June 22 - Abelina

It is a miracle that I can post this picture of me and my friend Abelina. She is the sweetest little old lady you will ever meet. She has been part of our church for about 3 or 4 years now and she is the model of the lady I want to become. I have witnessed some bitter old ladies in my life. My mom and I often joke how we don't want to become an old grouchy woman when we age, as we have encountered quite a few. Abelina is humble, meak, tender and loves the Lord and she just gleams with love and joy. You'd just have to meet her.

Well, for 2 years she has been hiding the fact she is in severe pain. She never misses church so none of us knew until just a few weeks ago...BOOM! She was knocked down on her back and was literally on her death bed. I went in to visit her that night as they sent a message to us that she was in rough shape. I was shocked as she was just at church on Sunday. We helped her get to the doctor where they told us and the family that she had extremely advanced Ovarian Cancer. The tumor is so large, it is literally hanging out of her. She has felt it for a while but is very poor and would never go to the Dr. They didnt expect her to live long. We just prayed and prayed. The whole church prayed so hard for her and even took up several offerings to pay for her hospital bills.

I honestly thought she was going to die that night I saw her. She was screaming out in so much pain. But, you know what? She started to get stronger and was even at church this past Sunday. The Lord has prolonged her life and we are so thankful that we can enjoy our precious little Abelina a little bit longer!