A great woman.....

I have been privileged in my life to have been influenced by some incredible women. One of which, the most influential, went home to be with the Lord yesterday morning. She was 44, wife of a Navy Seal, mother of four outstanding boys ranging in age from 26 to 14. Her death was unexpected. She was taken to the hospital Monday night with seizures and by the morning she had passed. Words can not express my sorrow and disbelief with what has happened. I know death is a part of life and I've lost loved ones before, but at times like these death is so hard to swallow. It's so hard to wrap thoughts around what God's plan is. I know that God numbers our days and God knows what he is doing. I also know that we will never know his plans until we get to heaven. And I also know, and smile knowing, that the Lord is with her right now saying "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." She's in the arms of the Beloved, and He loves her more than we know. Still my heart breaks for Bill, her husband, and for her four boys who will no longer have the wife and mother that has shone so brightly in their lives. It's a tragedy, and my heart aches for this great family that has to bear this grief now. I'll never be able to express how great of a woman Lisa was. I have a couple of verses that describe her, and I guess that's the best I'll be able to do. She will always be in my memory because she touched my life so deeply. I pray that I will become, and raise my daughters to be, at least half the woman that she was.

Titus 2:3-5 ~ " The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."

Proverbs 31:10-31 ~ "10 An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. 13 She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight. 14 She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar. 15 She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And portions to her maidens. 16 She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong. 18 She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night. 19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle. 20 She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen. 25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future. 26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. 27 She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: 29 "Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all." 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. 31 Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates. " -NAS

P.S. There's a photo of my husband and I on the right side of my blog. Lisa stayed up all night the night before my wedding and made the decorations you see there. She flew in the week of my wedding and helped my mother and I do the last minute planning.

Rest in peace Lisa, you'll be greatly missed.