Psalm 23: The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
An excerpt from Jessica Jean Snead's CaringBridge Website, posted by her mother Sharon Spence, from December 9, 2009...
"At 2:30 today Jessica entered into her rest and perfect healing. It was a privilege to watch her as she saw glimpses of heaven, "it is pretty", "its so beautiful", "its too bright". She raised her weak little arms in worship and smiled her last smile here on earth. The pain and suffering were so great last night and today. With Cory, Mark and Kayla and a team of pastors we encouraged her, urged her to go and be free.....and she even said, "I'm trying"... in her weakened state.:)..and continued being polite to everyone. Her doctor said she was the politest patient she'd ever known. And the toughest. (We said, if you only knew!)Goodbye for now, my baby angel girl/best friend......Rejoicing for her, sad for the rest of us. Funeral/Celebration of her life will tentatively 11:00 Saturday at Wave Church. Thats all I can say for now."
It has been a long battle, two years and so much testing, trying, believing, trusting...my beautiful friend, I miss you so much.
Jessica passed at the age of 23 and a half, leaving behind a wonderful husband of 4 years, Cory; a great mom Sharon and dad Mark, 6 siblings; Greg and Des who live in other states; Kayla, 21, Alex, 20, Jordan 12 and Joy 9, and a countless number of friends. Please continue to pray for the friends and family. Since the beginning and through to her last moment, Jessica remained strong in her convictions to put all her hope and faith in Christ Jesus, her Lord. He never left her and will never forsake her. The amazing trust in Him alone abd knowing that He has a plan in all of this and has from the very beginning of time. It is plan for good, and not harm, as He has for all of His precious children. Thank you all for your love and prayers, never stop...
Jessica, I am so blessed to have known you. So blessed to be friends with you, so blessed to be your sister in Christ...my heart hurts right now, it hurts for you - for Cory - for your family and friends who miss you so very much. Through your fight, you never gave up. You have shown us what it means to live a life faithful even in the fire and all of us are forever grateful for your beautiful and shining example. Thank you for the glimpse of heaven you shared with us all. Your strength and resilience amazes me still. Your strong faith-trust-and-hope in our Lord inspires so many. I am blessed to have loved you, so blessed to have you love me, and so very blessed to have spent time with you last weekend...(even though the picture I will post at the end of this blog does not do justice to the beauty you are...it is a memory of us that I will cherish forever, my friend. I love you. <3 <3 And, yes...we had the same wig... :) <3 <3
Jesus, thank you for delivering Jessica from her pain and into your Glory. EVERYTHING is about your Glory and we are learning this in baby steps here on earth. Thank you for allowing Jessica to see your Glory, your Grace, and your Faithfullness and thank you Jesus, so much, for allowing her to tell us of the beauty and of the brightness of your Glory...just like your Word says. You are Truth.
"...you have a special place in my heart, we have shared together the blessings of God..." Phil. 1:7.
For everything there is a season,
And a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate,
A time for war, and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Love and prayers to the Snead & Spence Families and Friends. To my darling, Jessica...I love you, I miss you, and I'll be seeing you!
<3 <3 Forever <3 <3
Aimee
