Remembering Stephanie Rhone (9/12/1963 – 6/18/2010)

That’s Steffi (on the right) with her sister Cyndi. Steffi was my friend at church. I saw her virtually every week. She called me “Dad”. Somehow she got it into her head that I was her second dad; no amount of explaining could change her mind. Perhaps it was because her father’s name is David, like me. Nobody ever really knew why she was so insistent on calling me “Dad”, but she always did, and she always had a smile for me… along with a bone-crushing bear hug. Steffi was more than special in my life; she was a loving and joy-filled force of nature!

Sandra and David Rhone sent me an email that reflects such a pure Christian witness, that I just have to share it; it’s followed by the loving obituary she followed it with:

Our sweet, loving Stephanie passed away in her sleep early Friday morning. She was perfectly fine when she went to bed Thursday night. It's been a real shock. We miss her and will continue to miss her a lot. But we have great peace and comfort in knowing she is in the arms of her and our Lord Jesus being hugged and squeezed by him. We feel, thank you, and appreciate all your prayers.

In love, The Rhones

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Stephanie Diane Rhone, 46, went to be with her Lord Jesus early Friday morning, June 18. She passed away very unexpectedly in her sleep. Stephanie was born on September 12, 1963 to David and Sandra Rhone in Alhambra, CA. Seven years later her sister Cynthia was born. Stephanie grew up in Placentia and Yorba Linda and graduated from Canyon Hills School in Orange in 1986. Since she was a teenager she has lived in Wallace Care Homes and more recently Cristobal Care Home during the week, spending her weekends at home with her family. Stephanie has been a Special Olympian her whole life competing in track and field the first time at age 7. Other events she competed in include volleyball, softball, and bowling, but her many medals were garnered mostly in gymnastics and Alpine Skiing. Her last competition was up at Big Bear in March, 2008. Stephanie was honored to be chosen by the Orange County Special Olympics to be one of the Sports Ambassadors for Alpine Skiing for 2008 - 2009. Over the years since graduation she had worked at Carl’s Jr., Burger King, and El Pollo Loco, as well as Anaheim Memorial Manor and most recently Pavilions in Newport. Stephanie was an active, long time member of Messiah Lutheran Church where served her Lord Jesus as an acolyte, greeter, and communion helper. Dear, sweet, Stephanie was loving, thoughtful, and caring, with smiles and hugs for all who knew her. And there are lots who knew her and will remember her always.

Donna and Richard Wesley were very close to Stephanie Rhone, and life-long friends of Stephanie’s parents, David and Sandra. After hearing about Steffi’s death, Donna sent the following email to the Rhone family. Wayne Engstrom read it at the celebration of the life of Stephanie Diane Rhone we had at the church on Thursday afternoon. It is a wonderful tribute to Stephanie, the scope and the impact of her love and her life, and a fond remembrance between families that are far more than friends… they love one another!

Dear Dave, Sandy, Cyndi:

Somehow it doesn't seem right that we should be here in Colorado at this time...we should be with you all laughing and crying remembering God's Angel...Stephanie. So in an incomplete way I am sitting here at the computer while Rich sleeps and remembering the love she brought us.

The first time we saw her was at a church beach outing in Corona Del Mar. She and Eric were about the same age and I think they threw sand at one another. Who was to know what an impact the Rhone family and Wesley family would have on one another. Shortly thereafter, Dave came by our house on Kermath St. on his bicycle with Steffi sitting in a seat in the back and we all talked for a while...the relationship was building. And all the time we talked Steffi was smiling and trying to get a "word" in while we gabbed. She was making herself known! Time went on and it seemed Eric and Steffi ended up in the same Sunday school class and at about five, Eric asked why Steffi was different. What an opportunity for us to tell him about the "special children" God created. How wonderful for us as a family to share the growing up years of this special girl.

Yes, our families were becoming entwined...Ruth Mary, along with you, Sandy… joined the very first Bible Study I led in my home. I remember being very humbled as Ruth Mary shared the story of the love she had for her granddaughter Stephanie and her acceptance of this "special child." And Ruth Mary became my friend!!! What a delightful experience this Rhone/Wesley relationship was becoming.

And sad times, I remember sitting with Steffi and Cyndi after you brought the girls to our house as you rushed to the hospital when your dad, Walter, had a heart attack. Steffi was almost inconsolable but I had an opportunity to hug and talk with her. All these occasions are gifts from God.

Years later, coming home from work driving down Valley View, who did I see but Steffi trudging along heading to your house from the bus stop. I pulled over and offered her a ride. "No" said Steffi, "My Dad said I need to walk and can't accept rides." She was a determined girl and listened to her Dad.

