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NATALIE HOLSTEAD
Following the July 11th passing of her beloved husband, Jack, Natalie sent out this letter to the many who know and have continued in "online" communication with the Holsteads in their Casa Robles retirement years ... You are a remarkable woman, and an inspiration! We love you, Natalie! |
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August 29, 2013
Dear Friends & Family,
I would like to thank all of you for your prayers and thoughts and words of encouragement to myself and my family. It's been quite a journey these past 2 months. I miss Jack but I know he is in that place we all are going to be, one day.
I have my family, my friends and my little "Laddie" to see me through. They all have been wonderful to me. You could not ask for a better community of fellow Prayer Warriors than here at Casa Robles. They are a special group of people.
My children are very special to me. They call in or visit me daily. I don't drive, so they get my groceries for me, take me to the hairdressers every week, take me to Church, and take me out to eat every once in a while. I love them very dearly.
The Lord works His Plans for each of us in unique ways. No two are alike. We often don't understand why He does or allows things the way He does, but it is not up to us to UNDERSTAND. We may question God about WHY His Plans are a certain way but we don't see the BIGGER Picture.
Two weeks ago my kids took me to the doctors for a consult. In that visit he explained that I have End Stage Renal Disease. My only options were Dialysis or not. After much thought, I chose NO DIALYSIS. The doctor said I may only have a few months left of my life. With dialysis, at my age and condition, there probably wouldn't be much difference in time AND the quality of life would not be there.
For years I had always envisioned that I would live to be the same age as my Mom when she passed on, 95. I am 86, a few years shy of that age. I know that only He holds my future. The doctors can speculate all they want but only God decides. I still want to see 95 but I am ready to see my Heavenly Father.
Please pray for my family as they prepare for these coming months, weeks or days. I am under Hospice care now (not 24 hrs., though). They say I may become confused in the later stages so my kids will take over and fill you in on my condition. I have a few nurse visits at my home here in Casa Robles and this is where I choose to remain.
I love my Casa Robles community, I love my family, I love you all out there and most importantly, I love my God.
Your Golden "Oldie" missionary,
Natalie
Dear Friends & Family,
I would like to thank all of you for your prayers and thoughts and words of encouragement to myself and my family. It's been quite a journey these past 2 months. I miss Jack but I know he is in that place we all are going to be, one day.
I have my family, my friends and my little "Laddie" to see me through. They all have been wonderful to me. You could not ask for a better community of fellow Prayer Warriors than here at Casa Robles. They are a special group of people.
My children are very special to me. They call in or visit me daily. I don't drive, so they get my groceries for me, take me to the hairdressers every week, take me to Church, and take me out to eat every once in a while. I love them very dearly.
The Lord works His Plans for each of us in unique ways. No two are alike. We often don't understand why He does or allows things the way He does, but it is not up to us to UNDERSTAND. We may question God about WHY His Plans are a certain way but we don't see the BIGGER Picture.
Two weeks ago my kids took me to the doctors for a consult. In that visit he explained that I have End Stage Renal Disease. My only options were Dialysis or not. After much thought, I chose NO DIALYSIS. The doctor said I may only have a few months left of my life. With dialysis, at my age and condition, there probably wouldn't be much difference in time AND the quality of life would not be there.
For years I had always envisioned that I would live to be the same age as my Mom when she passed on, 95. I am 86, a few years shy of that age. I know that only He holds my future. The doctors can speculate all they want but only God decides. I still want to see 95 but I am ready to see my Heavenly Father.
Please pray for my family as they prepare for these coming months, weeks or days. I am under Hospice care now (not 24 hrs., though). They say I may become confused in the later stages so my kids will take over and fill you in on my condition. I have a few nurse visits at my home here in Casa Robles and this is where I choose to remain.
I love my Casa Robles community, I love my family, I love you all out there and most importantly, I love my God.
Your Golden "Oldie" missionary,
Natalie
