August 13, 2007

On August 13, 2007, my mother-in-law Armandina Andrade passed away after a long hard battle with colon cancer. I think of her often and miss her. I can distinctly remember how she would give you her undivided attention...always. It was never about her...she didn't dwell on her sickness or feel sorry for herself. She was amazing.

There were many times that we'd have conversations about what it would be like when she wasn't here anymore. Mainly, she did the talking and I did the listening. She wanted to make sure all of her kids would be ok. I didn't say much, what could I say? But I listened as she talked about her life and kids...she had no regrets. She lived all out for God and it was evident to all who knew her.

I remember in May 2007, just as she was starting to get sicker...Sam and I had sold our house. She and my father-in-law were the ones who helped us pack things up. She was at our home...sorting through things! Can you believe that...that's the type of person she was...helping out no matter what.

She passed away on a Monday morning about 3:30 in the morning surrounded by all of us. Just that Saturday before, she had us in her room instructing us on how to make chicken salad :) We had the ingredients and everything in her room to make the salad :)

We always knew she was such a planner...she went to heaven the same day she was born and the same day she was married....August 13th.

This was her favorite Bible verse and reflects the life that she lived.

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13