Friday, November 4, 2011

Precious In His Sight

Psalm 116:15

King James Version (KJV)
 15Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

More and more people are living until into their 90s. Last week in my Spiritual Sundays post I told you about Ruth. Two more precious saints have gone on to be with the Lord since Ruth died. Leah and Lahoma are the latest two (both in their 90s).

Lahoma I have known all my life although I have not been in touch with her directly for many years. I just recently became Facebook friends with her daughter. Lahoma was married to one of my dad's first cousins. Although that would make her my cousin I always thought of her as my aunt because she was of my parents' generation. She was a beautiful gracious lady. She was a Christian. I know she is precious in the sight of the Lord. Picture at the left is Lahoma at her 90th birthday celebration. She sure didn't look that old.


Leah, age 93, is the other saint to pass away just a couple of days ago. Leah went to India in the 1940s when she was in her 20s. She and her friend Dolly went together and were planning to stay at least 3 years. They had no idea at the time that they would both spend the rest of their lives in that country. They founded the Kulpahar Kids' Home in the little town of Kulpahar. They raised hundreds of children who did not have parents to take care of them. These children have grown up, married, had families, and now they are spread all over India. What a wonderful influence she has been in the lives of so many. This picture of Leah, Clif and me was taken on Leah's birthday which she celebrated while we were there in October of 1999. My birthday and Leah's are just four days apart so I celebrated my birthday in India that year as well. 

We just received news a couple of days ago that Leah had died. She will be buried in the little cemetery by the church on the mission compound next to Dolly who preceded Leah in death by about 15 years. Leah gave us a tour of the cemetery while we were there and pointed out where she would be buried. Leah came home to the states every few years and traveled around promoting the Kids Home. At one of the Christian Colleges where she was speaking someone asked her how she could go to India and stay for over 50 years. She told them you had to believe with all your heart that was what God wanted you to do. I feel so blessed to have known Leah for the past 20+ years.

The scripture in Psalm that is quoted at the top of this post is especially meaningful to me when I think of all the saints that are precious to me have gone on to be with the one who is the most precious. It is because of Jesus that we all have hope of reuniting with Him after death and spending eternity there. Wow! Can you think of anything in this world that even remotely compares to this? I sure can't.

The website for the Kulpahar Kids' Home is http://kulpaharkidshome-school.org/

Thank you for letting me reminisce about these two wonderful women. You will find links to many inspirational posts by visiting Spiritual Sundays. You can click HERE to go to that blog.

18 comments:

  1. Charlotte, what a beautiful post about two beautiful ladies. Yes, I agree, we all have that blessed hope to see our loved ones once again and to finally see our sweet Jesus face to face. Thanks for sharing.

    Jocelyn @
    http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

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  2. Thank you for sharing these two special women with us; what a blessing Leah and Dolly were in their service to the children in India; how neat to have devoted their lives like that for the least, the lost, the last!

    That scripture you quoted I read a few days after my mom died five years ago; it brought me such comfort in her passing, knowing she was precious in God's sight.

    I hope you have a nice weekend!

    betty

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  3. Thank you for sharing the stories of your friends Leah and Lahoma, especially that of Leah's whose life she dedicated in serving the Lord so far from her motherland.

    No, there's absolutely nothing that would compare to the Lord's promise of eternity - to be spending it with Him, seeing Him face to face, no more crying, no more sickness and pain, no more suffering... Glory!

    Have a blessed weekend dear Charlotte,
    Rina

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  4. What Precious Women of God they were! Lahoma simply COULDN'T be 90 in that picture!!! Seriously, she doesn't even look like she is in her 70's!! WOW WOW WOW....

    I am so sorry you have lost so many dear friends. That must be hard on both you and Clif! What a blessing it must have been seeing them share their gift with sooo many!!

    Just thinking of eternity is soooo wonderful! There is NOTHING WHATSOEVER that compares to Eternity!!! Truly, what a day of rejoicing it will be!!!

    Thanks for sharing these precious women with us!!!
    p.s. If I was going to describe you, I must say, the comparisons would be very much alike! You are a beautiful woman, you have Served the LORD and HIS People for years and years now....

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  5. I am sorry for your loss. May you always find comfort in fond memories. A loving tribute to your friend. Big Hugs♥

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  6. I've always been curious about this scripture. Your post was most interesting to me.

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  7. What lovely tributes to your friends. Two wonderful saints who have been welcomed into heaven. I know you will miss them and I am so sorry for that. Love Crystal Mary xx

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  8. What a lovely post! And what a great encouragement both of these sweet ladies are for all of us in proactively leaving a spiritual legacy as well. Thank you for the blessed encouragement!

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  9. Such precious saints. I am blessed just reading of them. Then I go to the site you linked to and what a blessing! We had one saint go home last month. There is sadness and joyfulness for us...but only joyfulness for them.

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  10. I have been part of a ministry to the elderly on Friday mornings for about 3 years now. There are few things more precious than an *older* face that loves the Lord. We've lost a few in that time, and I grieve for them - but knowing that I will see them again is such a great blessed hope.

    Leah and Lahoma - Happy Homecoming Day!

    GOD BLESS!

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  11. Charlotte,
    Lahoma and Leah's pictures are so beautiful. Sounds like they were beautiful inside and out. What wonderful hearts for the Lord.
    It is wonderful to think how they are rejoicing now!

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  12. A fitting post to read tonight Charlotte, mom turned 85 today.
    Blessings,
    Gayle from Behind the Gate

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  13. They are certainly precious in His sight. They look very young. He renews our youth as the eagles. :) Blessings ~

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  14. That is so sweet. I love it when missionaries die and are buried on the field because it shows their true love of the people.
    Sorry about the Call to Knit. I will link it this weekend.
    Blessings, Shanda

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  15. I have always loved elderly people even though I am slowly becoming one of them. I have been volunteering at a nursing home for nearly 11 years. I love to hear their stories and wonder of the stories of those who can't speak. Many of those precious people have died and now face Jesus. I am looking forward to seeing them again. This was a wonderful post. Great memories.

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  16. What an amazing legacy they have left. Thank you for sharing this.

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  17. Hi Charlotte! You always have a joy to share with us. Although we pass into our new life with Christ we can reflect on the memories and happy moments we shared with loved ones on this earth. Always a pleasure to visit you.
    Come visit me. Although I linked you to Spiritual Sunday I am hoping to visit Mesa this week. I know it will be hectic because we are driving and our time is short but if there is any way to meet I would love it! Enjoy the weekend! God Bless! Anne

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  18. Love your post! thank you for sharing...God bless you...loves soraya

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Thank you for visiting my blog. I appreciate lovely comments so please leave a note and come back again for a visit every chance you get.
Hugs & Blessings,
Charlotte