My Grandmother, Jan Howard, went to be with the Lord last week! It is so very sad and, at the same time, a joyous time! I am so thankful for her life and influence on me. I thought I would take up some space to write a tribute to the life of such a dear woman who inspired me to serve the Lord with all my life! 

I am so thankful that Grandma and little Beny had the opportunity to meet! Grandma loved children so much! She had such a heart for the little children knowing the Lord. Some of my first memories of her were of being taught by her. She was always teaching in her loving way. One of the best lessons she ever taught me was dealing with hard people and situations. She would tell me, “Well, Josh, I bet there is a story behind that.” It always reminded me to consider the other person and what was going on in their life rather than just being angry or hurt. I could easily get impatient as a child and often as an adult. Grandma always sang the Patience song to me; now, I sing it to little Beny.

Grandma always made the best homemade noodles! She would have them all spread out on the table to dry, and my cousins and I would go and steal some of the dough off the table and eat it. We thought we were getting away with it, but she always knew. I feel the words of Jesus at that moment. Let the little children come. Grandma cared far more about people than things. She was so sacrificial, always thinking of others. I want to be like her.

Most of all, no one could ever say of her that she did not love her Savior. Many people say they love Jesus, but Grandma was one of those rare few who contagiously loved Jesus. It was all of her being, it was what came out of her all the time. You could never leave a conversation with her and not know how loved you were by her and by our heavenly Father.

I know Grandma is very proud of me! I hope to be like her in the way I love others. It is unnatural for me, but I imagine it wasn’t natural for her either, without the Holy Spirit’s help. Grandma, see you again soon!