It is hard to sum up my feelings about Grandma. So many memories flood my mind. Memories of shopping together- we both loved to shopJ, cooking together, Sunday meals at her house, vacations at the lake, holidays and birthdays- in fact, I am fortunate to say that she is a part of many of my childhood memories. I especially loved spending the night at her house- ice cream treats at night and a great homemade breakfast in the morning always followed by the reading of the Bible and the Daily Bread by Grandpa and prayer. As a little girl, I loved listening to Gram pray- she used words like thou and thy word- which seemed so reverent to me, but more than her words I loved her tone in speaking with her God. She was truly in love with her Savior and had a faith in His will that surpassed daily happenings. In the more recent past, I have memories of her wisdom. I remember one time when Matt and I lived with Gram for awhile before we bought our first house. We were dealing with a certain situation at church and Gram in her quiet way more than a few 
times would warn me of something or comment on how she thought it might work out- and she was right! I learned to take her quiet suggestions to heart! And when I think of her with my kids I immediately tear up. She was the perfect “big- grandma” (as Shane lovingly called her as a toddler instead of Great Grandma) she had count
less hours for coloring, reading, doing puzzles, and just talking which is Clarisa’s favorite memory of her.
Another thought I remember realizing as a young girl was how Gram loved her husband. In our family we often talk of how Grandpa took care of Grandma with a tenderness and tenacity that puts many to shame. She was definitely his beloved princess and he treated her as such at all times. Gram however, always put Grandpa first. She loved him equally as hard and showed it with her respect. She also took very seriously her responsibility of keeping a house and taking care of feeding Grandpa with his favorite foods. I vividly remember that even on special occasions Grandpa said he would rather eat at home with Gram’s cooking because he loved it so. Gram’s world truly revolved around Grandpa- a 
fact which she was more than content with but actually reveled in. I have been thinking about that fact a lot lately in my own life as a wife and mom. When people speak of my Grandparents they often speak of Grandpa’s ministry to everyone he came across- although vice-president of a company by day- he was truly a lay pastor in the off hours. He led countless people to a saving knowledge of Christ, discipled untold numbers of others and served in leadership of NSBC for years. All of which, I am convinced, was made possible by the way in which Gram stood by, supported, loved and helped him. As a ministry wife- one in Africa no less- this example is vital for me and one I strive to embody. Gram modeled for me putting God first but your family second before ministry- a model which I have to say as unvalued as it might be now in this day and age, worked. As living proof their children and grandchildren all know the Lord and are walking with Him. Honestly, what be
tter testament to their faithfulness? I pray God gives me that kind of tunnel vision to continually keep the most important thing, the most important thing.
If there was one thing that the lives of my grandparents revolved around it was living out their relationship with God. God was indeed the cornerstone of their lives but even more than that He was the very mortar that held it all together. He touched and glued together every facet of their lives and it was evident to all who rubbed up against them. There was no wavering when things got rough as they do in every family- only unyielding determination to follow God’s plan and continually place their trust in Him. This was always evident in their actions but recently in reading Gram’s memoires, it is even more evident that this faith went beyond actions and was the core of her being-even when no one was looking.
It is hard to say goodbye to my Grandma but at the same time, I am so happy for her! She did it! She lived a life worthy of Him who called her unto Himself. She loved God with everything in her and made it evident to others, she loved her family with a doggedness that I long to aspire to, and she loved others unselfishly. Now she is reaping the benefits of a life lived with the end in mind. I am so proud to call her my Grandma. My tears which come easily right now are like the tears she used to cry all the time and right in the middle of the downpour would say- “ it's because I'm so happy..."