Last week my mother's health condition began to decline enough so that I and my sister-in-law moved up our trip to see her from this weekend to last weekend. I knew to bring a few items with me on that trip knowing that when we arrived, she was transferring to hospice care that came to her in the sub-acute rehab where she was and was not awake with her eyes open at that point. She could still hear, and I brought with me 2 music CDs to play for her. She found peace when listening to her Croatian music CD's softly playing. I brought the music CD of The Larson Family with hymns on it. Also, James W. Goll's music CD "Winter Wonderland Deluxe Edition". I ordered a special bottle of anointing oil to take with me to anoint her in preparation to see Jesus (or at the time when I ordered it, I thought I would be anointing her for healing to take place) so she would shine for Him. The Sacred & Holy Anointing Oil that is described in Exodus 30:22-25. The ingredients listed are Myrrh, Cinnamon, Calamus & Cassia in extra Virgin olive oil. I had communications with the person that creates this product and then also shared with her how the anointing oil was used to prepare my mother's body to greet Jesus when He came to take her home with Him. Testimony is very important when you share because it encourages others and may be used as a confirmation to them that they are doing what Holy Spirit shows them to do in their lives. Never tire of sharing testimonies. I am doing that right now with you all. I packed my Knowing fragrance so she would not only know me by hearing my voice but also recognize my scent.
I felt led to stay the night with my mother in her room the Friday just before the next day when she went to be with Jesus. I had a beautiful time sharing with my mother even though she was not talking at the time. She was listening. They have those most uncomfortable chairs that turn into a small bed, but it was not going to work for me because it was just plain uncomfortable, so I stayed up and sat in a chair next to my mother's bed. I played at first her Croatian CDs then got the God idea to play the Larson family music with me describing each song and who wrote it. I would tell her if a song I played was a favorite of mine also. Then onto the James Goll CD as I shared with her that since we were not together for Christmas like it was planned before her stroke, I would play Christmas music while we were together. I shared with her about "Miracle Hymn" & "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." Back to the hymns CD and I would just talk with my mother about a variety of subjects. I told her things about heaven and let her know if even in her state of not speaking that if there was anyone, she wanted to forgive then do so that Jesus would hear her. Also, if she needed to ask forgiveness, He would hear that also. I even asked for forgiveness from her and shared with her that if she didn't before invite Jesus into her heart, she could do that.
I knew my mother was a believer even though she was still Catholic I just knew that in my heart but to cover all the bases I did let her know she could do that. There was a point when I happened to look up and saw at different times little purple in color small cylinder orbs in the room and I knew and would tell her of the angels with us and that I do not see like she may be seeing in the spirit even though her eyes were closed. I looked up another time and, in the spirit, I saw in the hallway a footstep just one, like it was the image of a left foot, and it was looking into the room outside her door to see if it was her time to leave this sin sick world and for her to go to heaven for all eternity. We talked about all the family including my 2 brothers she would be with and how she must have so many gifts laid up in heaven for her because of all the time and money she donated to a variety of missions. I shared with her that there will be many people she didn't know that would come up to her and thank her for each time she gave to missions and how that donation helped them.
During the night I felt led to read Exodus 30: 22-25 describing the anointing oil (oh wait maybe I read that to her when we anointed her?) and also Psalm 29. It was a lovely night I shared with my mother. For some reason I would tell her periodically that it was Saturday 1/14/2023 and I would state the time like 3AM, 6AM and I also changed the date in her room to reflect that date because it was still reflecting Thursday on the board 1/12/2023. It comes to be that my mom would periodically ask during this ordeal if it was Saturday and family would respond to her the day of the week it was at the time of her inquiry. There were coincidences of family telling her it was Saturday and a good day to go to heaven. In my heart she had strong faith throughout and would tell people God was with her and she was ok with God when they would ask if she wanted to be anointed with last rites by the priest, she would say no she was good with God. She would not waiver from saying God knew the day He would take her. I do believe He spoke a certain day of the week to her heart and when the timing was right it would be her transition to heaven for all eternity.
In the morning while waiting for family to come visit so I could go and shower and get refreshed my sister-in-law happened to be there and I shared with her it was time to anoint my mother. I opened up the anointing oil bottle and placed it under my mom's nose so she could smell the fragrance of the oil. I then explained to her we were going to anoint her so she would shine for Jesus when He comes to get her. We placed a sign of the cross on her forehead and I would say it was the Father, Son & Holy Spirit. We then each on both sides of her anointed the tops of her hands and when it came to her feet, I said we were going to anoint the bottoms of her feet and I told her she was going to be walking on streets of gold in heaven. We then switched sides and then anointed the other side that we did not originally anoint when we started. Not much longer after that in walks a priest to give her last rites. I let him know we just anointed her, and he replied that's ok she will be anointed 2 times now. He played a part in this puzzle. As he administered the rites my sister-in-law laid her rosary across my mom's body because the rosary was very important to my mother and her life. He then asks us to each grab a hand of my mother with palms facing upward and he anointed with oil the palms of each hand. Do you see how God is in the details. We anointed the tops of her hands and Father anointed the palms of her hands. Special time we had with our mother.
I will share a bit more as the days go on but when she did draw her last breath it was @ 8PM. The number of new beginnings. Prior to going to Atlanta, I viewed a rental condo in which I was interested in moving into when my lease is up in a few more weeks. I told the owner I would print the application and fill it out while in Atlanta and then drop it off on the way back home to TN. I would also show the condo to my sister-in-law. I did drop it off and my sister-in-law shared with me how it is not right off of the highway for convenience's sake it had to be a pretty nice condo for me to move out there. She liked the condo but was concerned about the distance I would be driving to get to work when I need to go into the office. See, when one wants peace and not have to deal with others drama and noises you just may have to trade something to get something does that make sense to you. This potential lessor during this time in my life with my mother in communication correspondence would share how he and his wife were praying for all of us. That sure is rare nowadays for strangers to pray for you and I didn't even have a commitment in a lease form to become their tenant. Do you see the thread of God weaving in this tapestry of my life. I will be able to garden again. Morning sun coming through the front room and evening sun in the back yard. I do not have too fiddle with cutting the grass because the HOA takes care of that.
While heading back to the highway from there the gps took us on a route I was never on before and even going to the condo. We drove on a winding type of road that was beside a lake and I had no idea I would be living so close to a lake again. I love being near to water and not water as in a swimming pool either. I inquired and there is beach access through parks in the area. God knows where He wants me to be for times of refreshing. Away from the city lights and noises and close to nature. He is faithful and faithful He is to me. Is He faithful in your life? He should be if you Love Jesus and let Him direct via Holy Spirit your path and life.
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