Thursday, March 26, 2009

My Friend Jean

This is the river Jordan..........

This is someone being baptized in the river Jordan... My friend Jean will soon cross over the river Jordan and be baptized into life.......




Some of you were reading my blog back when I told you about my friend Jean. She has fought a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. I have not been over to see her in many weeks now due to my illness and Mom and Dad being in the hospital. I spoke with her today and she will soon see the Christ face to face.

Four and a half years ago they gave her two years to live. She has fought and prayed and laughed and cried during this past years. Her sweet husband died suddenly a year ago and it was such a shock to everyone. Thus she has been alone to fight this fight for over a year now. They can do no more treatments and Hospice has come in and morphine is being administer daily. She can only drink two ensures a day and her precious earthly body if failing.
I will go see her tomorrow and read to her from the bible. Jean and I have been friends for over 30 years now and I was blessed to be a pastor of a church many years ago when she and her husband Nelson were baptized.

I will cry tomorrow to see her fading away but I will remember what the Holy Spirit spoke to my spirit man just days ago........... though the outward man perish, the inner spirit is renewed daily.

I just do not know what to say to her......... I will miss her so.......... She is the most gracious person I have ever met. She talks with her hands and we have laughed and laughed about that over the years. She never, never has one bad thing to say about any other living thing. She has loved and has loved out of a pure heart all the years that I have known her.

Say a prayer for Jean. I feel in my spirit that she will be flying away from this painful body very soon.


Love you girls!

27 comments:

Shirley said...

So, so sorry to hear about your dear friend. She is going to a much better place. God said to open your mouth and he would fill it. He will give you the words tomorrow.

Hugs to you my friend.

The French Bear said...

Dear Denise, it is a wonderful thing that you are going to be with your friend in her final days.
I sat holding my sister's hand until she drew her last breathe. We did not get to talk because she was struggling to just to get air. I sat there holding hand and rubbing her face while gazing into her huge brown eyes. My sister had the most beautiful eyes.
God puts us in situations because He knows we are needed.
Bless you for being there for your friend,
MargaretB

MelanieJoy said...

I'll be praying for her. I hope you have a sweet visit. Some times I think being there is more than words.

Annette said...

she's one lucky lady to have you in her life, she's been blessed with your friendship and love, I'm sorry your hurting, but you know as well as I know, It's not a good by, it's just a fare well, when she leaves this world, someone told me that when my dad died and I have used it every since, I just love it! she's going to be with 2 very special men! but I know it's not easy on you, to lose someone you've been friends with for so many years and have become family, and I'm truly sorry, your heart is aching, I wish I could take it away, the Holy spirit will guide you on what to talk about, sometimes not saying any thing is the best thing, just enjoy each other company, by holding her hand, singing songs of praises and praying, but I will be thinking about you, and one more thing God will be there amongst the 2 of you!!! I love you sweet friend of mine......
Annette

Mary said...

Denise,

I'm praying that Jean will make an easy and peaceful transition from this world into the Kingdom. Give her a hug from me.

Keeping you in my prayers, also. I lost my best friend in 1980 and it is difficult, but one day you will meet again.

Love and hugs,
Mary

Karen said...

What a precious picture to have along with the gift of the many years of memories! The right words will come if needed, or like the other ladies said, your presence may be what is needed most. Will be thinking of you and your friend...

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Denise...you, my dear, are walking through some very difficult days here and I will pray for you and your mom and dad...and now Jean. It must be such a blessing to have a sweet friend as in Jean. Please give her a hug from a sister in California and tell her that when she meets our sweet Jesus, please have him introduce Jordan to her. I am writing this with tears in my eyes...but also with an understanding that there is a place so much better than where we are today. A HOME that I am waiting to walk through that door someday. Jean will get to be there before us..how lovely for her to have that promise!

peace be with you....
love,
Becky

Sincerity said...

I too have lost loved ones to cancer. I too have been with them in their final hours. I know the pain and the worry and all the feelings in between that come during and after moments of great testing.

There's really nothing I, or anyone for that matter, can say to truly bring comfort. But I know who has the perfect words.

God says: " Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." ~ I Peter 5:7

Jesus says: " Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4

"...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31

Sincerity said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Denise said...

