Although I had intentionally started this blog for prayer I would like to use today to thank God for giving me 2 great friends.

Within a 5 day period God called home to heaven two godly women, Katherine Hubner and Jill Brandt, who I have had the privilege to know and love, Jill for many years, Katherine for about 1 year....
Both memorial services were on the same day... Oh how I wish I could have been in two places at once!

If I may, I'd like to share with you what Katherine and Jill have in common besides Jesus! :)

This passed year at my church, Sovereign Grace Church of Fairfax, we had several women's ministry meetings. I believe it was when Carolyn Mahaney spoke that she recommended that we write a note to a woman or women who have influenced us in our walk with our Lord. I immediately thought of both Katherine and Jill.

Jill mentored me many many years ago and taught me what it looked like to love my husband. She directed my gaze to Jesus and through example and teaching showed me how to respect and love my husband. (I'm STILL learning.) and to love the Word of God and how to persevere in prayer.

Katherine and I were both a part of Alpha, an evangelistic outreach ... I watched her serve Jesus and our church with enthusiasm and joy! She would escort her friend Mrs. Hinders (who needed help to get around) and she also would serve food to the hungry Alpha attendees and volunteers. She was obviously "older" and I admired how she did not sit around the house being old but she served God and the local church in any way she could! I also had the privilege of training her this summer to work in the bookstore! Also, when Katherine found out my son Patrick would be going to Iraq she promised to pray for him and for his relationship with Jesus. Faithfully, every Sunday Katherine would ask me how Patrick was doing and assured me she was praying for him. How precious to a mother's heart are those who pray for their children!

I didn't obey Carolyn's charge to the letter.. I didn't write notes to Jill and Katherine, but I spoke to each one personally.

Jill had been battling an aggressive cancer for a very long time. I had the joy and privilege of being able to sit at her bedside many times and either hold her hand, rub her feet, read scriptures, cry, laugh.. or just sit. On one of these visits I told her about Carolyn's charge and I was able to let Jill know how much she encouraged me in my faith and in my role as a wife and mother. Jill went home to the Lord one week ago on Sunday, October 8.

I saw Katherine every week at Alpha and one Tuesday I told her how she had influenced me by her example and that when I grow up I want to be like her.
She was so humble in her response to me...further cementing my desire to imitate her example. Katherine went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 12.

So yes, within a 5 day period, Jesus called to heaven two women that I admire and love greatly. As sad as I am that my time in friendships with both Jill and Katherine have passed I am filled with joy and hope because both of these godly women walked by faith and NOW they walk by sight! This overwhelms me!

Praise be unto God who is faithful and worthy of all our praise! The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, BLESSED be the name of the Lord.

in Christ.. for HIS glory,
diane