MY TESTIMONY, SOMEONE'S MISSING

Please look past my tears, and hear my words! Mom gave me a solid Christian foundation. I can remember going to church when I was very young, and playing Sunday school at home with Diana and John, on the felt board Mom had made us. In later years, I could always ask Mom any question about the Bible and she always had the answer for me. And if I needed prayer in my time of need, she would always pray for me.

Mom so lovingly took Michelle & Carolynn under her wing, and taught them the word of God, just like she had done with me. She did the same thing when Jeremy & Randi were little. Having Bible study daily and teaching them to pray. When I met Randy I knew he was a born again Christian.
You might say I was in a "COMFORT ZONE!"

Mom read and studied the Bible front and back, several times during her lifetime. She believed and trusted in God until the very end. She had that "hot line" I would always tease her about. I was secure!

It took everything I had to walk down the hall to Mom's room. My heart was heavy, and my throat always seemed to develop this gigantic lump, and of course I could never hold back the tears.

Sometimes I close my eyes, and I can still feel her arms around me. She had the best hugs! I still remember kneeling down beside her rocker and giving her the biggest bear hugs, sometimes lasting for several minutes.

During one of our very last hugs, when Mom was still able to sit in her chair, she whispered "Don't let the tears keep you away…I love you Nancy…I love you baby!" And then she was gone…

I don't have to tell you about my broken heart, or missing her so much that I would cry myself to sleep at night… Because I know you felt the same pain. But I do have to tell you that I was not at peace. Something other than Mom was missing!

Four months later, August 18th, we bought the new van. We would have gotten it a few weeks earlier, but I wasn't ready to give up the Suburban. It was 14 years old and Mom had ridden beside me in it several times. How could I give that up too?

I remember Randy saying "Nancy, your Mom would have been tickled pink to see you in a new car!" And he's so right…she would have been so happy for us.

One of the first things Jeremy did, was to set the stations on the new radio. We hadn't had a radio in a few years! This part is very important…Jeremy set the first 4 stations, leaving the 5th station untouched?

A couple of weeks later, the kids went back to school and I started babysitting the Grandkids again. One afternoon in September, on the way home from Michelle & Russell's house, out of curiosity I pressed the fifth button and it lit up 107.9, and my life became whole again! I'd found my peace!

Every 30 minutes, there's a program with different Pastors, teaching the scripture and word of God, they play great Christian music, and oh yeah … one of my favorites, "Focus on the Family" with Dr. Dobson. I can't wait to get in the car in the morning and turn on Dr. McGee who's "going through the Bible." Sound familiar?

From 3 until 4 in the afternoon, there's a call in program called "To Every Man An Answer." One particular afternoon a young woman called in. She asked how she could be saved? Pastor Rod answered in the most sincere voice …"Do you want to be saved right now"… and the voice answered "Yes!"
"Then please repeat this prayer after me…and anyone else out there who would like to receive Jesus Christ, just say it to yourself." AND I DID!

I have always been a true believer and a born again Christian, but ever since mom had died, I wasn't at peace, and able to stand on my own, and was under conviction to reconfirm my Salvation!

Funny, but when Mom was alive, I always figured that if Jesus Christ would come, she would say "Hey, don't forget that Redhead over there! She loves you too, and she's been a good person!"

I suddenly came to the realization that I can't stand beside Randy, or with Jeremy or Randi, or my older daughters, Michelle and Carolynn or their husbands Russell and Bob… not even my Grandchildren. But I can stand here tonight and tell you that we're a "Package Deal and I'm not going anywhere without any of you!"

I wanted so much to be able to talk tonight, that I kept calling John & Alice and asking "Is it okay if I have a few minutes?" Hoping they'd make sure and squeeze me in. At the time I didn't even know what I was going to say, I just knew I had to say it! I prayed day and night . that God would give me the words to say, and prayed that he might touch your hearts tonight,

He answered my prayers the next morning, on 107.9… with Pastor Greg Laurie. I'd like to share this "edited" tape with you. Consider it my Christmas present to you! (Play Tape - About "Titantic" Just get in the lifeboat!)

I used to wonder…now that I've accepted Jesus, what do I do next? Am I going to be perfect now? "NO" We're all human, and we will still slip and sin! BUT it's so easy from here! You go on with your life, your "New Life!" Pray often, fellowship with other Christians, and study his word…OR set your radio dial to 107.9 and just listen while you drive!
YES, "someone" is missing tonight…but we know where "she" is!

In loving memory of our Mother… "MAY THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN!"