What a gift for my kids, along with Susie, volunteering at the Special Olympics and they did so honoring your Stephanie. All of these events opened all our eyes and made us look beyond appearances and look into the heart of each and every individual. What a heart she had...I can still feel those real tight hugs.

How about the infamous back pack trip to the Sierra for one whole week? I remember Cyndi "catching cars" with her fishing pole and who can forget Steffi's determination to hike up the mountain and eventually our long hike back out in a snow storm. The memories are building and so are the tears.

Stef had one up on me...I never learned to ski. I remember watching her at Brian Head snowplowing down the mountain and thinking "If Steffi can ski, so can I!!! But she was better than me...I never did learn to ski. But she sure was my inspiration for a while then I just figured I'd leave it that... she was better than me. Oh yes, she was better than me she saw good in everything and loved everyone. If only all of us had the heart of a Stephanie.

Thinking of church and her love for her church, there will never be a more enthusiastic acolyte!!!! If only every acolyte approached the job with her reverence, determination and love. What a joy to watch her.

Yes, through confirmations, 50th, 60th and 70th birthdays we have been together. Through changes of command, aspen tree plantings and most recently at our Granddaughter's Master's Degree Graduation the Wesley Family and Rhone Family have been entwined...what a gift from God and now our arms ache that we cannot laugh and cry with you on the loss of your Stephanie. We are better people for having known her and we loved her. Thank you for sharing her with us. God bless you Dave, Sandy and Cyndi. We love you.

Rich and Donna

A few days later, Richard Wesley died, and has joined Steffi in the arms of our Lord. As Christians, we look forward to our final destination, but as humans, we still feel the pain of losing a loved one. I ache for the loss felt by these two intertwined families. Sandra and David are traveling to Colorado to be with Donna this coming week, so I'm sure they will find comfort with one another. After all, Jesus does promise us:

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
- Matthew 18:20

Your brother in Christ,

Dave

Prayer Circle

Thank you, God! I praise you, Lord Jesus! For the last 2 weeks, I have been symptom free.

I know it is only by God’s divine healing and protection that I can walk again without feeling like I might pass out. I haven’t done anything different in my life or habits. My family, for all their recommendation on how I should do this or not do that, hasn’t gotten me to do anything different either. And the doctors, for all their poking, prodding, scanning, and testing, haven’t done anything but frustrate me with their inaction… except, of course, their ability to extract a $20 co-pay for each visit.

I don’t know how long my restoration will last, but I am grateful for every minute of every day that I am not under attack. I don’t know how much longer my family, friends, and Christian brothers and sisters will continue to lift me up in prayer, but I will continue to praise their love and faithfulness before the Lord.

This attack has certainly strengthened my prayer life. I thought I was doing alright by praying several times every day. When you are under crippling attack, and the only way forward is to pray with each step, you discover a deeper, more intimate, extremely powerful aspect of prayer. When every step and every breath is a prayer, it feels like Jesus is right beside you. The world may still close in on you, may still overwhelm you, may still blot out the light, but… the presence of the Lord gives you a calmness; a peace beyond all understanding… and the strength and the power to go on!

Yes, I’m rejoicing in every step. My joy is not in my health or my circumstances… my joy is in the Lord.

God has blessed me to see the humor is almost every situation. I often pray for divine revelation for those that seem humor impaired. Do you think their scowls indicate that they were weaned on a lemon? While I was in the hospital for the TEE procedure (Trans-Esophageal Echocardiogram), I had the nurses, technicians, and doctors in stitches. In all that laughter, I had not one moment of anxiety or fear. And the problem the doctors were 90% certain was in my heart? Well, they could find nothing, and boy… did they try to find something! My heart got a clean bill of health. Praise the Lord!

Last week, a friend posted a video of Michael Jr., a Christian comic, on Facebook. I thought it was hilarious, checked out other videos of his on YouTube, and found a whole bunch that cracked me up. I was particularly taken by “The Prayer Circle” video. I pray it brightens your day, and reminds you that God hears ALL our prayers… no matter how we pray. Enjoy.

Your brother in Christ,

Dave

Voice of Truth

And in kind of a continuation of my last post...

This week, in conversation with almost everybody I bumped into, I heard how they were under attack in THEIR lives. Since I had just written about being under attack last week, I guess I was more open to hear about (and remember) the attacks other people were enduring. Most of them agreed that staying focused on Jesus made it easier to weather an attack, but that it was difficult to keep that focus. All of the attacks seemed coupled with plenty of negative voices. Voices saying that we are not good enough, that we are broken, that we will fail… and a myriad of other negative lies. Like Job, sometimes the voices are from those closest to us (a spouse or friends) and are really hard to ignore.

