...through the valley of the shadow of death...

The shadow of death has indeed seemed to loom long over my life and the lives of some dear to me these past several months. Last weekend was the memorial for my Great Uncle Bob, who helped to found Lakeside Bible Camp and invented the Salmon Bakes there, and who also was my doctor as a little girl. The weekend before was Anne Eernisse's memorial; the grandmother of some of my dearest friends. Back in September it was my own grandmother, and I watched my family struggle with their grief and loss while knowing that her tired and aged soul had finally gone home. And there have been others; other mothers, other grandfathers and grandmothers. I noted last Saturday that this past year I have attended more funerals than weddings.

And now one more dear friend has been taken home to heaven.

Karen Gullberg, energetic and encouraging mother to my friends Scott (& Melissa), Luke, and Becky, and beloved wife of Rod, has left her cancer-ridden body and gone to be with her dear Lord and Savior. We got the news Saturday morning, at camp. My heart is aching. I've spent so much time with the Gullbergs (this last year especially) and it seems impossible that just two months ago I was sitting next to Karen in their living room laughing and chatting, and she was fine, and now she's gone.

Please pray for them; Karen has left a legacy of endurance, faithfulness, and love, and they face the rest of their lives without her. Pray for our DMGC church body, who has lost a vital member and servant. Pray for LBC, who has lost a dedicated girls' camp and TCL director and speaker. And Praise God that his will and timing are perfect, that we were privileged to know and love her, and that we can look forward to the day when we will be reunited. Pray that hope will still light the way in the darkness.

Karen and Rod in front of the church, Summer 2006

Scott and Logan at Scott's birthday party, July 2007

Melissa and I at the Gullbergs' house, August 2007

Becky, Luke, and I at the Gullbergs' house, August 2007

Becky and I on the Oregon Coast, October 2007