Rhonda might be going to see Jesus tonight. Her breathing changed over the night. This morning she was asking to see her family. She named each of us by name.
When we got here we saw a complete difference in her. Last night she had a taco with us and this morning she was hardly awake. Her pulse is very week and she can hardly hear us. When each of us came into the room, we got in her face and spoke loudly. She immediately would turn to us, open her eyes and call us by name. She said how much she loved us all and she had some instructions to dish out too. Remember.... Rhonda the planner!
This morning she would lay there and then randomly speak out. A lot of funny things, a lot of special things. One of the funny ones was "Do I look cute in these boots?" A special one was for Ken, she wants him to do her memorial service in Montana. Rob called on the phone and amazing to all of us, she held the phone and had a conversation with him. She told him she was proud of him. She also spoke with Grandma Burkey on the phone.
For now we are sitting with her and holding her hand. We are taking breaks and switching our time with her. Every time she speaks we quiet down to hear what she is saying. She has said a few times that we should go eat something. The funny thing was when Ron told her it was Christmas Eve, she felt bad for us and said, "I'm sorry guys." She also has said, "Take me Lord" and "Are you taking me up?"
It is so special that she has been able to say all she needed to say, especially to Ron and the kids. She wanted it that way, nothing unturned. You know.... the planner.
She is in no pain. Just a bit anxious to go to heaven. We all have prayed over her and told the Lord it was time to take her. He can have her now.
We'll let you all know later.
Thanks for your prayers!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Rhonda and the entire Catlett family - We love you all and are so thankful to have you in our lives. We are praying for you and trusting that Jesus is with you and that His Grace and Comfort will be your strength. Rhonda your strength is amazing Thank you Jesus - we will see you again!!
ReplyDeleteRon and Family - Your strength throughout this has been amazing and truly a walk with Christ. May God continue his work in all of you and as he calls Rhonda home cherish the memories and time together and just think of the Glorious Christmas she will have with God and how she will sing with the angels - she truly is one. God be with each of you~
ReplyDeletePraise God we do not weep and mourn as those who have no hope....This will be the beginning for Rhonda. It's like this life is the womb: a time of preparation and development appointed by God, then suddenly...birth. That is what graduating to heaven must be like. Suddenly....life forever! The birth experience is hard for the mother..the baby remembers nothing. That is what the death process must be like. Hard and full of travail for the loved ones, but not remembered by the person who goes through it. The reward at the end: JESUS..Brenda...Grandpa...What a reunion. It's just those left who must continue in the season of "preparation" who must hold fast and although we mourn, it is not for those who go to heaven, it's for the empty space left by the ones who are called first. We pray God's comfort and rest for the entire Catlett and Burkey family. We love you...Barb and Rick
ReplyDeleteI don't think I could possibly muster up any more beautiful words than those that have already been shared. To say my heart is hurting is to put it mildly... but to say that I know, that I know, that I know our soverign Lord reigns is to declare it victoriously. Rhonda, precious one, I look so forward to a family reunion of rejoicing and I couldn't be more comforted in knowing your suffering will be over. Ronnie & kids... please know that we hold you in our hearts during this most tender transitional time. You are deeply and sincerely loved!!!! Cousin Karen.
ReplyDeleteLed by the light of faith serenly beaming
ReplyDeletewith glowing hearts by his cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star so sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land.
The king of kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend.
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night, oh night divine
Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and his gospel is peace
Chains shall he break for the slave is our brother
And in his name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise his holy name.
*Have been singing this over your family for days! Rhonda, may you sing sweet hymns untill we meet again! Ron and kids, there are no words. May you be held so tenderly in his hands today. Blessings from Montana.
Lovingly, Krista
May God richly bless you all on this Christmas morning. We are praying for God's peace and strength throughout this journey.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Pastor Rick Snow & Wilda Snow
Atlanta City Church
Sweet Rhonda and family...as I have been going through each day of the Holiday Season I have been very mindful of every moment. To hold fast and cherish the time because of you and what you are going through...it is very difficult not to break down and cry knowing that simply making food for my family is in itself such a blessing while my heart breaks for the fact that dear Rhonda is unable to the things we may take for granted..you have been on my mind and in my heart each and every day...my thoughts and prayers are with you and I am thankful that I had the short time of knowing you on our hikes...you will now be hiking the beautiful landscape of heaven with Jesus...God Bless You and your sweet family...xoxoStacey Schultz
ReplyDeleteOur Cousin, Bruce Catlett, in Virginia, keeps a personal Blog on line and he's been watching Rhonda's Blog and has been praying for her, even though he did not get the chance to meet her. On his personal blog he wrote:
ReplyDeleteFriday, December 25, 2009
Goodbye Dear Rhonda
It is very early Christmas morning this 2009th year of our Gregorian calendar. I normally try to remedy the situation and go back to sleep, but this being Christmas I wanted to put down some thoughts going through my head.
My first thought this very sacred morning, is about a third cousin whom I have never met in person, and will not get to meet on this earth because she is slipping quickly away into timelessness. She is a beautiful woman, and from all I can gather a beautiful woman completely through. Heart, soul, mind and action. Rhonda is slipping away because of a serious case of Amyloidosis disease. A blog of her struggles has been kept up by her family and the last posting was at 6:07 pm Christmas Eve. It began with these words, “Rhonda might be going to see Jesus tonight.”
Several hours since now she may be already be with the very one whose birth we awake to celebrate today. An amazing, thrilling and awesome thought.
As Christians this is what we claim life is all about. My heart goes out to her family who will now live with an acute vacancy. Her children, Ronnie and Becky, her husband Ron, her parents and Ron’s parents, and all those who know her and love her so much. Saying goodbye to any one is difficult. Saying goodbye to a person like Rhonda is impossible in our own strength.
As the world begins its celebration of such a festive day, many will encounter heartache beyond comprehension. But, it is because of the event we celebrate this day that we can look forward to a place in timelessness when we will never again say goodbye.
I can’t explain what my expectations of heaven are. I only know that I do have very real expectations of being there. And therein to be able to meet and visit with those who have gone on before me, and who will follow me, that are special to me.
If this is the point in time that Rhonda escapes time, we can only say. “See you later. Save us a seat.”