In Loving Memory of Mary Louise Stokes

Thank you to the many people who have been praying for me and my family this past week. Last Sunday the 29th of May my family had to make the difficult decision to put my grandmother in Hospice care. She had a stroke several weeks ago, went home hoping to recover, but then took a turn for the worse and went into a coma over a week ago. She had a blood infection not responsive to antibiotics and went into complete kidney failure. This past week has been a difficult one as my family and i have sat by her bedside watching her slowly pass away. Memaw hung on for much longer than anyone expected. And then last night May 28th at 9:30pm my Memaw, Mary Louise Stokes passed away. My dad, stepmother and I were at her bedside as she took her last breathe. I was blessed to have the opportunity to sit at my Memaw's bedside many nights this past week holding her hand and reading to her from the Psalms. Though she was unresponsive I think my grandmother could hear me and knew i was there. It was a very special time. As my family has grieved i have been able to share with them that we as a family can grieve but we can grieve with HOPE! About 6 or 7 years ago i remember sitting in Memaw's living room talking to her about sin, about life, death, and the grace of God. I shared with her how she could be forgiven of sin and have eternal life through Jesus Christ. At that time Memaw prayed to receive Christ as her Savior. It is because of that that we as a family can greive with HOPE. Though Memaw is now absent from the body she is now present with the Lord, and because of that we can find Joy in the midst of grief and pain. The viewing is Tuesday night and the funeral will follow on Wednesday at 1pm at Forest Lawn Cemetary on Freedom Dr. in Charlotte, NC. She will be buried beside my Papaw Stokes who passed away 13 years ago.
Thank you to all of my friends and church family who have called, prayed for my family, and who have helped me in many ways this past week. God is so good! A special thanks to Rusty, Jonathan, and Caxton who moved my furniture from my old apartment this past weekend so i could be in Charlotte with my family.

I should be returning to Raleigh by the end of the week and for the next two or three months before i go to Kenya i will be living with Thom and Cindy Asta in downtown Raleigh. When i return i will begin sending out letters for support raising. Will keep you updated.
Thanks for your prayers!!!