Grandma Joyce

My Grandma went home to be with the Lord on Oct 7th, 2013

When I think of my grandma I think of a woman of God who loved her family. My grandma first and foremost was a godly woman. She was often in the Word either on her own or in a Bible Study. She was always praying for us and cared about each event in every one of our lives. She was so concerned for us that at times I would not want to tell her something just because I knew she would not be able to sleep. Yet, I always did want to tell her pray requests cause I knew she would pray!

She loved having the family together. She would start planning far in advance how we were all going to celebrate the holidays, etc. She loved to have us over or would come and just spend time with us.

My grandma was proud of all her grandkids. She was not only praying for me, she was also talking to friends about me (in good ways). I was blessed to meet many of her friends and some of them have supported me as I have gone overseas. Her friends even had me share while I was home from Thailand. This last summer she proudly took me to her group’s indoor picnic where I shared about my ministry in Thailand.

She also always spent time helping others- not just being generous with her money, but also with her time. I remember many years of her lining up meals for funerals at her church until she physically couldn't do it anymore. She also would crochet for Bundles of Love and was able to continue to do this during her fight with cancer as well.

She loved going out to eat and spending time with her friends. She often had a busier social life then I did at times in our lives. She traveled with us to family things and had to put up with our driving and choice of music/radio theater.

I rejoice that my Grandma is no longer in pain and knew the Lord as her savior so that I will see her and Grandpa in heaven. I realize how blessed I am to have had her in my life for 31 years.

My only source of sadness is that I was not able to be there with her and my family as she finished her race here on earth. I can find great comfort in this last summer with her and the last skype “conversation” I had with her just 3 days before she died.

I am sad that future generations won’t know her, but I do know that because of my grandparents’ legacy many generations will be impacted by their lives and love for the Lord and their family.