April 15, 2022

Good Friday 2022

This year Araella shares April 15th with the same day we remember what our Savior and King did in order that we may have hope. I have so many revelations and encouragements swirling around in my mind to share, but I can’t seem to find the words today… And so, I will share some of Rae’s words for now.

Araella was studying the Psalms and the book of Romans during the weeks leading up to having to leave Waynesburg University on April 9th. She had made the brave decision to fulfill her purpose at WU with the help of her Jesus and had a plan to stay there until she was called to heaven. Araella’s prayer journal is a beautiful conversation with Jesus filled with joy for the gift of each new day. When she prayed for relief from pain, the next day she was praising for answered prayer. With each entry Rae seemed to be drawing closer and closer to Him. Araella was in a good place. A really good place. And leaving threw her off a little bit.

There was a little fear and uncertainty - and a lot of prayer that first night home. The next day, April 10th, was a day that was still being controlled by our flesh and my desire to somehow calm the storm. I did my best to arrange appointments and make Rae comfortable but the attempts were demonstrations of my love at best, but more likely raindrops that were adding to the darkening clouds hovering above. We drove to our first oncology appointment on April 11th, and after we parked, while leaning back in the passenger seat, with her eyes closed and with a peace that truly passed understanding written all over her face, Rae let us know that she didn’t need a doctor because she was going to heaven. The dark clouds vanished and the pending storm dissipated.

It didn’t make a lot of sense from an earthly perspective, but from that moment on, we drew close to Jesus with Rae. We read the Word out loud and worshipped along with the songs she had chosen in her “be still and listen” and “what a beautiful name” playlists on spotify. It’s hard to describe other than to say that for most of Araella’s remaining time on earth, we were living in the spirit and not the flesh.

On the evening of April 11th, while Araella still had the strength to give voice to her thoughts, she asked us about our favorite parts of the Bible and she shared one of hers. She asked us, Do you believe in Romans 8:11?” We read it together and told her we did. Araella was patient with us as we prayed for the healing of her body. And then she asked us again, “Do you really believe Romans 8:11?” She asked us over and over actually. I wish I had read it over and over with her so that together we could have talked about what she believed about her future.

(If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11 ESV)

After April 15, 2018, I began to practice believing in eternal life by wondering about it and by searching for it in the Word. Rae’s glimpses of heaven were a gift that started me on the most incredible journey of hope and a more intimate ongoing understanding of the greatest gift ever given to mankind.

Two of Rae's prayers dated March 24, 2018 and March 27, 2018

And Rae's sweet voice singing Peace Be Still (The Belonging Co) when she picked up the guitar for the first time during her Spring Break in March 2018.