Yet, we do recognize God’s voice amid all the negative uproar. The little hitch is that God also gave us free will, so it’s up to us to decide which voice to heed. As much as Satan and the world try, they can never drown out the voice of God as he calls to us. And we can make no excuses that we could not recognize God’s voice. In chapter 10 of the Book of John in the New Testament, Jesus assures us that we can recognize His voice above all others:

“…and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”
John 10:4

The Bible points up that all of us are constantly under attack. In their fear and doubt, some of the greatest heroes of the bible tried to argue with, or bargain with God. Oh, wait… don’t we do that still to this day? Yet, amazing, wondrous, and miraculous things happen when we choose to listen to, and follow, the voice of God.

The Holy Spirit placed this song in my head. It reflects exactly what I’ve been writing about. I’m including the lyrics, and below them, a video. Enjoy.

Voice of Truth
by Casting Crowns

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out His hand

But the waves are calling out my name
And they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. "Boy, you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"

Chorus:
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out my name
And he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again. "Boy you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"

But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them lookin' down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

As promised, here’s the music video:

For me… as the song so eloquently puts it:

“I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth!”

Your brother in Christ,

Dave

Under Attack

Yesterday was Memorial Day, a day set aside to remember and honor our nation’s war dead. I wrote a little something about Memorial Day in 2008, and rather than repeat myself, you can reference that entry via this link: Memorial Day 2008. All of us should recognize and salute the commitment of every man and woman currently serving in our armed services, and pray that their training will help protect them from the dangers and enemies they face.

Though our servicemen and servicewomen are trained and prepared to live under the constant threat of attack… most of the rest of us are not. Yet Satan is relentless in his campaigns and attacks against us. We are under his attacks from every direction.

Even this blog is under attack. Every week a new comment is posted from an anonymous Asian user; in Japanese. It’s not a comment about the latest post; it is in reality a series of links… links that would take you to a variety of Asian porn sites. Once I recognized the comments for what they really were, it was simple to merely delete them. But it remains under attack, and at least once a week I must delete offensive comments from the blog.

Our bodies are under attack, too: cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes, arthritis, and plenty of mystery ailments… to name just a few of the attacks.

Our communities are under attack: terrorism, crumbling infrastructure, corrupt public servants, crime, unemployment, and crushing poverty.

Our world is under constant attack: earthquakes, storms, volcanoes, wars, deprivation, and hunger.

Imagery that attacks our morals, our values, and our sense of right and wrong pours into us from and unending flow being broadcast by television, radio, and the internet. Satan welcomes each new development in communication technology as another weapon to be aimed in our direction… to keep us under constant attack.

Why? What does the father of lies hope to accomplish with these continuous bombardments and attacks? Simple… he seeks to make us dive for cover, jump into a foxhole, build up the sandbags, and in our fear, turn away from God. If you put your faith in this world, if you put your faith in technology, if you put your faith in medical science, or even if you put your faith in your own strength… Satan is winning.

I need to constantly remind myself to take my eyes off Satan, and the works and devices of Satan, and fix my gaze faithfully on Jesus; on Jesus alone!

Jesus overcomes all of Satan’s attacks; not some, not most, but…

JESUS OVERCOMES ALL OF THE ATTACKS!

Jesus heals sickness, Jesus calms the storms, He changes hearts and casts out demons, and He has overcome death. Walking with Jesus, we walk with our Lord, our Savior, our Deliverer, and our Protector. When we invite Jesus into our heart, we never have to walk alone again. Though we still may walk in this calamitous and dangerous world, in Jesus we are no longer of it. Instead, we become more than conquerors, we become children of God and inheritors of God’s heavenly kingdom.

With my eyes off Satan and my eyes only on Jesus, Satan’s false illusions are little more than smoke and mirrors. Instead of a world of horrors, I see God’s people pouring out love, compassion, aid, and healing… into a broken world. I see a beautiful creation in endless variety and infinite complexity that gives glory to God the Creator. I see Jesus… who suffered for my sake, took my sins and shortcomings and covered them with His blood, and by His resurrection guarantees me eternal salvation. In the company of Jesus, I’m not pinned down under withering attacks, but I am free… I’m free, indeed!

Since we do live in this world, the attacks don’t stop. But in the company of Jesus, the attacks now have all the weight of a feather; as easily dealt with as deleting an inappropriate blog comment. The best thing about walking in faith with Jesus by your side is being able to step up to the battle front, pick up the wounded, and show them how Jesus can heal them, save them, and free them. In the company of Jesus we can do all things. Fear not!

Where are you under attack? Who leads you? I pray it’s Jesus!

Your brother in Christ,

Dave