TJ Knits

Yesterday one of the most beautiful people I have ever known, Laura Cari, went home to Heaven. I met Laura while attending Sun River Church...first in Sunday School and then in Precept Bible studies. By the time I had a 1 year old and found out I would soon be expecting twins, Laura had just retired from years of working as a day care provider. Laura was definitely gifted by God to work with children and she had a degree in education. She loved working with the preschool age and helped her family by working at home. She hardly knew me on a personal level, but she saw a need. She began by coming to play with my DS because Mommy just couldn't get around much, she helped me when I had so many doctor's visits because identical twins take additional medical monitoring. I felt like I lived at the doctor's office. The OB office is not the place for a one year old! LOL At some point in time she began coming almost every Monday. As my daughters grew, she included them as well. When she saw the pay check would not make it to the end of the month she brought me veggies and fruit from her garden. When I had noone to talk to she listened. She never told me what to do. She never criticized. She never judged. She just accepted me as I am...she knew God would take care of the rest! Laura was very down to earth, practical with no air of pretence about her. What you saw was what you got. She never expected the worst in people. Most importantly she loved God with all her heart, with all her mind, with all her soul and with all her strength. Yes, I know she had faults. She was human so I know she sinned. I am not saying she was perfect, but I am saying that in my life she was the hands and feet of Jesus. She loved me in a way that noone else ever has. Her love and acceptance has been healing and instilled confidence...not in my self, but in the God who upholds me, the One who walks on every journey along with me, carrying me when necessary. She walked her talk and my faith is stronger for her example. I am so thankful Lord that you chose to make Laura a part of my life and in the lives of my children. Laura lived life large. She struggled like the rest of us, but she kept on living until her body would not allow her to. She took food to the elderly, she helped young Moms and children, she taught Sunday School and VBS, she served on committees in church and she and her husband Mitchell not only danced (square and round) but also served as presidents and vice presidents of their dancing association. Laura had an urban farm, just a half an acre, but it included a couple dozen chickens, a pig, a few sheep, ducks and rabbits as well as fruit trees, beautiful flowers, a large vegetable garden and rows of berries. Today her earthly life is in our memories. The cancer won last night, but she was escorted into glory in a beautiful fashion. I am told that her pastor, family and Bible study group were with her, singing, praying, reading scripture and encouraging each other. In her sleep she left the here and now and journeyed Home. For the believer in Christ there is already victory over death...for if we die with him, yet we will also live with him in his resurrection. I sure hope that when we get to Heaven we get to see the ones we knew and love because I would love to share with her the trickle down effect her love will continue to have in our lives through the years. I so miss her and I have cried rivers today, but I rejoice in her healing and her victory. I have included some pictures that I feel have captured some of the essence of who Laura is.