Yes after all these years the love,  pain and suffering is still there. Waiting to see you in heaven some day soon. 

As we remember the 20th anniversary of Lori's death, let's also remember the 20th anniversary of her rebirth.  I would assume being near death is a very humbling experience.  A few people are lucky enough to have time to contemplate their passing and be able to take care of things that need to be taken care of before they leave this earth.  Lori took care of her affairs, the most important being the care of her 4 young children.

A few days before Lori's passing, Joe Bagby, the minister at the Westside Church of Christ, came by to offer Lori what comfort he could.  Lori told him she had started to turn her life around and wished she had more time to pursue that and to get to know Jesus.  She said she knew it was too late.  Joe pulled out his bible and read the following passage from Luke 23:39-43. 

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”  But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”  Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  Jesus answered him,“Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Lori asked if it was too late for her to be baptized and Joe said as long as she was breathing, it was not too late.  So we baptized Lori in the bathtub which was a most awesome experience.  Later she told us she said she would tell Grandpa Hopkins hello for us.

During the day of her passing, Lori was looking up at the ceiling and saying "I'm coming, I'm coming."  She said there was a very bright light.  I know that there were souls there and I will always imagine Grandpa at the front of the line to welcome her home.

20 years.  It seems like such a short time on one hand then on another such a long time ago.  We miss her as much today as we did then and our love ever grows.  Our family gatherings just ain't the same.  With her girls in CA we don't get to see them much.  Matt lives here and occassionally we get to see him.  All the family here is gathering on Christmas Day and we will remember Lori and her short life but knowing she is much happier now with no cancer pain or worries.  We are looking forward to seeing her again one day in Heaven.  We are praying that all the family will be there too and we gather togather as a Loving Family up there.