Isa's Eulogy - Part Four

Isa's Eulogy - Part Four

Today we continue with Isa's eulogy.  She was my beloved mother-in-law for over 30 years, and on July 19, 2017 she went home to Jesus after a 17-day battle with cancer. I was blessed with the task of trying to condense her well-lived life of almost 71 years into a brief speech.  Of course, the most important focus was on what mattered to her the most, which is family.  Below is a continuation of her eulogy.

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Now where is Chini, my precious Chini Chong, Isa's wonderful husband and a PERFECT    EXAMPLE    of devotion.  I, whom am known for my big mouth,  am at a loss for words.  Thank You for being the finest, unparalleled example of what a soul mate is. You would not could not leave her side.  Isa went into the hospital on the day of your 51st wedding anniversary, and the love between you really was epic. I love you so very very much.

And of course, I can barely mention my husband, also known as Yoyi, my brother-in-law, also known as Papo, or the fabulous Llamarama, Andrea, my sister-in-law, because I just might lose it completely.  You all know what you meant to her.  The greatest testament is our unity as a family, while we enjoyed her on this earth and as she departed.  

A special word to Andrea.  You did for her in private and intimate moments things I couldn't do.  So did her nieces...You guys are my heroes.

A word to the grandchildren...Isa had recently found passion in praying for each of you with even more intensity.  She was using a devotional prayer book written specifically for grandkids and realized that when she went to the hospital she forgot it.  She made Chini bring it to her. Think of the enormity of what I just said.  She was in the fight of her life, but thinking of each of you. She was asking God to bless you and protect you, to fill you with His peace and goodness.  She made sure to let God know how important it is for you to have wisdom and make good choices. She desired that you all would keep your ways pure and your eyes on Christ. Her peace  came in knowing that God was hearing her prayers. May we all grasp the blessed significance of knowing these prayers will last for all eternity.   

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Of all the things I will remember about Isa during her final days, the one glaring detail that will stay with me forever is her prayer book for her eight grandchildren.   This blesses me immensely, and it's the one thing I think of daily.

Sometimes I think we all flounder a bit.  We wonder what our purpose is. We ask ourselves if we have somehow missed the mark, missed our calling.  We question if we are making a positive difference in this world, especially in the lives of those we love. 

No matter what, it is always God's purpose for our lives to pray for others, especially those we love the most. Prayers make a difference, and I can think of no greater legacy to leave behind than prayers that God holds dear forever.  Not only does He hold them dear, but He answers them too!    

James 5:16 "The earnest prayer of a believer has great power and produces wonderful results."

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We need wonderful results in our lives.  Thank You that the great power in prayer is YOU. Draw us close to You. Draw our families close too.  We all need You, and we are amazed that the words we offer up to You are treasured by You forever. Send Your blessings. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

Isa's Eulogy - Part Three

For those of you just joining us, the past few and the next few DEVOs are dedicated to my beloved mother-in-law who passed away July 19th after a 17-day battle with cancer.  It was so sudden, and the family is still processing this unexpected loss.  Nevertheless, as Christians we are encouraged to always look for ways to be thankful in every situation.  I have been doing just that, and I realize that the reason God tells us to be grateful is because it has tremendous benefits for our souls.  Below is the continuation of her eulogy...

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During Isa's final hours we  -  her husband, daughters-in-law, kids, and grandkids  -  11 of us in total  -  crowded around her hospital bed in the ICU and prayed, shared stories, and sang; we all realized that being right next to her, holding her hands, kissing her forehead, rubbing her arms was a extraordinary  privilege and a gift that not everyone receives. Such a monumental reason to be grateful.

We also found ourselves being thankful for everything from rubber gloves, Purell,  and trashcans, to clean bed sheets, non-skid socks, and air conditioning.  Mostly, though, we were deeply moved by the caring, spitfire nurse, Virgie, who worked non-stop to make our mom comfortable.  We told her too, and she said, "They don't call me the energizer bunny for nothing!"  Peace descended on that room in palpable ways.

And then my daughter, Rachel,  confided in all of us that the day she has a little girl, she will name her "Elisabel" in honor of our Isa, her grandmother.  Did I mention that Rachel is pregnant right now? We don't know the gender yet, but regardless, the day a little girl comes along, she will carry that most beautiful name! Amen~

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1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God's will in Christ Jesus that you do this."

I can testify that the verse above is possible. Even in the midst of very difficult circumstances, when we pray through the pain, when we share funny stories in spite of our sorrow, when we give thanks not for the cancer but because God is still on His throne, cancer or not, when we do what God desires,  unexpected blessings of joy and peace come our way.

Whenever I start to think of that night we said good bye to Isa, my first thoughts are always to the gratitude we all shared, from the smallest detail (Amen! for nurse call buttons) to the greatest one (We will reunite with Isa someday).  Somehow, practicing our faith, praying, looking for ways to be thankful, creates a powerful buffer for our souls that  keeps the joy in and the depression out!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We all have reasons to be thankful.  Open our eyes to the many blessings in our lives and keep our focus on You - our Redeemer and Comforter. In Jesus' name, AMEN. 

