Thinking About Life in Memory of Elaine York

     It's been a pretty rough week.  My lungs and sinuses are still infected, although I did finally get the medications today, so hopefully those will help me get back on my feet.  I've felt pretty crummy all week and then lost a dear friend two nights ago.  I'm thankful she knew Jesus and Elaine is now in the presence of our great Savior, but my heart aches for her husband and sons and grandchildren left behind, along with all her family and friends and people she has impacted.  

     I first met Elaine when I was really young--I'm not sure exactly how old but would guess between 10-12 years old.  She did a Pampered Chef party one of my Mom's teacher friends hosted.  The "icebreaker" game was for everyone to introduce themselves and think of something that describes themselves in the kitchen that matched the first letter of their first name.  My Mom said, "My name is Denise and I dislike being in the kitchen." Elaine didn't lose a beat and replied with, "Well, we'll get you some tools to get you out of there faster!"  I don't know why that memory is emblazoned, but it is.  She became friends with our family and then later as facebook became more popular we got to know each other more through that.  

     She would always comment or like my posts asking for prayer and we messaged back and forth a lot as she battled cancer, especially over the last 5 years.  Our last messages were about praying for Jordan to get the job so I would have better health insurance.  She said it was going in her prayer journal right then and I know it did.  After she entered heavens gates the other night, it's amazing the connections and how many people and friends I have that knew her and they all say the same thing: She loved her Savior and proclaimed His truth to all those around her and was encouraging and always had the biggest smile in the room.  Thinking about all the lives she has impacted reminded me of a quote I shared during my high school graduation speech: "To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world."  Elaine left a legacy of a great woman of faith and she loved those around her with Jesus love.  Her death has reminded me that on those days when we don't think we are getting much accomplished for the Lord, it's truly the "little things" that matter and that God uses--to our family, friends, and neighbors, we mean the world to them.  

     There was one time in particular that Elaine really encouraged me.  I was discouraged and weary of my health trials and had some things coming up that I messaged her asking her to pray for.  She encouraged and exhorted me to share it publicly and reminded me that God loves to answer specific prayer and that He had taught her the importance of journaling those prayers and answers to prayers as we walk through the trials of life.  I will never forget that lesson.  

     Please keep her husband, Tom, and her two sons, Christian and Cameron and their family and friends in your prayers.  Jordan came home early from work yesterday and we went on a much needed date--I had been crying off and on all morning after her passing and Jord knew I needed him.  I'm so grateful for him and these are the things that remind us how important and special those relationships are.  We don't know the number of our days and this life is but a vapor.  Elaine is now receiving those eternal rewards that she gained from all those seeds she planted during her life and the love she poured into others around her.  She sees Jesus face to face...what glorious Days those will be!  It's immeasurably hard for those of us left behind, but I know Elaine would want you to hear of our Great Savior, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for your sins and mine and hers, so that we can enjoy an eternity in heaven with Jesus instead of the hell we all deserve.  Hear the Gospel of Jesus today my friends, repent and turn and trust Him with your lives!  Your eternity is weighing in the balance.

       Hearing all the people share on facebook of the impact Elaine had on their lives has inspired me to continue to live for Jesus, love Him and those around me with my whole heart and soul, and keep running the race He has set before me.  Elaine has finished her race, she fought the good fight and is now receiving the crowns and her eternal inheritance.  May we all press on towards the prize, remembering to focus on the eternal and not the temporal and that life is made up of all those little things that truly are the most important things you can ever do.  "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things that are seen, but at the things which are not seen.  For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Pressing on in your memory Elaine! 
Until we meet again,
Rachelle :)