I first want to say thank you to everyone who has been praying for me this week. It’s been a pretty tough week with Grandpa Schmitz passing away. We’ve been taking a team debrief so that is a blessing. I was able to talk to family and because of amazing technology these days I sat right in between Hannah and Jono at the memorial service yesterday. 🙂
Hearing that my Grandpa’s last words being “Hasta la vista,” (see you later) it brought tears of joy to my eyes. I love that he died so sure that he was a conqueror in Jesus. I couldn’t be there to see him in his last days on earth, but I can grieve with hope knowing I will see him again some day. These words of a song by Sidewalk Prophets keeps coming to mind:
“I can see it in your eyes that you are restless,
the time has come for you to leave.
It’s so hard to let you go, but in this life I know,
you have to be where you were made to be.”
He was so ready to be out of this world and to go home. He had to go where he was made to be, with Jesus. It's hard to know I coudn't be with you in those last days, but I know this is not goodbye, it's see you later!
Hearing from family and the pastor at the memorial service I know that in his last days he was looking toward Jesus. He wasn’t worrying, thinking about everything he wish he could have done, or dwelling on unimportant things. He was looking at Jesus. That’s what I want to do in this last month. I want to look at Jesus, not be anxious about going home or try to think of everything I wish I could do for the community. I’m going to love people with no agenda, be drained and empty to be filled with Jesus, seek the Kingdom, and eat lots of chapati. Keeping my eyes on Jesus and seeking His righteousness. In the words of my cousin, Dan, “Hey! Keep reppin’ da JC. Enjoy every second of it.”
In light of this difficult week, I have had a great week hanging with my team and swimming. We went on a safari and saw lots of elephants, baboons, giraffes, zebras, LIONS, warthogs, buffalos, and beautiful birds. It was pretty awesome. Check out pictures on Facebook!
Thanks again for the prayers, encouragement and support! Love you all so much and see you real soon.
Bekah, it was cool that you got to be at the service on Julie’s iPhone!
Here’s the words to one of the hymns we sang:
I know that my Redeemer lives!
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever living head!
He lives triumphant from the grave;
He lives eternally to save;
He lives exalted, throned above;
He lives to rule his Church in love.
He lives to silence all my fears;
He lives to wipe away my tears;
He lives to calm my troubled heart;
He lives all blessings to impart.
He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death;
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.
He lives, all glory to his name!
He lives, my savior, still the same;
What joy this blest assurance gives:
I know that my Redeemer lives!
Hymn # 264 from Lutheran Worship
By the way, your brother is going by Jonathan…I finally convinced him. And if you want to do something for Grandpa, you can clean up his house when you get back!
See you soon. Finish up strong!
Love, Mom
Hey Bekah,
I have been praying for you. I know that you realize that prayer is so much more than positive energy or thought. Prayer is the blessing we have from the Lord to ask for Him to direct His spirit to do His will. I am asking the Lord to bless yo with His peace that passes understanding. To fill you with bright hope in the promises that the Lord made to us, promises that he has a plan for us and that we will be safe in His care. I am asking Him to fill you so full of his love that it literally bubbles out of you and blesses everyone around you. I am asking Him to fill your heart so that even as you pour yourself out for those around you, you are filled by the everlasting love of God.
I love you so much Bekah. I am excited for the people you are blessing, I am excited that I will be able to see you soon, and I am excited to see you growing in the grace of our Lord by serving His people.
Hasta la vista.
Love it Bekah! Words so true. “no agenda, be drained and empty to be filled with Jesus, seek the Kingdom, and eat lots of chapati” If only we did that every day of our lives….wow!
Jono goes by Jonathan now!?! Wha?
Love you sister. Stay present and ENJOY the time you have left, the future will worry about itself!