August was a difficult month for our family. On Saturday morning, August 19, my sister, Eileen, called to say that my mother’s health was failing. If we wanted to say goodbye, we needed to come immediately. Because of some health problems Mom had previously, we knew the day was coming, but is anyone ever prepared when it arrives?

Mark and I immediately got in the car and drove two hours to the hospital so we could be at my mother’s bedside. My three sisters and I spent a sweet afternoon together with Mom, talking about our memories. We sang some of her favorite songs and we read scripture. We said goodbye and told her how much we loved her. Later that evening she passed away.

Two days earlier, I underwent a procedure that successfully reversed some damage caused by myositis, the autoimmune disease I’ve been fighting for the past year and a half. It was an exhausting few days.

Since then, I’ve thought a lot about my mother and her influence. She valued her faith. She took us to church every Sunday, and she made sure we attended Sunday school. She lived out her faith in front of us.

Later in life, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She fought it valiantly, trusting the Lord for His strength to endure chemotherapy. As she faced adversity, her faith was strengthened, and she passed it along to the rest of us.

We miss her terribly, but we’re grateful she’s no longer suffering. We will celebrate the life she lived on Saturday, September 23. We welcome your prayers for our family as we remember both her life and my father’s life.

Thank you for praying for us and for your generous support of the work God has called us to do. Please let us know how we can pray for you. We’re grateful for your friendship.

Wishing you grace and peace, — Anne Marie, for the Winz family