Hi everyone – Jennie (the best friend) here. For those of you that have gotten to know Kayli through her blog and on her CaringBridge site, you’ll know that her motto, “Finish well” motivated every action, every step she took.
It is both my sorrowful and joyful privilege to inform you that she did, indeed, finish well.
The Lord called my dear friend home and into His arms on Sunday, December 13th at 4:55am. She was prayed and sung into her Father’s arms by her mother and father.
She finished well in every sense of the word. Her life on earth, although she was still human and still made mistakes, was one of purpose and intentionality – she strove each day to love on those around her – the people she knew and was close to, as well as ministering to and loving those she had never met. Kayli said once that “the only thing you can take to heaven with you is people….and I like to pack a lot”. I’ve read the comments on her CaringBridge and the words of support and condolences on her parents Facebook pages, and it is evident that she’s had an enormous impact on this planet. She allowed God to use her, and he will continue to use her legacy for His glory.
She also finished well in her preparations to care for those closest to her. Many of her wishes for her burial (which took place on Tuesday with her family in attendance) and her celebration of life service (which is Saturday, December 19th at 11am at Orrville Grace Brethren Church in Orrville) were written out – she wanted to ready as many things as she could so that her passing would be easier for the ones she was leaving behind. She also recorded video messages for various people like each member in her family, her extended family, and even recorded a video for those who will be in attendance at her celebration of life service tomorrow. After the burial on Tuesday, we were able to watch her video for her extended family – how wonderful it was to see her smiling face and hear her voice! She was "ever Kayli" – moments of seriousness and moments of silliness – leading to a combination of tears and laughter from those watching. How comforting these videos will be to her family and friends in the coming days, weeks, months, and years; as we continue to feel the loss of her presence.
And although it makes my heart so joyful to see the impact she had on others and to have the knowledge that she is in heaven – fully healed and restored, able to do all the things that were taken from her by cancer – there is still an indescribable emptiness in my heart, and in the hearts of her family members. Losing someone is never easy, and I have never lost someone this close to me before. The grief comes and goes in waves….and that is okay. It’s all part of the grieving process (so I’ve been told). But I (and I know her family, too) am so grateful that God is there to brave those waves that crash around us and seem to suck the air and life right out of us, that He holds us tightly in His arms always. He gives us more than we can handle, but promises to be the strength that we need to go on, to continue living, to rejoice for the peace and comfort that Kayli is now experiencing, and to live with the future in mind – a future where we will be reunited with Kayli and will never be separated from her again.
But not all people have this kind of hope.
We do not have this hope without our faith. Many times during this week, I have grieved for those who are grieving without hope – without that blessed reassurance that there is something beyond the grave. That our death is not where our lives end, but instead, is where we truly begin to live. I would beg of you, as Kayli pleaded (and continues to plead): look to Jesus. Search the Scriptures and know Him for yourself. Run to the One who laid down His life for you – He is purpose and meaning. In Him, you will find fulfillment. In Him, you won’t find constant happiness (a feeling based on circumstances), but you WILL find joy and peace. He will give those to you, to strengthen you in the times of heartache and despair. The same arms of God that now hold Kayli tightly are the same arms that will hold you forever and never let you be separated from Him….if only you let Him. Please….let Him.
I can’t wait to see the look on Kayli’s face as she greets those she impacted at the gates of Heaven, surrounded by angels and those who have gone before, and says with a smile on her face “Welcome home! I’m so glad you’re here – we’ve been waiting for you!”
If you would like to join us for Kayli’s Celebration of Life Service, please come – and wear something bright and cheerful to joyfully remember her legacy here on earth! This service will take place tomorrow (Saturday the 19th) at 11am at Orrville Grace Brethren Church in Orrville.
For more information, and to view Kayli's obituary, click on the link: http://www.aublefuneralhome.com/obituaries/Kayli-Hostetler/
It is both my sorrowful and joyful privilege to inform you that she did, indeed, finish well.
The Lord called my dear friend home and into His arms on Sunday, December 13th at 4:55am. She was prayed and sung into her Father’s arms by her mother and father.
She finished well in every sense of the word. Her life on earth, although she was still human and still made mistakes, was one of purpose and intentionality – she strove each day to love on those around her – the people she knew and was close to, as well as ministering to and loving those she had never met. Kayli said once that “the only thing you can take to heaven with you is people….and I like to pack a lot”. I’ve read the comments on her CaringBridge and the words of support and condolences on her parents Facebook pages, and it is evident that she’s had an enormous impact on this planet. She allowed God to use her, and he will continue to use her legacy for His glory.
She also finished well in her preparations to care for those closest to her. Many of her wishes for her burial (which took place on Tuesday with her family in attendance) and her celebration of life service (which is Saturday, December 19th at 11am at Orrville Grace Brethren Church in Orrville) were written out – she wanted to ready as many things as she could so that her passing would be easier for the ones she was leaving behind. She also recorded video messages for various people like each member in her family, her extended family, and even recorded a video for those who will be in attendance at her celebration of life service tomorrow. After the burial on Tuesday, we were able to watch her video for her extended family – how wonderful it was to see her smiling face and hear her voice! She was "ever Kayli" – moments of seriousness and moments of silliness – leading to a combination of tears and laughter from those watching. How comforting these videos will be to her family and friends in the coming days, weeks, months, and years; as we continue to feel the loss of her presence.
And although it makes my heart so joyful to see the impact she had on others and to have the knowledge that she is in heaven – fully healed and restored, able to do all the things that were taken from her by cancer – there is still an indescribable emptiness in my heart, and in the hearts of her family members. Losing someone is never easy, and I have never lost someone this close to me before. The grief comes and goes in waves….and that is okay. It’s all part of the grieving process (so I’ve been told). But I (and I know her family, too) am so grateful that God is there to brave those waves that crash around us and seem to suck the air and life right out of us, that He holds us tightly in His arms always. He gives us more than we can handle, but promises to be the strength that we need to go on, to continue living, to rejoice for the peace and comfort that Kayli is now experiencing, and to live with the future in mind – a future where we will be reunited with Kayli and will never be separated from her again.
But not all people have this kind of hope.
We do not have this hope without our faith. Many times during this week, I have grieved for those who are grieving without hope – without that blessed reassurance that there is something beyond the grave. That our death is not where our lives end, but instead, is where we truly begin to live. I would beg of you, as Kayli pleaded (and continues to plead): look to Jesus. Search the Scriptures and know Him for yourself. Run to the One who laid down His life for you – He is purpose and meaning. In Him, you will find fulfillment. In Him, you won’t find constant happiness (a feeling based on circumstances), but you WILL find joy and peace. He will give those to you, to strengthen you in the times of heartache and despair. The same arms of God that now hold Kayli tightly are the same arms that will hold you forever and never let you be separated from Him….if only you let Him. Please….let Him.
I can’t wait to see the look on Kayli’s face as she greets those she impacted at the gates of Heaven, surrounded by angels and those who have gone before, and says with a smile on her face “Welcome home! I’m so glad you’re here – we’ve been waiting for you!”
If you would like to join us for Kayli’s Celebration of Life Service, please come – and wear something bright and cheerful to joyfully remember her legacy here on earth! This service will take place tomorrow (Saturday the 19th) at 11am at Orrville Grace Brethren Church in Orrville.
For more information, and to view Kayli's obituary, click on the link: http://www.aublefuneralhome.com/obituaries/Kayli-Hostetler/