I don’t remember Grandma. I was only 15 months old this time 26 years ago. I wish I did remember her. I know that I was loved by her though. I know that I was cuddled by Grandma – I have the photos to prove it.
I know that Grandma bought me clothes and shoes on her return trip to China – I still have them and LittleLady looks beautiful in them.
I know how much my Dad loved his mum. I know how much my own mother loved and admired her mother-in-law. I know that I have listened to my father’s best friend from High School speak so graciously about how Grandma opened up her home to him and made him feel like one of the family. I know that Grandpa missed Grandma and looked forward to that glorious day when he would join her in Paradise.
I know also that Grandma is – in every sense of the word – a hero. She risked everything, sacrificed so much, to serve God as a missionary in China. (You can read Grandma’s autobiography here. If you’ve got a spare minute or two, it’s well worth the time.)
Here is an excerpt from an email I send to my Aunt recently about my Grandma:
As I was driving to Church this morning for Playgroup, I was thinking about how proud I am to be a grandchild of F. and I., and I became concerned that it was improper pride. But then I realised that the reason I am so proud of my heritage is that my grandparents walked humbly with the Lord, sacrificed much, and were used mightily by him.
When I was in China, I went to a Church service in a small country village, a few hours from Xi'an. I could not understand what was being said, but I was able to sing along when the hymn, 'What a friend we have in Jesus' was sung. At the time, I remember feeling an incredible sense of God's goodness - that hymn would have been taught to the locals by missionaries just like Grandma and Grandpa. The Bible reading was Psalm 100 - "For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues though all generations." (Ps100:6). Even now, six years later, it brings tears to my eyes when I think about it, and the incredible emotions I felt, standing in a Chinese Church, worshiping God side by side with Chinese believers.
When I was in China, I went to a Church service in a small country village, a few hours from Xi'an. I could not understand what was being said, but I was able to sing along when the hymn, 'What a friend we have in Jesus' was sung. At the time, I remember feeling an incredible sense of God's goodness - that hymn would have been taught to the locals by missionaries just like Grandma and Grandpa. The Bible reading was Psalm 100 - "For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues though all generations." (Ps100:6). Even now, six years later, it brings tears to my eyes when I think about it, and the incredible emotions I felt, standing in a Chinese Church, worshiping God side by side with Chinese believers.
I am convinced that Grandma and Grandpa were both greeted in Heaven by countless people whose lives were impacted for Christ through their influence.
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| LittleLady all snug in a blanket Grandma made for Aunty E. |
