Dear Posse,
  
Much has happened since I last communicated with you on September 8.  We are living in a different world.  However, THANK YOU for joining in the fight for the Yes on Prop 8 California Marriage Amendment.  Several felt this is so critical 
 
ON A PERSONAL NOTE
 
Let me begin by sharing my personal journey of the past couple of months. 
 
While I was in San Francisco for 11 days in September, reuniting with high school classmates and then attending a conference hosted by Cindy Jacobs to focus on the issues of marriage, I received word that my 83 year old mother (living in Ft. Collins, CO.) was diagnosed with a recurrence of abdominal cancer.  After my return to El Paso, our daughter, son and grandchildren joined me in Colorado to spend time with my mother. 
 
Within 2 weeks of the diagnosis it was clear she was filled with cancer and nothing more could be done for her, except to keep her as comfortable as possible.  Hospice services were obtained.  Each family member had the opportunity to come for a visit and say good-bye.  After a week I returned to El Paso to help our son and 2 grandchildren get settled back into our home - a huge adjustment in itself because we built a wall, turned the dining room into the children's room and delivered the dining room furniture to our daughter in Austin.
 
On Sunday PM, 4 weeks after the diagnosis, my mother was gone.  Though I had significant time with her the previous week, I was preparing to return to share in her final days.  The hospice nurse on Saturday said she had 6-10 days left.  By Sunday, another nurse thought she had 3-5 days, and 4 hours later she died.
 
There are some precious things I'd like to share with you.
 
Though Mom was heavily into the New Age Movement and had been since the late 60's, when she was alone with my sister, she spoke very directly about wanting peace, and Debbie was able to lead her to receive Jesus.
 
Within 24 hours of praying, Mom was on such strong medication that she did not wake up again.  In approximately 48 hours, on Sunday night, October 12, Mom passed from this life into the Presence of Christ.
 
Though I was very sad to not see her 1 more time (I was leaving for Ft. Collins the next AM), I couldn't have been more at peace at the goodness of my Lord.  I never doubted He would take care of her eternally, but I did not have the assurance I would know how.  I thought I might just trust Him until my faith becomes sight when I also am in His Presence. 
 
On Monday I headed toward Durango, Colorado to pick up one of my brothers and we drove to Ft. Collins together.  The time shared with my 5 brothers and sisters that week was the most precious I have ever experienced. 
 
On Saturday, October 18, after a lovely service (Sam flew in to facilitate) at the Senior Apartments where she lived, my mother was buried in the very old pioneer cemetery, Bingham Hill Cemetery, outside of LaPorte, Colorado at the foot of her great-great grandmother, Jennie Adams McGaa Brown.  Jennie's mother was the sister of the Chief and medicine man of the Anpaha people - a nomadic Teton Ogallala Sioux tribe.  He was called Chief Day, because the connotation of Anpaha is of the first full light, not just the break of dawn.  It makes me smile to know the Lord named our ministry New Day.  Jennie's husband, William McGaa, was the Scotsman who wrote the charter for the original township of Denver.  My mother's ashes are at the spot she chose, just outside the white picket fence around her great-great grandmother.  Her sister's ashes will soon be moved to be with her.  
 
On Monday, October 20, Sam and I drove 13 + hours back to El Paso with my SUV loaded with items from Mom's.