A tribute to an amazing woman...

Although I was hoping to get this posted awhile ago, I still wanted to post a tribute to my sweet grandma, Alma Rutherford, who passed away a few weeks ago on April 6th, 2010. I was very thankful that I was able to go back to Colorado for the funeral. It was a wonderful service, in which we rejoiced greatly at the life the Lord had given my grandmother. I found great comfort and continue to find great comfort in knowing that my grandma was a Christian and that she is in heaven now enjoying her Savior.

Here is a letter that I wrote to my grandma when she was still alive and very sick in the hospital after being diagnosed with cancer. I read it aloud to her then. Once she passed away, I changed a few things, and this tribute, along with 6 other grandchildren tributes were read at my grandma's funeral...

To my dear, sweet grandma,

I can’t even begin to express to you what it means to me and all of your grandkids what an amazing legacy you and grandpa have left us. It is something that I praise the Lord for and will continue to praise Him for. I hope and pray that when I go to be with Jesus that I will be able to leave the same legacy that you have.

Grams, I praise God for the way that His Spirit worked in your life. It was so evident that you lived for your Savior and that He was the Lord of your life. Through the years, I have seen so many evidences of God’s work and sanctification in your life. For one, you and Grandpa reflected Christ so clearly in your marriage. What an amazing example you have left us! You loved Grandpa so much and strived to submit to him, love him, and serve him everyday. I remember enjoying spending time at your house and getting to see you and Grandpa interact with each other. You and Grandpa’s marriage is something that will impact me for the rest of my life.

Another way that I saw the Lord’s work in your life is the way that you gave so selflessly to others of your time, your money, and of yourself. You cared so much for all your grandchildren ever since each of us were born. I especially loved seeing you care for and love Missy. I saw Christ’s sacrificial, constant love reflected through your love for your “buddy.”

Grams, you also reflected Christ in your compassion for others. You were so forgiving and gracious. I love that you weren’t one to hold a grudge. I desire to be as compassionate, gracious, and forgiving as you were.

Another thing that I so admired you for was your love for Jesus and your commitment to spending time with Him. I can remember as a little girl being impacted by how you and Grandpa had devotions together and prayed together every night. I admired how consistent you were. Thank you for such an amazing, godly legacy. I will forever be grateful to the Lord for the work that He completed in your life, that has in turn, impacted my life. The Lord has used you in my life to give me a greater love for the Gospel, a greater love for others, a more solid Christian perspective of the world and this life, and a greater desire for the life to come.

Grams, you will be greatly missed, as you were such a huge part of all of our lives. But, I rejoice that our Lord has taken His faithful servant home. I greatly rejoice in your salvation and in the hope of knowing that I will meet you again in Glory. I love you and look forward to seeing you “across the river.”

Thank you Lord for the life that you gave my grandma and

for the blessing that she was in all of our lives.

We rejoice that You chose to save her and that she is with You now!