Memories of Kathi

by Stanley R. Hine

All of us have wonderful memories of our daughter, Kathi, and her joyful spirits; her love of people, her desire to help each person the Lord placed in her path. I should say paths because her interests were many. Her musical talents caused her to be of service in organ and piano offerings. Her 80+year-old piano teacher, a slight but lovely old maid, just beamed with joy and delight when Kathi played her piano solos. Kathi carried this talent through Gordon College, when she played the piano at a Beverly Massachusetts church. Kathi loved to play her guitar and lead singing of choruses and hymns, especially with young people, always smiling and sharing her boundless joy.

It was a proud time when she attended church with us and worshipped our Creator in her beautiful soprano voice. I loved to sing with her because she would follow the notes and sing them loud enough so I could hear her voice about my own.

Kathi was a talented teacher, student, writer, mother, leader, church reader, as well as musician. What made Kathi such a popular and caring person? As I think back upon her life which I have been greatly blessed in sharing with her, I have fond memories of many of the people we have known together. Of course, her mother has probably been one of the most to be praised for Kathi's life. Proverbs 31 says "strength and honor are her clothing and she shall rejoice in time to come." She opens her mouth in wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness." "She looks well to the ways of her household and eats not the bread of idleness. Her children rise up, and call her blessed. -Let her own works praise her in the gates."

I remember Pastor Slade, his wife, and a lifelong friend of theirs and how Mrs. Slade used to teach the little children choruses which Kathi enjoyed immensely. One was titled "This Little Light of Mine" in which the children held up their forefinger as if it were a candle, and sing "I'm going to make it shine" "Don't let Satan "Poof" it out. I'm going to make it shine "No". Well Satan has "poofed" it out. She has given her life, a sacrifice to drugs, alcohol, or both, of Satan's instruments of destruction and "Poofed" out her light, her marvelous brain, her lovely smile, her caring concern, her generous, selfless spirit, and tender touch.

Kathi cannot speak today, but I am sure she has answered just last week, the question God will be asking each one of us. "Why should I let you into my heaven? I will tell you Kathi's answer because when she was seven years old she answered this question. It was at a church service that Kathi said "Yes" to Jesus and accepted Him as her Lord and Savior. She made the most important decision of her life at that early age. She realized that the Bible is God's word to man, and that God will not and indeed, cannot lie to us.

Since this decision as a child, Kathi has confirmed her conviction. She has studied history and realizes there are many more facts substantiating Jesus' life and words than any of the historical people in secular history. The Dead Seas Scrolls, discovered early in Kathi's life, have proven Kathi's decisions to be correct and the 345 fulfillment's of prophesy confirm God's inspiration of the Holy Bible.

Kathi's mother and I are happy we have the opportunity to work in our retirement years, as volunteers with Wycliff Bible Translators in Waxhaw, N.C. This missionary organization has been working for over 60 years to translate the Bible into over 600 different languages. Last year, this organization committed to the goal of working on the 3000 translations remaining by the year 2025. They have found people who can read, or understand thru modern technology, God's Word in their own "heart language" believe the truth of the Gospel and their lives are changed.

Kathi would want me to invite each one of you to, if you have not as yet made this most important decision of your life, to speak to one of the Pastors, or to one of Kathi's family, that you may be assured of eternal life with Jesus, her friend.

Kathi was part of her mother and me, and will always be part of us in our hearts. She honored us always. Hug your loved ones often while you can.