Him in the process.

*I apologize to broccoli-lovers. I’m sure it’s a wonderful vegetable with great qualities and maybe you even have a recipe that is so good I can barely taste the broccoli…but I still hate it, and now that I’m an adult, I can refuse it any time I want. So no recipes, please! If you feel the need to send something, the name of a good counselor – one who deals in childhood vegetable trauma – would be most beneficial 😉