Remembering my beautiful mom today....

Today I am celebrating the life of my mom, Eiko Miyayama Petrausch. Yes, she was Japanese and married a German man. He was in the Army and met her when he was stationed in Japan. Anyway, 10 years ago today, she went home to be with Jesus after a year long battle with cancer. I don't want to dwell on the sadness or the tragedy, but I want to remember all the incredible things that made up who she was. First of all, she was an incredible woman of God that had such strong, unwavering faith. Her foremost prayers were that her family would give their hearts to Christ and live an abundant life in Him. I remember sitting with her in the hospital room when she could no longer communicate and we didn't know if she was really there or not....but I would read the Word of God out loud to her and all of a sudden her eyes would become clear, she would focus her gaze on me and you could tell that she was hanging on every word. The same thing would happen whenever the Christian TV station was on and we would listen to worship music. Also, she was an amazing cook! She was known for it everywhere she went and people would actually call her and pay her to make stuff for them. No matter how hard anyone tried to duplicate anything she made, it was never ever as good. Yummmm. She was also so talented and an incredible seamstress. She was perfection in everything she put her hands to do. She was the first one to fix anything that was broken or needed repair...if she didn't know how, she figured it out! I don't think there was anything she couldn't do!! When I am told that I'm like my mom, I consider it the highest compliment I could ever receive...she inspires me. She had such a servant's heart. Our love languages are the same....we both thrive on doing things for others, serving them, acts of service, but it is hard to accept it from others in return even though its nice once in awhile. Our love language in return is quality of time...that people, family and friends, would want to just spend time with us and let us serve them! Anyway, I could go on and on....bottom line...my mom was incredible and I miss her terribly. She was the glue that held everyone together. My comfort lies in knowing that one day I will see her again in heaven....she's probably helping get things ready and cooking for the big banquet feast!!! My mom....my hero.