Nan

This blog is dedicated to our Nan, Doralene "Doshie" Parker.



Many of you know that Kyle and I spent the last two weekends in Oklahoma. In mid-January we found out that Mike's mom had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and was given 6-8 weeks. Kyle and I were able to visit her 2 weekends ago. The next Tuesday morning (Feb. 10th) she passed away. We headed back down Wednesday after I got out of school and celebrated her life Friday.

I never could have fathomed the impact that someone could have on my life in 4 years. The love, compassion, and welcoming heart that Nan possessed is indescribable. She has battled cancer off and on since 1996. Her faith and strength has taught me so much about walking through the valleys. We are able to rejoice in the fact we know she is in a better place and her suffering is over.

On our drive home from our first visit all I could think about was something Bob spoke about several weeks ago at church. It was about that common phrase we hear during such times:
"God will never give you more than you can handle."
It provides comfort, but it is not in the Bible. God's Word promises to not tempt us beyond what we can handle. But, at times He does give us more than we can handle. Such times allow us to grow in incredible new ways, relying fully on Him, placing all our trust in His plan, and gaining strength from Him to deal with things we cannot on our own. God's plan is much bigger than just our growth, but it is an added bonus.

Seeing Nan that first weekend was one of the most difficult things I've done in a long time. And I know it was even harder on Kyle and his side of the family since they have known her their whole lives. It was definitely more than we could handle on our own strength. Nan's battle was definitely more than she could handle on her own strength. Even though I would much rather have Nan here with us, I am grateful in hindsight for getting to witness Nan and her family find their strength in God. I am grateful for the experience to grow in my own understanding of what it means to truly depend on God.

I am also grateful for my family, immediate and extended, and the realization that they have all learned dependency on God in similar situations, through the passing on of my aunts, cousin, and grandparents and their battles with cancer, diabetes, heart issues, Parkinson's, and strokes.

God is good.

Thanks Nan. For making me a part of your family. For teaching me more about faith. For introducing me to chocolate gravy. For calling me Emmy. For loving me as your own. I hope you and Pa are enjoying a nice jog before school! (haha...a little laugh for the fam)


Valinda, Nan, Me, and Misty in Vegas last summer.