“The doctors were pressuring us to make a decision, so after three days of praying and talking to mom, she was looking to me to make the decision.” Weighing the consequences of radiation, chemo, and pain, with no guarantee of success, Susan chose not to move ahead with surgery. “After we shared this with doctors, within three days, mom’s mysterious cough went away! To me that was God’s way of saying, ‘No Surgery!’ Our prayers were being answered.”
As her mother’s primary caregiver, Susan worked with Hospice and another agency to care for Kae after she lost her mobilization. “Her voice, eye sight and functions of the body diminished. Mom was present, but she was locked inside her body. Despite that, she understood what was happening around her, and recognized family and friends.”
“We prayed every night at dinner and sometimes during the day. Mom asked me, ‘What’s taking him so long?’ I told her, ‘God is making a very special place for you in heaven, as you are so picky about neatness and things being in order.’ She smiled, she knew it was true. “
“Pastor Paul and mom became close. He phoned her and prayed for her. At that time she no longer had a voice but her facial expressions showed her delight.” Pastor Paul would make the trek to her home in Bakersfield, one of his favorite cities, to perform Kae’s service. “All mom’s friends were so impressed with our pastor.”
“Mom was my best friend. I miss her terribly, but I knew I couldn’t have her forever. God took her to heaven just over two months after she was diagnosed. What I learned from mom after reading her journals, was she was never sure about our Lord, until her feelings and beliefs gradually changed, as she found me drawing closer to God and my affection to our Lord and to Mariners Church.”
“The scripture that helped me and mom through this ordeal was one I love and tend to lean on a lot; Isaiah 41:10 – Do not be afraid for I am with you. Do not be discouraged for I am your God.”
