Remembering Jodi

My sweet cousin, Jodi, passed away on March 10 after battling cancer for a couple of years. If you knew Jodi, you loved her. She was the most welcoming and hospitable woman. She always seemed to truly listen in a conversation. She learned how to make her Grandmother Rakestraw's tea cakes perfectly, and those were always welcome at any family gathering. She had a beautiful smile that she quickly and often shared. She was a great wife to Michael and wonderful mother to Bo, Sophie, and Reed. Best of all though, she knew the Lord as her Savior. She relied heavily on her faith, and was such an encouragement and faithful witness to others throughout her illness. Some of the very last words she spoke were "don't be scared" to a sweet friend of theirs who was clearly upset at trying to say goodbye while she was in the hospital. Jodi knew exactly where she was going after her passing, and we are confident she is healed and in Heaven with Jesus now.

It feels incredibly strange to say "she had a wonderful funeral" but she did. The church was packed out which means over 800 people were there. We know several hundred more came to visitation but couldn't make it to the funeral. She and her family are loved by so many; it's a result of the love they give to others. A small group sang worship songs before the service, as the family processed in, and during the service. Michael and all three of the kids spoke as did Wayne and Madi. They all did a wonderful job of honoring and remembering her. Lee delivered a heartfelt message pointing everyone there to Christ. It ended with a video that was a close up of Jodi's hands as she played the ukulele; it was a little hobby she picked up while she was sick. She was playing the Bob Marley song "Three Little Birds" though it's better known as the "Everything little thing is going to be alright" song. As that song ended, Mark Miller came out to play the ukulele and sing the same song as everyone was dismissed. As we walked out, each person was given a mug that Wayne had made up that had a great quote by Jodi on it: "Do small things with great love." I can almost see Jodi smiling and hear her say "I love it."

Thank you Lord for this precious woman. Thank you for the life she lived, and your love that poured through her to so many others. Thank you Lord for healing her and drawing her to you for eternity.