PRAYER REQUEST FOR THE PENDER FAMILY~~ ANDREA IS SAFELY ARRIVED IN HEAVEN

Updates for Andrea Pender Family & Home Today, November 2, 2008 our precious daughter Andrea Lillian Pender went to be with Jesus. She just stopped breathing between 3:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. She had a peaceful look on her face and it does not appear as though she struggled. Funeral arrangements will be finalized tomorrow morning but our thoughts are to have the viewing from5-7 Wednesday evening at Flint Hill Baptist Church,Bessemer, AL. The funeral will begin at 7pm. The burial will be a private family event on Thursday morningat the Patterson - Forest Grove Cemetery in Pleasant Grove, AL. Thank each of you for your prayers and words of encouragement.We are doing pretty good with the ordeal. God has finally allowed some closure.

Andrea Pender ~~ Three Years In Waiting...

Hebrews 13:20-21 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

It was 3 years ago about this very minute of the afternoon when Larry Pender called me from his cell phone. He was enroute to the hospital because he had received the horrific news by phone that Andrea (his daughter~~ a senior in high school) had been involved in a terrible car accident after school. Larry called asking for our prayer support. I immediately put the request out on my internet prayer chain, made phone calls, and tried to spread the word so that a lot of people would be praying even as Larry made the trip to DCH. (I believe Teri was in Tuscaloosa at the time because of her job.) And today, three years later, Andrea still lies upon a bed, in a comatose state due to the extreme extent of the injury to her brain stem in the wreck.

How has God used this event in Andrea's life to speak to my heart (and surely to the hearts of countless others) as we have prayed for Andrea... to wake up, to be whole, to resume her life as a vibrant Christian young woman?

First, it reminds me of how urgent it is that we take care of the matter of salvation. God's Word says that none of us can boast ourselves of tomorrow~~ we have no guarantee that we will wake up in the morning or still be whole at the end of the day. And that brings about the urgent need to tell others that the Son of God came to seek and to save. All of mankind is headed toward that appointment with death. What state we are in spiritually depends on how we respond to God's call.

Secondly, I am reminded to never take others for granted. Having given up both of my parents to death, I know that this life isn't forever, but it is so easy to get caught up in our everyday lives and to take friends and family for granted ~~ to even not love them appropriately at times. I cannot do that for who knows when God may call someone home from my circle of friends or from our family because life-changing events (illness, accident, death) occur each and every day.

Thirdly, I have I have been reminded that our health is definitely a gift from God. We take it for granted but truly shouldn't. Injury or illness can come upon any of us at any given moment. I thank God for the good health that I enjoy today and can only trust Him regarding tomorrow.

Another thing I have learned is that we truly must labor for the Master while we have the strength and opportunity to do so. Andrea is a Christian woman and was active in her church and very involved at her Christian school. She was a worker and a witness for Christ. For three years, she hasn't been able to be about her Father's business. I let so many opportunities slip by instead of seizing them and making a difference. I must work for one way or another, my night is coming.

Another thing I have learned is that Larry and Teri Pender are faithful folks. This road has to be so very long and so very painful. To see their lovely Andrea lay there like a Sleeping Beauty for three years is unfathomable to me, yet their faith remains strong and they have a witness for Christ as they continue to wait and to pray. Life's troubles and trials will certainly come our way. We don't have to like them but we have no choice but to go through them. We do have a choice as to HOW we will go through them. We can go through them in faith, trusting God for every turn and every bump in the road (hanging on by our toenails at times) or we can turn our backs on God and try to muddle through life's trials on our own. Having watched Larry and Teri, I know they continue on this journey alongside Andrea with their eyes on the Lord. As they pray and watch and remain hopeful that Andrea will wake up, they keep their vigil bathed in prayer and that keeps their faith intact~~ trusting Him to do His best in Andrea's life.

It can't have been an easy three years. It must be so difficult some days~~ no, most days. But I believe they are touching countless other lives as they have touched mine. Their faith and trust in the Lord has spoken volumes to me. As they start the 4th year of this journey, I pray that Andrea will wake up before the sun sets. But if that doesn't happen, I shall continue to pray for her, for her parents, and for God to continue to get the glory from what He is doing in Andrea's life.

For those who might want to look at Andrea's website and keep up with Larry's weekly updates, here is the URL: http://www.flinthill.net/update_on_andrea_pender.html

Andrea.... I close with the verse I posted at the beginning: Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. I can't wait to spend eternity with you ~~ because you~~ and all of us ~~ will be more alive there than we ever were in this life. I remain in prayer for you, dear girl.

Love to you,
Susan D.