My heart goes out to you sweetie, my prayers will be with you, and dear Jean.

Tracy said...

Awe Denise my heart goes out to you and your friend. I will be saying a prayer for Jean, and for you who i know will miss her friendship. I am glad you are feeling better my friend. I am sorry i have not been around much, i have not had much to say. :) hugssssss

Aunt Angie said...

Denise...I know the pain that you will bear as you enter that room. I know the shock you will feel when you gaze of a face of a dear one...that is preparing to leave...but (the tears are clogging my throat)...Denise---her destiny is GRAND!

Say the things that come to your mind. Assure her that you will CONTINUE the good fight of faith. Ask her the questions that are on your heart---love on her. LOVE ON HER.

Oh---how I wish I could do again the last days that Wanda was able to speak. I would not be so afraid. I would have a braver face---I would try anyway.

I love you dear friend...and will be thinking of you and praying for you.

Carole Burant said...

Sometimes words are not needed...just knowing that you're there beside her, holding her hand, will be enough. It's so heartbreaking to see a loved one dying but as you say, only the shell dies, the spirit lives on forever. Sending you big hugs across the miles. xoxo

Diane said...

Denise, You're so rich to have had a good friend like Jean for so many years. It's so hard to say some things, even like "I will miss you". But you're so equipped because of your deep love for God that you know you will see her again someday. Peace to you in these troubled times.

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Last year, I sat beside with two friends who were dying of cancer. It was a sacred privilege to be a part of their walking home to Jesus. I pray that God gives you the words and love to best minister to her needs.

A crossing over indeed! What a day that will be.

peace~elaine

Daria said...

Denise,

I'm sorry to hear about your friend ... my prayers go out to Jean.

Daria

Anonymous said...

Denise. . .((((hugs)))). . .

LisaShaw said...

Hi Denise, I'm sorry to hear about Jean but I rejoice that she will soon be face to face with our LORD and she will be freed from pain and she will be RESTORED totally and with her hubby.

I'm sure the Holy Spirit will give you exactly what you need to say to her when you visit. I'm sure that all the love, tears and prayers that you will both share will be everlasting.

Love you and remain encouraged in the LORD.

Back Through Time said...

God will give you the the right words to say when you get there, I love that he is always with us if we let him surround us. How very very sad for you,but she will suffer no more. I will say a prayer for you both.
Tomorrow will be a hard day for you, I will be thinking of you.
Hugs,
Michelle

Anonymous said...

Sometimes we don't have to say anything. I remember you telling us about your friend Jean. I'm sure she'll be happy to see you.

JC said...

Thanks for the picture of the Jordan. It brings back memories. I will keep Jean in my prayers for a peaceful passing. The Holy Spirit will give you the right words to say just when you need them.

kansasrose said...

Dear friend I am so sorry your sweet friend is passing over and has endured so much suffering and pain. What a joyous reunion awaits her! You both have shared this earthly life together with the gift of unconditional love and friendship. You both have known laughter, joy and love, tears, and walked with the Lord together in this life. Friends are such a wonderful Godly blessing of this difficult walk we take on earth, now the Lord calls her Home. Hon, I weep for you. I know how you must grieve, as I am losing a precious friend too soon. Don't worry about knowing what to say to her.. your spiritman and hers will do all the talking. She will bask in your love for her...

God bless her and you.

Love, Jen

Margaret Cloud said...

I am saying a prayer for Jean. It is nice she has a long time friend like you, it is hard to loose a person you love but you don't want her to suffer any more. I am sure the words will come to you when you see Jean, I am praying for you both.

LOVE, MERCY AND GRACE...GOD'S GRACE said...

Denise,

I know that God will give you just the right words to say to your friend....how awesome to think in just a short time she will see Jesus!!

Blessings, my friend!

~Beth

Jennsmere said...

Just stopped by for a visit...such a beautiful tribute to your friend.

Be blessed,
Susan

Sandra said...

Sending lots of love Jean's way. Please tell her I said hello, and tell her I still remember when she was my Sunday school teacher.

valerie said...

It's so difficult to see our loved ones suffer.
I'll keep you in my prayers as you minister
to Jean. Soon she will have a glorified body with no more pain and no more suffering and best of all she'll be in the presence of Jesus.