Dance for Jesus

Today my husband's Aunt Laurie died (his mom's sister). She was one of 12 children, and the second of the children to die. She was a remarkable woman, who suffered with Rheumatoid Arthiritis since she was a young child. She had numerous reconstructive surgeries which left her frail and in pain, much of her life, and the last years in a power chair. She was a missionary to Africa & Bolivia, and her and her husband adopted two Bolivian children. Since 1991 she & her husband have been missionaries with Missionary Tech Team, which is a non-profit organization providing various technical services to other missions and organizations so they are more effective in their outreach (such as technical expertise in engineering, construction design, landscape design, graphic design, display and brochure design, computer networking, software development, furlough vehicle leasing and web site design and development).

Laurie wrote an autobiography, Treasures in Clay Jars, which tells her life story, and shows how God can use anybody despite the challenges she has gone through.

The artist of the Precious Moments figurines, Sam Butcher, in 1998 made a figurine in honor of Laurie called, "The Good Lord Will Always Uphold You", which is a picture of an angel standing on a bench while holding a tiny puppet of a little girl. The article that came with this figurine spoke of God's faithfulness in the life of Laurie through the years of pain and disability.

The last time we saw Aunt Laurie, was July 4, 2004, at our annual family reunion. Our daughter Jessica knew about Great Aunt Laurie, and prayed for her, and we'd tell her how she even looked like her. It was special for the two of them to meet (picture above), and over the last couple of years, have sent little notes back and forth. Jessica just got her last note from Great Aunt Laurie, about a month ago. Tonight the realization of another death hit her little heart, and she was very sad. I know I will continue to "see" Aunt Laurie through her, because so many times, I will see glimpes of Aunt Laurie in Jessica. Other family members have noticed this too.

For a woman that struggled for so many years, and could not walk for the last several years, I can only imagine the reunion with Jesus and her parents. My husband's mom said today she'd often talk to her sister of "dancing with Jesus." There won't be any stumbling or staggered walk. It made me think of Chris Rice's song,

Come to Jesus

Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live!

Now your burden's lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain, so
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live!

And like a newborn baby
Don't be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall...so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live!

Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!

O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can't contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live!

And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!

Dance for Jesus Aunt Laurie!

And to Uncle Jim, Anita, and Isaac-John, and all Laurie's sisters & brothers & Norm's mom, our thoughts and prayers are with you.

We were priviledged to know her and love her.

OBITUARY

A note from Norm's mom:

Loni & Norm

Thank You for your tribute to my dear sister, Laurie Beth. I especially look forward to seeing my Savior, Jesus Christ and bowing humbly before Him, thanking Him for shedding His precious blood to cover my sin all in obedience to God the Father. What a joyous, yet humbling thought to ponder. I once related to Laurie just how much I will enjoy seeing her body & possibly dancing together in celebration of all that God has done for us.

Love, Mom