LIGHT Thinking
Helen Powell: My Friend, My Sister in Christ
Helen Powell is now face to face with our LORD, Jesus Christ. Early this morning, Sunday, 4 November 2007, she departed from the bedroom of her earthly home to arrive immediately at the Throne room of her Heavenly home.
Helen was the Visionary for Sisters in Christ, where we offered women's conferences and retreats, often at Country Lake Retreat Center in Indiana. Also through Sisters in Christ, she was involved, as co-leader, with the LaGrange Summer Lunch Program, hostess for summer mission teams, Women United in Christ, CAP Pendleton, and, occasionally the Oldham - Trimble Baptist Association.
Helen served on the Board for The LIGHT Center from its beginnings until her homegoing. When it was time to call for prayer gatherings, Helen was right there. During the summer months, Helen was the chief supporter of our noon day open air praise and worship sessions at the Oldham County Courthouse gazebo. On Oldham County Days, Helen sat all day at the LIGHT Center's booth.
We attended Bible studies together at Southeast and offered home Bible studies in LaGrange. In fact, her current study group has two weeks left to finish Beth Moore's Daniel. Now, Helen is probably asking Daniel to explain himself, since she won't get to finish Beth's take on Daniel's writings. At Christmas, Helen made sure to take part in the Christmas play at Brownsboro Baptist Church.
We shared appreciation for the same Chiropractor, Dr. Mark. She supported LIGHT in Dark Places and my ventures with Arbonne. In fact, any thing I was doing, Helen was as close to it as she could be. And anything Helen did, she pulled me along too.
If it was about serving the LORD, Helen was ready to go. In fact, our last phone conversation on yesterday was about a kingdom work Helen needed to attend to. She made sure before she left to leave instructions for the furthering of the work with her congregation.
Helen lived a life of passion for the Kingdom of God on this earth. With her, every excusion, every activity could easily turn into praise, prayer, or planning.
One of Helen's last projects was to serve meals and to attempt to offer Bible studies at the Prodigal Ministries facility in Crestwood.
To say that I am missing Helen is a great understatement. It will take months, maybe even years, to replace, in human terms, all that she has been to me. I ask your prayers for Richard, her widower; their sons, Alan and Tony and their mates; grandchildren, Leah, Brandon and a little princess still on the way; Helen's parents, brother and two sisters, nieces and nephews, cousins, and all who knew and loved her.
These words, slightly modified, to a gospel song I sang in a gospel singing concert last night, just say it all:
Since we'll never meet again this side of Heaven, I'll just struggle through this world and it's strife.
But there's another meeting place somewhere in Heaven
But there's another meeting place somewhere in Heaven
By the side of the river of life
Where the charming roses bloom forever and separations come no more
Since we'll never meet again this side of Heaven I shall meet you on that beautiful shore.
So long my dear friend, my sister in Christ. I shall see you in the morning!
The memorial service for Helen is set for Friday, 9 November 2007 at 1:00 PM at the First Baptist Church of La Grange, KY
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