Impact!
Chelsea Rae
"I just wanted to send a message to the guys thanking them for the impact they had on Chelsea's final days. Childhood cancer sucks, especially when you learn it's termimal. My girl was amazing - though she did have many rough days. On those rough days she held tight to her memories of meeting you... and her anticipation to see you again was one of the few things that she got excited about. I can't tell you the hours that your encouragement impacted. Thank you for that. Her last days, she begged me to invite you all to a bbq. Had she been physically up for it, I probably would have - I would have done anything to make every moment count for her....
Her favorite song that you did was "Take Me In". Our last night with Chelsea was very difficult - much worse than I had anticipated. It wasn't peaceful, and as the hours passed on, I felt myself getting more and more angry with God. I had heard so many stories of people passing - and the peace they had. It was very confusing for me, for I wondering how God could use such a painful, gut wrenching time for good. Why couldn't she peacefully fade off to sleep like so many others? I still don't understand, but I do trust that His ways are not our ways.
So almost 15 hours later, my baby suffocating in my arms - the Lord finally revealed Himself, and He used you. During the night, I had sung a worship song to her. I wanted to sing it again, and I couldn't remember the words. It was so hard, because I just wanted to comfort my girl - and the words wouldn't come.
But then the Lord reminded me of her love for "Take Me In". I held her, her lips pressed against my cheek, and sang it over and over. Each time I came to the words, "Take the coal, touch my lips, here I am " I would kiss her on the lips. I could tell from the first time I sang it through that it was bringing her much comfort. Of course, I sang it over and over and over - kissing her each time. This went on for a while, and the Lord spoke and told me when to just sing that last verse over and over.
As I sang, the Lord reminded me about what that last verse means - how we are cleansed by Christ. He reminded me of all the conversations that Chels and I used to have - where she would confess all her junk, worried that she wasn't saved.
I realized that we hadn't had one of those conversations in a couple of months. Like me, Chelsea was good at stuffing things. The Holy Spirit moved powerfully, and I was able to remind Chelsea that it didn't matter how many mistakes she made, how many bad thoughts, how imperfect she was.... she was saved and Jesus loved her so much. I could feel her relax in my arm - and her breaths continued to grow further and further apart.
The Lord met me, her and Jeff so powerfully. I realized it was drawn out, because she wasn't ready. My baby, who didn't like to spend the night at people's homes because she would get home sick, who wouldn't go to camp for the same reason.... she even dragged her feet going to Heaven!
After singing and talking I prayed - and with my final words, "Jesus, I give my baby to you" she took her last breath.
Thank you for doing that song. Thank you for visiting my girl, for praying for us. Chelsea was sweet - she was very concerned about not "idolizing" you as a typical teenager would... but she sure looked up to you and enjoyed your music.
Because of that, you will always hold a special place in my heart. I consider you friends - though we may not even meet again until that great day in Heaven. I will continue to lift you up - prayer for you, your families, your ministry.
Of course, we used that song on the Memorial slideshow. I can send you a copy if you'd like.
Press on guys.
God is using you mightily.
Your sis in Him,
~Celeste "
Celeste - Portland, OR