In Loving Memory

......................Chris Phillips and Vickie Johnson

This has been a tough week for my family because of the passing of my dear aunt, Vickie Johnson. We are rejoicing that she is at home with the Lord and can't wait to see her again. But her passing leaves a void in our lives that no one else can fill. Vickie loved Christ and was committed to his work in this world. She was also the most organized person you will ever meet! If you ever needed a closet or a purse or a sock drawer organized, she was your woman! One of my favorite things about my Aunt Vickie was her thoughtfulness and her generosity. She reflected God's character to all of us in this way. She would come up with the most thoughtful gifts or find ways to help that most people would never think of. Being the mother of 2 boys who she loved dearly, she still had a special place in her heart for little girls and always did special things for me growing up-you know, girl things! She loved Emma Grace from the moment she found out I was pregnant and showered both of us with the most thoughtful assortment of her own children's "favorites" from when they were little-books, special music, etc. My home is full of sweet reminders of Vickie-the recipe box she gave me for wedding, filled with our family's favorite recipes will be a gift I treasure my entire life. Oh Vickie, you would not be so proud of me if you saw how unorganized my recipes box has gotten! A life that reflected God's love for people and his thoughtfulness. Thank you Father for creating this precious person and allowing all of us to know and love her and to be known and loved by her. We will miss her so much and we look forward to our reunion.

I was very encouraged by my friend Kim, who posted this verse on her blog after her mom passed recently. I wanted to share it with you, as it has been such a source of encouragement and hope for me as well.


"For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed, but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." (2 Cor. 5:4-5)

My friend pointed out that this verse says that our bodies are swallowed up by life, not death! It's exciting and encouraging to think that Vickie's body has been swallowed by life and that the life she is living now, at this moment, is more real and more wonderful than anything we can imagine! Oh praise our sweet Jesus for the hope he gives us in the life to come! Vickie, we miss you dearly but we can't wait to see you again!