Isa's Eulogy - Part Two

Isa's Eulogy - Part Two

Greetings,

For those of you just joining us, Isa was my mother-in-law of almost 31 years.  She passed away after a brief 17-day battle with cancer a week ago yesterday.  I had the high high honor and privilege of speaking at her Memorial Service. 

For two days I prepared, and every time I sat down to write, my eyes would get so clouded from crying that I couldn't see the computer screen in front of me.  I cried for my father-in-law, my husband, his brother, the grandchildren, and myself. I did not know how I would ever stand in front of over 300 people and deliver the eulogy Isa was so deserving of.

And then I wrote the following words...

"We all also appreciate all the prayer warriors out there who lifted us up continually during this trial.  Such an overwhelming number of you.  God bless you!"

This tiny paragraph made all the difference.  I lost count of how many people texted, emailed, or called to say they were praying for our family.  We literally felt like we were being hugged by angels' wings, and it was because others cared enough to go to God on our behalf. 

When it was time for me to speak the day of the service, I took one final swipe at my tears with a tissue, I went out on the stage, and I held it together, for the glory of God.  It was so important for me to make sure we all celebrated Isa's life, and we did.

When we pray for someone else, God moves and strengthens, God brings peace, guidance, and hope. 

Ephesians 6:18 "With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God's people" (The Amplified Bible).

This verse is letting us know that prayer is a way of life. Prayer is a priority - not a last resort. We are called to be specific and we are called to be persistent; others are depending on us!  

PRAYER: Dear Lord, It is wonderful to know that our prayers are heard and that they make a difference. We are so thankful for anyone who has ever prayed for us. And we are also blessed in knowing that our prayers for others are powerful! In Jesus' name, AMEN~

Isa's Eulogy - Part One

Hebrews 12: 2 "Run with endurance the race God has set before you by keeping your eyes on Jesus, the Champion Who perfects our faith, Who endured the cross because of the joy awaiting Him."

Isa's Eulogy - Part One

On July 19, 2017 my mother-in-law, Elisabel Fernandez, died after a 17-day battle with lymphoma.  I immediately knew I would speak at her Memorial Service, and for the next few DEVOs I will be sharing the words God put on my heart.  (What follows is the unedited version).

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The Fernandez family is experiencing shock right now due to the sudden and unexpected loss of our beloved Isa.  She went into the hospital July 2, 2017, and we all thought it would be to get better, not to prepare to go to heaven. 

The official diagnosis was B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.  Nevertheless, her oncologist was optimistic:  Remission possible with aggressive treatment, and Isa agreed to a port, which is a surgically inserted device that allows for optimal delivery of drugs.  Her cardiologist said her heart wasn't strong enough for "the poison," and he set up a series of drugs to help stabilize blood pressure and rhythm.   Her nephrologist said her kidneys needed help for the chemo to do its job, and that he would do a stent procedure if Isa wanted it, which she did.  The internist said a picc-line, which is a catheter inserted directly into the veins, would be necessary for her to get the proper nutrition. And so began a flurry of activity to get her better. Isa was on-board and ready to fight.  

Within a few days, however, it seemed like the doctors could not reach a consensus on what the priority should be. Some felt the chemo would be too brutal and take her life before the cancer would. Others felt that it was worth a shot. And so began a roller coaster ride of different doctors with different opinions and all the while my mother-in-law, the heart and soul of our very close family,  was deteriorating.

It didn't take long for me to start questioning. Sometimes over the course of just one day I would be so sure she would be here five years down the line only to lose hope and start preparing myself for her departure into glory.

At one point I asked my Lord to forgive me for having so many doubts and so many questions. As a family our mantra quickly became: We believe, help our unbelief.  I, along with everyone in the family, struggled  to keep the faith. 

And then Jesus whispered to my heart:

Yenisita (That's what He calls me): "Have you ever doubted that the eternity you are hoping for won't happen?"

"No, my Lord."

"Do you have assurance in your soul that even though you can't see it yet that heaven  is real? That I am real? That the place I have prepared for your mother is real?"

"Yes, my Lord, I do - we all do.  We have never doubted it."

So with that said, it humbles me to say the  Fernandez Family has the strongest faith I have ever  seen. 

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I'll leave it there for today because it's worth thinking about.  No matter what doubts we have, or how many questions circle around in our heads, we must be absolutely certain that no matter the outcome on this earth, our final destination is with Jesus.  If we can have that assurance in our heart, then we can look beyond this present suffering to the ultimate glory that awaits.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Our faith falters at times, but not when it comes to the most important truth in our lives: Our ultimate and glorious destination is with You.  Fill us with joy and peace as we meditate on this reality.  In fact, the only way we can even live is by keeping our eyes on Jesus and the glorious future we have with Him. If He can endure the cross because of the joy that would be His, then we know He will help us carry our crosses too. Amen~

Mighty Man of God~

Tuesday greetings,

On February 10th Ingrid Williams, 44 year-old wife of Monty Williams, who is the associate head coach of the Oklahoma Thunder basketball team, died after a car crash the previous day.  She left behind five children and an adoring husband who is also a MIGHTY MAN of God. His seven and a half minute eulogy will profoundly bless your life.  Take the time to listen to it today by clicking on the link below, and then thank God for the glorious future that awaits us all.

Blessings to you and yours,

http://youtu.be/SXIz14VuQik