Today has been very difficult for me as I think about the funeral tomorrow, I cannot but reflect on a life so well lived. Banke was indeed to me more than a friend like the Bible says in Proverbs 18:24 " there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother". For the past 7 years Banke and I spoke almost every single day about everything and anything and that's why its so hard to imagine that I would never have those conversations again. Pregnant at the same time, had our children two months apart and continuing to share our daily lives as we raise our children together then the last 7 months of sickness and then finally passing away, but as I reflect today, I realize that there are lessons to be learned from Banke's life and I'll like to share a few of them. Banke was a wise woman, the Bible declares that " The fear of the Lord is the begining of wisdom" (Proverbs 9:10). She gave thought to her actions and was very careful not to sin against God even when it seemed very trivial or unimportant, she was always careful to be pleasing to God. Banke was a very diligent and compassionate woman who put her heart into whatever she was doing to ensure it was done very well. (Ecc 9:10) - "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might". Her compassionate nature was evident in everything she did, she cared for my children, picked them from school countless times, cared for my mother-in-law on numerous ocassions even when sometimes we did not want to ask, she volunteered herself. Banke was a woman of the word, who was very careful to study her Bible and put it into action. We would normally call on her at Bible study for old testament references and she always knew where to find them, she was a woman of the word. The Psalmist declares "Thy word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you." As we continue to remember Banke, let her life challenge us to a greater and better walk with the Lord, as we all can see this life can really be SHORT. As I reflect and I try to understand all this, I have read I Cor. 15 so many times in the past two weeks and yet the pain is so fresh and so real that such a wonderful woman will leave this world so soon. But I am challenged by the last few verses in that chapter that reads " But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." Let us learn from Banke's life and never allow anything to move us because we have victory even over death, Thanks be to God. Banke dear, thanks for all you did, I could never repay you, rest in the Lord's bossom, till we meet again. Missing you sooooooo much!