Wednesday, July 22, 2020
I met Louise through her son Jeffrey whom I had met in Nairobi, Kenya while I attended high school there.
Later, when Jeffrey and I got together in Virginia, I went to his home in Reston where he and his mother Louise lived together.
One of my first memories of Loiuse is of her playing her violin. She was a music teacher and also tutored students in her home. I remember how delighted I was to hear her play in person.
I soon learned that Louise not only played the violin beautifully, but she was also a very beautiful person, and she always made me feel very welcome in her home.
I knew Louise to be very intelligent, caring, and compassionate, with a pleasant and gentle disposition, and she also had a good sense of humor.
I imagine that most of Louises students would say she was an excellent music teacher, and surely some would even say she had a profound effect on their lives.
I wish I had been fortunate enough to have been one of her students!
Nevertheless, I am thankful I was fortunate enough to have become her friend.
Over the years, even after I had moved away from Virginia I kept in touch with Louise by telephone, and always enjoyed our conversations.
During one period of my life when I went through an extremely troublesome time, Louise was one of the few people I called and talked to. Just having those friendly conversations with her were like brief moments of sunshine during those very dark times for me. She was a great blessing to me, and I thank God for her.
Later in her life as Louise became disabled and needed to reside in an assisted living facility, I am thankful that I was able to visit Jeffrey in Virginia and go with him to see her on several occasions.
Even into her 90's, when Louise had very limited ability to speak anymore, it was clear to see by her responsive facial expressions, including her warm smiles, she still was remarkably attentive and aware of what was going on around her.
But above all, I could clearly see the light of the Lord Jesus Christ shining through her lovely face and eyes.
She often listened to music on the CD player which Jeffrey had given her, and I put together a CD of gospel hymns and songs by various artists for her to listen to.
Evidently, Louise loved listening to that gospel CD and she was often heard singing along with many of the songs on it!
God finally called Louise to be with the Lord in heaven, and I can imagine she is there continuously rejoicing and singing songs of praise to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1-11 KJV
[1] Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
[2] By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
[3] And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
[4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
[5] And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
[6] For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
[7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
[8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
[9] Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
[10] For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
[11] And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
