In Memory of Shantelle

So I just heard about Shantelle... I really sucks that this had to happen just when she was cured of her cancer! Everything seemed to be going fine! Why, then, would she have an anuerism and die? Could God be trying to tell us all something; that she had put her trust completely in him and he had heard her prayers for help... and now that the message that he does answer prayers he has to show that it is time for everything? A time to live and a time to die... At first I was like, NO, SHANTELLE HAS SO MUCH LIFE, THIS HASN'T HAPPENED TO HER! Then I read her blog and was like, IT'S TRUE... SHE HAS FINALLY GONE HOME TO HER LORD AND SAVIOUR. Shantelle was such a humble person, she always had a kind word to say to you whenever she saw you. You could see her passion for Christ in everything that she did and said. She was a loving mother and wife, she never said any about her family that was bad, she always pointed out the good in them both. She also pointed out the good in life too, even if she had cancer; she was going to do everything in her power to tell the world about God's love and Jesus' sacrifice and compassion for us! In her personality there was charisma and enthusiasm for life and making the most of it, doing all she could do to bring her testimony to the people around her. Her life was that of dedication to God, her family, friends, those of us at camp... It was to everyone that would listen to her message, to her words of wisdom, love, compassion, and peace. When asked about how she felt about having cancer Shantelle's response was this, "I'm living with it; and I'm trusting God, that he will do what he wants done, not what I want. He will do great things with my life, my story..." This was a lady of the Spirit, someone who fully believed in her faith and clung to God as her life-raft. Shantelle was honest; honesty was one reason why I looked up to her. Her honest was true, pure, and simple. She never lacked humility, she would often do whatever she could for you if she knew that you needed the help, even if you didn't. She shared her story this summer with children and youth, sharing her complete faith and love of God. Many times she would come to our devotions and share with us what she thought about dating, marriage, love, anything that our minds would wonder to during our short times together with our cabins and during Grill 'em sessions.
We shared jokes and laughter, played games, shared memories of our lives... She will be sadly missed, but I would like to think of it this way...
- she is no longer suffering in this worlds turmoil
- she is with her Saviour
- she is watching us now
- her laughter is filling heaven with melodies of joy
- we will see her again soon and we will celebrate in heaven together in eternal life and worship God face to face together
We will remember her forever in our hearts and we will forever be reminded of her story, of her faith, of her passion... We will be praying for you Jo, Mikhayla, and family.