She Woke Up in Heaven

Today we celebrated the life of my grandma, Norene Lillian Botts. This past Monday night she went to sleep perfectly healthy and happy, and when she woke up she was in Heaven with Jesus.
Grandma was an amazing person who touched many lives while she walked this earth. Through her work as a teacher, tutor, running VBS, serving with my Grandpa in his pastoral work, and being Christ’s missionary wherever she went, Grandma always gave God the glory. Even in her written testimony which she left us for her obituary and celebration of life she said “To God be the glory, great things he hath done.”

For Grandma life was all about living for God, praising Him in everything, and giving Him the glory. She taught all of us to live in the same way, serving God by loving all those around her each and every day of her long, great life.

Her memorial service today was a thing of beauty, and I know Grandma would have loved being there as we worshipped. For those who don’t know, Grandma had her memorial service planned for many years, from the songs to the scripture and all. Grandma loved her music, so we sang out hearts out as we remembered her. As we sang “There is A Redeemer,” we sang the words “When I stand in glory, I will see His face. There I’ll serve my king forever, in that Holy place,” and I turned to my sister Kassi and said “you know Grandma is standing in Heaven singing along with us.

I’m not sure what we’re going to do without Grandma. While we thank and praise God that she died just the way she wanted to, peacefully, happily, and healthily in her sleep, we will miss her greatly. I suppose the best way to honor and remember Grandma Botts is to live the way that she taught us all, loving each other and giving God the glory at all times. Grandma always tried to make the world a better place, and did whatever she could to help anyone in need, even at the age of 88 years old. In the last few days I’ve heard countless stories from people who said that Grandma changed their lives.
I hope that as I live my life, people will see in me what they saw in Grandma Botts, and that just as Grandma loved Jesus and taught us all to love Him, I may lead a life that shows others the love that Jesus and Grandma have shown me.

For those who haven't read it, here's a link to her testimony: http://www.zaagman.com/?siteid=46&menuitem=249&action=1&value=12&obituaries_action=2&obituaryid=95801

I miss you Grandma, I love you so much.