Erica

I knew Erica didn't like vegetables.

So whenever she ate with us I had a dilemma.  Do I forgo the veggies so she enjoys the meal?  Or do I give in to my mama-instincts and make veggies so she'll have to eat at least a few??

I think I went both ways on different occasions!  

I can't remember for sure when I met this sweet girl.  I know it was her first year of vet school.  She came to church and ended up in home group at our house.  I didn't take long for her to become a frequenter of our home.  It also didn't take long for her to snag a place in our hearts.

We spent a lot of time together during her vet school years.  The beginning was hard for Erica as I think it is for most.  I can't count the number of times we spent talking on the couch or on the front porch.  Sometimes there were tears.  Sometimes laughter.  Usually prayer.

She asked me once if I would consider mentoring her.  I honestly didn't know what to say because I was pretty sure I could learn a whole lot more from her than she could from me.  Erica persevered.  She let her struggles and joys push her to Jesus.  She knew the Scriptures so well.  And she prayed.  I was right- I was the one learning from her.

Sometimes she called herself timid or shy, wishing she weren't that way.  But let me say this.  She may have been quiet but she was not timid.  My friend did missions in Haiti, Nicaragua, and Mongolia.  She flew to Mongolia by herself!  And loved it there so much that it was her dream to return full time.

Often my kids would mention her smile.  She always smiled.

So when this friend was taken unexpectedly to glory on Good Friday, I along with so many was stunned.  Just stunned.  And heart-broken.  I don't know that I have experienced loss quite like this before.  My heart is sad for us left here.  The tears have flowed often.

But for my kind, tender-hearted friend there is only an eternity to smile that beautiful smile at Jesus.  To sing and rejoice.

There have been so many tributes or testimonies to the joy she brought others through her letters, paintings, encouragement, hugs, and smiles.  I have no doubt she wouldn't believe it!  That humble heart loved others so well.

I find my self so very grateful for the gift of seeing God's work in Erica.  He gave her such faith, such grace.  What a blessing.

While her death still does not seem real to me, the hope of the Gospel does.  It is everything.

"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."  Phil 1:21